Fishing tips for beginners part 9 The Estuary

A valuable source of differing species, that can be fished for in most conditions. Be careful of very strong currents, watch your footing.

To describe an Estuary would be to say, it is the tidal zone of a river where it joins the sea with water changing from fresh through brackish to saltwater along it’s length. This creates different environments for different species and allows for some great fishing.

Flounder, Mullet, Bass, fresh water eels, and Bream are some of the species found in this environment. They follow the flooding water up the channel, spewing out onto the flood plain in search of freshly uncovered prawns, crabs, small fish and worm.

Near the mouth of the Estuary Pollock feed, Ray hunt the bottom feeding on scoured food and Wrasse hug the rocky outcrops carved by the running waters. The flow stirs the bottom and draws food out into the open. Injured fish swim helplessly in the strong flow, not being able to stick to cover. It’s a conveyer of food!

It is worth getting to the point where the sea stops at low tide. Following the saltwater up, as it fills the Estuary with fresh sea water. Using floats, lures and light ledgers can produce some excellent results in this interface. Use species you can find at the location as bait.

It is always worth spending a few hours looking at the shape of the Estuary. Discovering the holes and pools that are likely to hold fish on the flood. Working out how you will get to the waters edge to fish. Watching out for the differing baits you will use, note for example where the beds of lug worm start and finish, where the weed is growing, what fry you can see.

If you research the mark well you should be able to position your self so that you do not have to cast along way in order to reach where you think the fish are holding. Allways consider your safety first though. A fast flowing current can be dangerous.