So you want to start the sport of beach fishing, but are not sure where to begin. 

Hopefully the following Guide will help you get started and enjoy the sport.

Tackle.

The first decision will be on the purchase of a Rod. You can pick up some really cheap beach casters in most of the tackle shops near sea side resorts. These rods can go for as little as £15, but like everything in life "You only get what you pay for". These rods will have very poor performance when casting, little bite indication at the tip and the rings will probably fray your line after a couple of sessions use. 

If you don't want to spend a lot but want a rod that will help you get results, take a look round the "Car Boot Sales" or in the classifieds. For £30 you can probably pick up a rod that would cost you £100 new. Just be careful, examine the rod for damage and broken eyes, make sure the spigots fit snugly together.

The next bit of kit will be your reel. My advise to newcomers is to start with a fixed spool reel and then try out a multiplier once you have got use to casting etc. Like the Rod, the same rules apply, cheap will be cheerful, look out for a good second hand bargain.

Once you have got the reel, put on fresh line. For most beach work I use a 20lb line, but remember to use a shock leader. This is a length of stronger line, I use 50lb line, which is tied to the end of the main line and is about three rod lengths long.

You will then need some traces, the type will be dictated by the venue. You can either buy pre-made traces our buy the swivels etc and tie your own. (I prefer the later as it gives me something to do when my wife tells me I can't go out fishing for the night !)

For your weight, I would start off with a Grip Lead and would suggest 150g as a size that will cast well and hold in a reasonable swell. If you are fishing in a strong swell then increase the weight size.

Finally on tackle, your hooks. I always use "Aberdeen's" as I find these a good all round hook that is easily bated. Always make sure your hooks are sharp, a blunt hook will result in missing many a good bite. 

Venue

Once you have got your tackle, find a good venue. Look a spots where other fisherman are fishing, go over and talk to them and see how the spot is fishing. Ask what bait is producing results and watch how far they are casting. But remember, please don't start with that question which sends a shiver up most fisherman's spines " .....A've you caught any fink yet mister ?"

If you don't want to spend hours traveling and talking to other anglers, read the reports on this site or in publications like the Sea Angler Magazine. These will tell you where is fishing well and where is not.

Many newcomers (and established anglers) find that piers can offer good results, without the need to be casting out 150 yards, to get into deep water. 

Piers offer a lot of attraction for newcomers to the sport.

Bait

This is problem the area where the greatest mistakes are made. Many a time I have seen newcomers to the sport, sliding on one single lugworm and wondering why they are not catching. The idea of the bait is that it puts out a trail of scent and flavor and attracts the fish to it's source. If you have one little worm, then you won't bee putting out much of a trail. What ever bait you are using, make sure you put plenty of it on the hook. I normally put between 6 & 8 lugworm on at a time. The second important thing is to regularly check your bait, the most I ever leave bait out for is twenty minutes, but in a strong swell or if there are lots of crabs around the bait change interval could be as little as every five minutes. Bait presentation is also very important, a lump of squid hanging onto the hook by a single loop will appeal to a passing fish as much last nights Big-Mac, sitting in the bin would appeal to you for breakfast.

Well presented bait, will improve your success.

Technique

If you are fishing from the beach get your casting skills polished, Although some fish will be come in near the shore, many of the good feeding spots will be out in the deeper waters. Practice your technique, watch others and if you are keen to learn, find out where Casting lessons are taking place, the effort will pay off.

Identify "Deep spots" and use these as targets when casting, this is where the fish may well be feeding. each fish may have different habits so study upon the techniques for the different species that come in a different times of the year.

So, we are all baited up, we've cast out and the lead has landed exactly where you want it, so what now ?

Firstly wind in any slack line until you feel a slight pressure, place your rod in the rest and tighten up the line slightly until the tip is just slightly under pressure.

Then don't make the mistake that many "Holiday Anglers" make. DO NOT WALK OFF AND LEAVE THE ROD, stay with it and watch the tip for movement. You may see the tip move slightly with the swell or with the wind pulling the line, but when a fish takes your bait you will see a different "Twitch" in the tip, the bigger the fish, the more positive it will be. As soon as you see that movement pick up the rod and strike with a firm pressure, but don't pull it so hard that you will rip the poor fishes gums, straight out of its mouth ! Once you have set the hook start bringing in the line, as you do so get as close to the waters edge as possible, keeping the line taught but not over tensioned. If the fish is fighting hard let it take some line and then gradually bring in home.

Once landed, unless you are fishing for your tea, measure and weigh your catch, make a record, remove the hook carefully and return the specimen. to the Sea. 

I hope you enjoy the experience and become one of the many thousands of Sea Anglers who love getting freezing cold, soaking wet, covered in mud every weekend. (And honestly we don't do it just to get away from the wife (or husband) do we ???)

Kevin Knight

(For more comprehensive details see Features, Tackle Talk & Bait sections)