Fishing - Anybody doing any ?

NickK said:
The shore stuff for when we visit the in-laws and the odd holiday :)
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You're always welcome to visit me if you want to do a bit of beach fishing, from reading the WSF forums lots of Rays are coming out atm so i really should 'pop across the road' and have a go,
late spring / early summer is best though as lots of Hounds get caught then and they put up a good scrap, so probably a bit late for this year,
also i know it's quite a drive from where you are :(
 
cainer said:
You're always welcome to visit me if you want to do a bit of beach fishing, from reading the WSF forums lots of Rays are coming out atm so i really should 'pop across the road' and have a go,
late spring / early summer is best though as lots of Hounds get caught then and they put up a good scrap, so probably a bit late for this year,
also i know it's quite a drive from where you are :(
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Think this year will be a little slow - given the crap with the job (or trying to find a new one). Only reason for the new rod is it was a decent price and they don't make them anymore. Will be a while before I get the chance for another boat trip too :/
 
Any recommendations for some basic kit?

I did a lot of course fishing as a lad and still do some fly fishing when I can.

However I live 10 mins from Whitley Bay so I've got beaches and the quay at North Shields on the doorstep.

The missus is also interested in inflatable kayaks for taking for little trips around the Tynemouth coast.

I was thinking about a couple of rods and reels I could keep in the car with some lure tackle I could use from the beach, kayak, quay if I happen to be there and have got a few minutes but don't have to worry about bait.

Maybe a beachcaster for evenings when it's warm and a few beers with my brother in law on the beach, talking rubbish and maybe catching a fish or 2.

Budget of say £1-200.
 
You could use a spinning rod for the kayak (although inflatable kayaks aren't the best idea for safety's sake). Only thing is you want saltwater resisting guides - like stainless steel that can be washed off with fresh water at the end of the day. I WD40 my guides after the rod is washed.

Beach caster - Shakespeare Agility may be an option given the budget and get a reel.

If you want it air portable then have a look at the Shimano STC range (I have a 10ft 20-50g casting spinning rod 5pcs). A little stiffer but fits in suitcase.

I went down the continent route but you can pay ridiculous money for rods.

I use a 6000 sized Fixed spool and a 4000 sized when beach fishing.

Only thing is a kayak wants a short rod but a beach caster will be too long. One rod is not going to both.

1/2 the reason I have a number of rods... and the Mrs understands now from the questions when I first started...


For boat ~6-11ft but 8ft being a good multipurpose size, for kayak ~5-6ft, for beach lure 8-12ft casting small weight, for beach bait 11-15ft casting 3-6oz+bait.

So your can see the issue - what are you likely todo more of?
 
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Cheers.

TBH it's going to lean more to the simple side, spinning rod and mackerel feathers etc so that I can try and get my daughter interested.

Is it best to fish drop rig style lures off a quay?
 
You have many options - the only thing is casting weight.

I use a drop rig style when port fishing or the crabs will have the bait in no time. Also no problem using a dropper - with a couple of hooks.

I have a very light rod - almost LRF that works nicely. 3-14g one handed and really short - made getting a flounder a in a fight! 3000 sized reel on that.

Bass - you can go from light rods casting 18- to heavy rods casting 50g. PB bass was a 9.5lb on a 20-50g casting Agility Season (8ft) off a boat with an exage 4000fd reel. No backbone to the rod but good for the purpose. Casts 2oz with feathers miles and is my 'goto' casting rod. Bend it to send it and for £28 on sale worth it :) I also have a Daiwa deadbait 14-28g which is good, a blast with big wrasse offshore with more backbone on the butt section.

The larger rods 50-100g etc are more bass rods for surf.

The heavier the casting the further casting but as you've said - dropping off a pier can be any rod really - the main issue is coping with larger fish with a drop net (add that to the budget).

The main issues are wind - casting into the wind will limit a small casting weight rod with a light lead.

A 18-28g would be fine for most things - as long as it has length to cast distance too. 9-10ft would be ok on a pier except on double deck with overhang above. It would be a fight. 20-50g would work and may offer some protection against high sticking (normal cause of snapping the tip off).
 
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Great, thanks for the tips, I'll have a read up and look at some rods.

If anybody is North East based and wants to show me the ropes, give me a shout!

I've always wanted to go out on a boat too if anyone ever needs a body to make up numbers.
 
wesimmo said:
Great, thanks for the tips, I'll have a read up and look at some rods.
If anybody is North East based and wants to show me the ropes, give me a shout!
I've always wanted to go out on a boat too if anyone ever needs a body to make up numbers.
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See - boat fishing .. adds more complications :) It depends if it's near shore (ie fishing the same areas of water but from a boat) or if it's deeper. Add complexity if drifting vs anchored.

Your rod needs to cope with the lead required for the water tidal currents and as deeper boat fishing isn't casting but more controlling and positioning the lead on the bottom. This is why I have a few boat rods and multis. The multi allows the lead to be controlled in lowering to the floor (rather than bail arm open). If it's charter then often they suggest a rod rated 20-30lb initially so there's no problems with larger leads however that's big Tope material so instead you'll see lighter 12-20lb rating used. What is used when depends on tidal current, depth, species you're after and the skill level of the angler. If anyone suggests 50lb rods.. they're specialist (I have one and it's happy lifting the wreck) 30-50lb class is big ray/skate and shark rod material for the UK.

Uglystik would be a good boat rod starting point, even second hand. 20-30lb rating for ling, conger, big blonde rays (bait fishing, or with 16oz+ of lead), 12-20lb rating for everything else (upto about 8-10oz of lead). 6-12lb rating is a blast in summer.

I use the same 20-50g spinning rod on the boats for bass or feathers but a recent 12-20 purchase seems to make the features more attractive (perhaps a snappier movement). 20-50g for wrecking (gilling with plastic lures) is possibly asking for trouble but fun - although charters prefer a heavier more in control setup.

Note the difference in rating systems between casting rods and downside rods. I haven't mentioned an untidier yet.. casting 5-10oz in shallow (sub 20m) water up tide of the boat to get away from the noise of the boat itself (uses hooked leads to grip the seafloor).

(and for context.. my old 50lb boat rod was happy pulling up 60oz, 3.75lb, of lead at point point :D).

Feathers on a boat - great.. but as the tide moves them, to prevent tangles you'll be needing to keep 5-10oz on the bottom depending on tide strength. That will be too much for a <50g casting spinning rod but a kayak Uglystik may work well.

Also check the ringing. Spinning rods are normally fixed spool, boat rods are normally multiplier. A FS boat rod works - although dropping a large lead with the bail arm open is not as controlled.
 
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Was out yesterday for the 4th time in about 2 months since taking it up,
was starting to get disheartened at not catching anything especially at a stocked loch.
Just as I was away to leave I got my first catch ever! Think I’ve not been casting out far enough but got the hang of it now. So looking forward to next time now.
y0XsFut.jpg
Wouldn’t usually take it right out but just a quick snap of my first catch:p
 
Would I need any additional gear for salmon fishing?
I've applied for the local river permit and hopefully hear back before season starting in feb.
Would I need bigger weight/longer rods or different lines and flies for river fishing?

Currently got a 9ft #6 rod with 6 weight sink/int/float lines and a bunch of flies.
 
David Flett said:
Would I need any additional gear for salmon fishing?
I've applied for the local river permit and hopefully hear back before season starting in feb.
Would I need bigger weight/longer rods or different lines and flies for river fishing?

Currently got a 9ft #6 rod with 6 weight sink/int/float lines and a bunch of flies.
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Salmon has an additional licence from memory (at least in Scotland). Salmon rods go up to double handed rods and a bit more oomph. Other than that - maybe have a look at world sea fishing forum - there’s a fly fishing sub forum that may be able to give more advice.
 
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