Sea fishing for Beginners

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Easy and Cheap Sea Fishing Setup

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The problem with any new sport, especially for youndsters is the cost of getting all the gear, only for them to try once and say “I hate Fishing”. There is a really cheap way to get you fishing and one that will work just fine. It will be ideal for a bit of fun on the end of the Pier, a Pontoon or off the Harbour wall, read on for a cheap sea fishing setup.

Cheap Sea Fishing Setup

You need a  6-8 ft spinning rod / fun rod and reel normally about £ 10 ish from a sea side tackle shop. Fill the reel with cheap  8 – 10lb line and a 20 lb leader 10 to 15 ft long, this is not for casting but for protecting the line from rubbing on the rocks, snags and other objects…

On the end of the rig you can tie on a lead link or paper clip, to this you can attach a weight, either a lead fishing weight, a small bag of pebbles or a nut and bolt. The paper clip will act as a rotten bottom and will release should the weight get caught and snagged, saving your rig and even fish if you snag while playing the fish.

You want to attach a small hook, a long shank size 8 or 10 will do, but anything you can get your hands on will do as long as it is sharp. You need to attach this to a snood, made form a double overhand knot and cutting one end… Look at the video below

Fish love hunting man made structures for their tea and this cheap sea fishing setup is perfect. Harbours and Marinas (where fishing is allowed) offer some great fishing in calm deep water marks. It is safe (as safe as the water can be) easier access and full of small Wrasse, Pollock, School Bass, Mullet, Conger and other little species. Please be courteous of other facility users, clean up and be polite while fishing.

Bait can include worm and fish baits. Bread and pate will even catch small Pollock!! Honestly stick anything with a scent on your hook and enjoy!!!!

You can fish this rig on the bottom to start, then just reel in a few turns after 5 mins and fish, if nothing reel up a bit more. Change your bait every 10 – 15 mins and keep working until you catch a fishey!! You can gently cast, but keep casting to new areas if you don’t catch first go.

This is a simple and effective way to fish. Many countries only use rigs like this on big colourful hand line reels, no rods or fancy stuff. You could use this rig idea for Kayak fishing or boat fishing. Use spark plugs, stones in bits of onion sacks or whatever you can get your hands on as weights.

Simple rigs work and will cost next to nothing, get out there, buy a small cheap rod and get fishing! 20 pounds an you could have years of fun!!!!

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LRF Fishing – My Drop Shot Rig with Olivettes

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My Recent post on LRF fishing has proven to be very popular and has gotten a lot of interest by way of email and twitter feedback. On a recent LRF session I promised to share a neat  little system I had devised while walking around my local tackle store. I am not saying this has never been done before, but I have not seen it written about on the web….

The Drop Shot Rig

I have included a great video to show you how to tie the lovely, neat rig. The only tweak I have made is the method I added the weight below the rig.

The system I have used employes the use of pole fishing “Olivettes“. These are pear shaped weights, from .6 gramme upwards. I used 1.5 g for my session. The weight has a long leg at either end and comes with a length or rubber tube. You simply cut your tube into two short lengths, pass your line through the tube, then place the long legs of the Olivettes in to the tube, locking it in place.

I cast really hard to dislodge this system, but I could not even with very fine leader line. It does not damage or kink the line like may other weight systems so presentation stays perfect and you can raise and lower the lead, effectively raising and lowering you lure from the sea bed according to conditions and substrate. What do you think? Please comment below.

Beginner’s Guide to North Sea Boat Fishing

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A guest article outlining the wonderful fishing to be had in the North Sea… Enjoy

For those of you not too hot on your geography, The North Sea is located between Great Britain and Europe and it is one of the best fishing destinations in the world. It’s home to over 230 species of fish including Cod, Haddock, Plaice and Mackerel and provides the world with 5% of its commercially produced fish every year but there are a number of things you should be aware of if you are going to take a trip yourself. This article then will give you a beginner’s guide to the best places to go, best equipment to take and best bait to use.

North Sea Fishing

Rods

First of all, the current trend with sea fishing tackle is to fish light. With that in mind I would advise that you consider a 6-10oz uptider (8ft to 10ft) or a 12-20lb boat rod. Couple this with a 7000 size multiplier and 20lb mono and you have a recipe for success. The good thing about uptiders is that they can be used downtide as well and are even popular for gilling over wrecks.

It is best to use uptiders with a multiplier or fixed spool sea fishing reel, especially if you are casting on a crowded boat but if you are looking to cover all bases it might be wise to purchase a 15lb to 30lb boat rod for pollacking, bassing and downtiding.

Bait

You can save a fortune on bait by visiting local supermarkets, harbours and fishmongers and looking for deals. You can buy prawns from supermarkets relatively cheap – as long as you make sure they’re raw – and they make excellent bait for cod. Fishmongers on the other hand, have a whole variety of bait ranging from squid to cuttlefish and are generally cheaper than tackleshops. Rather surprisingly, you might also consider visiting Ebay for your bait – just make sure to check the shipping.

The Best Types of Bait:

Lugworm – Lugworm is known as killer Cod bait and has even evolved into a subspecies known as “Frozen Black” because of the demands of the modern angler.

Peeler Crab – Peeler Crab is considered by some to be the premium North Sea fishing bait and is overpriced as a result. Peeler Crabs have been in the sea so long that they have become soft and as a result are easier to place on the hook.

Ragworm – Is without a doubt the most popular bait in the UK market and it isn’t that expensive either. You can save money by diffing for ragworm yourself during low tide and with a 6 inch worm you can attract just about and fish in the North Sea.

Location

Unfortunately I am mainly constrained to fishing the North Sea from the coast of the UK. Anything further afield and I think my boat might sink, but these two marks are two of my personal favourites.

Middle Deeps

The Middle Deep is a gulley that runs Northeast from the Maplin Sands between the Middle and East Barrow sandbanks. It is about ten miles out of Brightlingsea and involves crossing some areas of shallow water so a small boat is advisable. Once you get there, though, the fishing is great. You can find it here:

Latitude 51º 40’.80

Longitude 01º 14’.00

Fish: Smoothhounds, Tope, Bass, Cod, Thornback ray.

The Woolpack

The Woolpack is great for thornback rays and if you visit you will often come back with fish in double figures. Fresh mackerel and herring is a good shout for bait and you can expect to pick up some cod during the winter months.

Latitude 51° 25. 600’ Longitude 001° 12. 250’

Ebb and flood tide for thornback ray.

There are too many great locations to list in this short article but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share your favourites in the comments below. In the meantime I hope this brief guide has been of some help and enjoy your inaugural North Sea boat fishing trip.

How to Start Charter Boat Fishing

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I was recently asked by a friend who is new to sea  fishing “How do you afford to go charter boat fishing, it is going to cost me hundreds of pounds!” This is a light hearted intro into the basics of Charter Boat fishing, but wont cover getting a line in the water that’s all over here – Wreck Fishing Tips (come back up here once you have read this!)

Getting started in Charter Boat fishing can be difficult. If you haven’t got a group of friends, the thought of paying for a Charter boat can seem a bit daunting.  A days Charter Boat fishing could easily cost 450 to 500 pounds shared between 8 to 12 anglers. However, the cost is generally split amongst the anglers, making it an affordable, but if you are new to the sport it is hard to fill up a boat and share that cost.

the-fishing-boat-the-admiral-morro-bay

Most good Charter boats will have a large data base of regular anglers and trips pre booked months in advance. When you contact a skipper and state your experience and lack of buddies you will be able to make up a place on pre booked days with other anglers, spreading the cost! The other great advantage with this is you get to fish with experienced anglers and learn a few tricks of the trade which money cannot buy. I have learnt most of my fishing tricks and tips by watching what others do and either copying, improving or generally by doing the opposite.

Charter Boat Fishing Personal Equipment & Ettiquete

You land lubbers are going to think that I am crazy now, but a very important rule to learn and so as not to get left on the quay or never be invited to fish again is do not ever say the word… I can’t even say it on this blog. They are the small brown mammals that live in burrows all around UK farms. You know; the ones with big ears! All jokes aside mentioning that animal and whistling is meant to bring real bad luck while charter boat fishing and some skippers will get really pissed with you.

Try your best to clear your bowels before you go fishing on a 12 hour charter boat fishing trip. The skipper, who has your life in his hands generally will reside inside the wheel house, connected to the cabin, containing the heads (boating talk for a toilet). What ever you leave behind, the skipper will be haunted with for the remaining trip, hence many Charter Boat skippers will ask you to go on the foredeck (front of the boat) with a bucket to take a dump. Be warned I have seen it happen in a moderate swell!!

If you are not good on the water or its your first time charter boat fishing take some anti-seasickness tablets and take them as per the instructions. If taken correctly they really do help. You can get bands that go on your wrists and work on a pressure point. I have heard people say they work. While Charter Boat fishing you will learn to do everything unpleasant on the downwind side of the boat. Do not chunder into the wind or you will be washing the boat down, everyone’s tackle and yourself!. Ginger biscuits actually work in my opinion as does a good few slices of bread to mop up that spare acid your stomach wants to produce. The basic rules are if you feel ill, get a view on the horizon with nothing obstructing your view like a part of the boat, stay in the fresh air away from exhaust fumes and try and chill out, eat ginger biscuits and face down wind.

NEVER ware your best wading Wellington boots with lovely sharp studs ready to chip the gel coat of the boat, the skipper will hate you and I have seen it done (the angler fished in socks!). Realistically some warm waterproof boots with a non marking / soft sole are required. Your feet will get wet so wear sensible foot wear.

Get to your Charter Boat on time. If the Skipper requests you meet at 0630 hours on the Quay, be there at 0615 hrs. He will have requested the time for a reason, a tidal sand bank you need to get over to get out to sea or some other sound reason. You being late will hold up others and could even scupper your entire boat fishing trip…

Talking of gel coat, the protective glossy covering keeping the boat looking pretty and keeping the water out of it – keep your leads under control with your hands, do not bounce it along the boats hull. Keep your tackle well secured, show the skipper of the charter boat lots of respect. The boat is his life!!

Check with the skipper at the time of booking your charter boat fishing if he provides tackle, weights, rigs, tea, coffee and food. The chance of getting the last three are remote, so prepare to take a sandwich and Thermos. Confirm the cost of tackle hire and when handed it check it for suitability. A bit of rust is expected, but if it wont wind or makes really bad noises then ask for something else. If you reel breaks do not be tempted to fiddle around with the loops of line using your bare hands. If a finger gets in a loop and a 100lb blue shark runs the line will act as a cheese wire!

Please consider your safety, if you cannot swim wear a life jacket or floatation suite….

Stay safe on the boat, you never know what is going to happen next while charter boat fishing. Keep an eye on the waves while fishing at all times. When you are tackling up beware of others around you and the motion of the sea. Even an average wave catching the boat at an odd angle can really knock you around. If your sinker is swinging around with a hook following it it’s likely to end up in your neighbours hand! You then have to push the point through, cut off the barb and remove in the direction it went in, not nice and no A&E for 20 miles!

Talking about keeping on your feet just keep your witts about you. If you have a hook over the side do not leave your rod unattended, a medium fish will pull your gear over the side. You also never know the size of the fish your are going to hook and if unprepared this could happen…

Okay, nearing the end of this introduction. Hope I have not put you off yet! Lets consider chopping our bait up better known as filleting. Always ask for the filleting board, usually the skippers wife’s kitchen chopping board. Please, please do not be tempted to use the gunwale (the lovely polished teak strip topping the side of the boat) The skipper is likely to fillet you if you do this, nor should you use his lovely flat deck or any other surface of the boat! After you have filleted your mackerel into a flapper and sent it to the seabed, wash down using the deck wash (hose) or the rag provided.

Terms in Charter Boat Fishing

A quick wash up.

  • Front – bow
  • Rear – stern
  • Moving along – Steaming
  • Speed – Knots
  • Left – Port
  • Right – Starboard
  • Going Backwards – Astern
  • Kitchen – Galley
  • Toilet – Heads

Most of all enjoy your charter boat fishing. The skipper is the boss and you are paying for his boat (always known as a she) as well as his knowledge. He is not there to argue with but if you think you are not getting value then let him know, carefully!

Image Credit

Corus Short Arm – Port Talbot, South Wales

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Corus Sea fishing

The “Short Arm” belongs to Corus Steel in Port Talbot is accessed by permit only. I understand the current cost is £27.50 for the short arm and £46 for the long arm. Permits are available via 08706 096699 for the short arm and 01639 871111 est 3368 which is the British Steel Sports Club.

Both sea fishing marks are breakwaters and offer comfortable fishing venues. Lure fishing, float and bottom fishing techniques work well here for a range of sea fishing species.

Corus species

Summer species include, Bass, Mackerel, Garfish, Pollack, Wrasse, Mullet, Dogfish, with flatties, conger eels and Ray making an occasional appearance, winter species include Dogfish, Pouting and Whiting.

Like many pier marks anything is possible, so fish hard!

Bait & Fishing methods

The ground a short distance out is clean and all methods work well. Frozen Mackerel / Squid work well for the Rays, Conger, Bass and Doggies. Worm and Sand Eel will produce flatties and Bass. Bread and fish mix for Mullet on light float gear. Lug works well in the winter months!

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Sea Fishing Marks