Sea fishing – scratching

Well it seems from the latest poll results that most of are are interested in catching what ever we can when we are on a mark. This type of sea fishing is generally called scratching. But how do you scratch?

How to catch what is there

That title above is really all that scratching is. It most certianly is not loosening the flesh around a flea bite! I guess if you are considering going to a sea fishing mark and edging your bets, increasing you chance of going home with a fish rather than blanking, then you are scratching.

If you go to a new mark that you have been told fishes well for plaice on mussel and you set up the ultimate plaice rig, baited with mussle held on with bait elastic and arm your beachcaster to throw your gear 150 yards to catch that plaice, you are narrowing your chances of catching other species. You could be missing out on other prize species.

Everytime you go to a new mark or even an old one, its worth scratching. Fishing for other species will help you learn what might be there and the shap / structure of the seabed. Being open to trying ideas is what will increase your catch rate fatser than anything else.

How do I scratch while sea fishing

This method is not only for beach casting, but includes boat and kayak fishing as well. To be Honest its nothing to complicated, in fact its dead easy.

Fishing in ireland on a few boat comps I learnt that one of the most powerful scratching rigs was as simple as baited mackerel lures. You have the attraction of the lure, baits close to the sea bed and some higher as well as a few different baits on the 3 lure hooks that make up the rig (many comps have a hook limit)

When beach casting from the shore a 2/3 hook paternoster works well. A smaller hook on the bottom paternoster scratches for the flatties and micro species with a size one on the other hook lengths. remember that if you hook a good fish, play it and respect it as your hook size might be small and delicate!

If you are a master scratcher, let us know what system you use, or how your opinion differs from mine by commenting on this post.