Visitors Questions and Answers

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Last update: 

06 December, 2003 14:09

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Want to know a good fishing spot or the price to fish on Southend Pier ?

If you can't find the information on the site, post your question her and hopefully one of our visitors can give you the answer.

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Question

No:-

149

Can anyone tell me when the whiting season is in IRELAND PLEASE!!

VISITORS REPLY

To answer your question there is no season for Whiting in Ireland they arrive whenever they want to , but the best time to catch them is definitely in the late summer or the winter from the shore. From the boat point they can be caught nearly all year round, if you fish deep enough. Best baits are usually very small amounts of fish baits and very sharp hooks in small sizes to catch these fantastic bait robbers

Answer supplied by: Brendan Kenneally

The proposed system for catch & release of conga and tope? Has anyone got the size scale plan for this, we are told you measure the girth & length to get its weight?. please help so these fish can be put back without delay.

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

147

Can anyone tell me of a good Low water spot to fish along the South coast at night from Worthing to Hastings, I always seem to blank. I know high water is much better but sometimes I only get the chance to fish at low water.

VISITORS REPLY

If you wish to fish ANY state of tide, piers and breakwaters only option. However many like Hastings or Worthing piers have only 6 inches of water at spring tides, low water. Most shallow beaches in the area you site, are fished from low tide to high tide only, otherwise your rigs will be left high and dry, on ebb tide, Brighton Marina or Newhaven West Arm are best venues if tide times problem. Newhaven my choise,bait easier to get, more weather shelter and no vandals about.

Answer supplied by: Terrance Jones

Another Visitors Answer

It's a little further but Dungeness always fishes well over low water.

Answer supplied by: Colin

Where & what type of fishing is possible in County Clare for the last 2 weeks in Dec & ist week in January?

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Why do you fish at Rock-a-Nore. its for spongers and surfers only

Do our visitors want to answer this one, or should I !

Can you please give me any info, tips etc on using braided line. What breaking strain, do I need to use a shock leader, what sort of end rig.

VISITORS REPLY

Dynema braid has almost no use for any uptide boat or beach casting. Dynema's non-stretch attribute quality works against the sinker holding bottom. Wave and wind snatch leads off bottom if no elastic shock absorbsion. This is despite advantage of much thinner line catching tide. Your rod is designed to cast a specific weight, so the same sinkers must be use despite braid. Fraying makes dynema useless, shore angling picks up sand grains on line, this can reduce life of braid to few outings. Finally DYNEMA mis-cast can chop off rod tips/rings etc. Now days mono's so cheap, buy a bulk spool and change line every few shore outings. Save dynema braid for anchored downtide boat angling. Its ok pirking,but not redgilling. Its a must fishing over 200ft deep.

Answer supplied by: Terrance Jones

What is the best bait and rigs to use of the beach for bass and rays? The beach is a sandy surf beach with a few gullies running along it.

I fish for rays at Ballywilling and in Kerry both are shallow with sandy bottoms, I use a single hook rig either a flapper or clipped with a long snood lenth (to 4ft) this gives the ray a chance to settle over the bait,don't strike till the rod is being lifted off the rest. As for bass I use two hook flappers with very short snoods when the surf is bringing in loads of weed and a single pulley   when its clean. 

Answer supplied by: Billy the bass.........

Does anybody know of a good bait supplier between Kings Lynn and Salthouse. My usual supplier in Hunstanton is struggling at the moment so it would be nice to have an alternative.

VISITORS REPLY

My bait suppliier is at Cley. He's an old chap who looks about 187 years old but has never let me down on bait orders which is more than I can say for some shops.Give him a ring on 01263 740955

Answer supplied by:  John Mardell

I'm planning to go night fishing on the 16th November, where along the South coast between Brighton & Dover are the best marks at this time of year for Cod or do you think it's still a little early?

Can I suggest you check out our Hotspots section, there are several along the Sussex & Kent Coasts. With regard to the Cod, we are all still waiting, plenty of Whiting, but no Cod yet !

What is the beast length of snood when fishing a single cliped down patanoster for cod over clean ground

This reminds me of another question asked, "How long in a length of string". To give you an answer to your question is virtually impossible, it depends on depth of water etc. I normally start off at around 600mm, but sometimes it can be longer sometimes shorter. The best way is to experiment, when you start catching you know you have the right length for the conditions, but don't forget it could be completely different the next day

On a recent night trip to the River Mersey at Perch rock while I was walking to my peg I noticed that all around my feet was glowing up on a closer look they looked like jelly fish they where alive and in great numbers. What are they and should they be glowing up or is the something wrong

VISITORS REPLY

They were jelly fish and they will have been feeding on the plankton that has been in the River and Irish Sea for the last few months, you may have noticed when casting that when your weight hits the water or on retrieval the water will have "lit up". It is nothing to worry about and is a natural nature thingy, while on the subject the River Mersey is now cleaner than it has EVER BEEN and the amount of different species that are getting caught is a great sign of this.

Question answered by: Chris - Wirrall Sea Fishing

Can you show me what rig would be the best 4 general trawling. Please please please answer for 4 pm Wednesday 24th October

Sorry but being a beach fisherman only I can't help you, but lets se if we can get answer back tonight from one of our visitors.

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Just taken up beach/pier fishing, live in Carmarthen, S Wales, any good spots in area for flounder, would appreciate info re rigs baits etc any help would be greatly appreciated

Can I suggest you check out our rigs section, the best bait I find for flounders is either lug or worm.

As for spots lets ask our visitors

Visitors Answer

Hi. Laugharne is an excellent spot for large flounder. My favourite spot is 30 yards to the right of Dylan Thomas' house.

Stuart Kendall

Do any of you fisher people know any good website or other means for me to get to know the location of: such as Moggs eye and other bits of coast that are just not on your average map?

All I can suggest is keep checking out our HOTSPOTS section, we have had some fairly remote location identified.

Power Stations...

I have decided to try fishing this Autumn and Winter by Kingsnorth & Grain Power Stations in North Kent.
Has anyone been fishing from these venues over the last year. Can I find deep water and maybe a few late Bass and early codling ?
By the way I've been catching school bass to 1 1/2 LB on small plugs and spinners from Gravesend between Shop & Lobster and Shorne Fort. Has anyone else been trying lures and spinners ?

VISITORS REPLY

This is a BASS breeding sanctuary. Fines for catching Bass here. Thames bailiffs patrol there. All Thames muddy dirty water, lures are invisible to fish. Rarely work

Question answered by: Terrance Ernest Jones

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

Surely the BASS sancturies are protected from boats only. Fishing is allowed from the shore. 

Question answered by: P Dadson

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

Member of Dartford Ramblers SAA is Thames bailiff to this area including power station. His information is ALL bass must be returned, they are prohibited to everyone. The law is same for all. No differential to anglers.

Question answered by: Terrance Ernest Jones

I'm interested to know what would be the percentage of multipliers vs Fixed spools used for surfcasting in UK / Ireland ?
(Question asked by a French Sea Angler..)
If any idea, it could help me not to tell lies on my web page.

Originally Multipliers were definitely the biggest sellers, how ever with the Fixed Spool reels getting better and better, their popularity has grown enormously. My guess would be about 50 - 50.

Army Team

Me and a few friends are going to be starting a Regimental (Army) fishing team and would like to know the best marks/bait/tackle to be used around the Southampton, Gosport or Portsmouth area, mostly Southampton to begin with all ideas and tips will be gratefully welcomed and taken on board!!

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Where on the East coast is the best place to fish for cod between Spurn Point and Mappleton ,does any body know of any deep gullies or waste pipes .
Also does any body know of an up to date web site for this area with regular updates

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

131

I am new to the sport and I have been catching a lot of small flat fish that swallow the hook right down into their gut. The hook is impossible to remove.
So do you kill it so you can get the hook back? or cut the line leaving the hook in its gut so you can put it back

Excellant Question and one which always causes a lot of debate. My view is to kill this fish, but many will disagree, lets cast it open and see what our visitors views are...

VISITORS REPLY

It is unfortunate that in this case it would be best to kill the fish, you will of spent a few minutes trying to get the hook out, and the fish will be in great distress and proberbly half dead and therefore will proberbly not survive - try to use the next hook size up to avoid this problem

Question answered by: Chris - Wirral Sea Fishing

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

If your using small hooks (up to 1/0 in aberdeens) cut the line as they Quickley disolve in salt water. And most flats are hardy fish as you will know when trying to dispach them. 

Question answered by: Billy the Bass

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

You could try a Gemini Fish disgorger it realy works on deep hooked fish and it seems a very gentle way of releasing fish.

Question answered by: Brendan Kenneally

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

I have found this to be a problem also and feel very bad when this happen but...I have found the answer.
Dont let the fish sit on the bait and suck it right down.. I bet you found this is the case..you reeled in and found a flat on the line and never expected this...or you had an idea something was nibbling and left it for a good indications on the tip.
best answer to this is on very fist sign strike QUICK and sharp  reel in and you will find the hook in the lip and not down it throat.  I have tested this out and Every dab flounder or flattie I caught I was able to release honestly. GIve it a try.
you could also move your trace up away from the lead to get a better indication of an earler hit to react sooner tooo.

give it a try and lets know how you get on

Question answered by: Stephen Wallace

I would like to buy some tackle to fish off shore and from what I've read skimping on cost could be false economy, having said that I'm not loaded! I'd like to set myself up with a reliable piece of kit that will give
trusted service but not cost the earth.  Could anyone give me some recommendations in terms of specific tackle to buy?

And while I'm here...(Get mi moneys worth! :-) I will have the chance of fishing off the coast of Rome,italy Nov 2001-Jan 2002 has anyone got any tips/suggestions where to fish etc?

VISITORS REPLY

A friend of mine came out fishing last year for the first time, and the next week he went out and bought a Rod and Reel for £50.00 and the wieghts and things the total was about £65.00 he still use's the same stuff today and catch's the same stuff as I do, His most expensive piece of kit is his floatation suit £100.00 but well worth the money !!!

Question answered by: Chris - Wirral Sea Fishing

I understand that cocktail baits can be succesful, for example ragworm tipped with squid.

I am thinking of trying this at the week-end. Do I just buy the squid frozen from the tackle shop and cut it into small pieces and put it on the hook after the worm or do I have to do anything more specific ?

I have some Mackerel in the freezer, would this be better to use than squid ?

I'll be beach fishing off the South Coast with size 1, 2 hooks.

Yes, simply cut the squid into strips cross the bait and "tip" off your hook. Don't use Mackeral instead of Squid, try a lump of mackeral, tipped with squid, 

The rules are simple, "EXPERIMENT" if one combination, or one bait is not working try another.

Check out our bait page for further details

I have recently returned to sea fishing after many years.I am 6 feet 7 inches tall and want to purchase a good quality floatation suit.I have not found one suitable in arm and leg length.I have tried the Sundridge range up to their biggest sizes but they are all a standard length.Any ideas welcome!

VISITORS REPLY

MAINSTREAM giant is largest made,xxxxl also direct sale bigger made to measure 10% surcharge.

Anyone know where I can buy size 14 Moonboots ?

Question answered by: Terrance Ernest Jones

Q1   What is the best bait to use for Mackerel of a pier?

Q2   I live in Southend and go fishing of the pier. I fish for Mackeral and normally get one or two using feathers. Is there a bait I should use that would get me more Mackeral. If so what is it?

Simple, no Bait, just feathers. Most Anglers use feathers to catch the mackerel to use as bait for bigger fish.

I want to try and organise a fishing trip for me and 4/5 mates off the South Coast, do you know the best way to go about this?  We live near southampton and were thinking of fishing round by the Needles, off the Isle of Wight or somewhere else not to far away.  Any help would be appreciated, cheers.

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Is there a season for lobster fishing if so when is it- thanks

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

My friend and I wanted to try fishing the Aln estuary (Alnmouth, Northumberland) in the hope of catching Sea trout on there way upstream. Please can you give us some advice on what bait to use (spinners? worms?) and when it's best to try (evening, morning, incoming tide etc)?
We'd be grateful for any advice that you could offer

VISITORS REPLY

Sea trout, soon move in estuaries following after flounders ,then mullet migration. In estuary with SHAD, sea trout are shadowing them. Rag baited fly spoons,1 inch get most worked under float 2 ft deep. Evening light best.

Question answered by: Terrance Ernest Jones

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

The best spinner for seatrout is a flying condom red&gold or red&silver

Question answered by: Peter Caroll

I have been given a Penn 285M multiplier reel, can anyone tell me if it's a boat or beach cast reel.

Its a boat reel and don't you dare use it as a beach reel as it'll give you the world's worst overrun

Question answered by: Pilly the Pout

I have just started beach casting and I need some tips on how to set a good rig up with out getting snagged and all so what is the best bait to catch cod with.

A good rig for cod is the Up & Over and virtually any of the baits, lug, squid, mackerel, etc. will catch cod. They are known as the dustbins of the sea, because they will eat virtually anything. The key to success is bit hooks, well loaded with bait. 

Are any of the artifical lures/baits any good for beach fishing are they just used as lures ie cast and retrive or boat fishing?

VISITORS REPLY

On the north-east coast artificial baits and lures are deemed almost useless one exception being the baited flattie-spoon slowly retrieved over a sandy or muddy bottom. Answers from some southern anglers are needed to complete the picture.

Question answered by: Gary Loftus

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

The answer is only as lures, Jelly worms (slow retrive in deep water). There are now scented lures on the market and it has to be said that they are completely useless for the shore angler. A friend of mine John Morrissey has tried these with notable failure.

Question answered by: Billy the Bass

To Knot or not ?

I understand shock leaders and can successfully join the 50lb to 20lb main line and it casts well (thanks to your section on knots). However what do I do if I want to join 20lb to 20lb after I've had a snag and cut the line. I did this using the same knot on my daughter's reel (half shore leader I think) and when I cast it sticks a bit at the knot. Should you throw the line away and not have a knot? I was casting a float with a one and a half ounce weight. I assume if I was using a heavier weight it would not stick.

Simple answer... NEVER tie knots in your main line, it will reduce casting distance and put a very weak point in the line. The day you hook into that "Specimen Fish" and your line goes "Twang" at that knot you tied, will be the day you wished you had invested in new line.

I'm off to "Sunny West Wales" this bank holiday. So where's the best Bass spot at the moment. Last year I had several scholies off Llangranog and some better ones on Newport Pembs,, I tried both venues about a month ago and got 13 doggies. Not a Bass in sight. Are they around this year? and where. ?

Sorry for posting your message after the Bank Holiday, but like you I have been away on my hols to. Anyway lets see if we can get an answer for future reference...

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

I'm back from sort of Sunny Wales, 4 Fishing trips managed (would have been more if not for her indoors). Results! 1 Dogy at Newport Pembs from 2 visits & 1 Bass from Poppit Sands Southern end near rocks at 21:00 hrs an hour after high tide. Caught on Lug dug from the many casts there. I'd tried Frozen sand eel first on two rods, met a fantastic guy from down south Wales on his holidays, he was digging bait for a trip the following morning at Gwbert and gave me some of his freshly dug. It wasn't big but just sizeable at 15". Made my day it was my last cast before I ran out of bait and had already started packing up one rod. It payes to stay even after the flood....
Next year I'll be targeting Poppit sands first in the Cardigan Estuary.
Thanks

When you are making rigs for beach fishing do you use shock leader for the main line of the rig and then use 20Ib line for the snoods?

When casting the line which forms the initial "Whip" is exposed to extreme pressure, for this reason we use the shock leader, as it's name describes it takes the "Shock" on the "Leading" line. 

Snoods are not exposed to the force of the weight, so they do not need to be "Shock" rated.

When fishing over rough ground the shock leader may become damaged, but cuts or abrasions, for this reason, always check your shock leader before your initial cast and replace it regularly.

Not using a shock leader can be fatal, there have been several reported incidents of "Break offs" and leads striking other fisherman or people passing by. Remember you are legally responsible for your actions.

Does anyone know of a beach/sea fishing club in the East coast of Yorkshire, preferably in the DN14 AREA.

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Can anyone offer advice on spinning for bass?

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Is it possible to catch mackerel (or any edible fish) of the shore without using a rod? If yes, what sort of line, tackle, and bait is best?

In theory I suppose the answer is yes, I have seen mackerel caught with feathers from a pier, but it's not the best technique. It is possible, but again very un-orthodox to catch any fish on a line off a pier, but as for from the beach, unless you can throw the line you are going to have problems.

VISITORS REPLY

Fishing using a hand-line!Half in regard to fishing without a rod you can get handlines but does anyone ever catch anything.Has anyone ever tried using catapults? I suppose with the flying hooks it could be a bit dodgy. Or perhaps using a firework rocket? Could get you into really deep water!

Question answered by: Chris.

Webmaster Comment:-

OK So we are getting silly now aren't we !

ANOTHER VISITORS REPLY

I have heard of a technique called 'long-lining' which basicly involves stetching a ... (wait for it)... long line along the beach at low tide. The line has droppers/snoods every couple of foot, which are baited up, and partially burried in the sand. The incoming tide then does it's bit and the fish and the bait and the hooks do their bit and then you take the catch home to the wife who does her bit.

I am looking to get into beach fishing. I am looking for a buddy who can give me some guidance as I am unsure of which beaches etc are any good. I live in north Cambs so the Norfolk coast is good for me upto Wells. Can pick buddy up etc and am willing to pay for all the bait. 

VISITORS REPLY

I'm free any time I live in Thetford area I'm not that experinced in fishing but I've read a lot of books and do a lot of pike and coarse fishing.

Hope to here from you

E-mail address: j.morley1@ntlworld.com

Does anybody know a good place to dig for bait between Southampton and Bournemouth?

VISITORS REPLY

Try Sandbanks nr Poole in Dorset the harbour is full of rag and lug also Southampton and Hayling Island are good for worms

Question answered by: Colin Olver

First of all 10 out of 10 for the site. I have just started sea fishing this year along the suffolk coast mostly at Felixstowe I fancy having a go at the Garfish which are about at the moment. I was going to use my carp rod which is a Shimano Catana But I have been told by my local tackel shop that it would damage the eyes/Rings and I should buy a sea spining rod. Is this the case

VISITORS REPLY

Unless you drop it in and find it two months later it will be O.K. just wash it down with fresh water after every trip, mackerel and garfish scales stick like glue. This type of rod makes a great flattie and bass plugging rod. 

Question answered by: Billy the bass.......

 Isle of Arron in Scotland a good place to fish ?

VISITORS REPLY

I fished 'Arran' and the Firth of Clyde when I was a lad and it was brilliant. Wasn't everwhere then ? However I found the following Web address which gives you information on Arran (Brodick and Lamlash are 2 of the main places there). Hope this is of help.
http://www.wsi.walshsimmons.co.uk/wtf/docs/2e006001.html

Question answered by: Grant Russell

I am writing on behalf of my son, we have just returned from a holiday in Devon where my son got the sea fishing bug after catching a mackerel at Dartmouth on a crab line, we bought him a 12ft beach rod and now we are back home nr Tollesbury he wishes to continue, my question is where can  he sea fish in this area ? He is only 9 years old but proved to be an excellent caster, and wants to go fishing with his Grandad.

VISITORS REPLY

Tollesbury in Essex, right?- Clacton pier, Walton pier, Southend pier, Holland on Sea beach, St.osyth beach, anywhere on the Crouch estuary, especially South Fambridge but also Burnham on Crouch sea wall, Wallasea Island (a good bet for shore caught Roker), anywhere along the Thames estuary like Canvey, Stanford le Hope, Tilbury, Grays, Purfleet, Rainham, basically anywhere on the Essex coast, where fishable, will produce fish of various species at different times of the year including cod, whiting, rockling, sole, plaice, pouting, bass, flounder, silver eel, mackeral, garfish, scad, thornback ray, stingray, smoothound, dab etc, etc, etc.

Question answered by: Anonymous

What is the difference between Bull Huss and Dog fish? Iv'e seen pictures of Bull Huss but they always look exactly like big dog fish!

VISITORS ANSWER

The bull huss ( or greater spotted dogfish) has a lighter body and larger spots. It also grows alot bigger up to 20lbs than our friend the doggie (also called loads of names I can't mention here.) The huss also has a blunt head and is not as shark like as the dog, the thing is if you think youv'e caught a record dog your looking at a huss. 

Answer supplied by:- Billy the bass.......

Try http//web online.co.uk/aquarium/pages/ they have pictures of nearly all the fish in Irish and British waters.

Answer supplied by:- Big Bren

We are going to N Wales this sat the 28/7/2001 it is the first time in Wales for us I have only done beach cast once we are going to Cricceth can any one please let me know any good areas around Cricceth and what if any you can catch apart from a cold nose and fingers thank this would help a lot

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

I am going on holiday to Padstow in Cornwall in mid August and would like to try spinning/plugging for bass. Can anyone suggest some good marks to fish and lures to use. Is Padstow a good venue for bass fishing ?
What other species can I expect to catch using lures ?

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

I am going to Guernsey on hols in two weeks time. I will be fishing with my sons (aged 9&12) from the rocks and perhaps beaches. What tackle should I be using. We will all be using telescopic rods capable of casting up to 50g weights. Do I need wire leaders, lures etc what rigs should we use? Excellent web site by the way!

VISITORS ANSWER

I live in Guernsey but have only recently taken up fishing, I purchased a book called Angling in the Bailiwick of Guernsey by Len Le Page,cost me £10.95 but gives directions to marks, methods to use at particular spots and baits to use. Looked in the book on the Friday and chose the mark I wanted to fish from and armed with the suggested bait went off on Saturday 11th October fished from mark on west coast of Guernsey using a general spinning trace baited with scallop frills and came away with a few nice sized black bream. The book is well worth investing in, ps I'm not related to the publisher and have not been bribed.

Answer supplied by: Rowley

Are there any pier on Merseyside for the beginner?

VISITORS ANSWER

No is the basic answer !! what part of Merseyside are you planning to fish ? Harrison Drive is an easy Venue for a beginner as a high water venue , or Perch Rock as low water Venue, If you are a total beginner then try just in front of the Chelsea night Club in New Brighton as the tide will not sweep behind you there fish it 1 hour to low water and up to 3 on the incoming tide, and that is the spot that New Brighton pier once stood on !!

Answer supplied by: Chris - Wirral seafishing

Information on the whereabouts of Derek Townsend, prolific beach fisher on the South Wales coast in the 1970s / 1980s.  Wrote articles in Sea Angler about fishing the area.  I need to contact him about his book.

WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWER !

Can you please point me at some site on the web or send me a picture of a weaver fish???
I am new to sea fishing have just bought my rod and tackle and plan to start this summer in St Davids Pembrokeshire.

If you are new to fishing then the last fish you want to catch is a Weaver, but just in case you do, we will try and find a picture.

VISITORS ANSWERS

I have looked for a pic of the dreaded Weaver but I am unable to find one but I have found this info - so I hope it helps  "The Greater Weever is most frequently caught by boat anglers, and can grow over two pounds in weight. It has venomous spines on the gill cover and first dorsal fin. The Lesser Weever is similar to its larger cousin, but is found inshore, and has a more potent venom. Weevers are a sandy colour with a white belly, and vertically slanted mouths. The first dorsal is black in colour. The Greater Weever has a blue and gold diagonal pattern on its back. Both weevers lie virtually buried in sandy bottoms with just their mouth and dorsal fin exposed. Anglers wading on sandy beaches should be wary of Lesser Weevers. If stung by a Weever, the result though not fatal is extremely painful. The best treatment is to immerse the wound in hot water, as hot as is possible to bear, for 30 minutes. The poison is protein based and this heat treatment virtually cooks the poison and reduces its effect. Around some parts of the coast Weevers are extremly common. Cardigan Bay in Wales is one such area."

Answer supplied by: Chris - Wirral seafishing

For a picture of a weaver fish (or practically any other fish you are likely to encounter) check out http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/pages/lesserweever.html

Answer supplied by: Neil

103

I am interested in starting beach fishing, what rod and reel should I buy.  I have been tempted by the cheap combo's Ron Thompson and Shakespere, but have read a number of different articles and I am confused? can any one help?

Don't be tempted to buy a Rod, just because it's cheap. Please read my response to question 99 and the linked pages, hopefully this will guide you through the maze of choosing a rod.

VISITOR ANSWER

I personally think the Ron Thompson combo deals are false economy. I brought one of the bass combos and used it for flattie bashing (and small bass) and lure fishing for pollock off the rocks in Cornwall. Although I liked the action of the rod itself, the inner part of the rod rings fell off and the reel seat was very flimsy and cheap. The reel was also of inferior quality and felt like it would fall apart while reeling in anything over 1lb in weight. Eventually the rod snapped while reeling in a load of sea weed.
I have heard that some of the other combos are okay but I would be wary of buying them. After all you only get what you pay for.

Answer supplied by: Ian

Looking for place to go for weekends fishing (and camping) - beach/rock fishing - along south coast of England - not as far out as Devon and Cornwall from London - any suggestions ?

VISITORS ANSWER

Try looking at chesil beach area. There are plenty of sites caravan and camping in the area of West Bexington and Burton Bradstock. Use the internet to surf a search engine for this info. Also look at the chesil beach web site link for updates on the local fishing a chat room is also available.

Answer supplied by: Colin Olver

In last month's edition of TSF Jock Goudie wrote an article about fishing for smouthhounds.  In the article he made reference to using peeler, edible or hermit crabs as the best bait. Also in the Torquay & Paignton article it was stated that the best bait for fishing at Thatcher Pines was peeler or hard back crabs.  Are you saying that hard back crabs in particular edible crabs can be used as bait.  If yes can you please state the best way of preparation and presentation of the bait.

Firstly this site has no connection with TSF (Total Sea Fishing).

I personally have not heard of success using hard back crabs, however maybe one of our visitors has, so I will throw it open to them...

VISITORS ANSWER

Hard back crabs are a killer bait for Wrasse. This is one of the best bait for the big ones in the north Wales,Devon & Cornwall. I have fished with ragworm & Hard back crabs, with rag taking the small fish

Answer supplied by: Toppo

I'm going on holidays to fort Lauderdale in Florida. anyone got any info on baits, shore fishing spots, tactics or even charter boat info would be greatly appreciated.

Firstly, don't be taken in by the "Glitzy Charters" charging up to $150 per session. I have fished in Fort Lauderdale on several occasions, you can get a good charter, rods and bait for around $35.00. Get away from the main tourist area, down towards the Cruise Ship terminal, along there you will see several small charter boat, try booking a day or so before. The crews of the boats will show you all the tactics, you will be shocked, especially when you start hanging the bait from a line connected to a kite !.Shore fishing is poor, there are a few small "Piers" where you can fish with squid, but catches are usually fairly small.

VISITORS ANSWER

hi,depending on the time of year shore fishing can be very productive,ilived in AMERICA for 7 years and had agroup of friends who raved about shore fishing for SPANISH MACKEREL and Bonito,but it is very seasonal so you would have to find some local info.if there is a run on and people are using lures and catching be sure to find out EXACTLY what they are using as i have found this to be very important, suffering blanks while other people were loading up. finally while beach fishing in the U.S be sure to follow size limits exactly other wise you can get into SERIOUS TROUBLE,the enviromental police will tolerate absolutely no excuses. the fines are very heavy and can include imprisonment.perhaps a similar approach here might help our situation with regard to fish stocks!!

Answer supplied by: Toppo