Guide to Sea Fishing(shore)

Popanddrop

Hi,
I have noticed that there is many people starting to ask questions on how to sea fish from the shore. I have decided that every day that I will write a small article on a certain species which will be combined with my knowledge of fishing and that I have researched. I WILL NOT refer to any locations on where to fish because there is tonnes of them around the country but I will tell you where to fish for a certain species on how you would determine where they are and what rigs and baits to use.
My first atricle/statment will be what every angler needs to start fishing properly.
2. Bass
3. Pollock
4. Conger.
5. Cod.
will continue in due time.

Popanddrop

For my first statment I have decided to focus on the setup and equipment needed for fishing.
Ok to get into sea angling properly it is advisible to have two rods.
A spinning rod and beach caster.
WHY: Well a spinning rod enables you to work artifical lures such as softplastics(jellyworms, shads), Plugs and spinners etc.
[URL="javascript:void window.open('http://www.tackledirectireland.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/b116fe8ea1368da3bcd7e839c2c5a074.gif', 'win2', 'status=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=yes,titlebar=no,menubar=no,resizable=yes,width=520,height=240,directories=no,location=no');"][/URL]
Spinning rods allow you use these lures in such a way that fish will think that they are real fish/food and basicially try and eat them.
Beach Rods can be used to cast baits at different distances so that you can fish the sea bed. Baits include peeler crab, mackerel, lugworm, ragworm.
Choosing the write setup: to ensure that you will get the most out of your fishing tackle each piece of gear has to be chosen so that it will work well with the other piece. For spinning a 10ft rod is perfect that is able to cast lures up to 1oz-1 and 1/2 oz. A spinning reel which is normally a fixed spool or baitcaster should be able to take 200yards of 10-12LB line. If you are going to be spending a nice sum of money on a spinning outfit then add braid to your reel instead of monofilament. Basically for those who do not know the difference braid offers better bit detection and lower line diameter so you can fit more on your reel compared to monofilament but it costs a good deal more. For those who wish to spool there reels with braid be sure to put 30-40yards on monofilament on the base of the spool before putting braid on and to add a shockleader of the same breaking strain when spinning with braid.
For Beach/Pier/Rock bottom fishing a 12-16ft rods is used able to cast leads of up to 7oz. The rod can be fitted with either a fixed spool or multiplier. Fixed spools are easier to use for beginners. The line rules are the same as above but be sure the braking strain of the line is mimimum 16LB and 20-25LB if fishing over rough/mixed ground. Always add a shockleader when using a beach caster because this takes the shock off the main line and adds and a rubbing leader so you wont lose gear over rocks etc. Shockleaders should be about two rods lenghts in measurement and have a breaking strain of 50-60LB, clear colour is the best to go for to avoid detection by the fish.

Terminal Tackle: To get the most out of all situations you should have a variety of tackle.
Lures can be chosen by yourself and see what you find works best in the area you fish, its all trial and error until you find what works, I am not going to give any particular makes or colours because different lures work well in different areas around the country. One rule of thumb is to match bright colours with bright days and dark colours with darks days and not the other way around.

Hooks: A variety of hooks from size 2-5/0 will be what you need for shore fishing, I will explain what hooks best suit each fish when I go down the list of species.

Trace Lines: Come in about 30meter spools and get two breaking strains for general sea fishing 40LB and 20LB.

Swivels and quickchanges are needed but not nessicary.

Beads can work very well for attracting certain types of fish or used in murky water condtions pick up a few colours at the tackle and they will make the difference plus they are cheap.

Weights: Pick up a mix ranging from 1oz-7oz both plain and grip. (grip leads have wire protruding out of them thus giving a better hold to the sea bed)

Optional:
Filleting Knife: handy to proper fillet both baits and your catch.
Thin Block of wood/chopping board.
Tackle box: Choose your own depending on how much tackle you are bringing.
Rainwear.
Fishing Shelter.
Weighting Scales.
Disgorger(to unhook fish)
Digging fork and bucket (to gather your own bait)
There is many more items and its up to you the angler to make the step into wether or not to buy them, you will find after time when you get more expericed you will opt for optional gear to enhance your time out fishing.
If you have any questions please ask.

Popanddrop

BASS
Habitats: Piers, Rock marks, Beach Esturaies
Best Baits: Peeler Crab, Lugworm, Ragworm, Fresh Mackerel, Live Sandeels.
Introduction: Bass for one of the most valued fish in the Irish Sea. They have silver body can grow to weights of 17LBS(Irish record). They have a spikey dorsal fin and razor sharp gill blades. Their teeth are tiny and there tail and eyes are large. They swim in schools when they are small(schoolies) but roam freely once they reach a certain age and weight. Bass are very slow growing and it may take two years for a fish to reach the 1LB bracket. Anglers are only allowed to have two bass in their possession in any one 24-hour period and they must be over 40 cm in total length. There is a closed season for bass from the 15th of May to the 15th of June each year. If you accidentally catch a bass during this period, just return him alive to the sea. Specimen bass cannot be claimed during the closed season.The specimen weight for bass is 10 lbs and the Irish record currently stands at 17 lbs 13 ozs. Bass are predators and will attack both lures and dead baits.
Tactics: The best way to fish for bass is by spinning or bottom fishing.
Spinning provides great sport and when using surface plugs it can produce some dramatic takes. Spinners and plugs are the main artifical lures used.
Bottom fishing using peeler crab or any of the above dead baits can also be deadly for bass. Live sandeels can be extremely productive when fished under a float.
The two basic bass rigs are a clip up trace with grip or plain leads depending on tide flow and if you want to allow more bait movement.


And a float setup which you would use on the spinning rod, use the main line as the snood for the rig.


Other info:
When using soft baits such as peeler crab and ragworm or frozen baits use bait elastic to bind the bait to the hook.
When fishing both calm and rough can be very good for bass. A surf causes the seabed to be mixed up which puts bass on the feed, look for throughs at low tide to cast into a hide tide, the bass will be lying in these. In calm weather float fishing from a beach can work well but spinning is normally the most preductive, bass can be caught as close in as 10 yards. Look for fresh water streams running into the sea bass will ly here in calm weather because flatfish and fresh water eels congrigate here making this spot a reliable food source.
Don’t grab a bass by the gills, razor sharp prtective plates will cut your hands, grab a fish my the mouth or tail. Or simply use a net or beach him on the shore.
If spinning for bass keep light and move regulary thus covering more ground and increasing your chances.
If you don’t get any bites off lures change the colour of the type eg diving depth and colour etc.
If schoolies are caught cast to the same location, the odds are that there will be another one there.
Dawn and dust are the most preductive time for bass.
Bass are mainly present all year round but you cannot fish for them or kill one during the bass ban preiod.
Never keep more then two bass over 40cm , there is a heafty fine.
Try and practise catch and release methods when fishing thus conserving them for future anglers.
Always tell someone where you are going fishing and how long you will be gone for.
Other sources of info:
www.cfb.ie
www.rapala.com

Neil_Sedaka

Great bit of info, please keep it up :-)

little buda

can someone please sticky this!! so it can grow it sounds like a great idea:cool:

Doc Farrell

this is brilliant. please keep it going.

jArgHA

Fair play to you Popanddrop! Excellent articles thus far and would really appreciate if you keep this up.

jArgHA

What kind of lengths would you use for the mainline & snood in this basic bass rig?

Popanddrop

jArgHA wrote: »

What kind of lengths would you use for the mainline & snood in this basic bass rig?

My main body lenghts are about 60cm, now you can change this depending on how much of a trace you can cast with and how far you want to keep the bait for the lead, for snoods about 20cm-25cm is good but shorten or lenghten thes depending on the tide(shorten for a fast run on the tide) also shorten the snoods if you are using more then one hook on your rig.
Hope this helps.

Popanddrop

If people would like me to do an aricle on a certain species or anything else to do with fishing even comparing gear please pm me. I would really like to develope this more after the articles on the all the species and safety condtions and because this is for the benefit of you the reader please pm with any questions or any suggestions that you would like me to write on.

Popanddrop

Pollock
Description: Ranging for Brown/Gold to completely black Pollock are much known for their sporting qualities and eating qualities when served fresh. They are slow enough to grow and the average Pollock weighting 5 pounds may be 4-5 years old. Pollock have a wide range of habitats, from Piers - rock marks - offshore wrecks. Pollock in general in Ireland are smaller around piers then rock marks, this is because pier walls are normally used as a nursery for young Pollock until they reach a big weight a move into different water. This is not to say that there is not good size Pollock around piers, if you fish threw the younger ones then you will eventually come into bigger ones. On rock marks Pollock tend to be a lot bigger, finding the location will produce double figure fish. On wrecks its normally uncommon to catch small Pollock unless you are close to shore. A wreck or reef is your best shot a double figure fish.
At rocks Pollock spend their time in the Kelp, their eyes are positioned high up on the head thus giving them a overhead view. These fish will swim out of the kelp if the bait is spotted. Pollock are both teritorial and predatorilal fish and employ smash and grabs techniques to catch their prey. Once the fish has hold of its prey it will dive back for the kelp to seek cover. Pollock use the kelp both as an ambush point and cover from other predators such as seals and conger eels. Pollock when both young and old will hang in shoals, but you will find the bigger fish more on there own, except if on a wreck or reef. Pollock have both small teeth and small scales. There is no spikes on this fish much like the bass so handling is not an issue.

Tactics: Pier : for fishing for Pollock from a pier the best tactics are to either spin using spoons or float fish for them. Baits for float fishing include mackerel strips, live/frozen Sandeel, and ragworm.
Rock marks: The best way to fish for Pollock from the shore on rocks marks is spinning using jelly worms, shads, spinners. The setup for a jellyworm is very simple.


Also you can using float tactics or bottom fishing using a very simple rig, you may want to only use one hook on this sort of trace or maybe use a different bait for a different species. Use 40LB trace body min, and 25LB snoods. Another productive method of fishing for Pollock is freelining a chuck of mackerel in the current, its simple setup of just a 4/0 hook(circle hooks work best) straight onto the shockleader and then just cast it out and let it drift. Feathers can also be a good way to produce Pollock but for bigger ones stick to the tactics that I have listed, plus it feathers get caught it the kelp you are more likely to loose them then any other rig due to the number of hooks.
See bass tactics for Float rig, adjust length of float rig according to depth and keep the bait about 10ft off the bottom to avoid kelp.


Other Info:
Best times to fish for Pollock are Dawn and Dusk.
Pollock is best to eat when caught the same day, after that it losses a great amount of taste.
Jellyworms/Shads come in many different colours, experiment in your local marks, find which ones work well and what scents work best.
If you like using lures a lot why not try make your own, get the materials and makers at www.jannsnetcraft.com .
Don’t waste any part of the Pollock when filleting them, the head and guts can be used as bait for conger eels.
If you catch a small or even a big Pollock cast to the same area, the odds are that there is another one there.
If a Pollock strikes and you miss, keep winding, they will often follow the bait and hit again.
Overcast conditions are the best for Pollock, if it sunny and bright move to deeper water to find them.
Shore Pollock fishing is good from May - Mid October.
Remember Pollock have big beady eyes and have a keen sense of smell, plus a leteral line that detects movement in the water, use this to your advantage.
Fishing for Pollock of lit up Piers means the fish are ust to light, I have caught pollock from the surface in these cases.
If you are fishing from a pier or rock mark and see bait fish scattering don’t assume this is mackerel it can sometimes be Pollock or Bass.
Pollock are great sporting fish so use the lightest tackle possible in the given situation.
Don’t mix a Pollock with a Coalfish even though they are from the same family(Gadidae
) they have a different colour as coal fish tend to be mostly grey-black.
If you catch a Pollock which you intend to eat, cut open its stomach and examine the contents so you can match the bait/lure more presisely with what the Pollock are consuming.

Popanddrop

Conger Eels
Description: There are two types of eels caught In Ireland and that the freshwater eel and conger eel. The freshwater eel can live in the salt water but is only present there when its making its way from the fresh water to its breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea. The Conger Eel is main type of eel targeted in the sea in Ireland, it is also the biggest.(Irish Record 72LBS and Speciman is 18KG). The Conger eel is found on rocky and sandy bottoms, staying near the coast when young and moving toward deeper waters upon reaching adulthood. It feeds mainly during the night but if fishing in deep or murky water it can be caught during the day. It feeds mainly on crustateans and fish.(mackerel, pollock, whiting, pouting). It is marketed fresh and frozen, and eaten fried and baked. The conger does not have a very distinctive taste especially as the age, so if you caught them throw them back. The conger eels only produces once in its life. The Conger Eel can be found inshore on mainly rough bottom and in around piers.The Conger Eel is a voracious predator, which eat lots and grow fast.
It has a Anal fin which strecthes 3/5 its body length and then under neath it. Its one of the only types of fish that can swim backwards thus giving great sporting qualities.Conger Eels have a reputation as fearsome beasts which will attack divers and swimmers, but in-fact this couldn’t be further from the truth. Apart from when it is feeding, the Conger Eel is a quiet, shy animal, and will swim away from a diver or swimmer rather than attack. It is a powerful, solid fish, with strong jaws and razor sharp teeth, but unless you are stupid enough to stick your finger in its mouth, it poses little danger. Congers can range from black to a sandy colour depending on the type of ground on which they live.

Tactics: Really to target Congers the best way is to fish hard on the bottom, using mackerel, squid, or pouting as bait . The two best rigs are the flowing trace(1) and the Paternoster(2) with only one large 6/0 hook, make the trace line heavy as in both body and snood are at least 60LB breaking strain.
1.

2.
Use the appropriate weight to deal with current but not so much as the fish can sense the lead when taking the bait using a flowing trace. When using the flowing trace the only problem is that the fish can back into its hole and then you are pritty much snagged because they are to powerful to haul out.

Other Info:
If you are looking to catch a big conger eel then going on a boat trip is best, there are some very big fish in the shore also.
Use heavy shore gear when dealing with Conger Eels so you can be sure they wont get into structure.
Bring plenty of spare traces with you when fishing for Conger Eels because the breaking off heavy gear if not played properly, also they wrap around traces so have another ready to go when your untangling the other one.
Conger Eels give a very sensitive bite so be sure to strike when you see it, give it a small bit of time to develop and don’t think it’s a small fish knocking at your bait.
Use circle hooks when fishing for Conger Eels because they can be difficult to handle when you land them, to calm them down place a rag/towel over their head and then hooking them is faster and easier so they can be released.
Bring a selection of baits when conger fishing.
Check any used traces after catching an eel to ensure that there is no abrasion, if there is replace the snood or put on a new rig.

Popanddrop

Cod.
Sea Trout
Proper Filleting.
More to be annouced.....much more.
Requests welcome.

Popanddrop

Cod
Description: A sandy-dark brown even red in some places, the Cod is known for only one thing and that’s its eating qualities. The Cod has a big mouth and quite a big tail and is also know for its sporting qualities with anglers. There main diet is Crabs, worms, small fish, squid, mussels, etc. basically it will eat nearly anything but that’s not to say you can just toss a bait at them. When in feeding the Cod will normally home into just a few types of baits eg at a beach it will be used to finding worms and crabs but not out at a wreck where its main diet would be fish and squid.
They small fish stay close inshore until they reach a bigger weight, they can be caught all year round from some deep water shore marks. There habitat is widely dispursed with them locating in estuaries, beaches, rock marks, harbours, wrecks and sand banks. In recent years Cod have become a bit of a rarity, well at least the bigger ones, this is due to global warming and the Cod during studies have moved further away from Irish coasts each year with fewer and fewer returning.
Cod has many related species including pollock and coalfish, and many in other international waters. Cod these days is becoming both an expensive fish to buy and a rarer one.

Tactics:
Cod along the shore are primarily bottom-mid water feeders. Rigs are these species are very simple and the one rig can be used for all the locations you will find along the shore and that is simply a paternoster rig. (see Pollock). Snoods can be varied in length to coup with the tide and main body lines and be lengthened or shortened depending on your casting skills. Hooks should be either a 3/0 or 4/0 long shank/circle hook. When making your traces be sure to use clear line. Baits can be of your choice but bring at least two types.(list in description). A beach casting outfit is the best to use for Cod. As always vary weights depending on tide, use grip leads over clean bottom.

Other Info:
When catching Cod put back the bigger ones and keep the ones that are just over the legal size.
This will help conserve the species due to the bigger ones breeding sooner.
If you are not getting any bites, then switch to a different bait or mix two together.
The best times of the year for Cod are November - Start of March.
Check stomach contents o kept fish to determine a better bait presentation.
Cod are great eating be sure to experiment when cooking them.

Popanddrop

I have decided that I will not be doing the Sea Trout piece due to that they are 1. A Game fish and not a sea fish.
2. They are hard to target in salt water thus they are normally caught by mistake, and so are normally targeted in fresh water.
Sorry for inconvience.

On the subject of filleting, instead of writing it up and posting diagrams i thought it would be more helpful for you to see a video instead enjoy.
http://www.nesa.co.uk/Articles/how_to_fillet_fish.html

Popanddrop

Upcomong Pieces:
Dogfish
I would like to ask does anyone want a particular piece done before I make out a new list, reply on this thread please or pm me.

jArgHA

Here's a suggestion - How about an article on bait presentation? I know nothing about this and am starting bait fishing this week! Also, what to do with frozen bait etc..

growler

Popanddrop wrote: »

Upcomong Pieces:
Dogfish.

Dogfish:

tactics: try for another other fish in the sea and you'll get one
Bait: anything

:-)

annoying feckers but better than a blank !

Doc Farrell

brilliant thread.

tell me more about what you personally like to fish for and what you detest (for example, i hate to see anglers drop a fish on the ground and let it suffocate instead of just killing it quickly. do you know that cuttlefish can make a strange sound while dying slowly? its very creepafying)

also perhaps do 20 things about sea fishing that you should definitely know but are too stupid/embarressed to ask: for example what if you stick a bait bloodied hook through the bit of skin between your thumb and forefinger?

a great read corkonian!

Popanddrop

Dogfish
Description: In Ireland there is two main types of Dogfish, the lesser spotted dogfish commonly known as the `Dogfish` and the greater spotted dogfish commonly known as the `Bullhuss`. This piece is going to focus on the Dogfish.
Dogfish to most anglers are a pest, those who know they are going to catch them use as light tackle as possible to get the most out of the fight. Dogfish are considered valuable in fishing competitiions because there is normally plenty and where there is one there is always more. Dogfish come from a line of small sharks that inhabit Europe, none of these grow to any huge size. The average dogfish measures about two feet with larger ones measuring between three and four feet. Dogfish commonly inhabit harbours, beaches and rock marks. Their main diet includes fish, squid, crab worms, etc. Basicially they are a scavager and will clean up anything, this is why they do play a big part in our eco-system. Dogfish are a good eating fish but the trouble is skinning them.
Their skin is smooth running down there body but rough like sand paper when rubbed up the body.
There colour can range from sandy cream to black depending on the habitat.

Tactics: We anglers with experience have the memory of catching dogfish with the bad memory of the mess they leave behind. To battle this use a clip up rig. Basicially the hook is clipped up at the top of the rig during the cast and falls to the bottom when the lead hit’s the sea floor, when a fish is hooked the lead will up off the bottom and also the dogfish will be away from the main body of the trace so that it cant wrap around it. As always vary leads both plain and gripped depending on tidal flow. Dogfish also like attracters so experiment with different colour beads. For baits: fish baits, mackerel etc are brilliant as well as frozen sandeels, but they will take squid ,crab or worm baits. Snoods should be the standard 20LB and body of 40LB. In the diagram with this two hooks are shown, you can do this or only use one and lengthen the snood, the choice is yours.Use 3/0 hooks.(long shank or circle depending on bait)


Other Info: When handling dogfish grab both the head and tail, this prevents the Dogfish from wrapping on your skin causing irritation or ripping your skin.
Best time to fish for Dogfish is at night.
You don’t have to cast far at night for them.
Found a video on to skin a Dogfish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dye0aK4FG6A&feature=related

Popanddrop

jArgHA wrote: »

Here's a suggestion - How about an article on bait presentation? I know nothing about this and am starting bait fishing this week! Also, what to do with frozen bait etc..

yes no problem that will be my next piece
BAIT PRESENTATION 6 top baits, where to find and how to rig.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Popanddrop

growler wrote: »

Dogfish:

tactics: try for another other fish in the sea and you'll get one
Bait: anything

:-)

annoying feckers but better than a blank !

Yes I completely understand you but I continued to write up to benefit the beginner anglers and to give a bit of info on the species.

Popanddrop

Doc Farrell wrote: »

brilliant thread.

tell me more about what you personally like to fish for and what you detest (for example, i hate to see anglers drop a fish on the ground and let it suffocate instead of just killing it quickly. do you know that cuttlefish can make a strange sound while dying slowly? its very creepafying)

also perhaps do 20 things about sea fishing that you should definitely know but are too stupid/embarressed to ask: for example what if you stick a bait bloodied hook through the bit of skin between your thumb and forefinger?

a great read corkonian!

Thanks.
I will definely write about myself soon.
and each week I will do a piece entitled 20 facts about fishing with new ones each week. and i take it that your example happened to you.

Popanddrop

Upcoming
1.Bait : 6 top baits, picture to identify, where to find and how to rig.
2.Plaice.
3.A little about myself
4.20 facts about fishing you might not know.
Please keep the suggestions coming.

Popanddrop

Bait

Peeler Crab: Can be bought from any good tackle shop or bait provider. Can be collected in traps such as tyres at load tide but get permission to collect them first from the owners of the tyres.
To keep fresh leave in bucket in cool place with some seaweed, when you get to your mark give them a drink of sea water to liven them up. To put on a hook break of the claws and legs and crack the shell and the rest of its body, remove the shell and lungs at the side(they should be grey) then cut the crab in half mount on a long shank hook or circle hook and bind on with bait elastic.


Lugworm: can be purchases sometimes fresh but mostly frozen(black lug). Can be dug in silty or muddy areas such as esturaries, etc. They leave a tell tale sign of a worm in a coil made of sand on the surface. Keep in newspaper to harden for a few hours or you can keep them in a fridge for a few days. Mount on a long shank hook and start with the tail, no elastic is required only if the were frozen.


Common Ragworm: Same as lugworm.


Mackerel: Available in tackle shops or fish markets. Or you can catch yourself. Mount on ling shank hook or circle hook and use elastic if the mackerel was frozen.


Squid: Normally bought frozen but can be purchased fresh from markets. Rig on a long shank hook in half or whole depending on the size of the hook. Use some elastic if the bait was frozen.


Sandeels: Mostly bought frozen, fresh if you can get them yourself. Rig frozen on long shank in half or whole and bind on with elastic. When alive rig on float rig with the hook point going through their nose. To obtain fresh sandeels look up on sandeel traps, to find how to make one.

coolwings

Excellent posts popanddrop. Very useful thread esp for noobs

stevecrow74

Use 40LB trace body min, and 25LB snoods.
thats a tad over the top for pollock :eek::eek::eek:

you only need maximum of 15lbs main line and snood.. anything more than that and your taking the fun out of fishing :mad:

as for some of the snood lengths.. they seem to be more for boat fishing..

like "4foot of 30lbs mono" for conger.. how are you supposed to cast that ?? 2foot is more than enough for a snood length for most sea fish from the shore..

"Snoods should be the standard 20LB and body of 40LB." for dogfish..
are you mad.. that means you can only cast with a 4oz lead..
you should know the rule of thumb with terminal lines (i.e. shock leader and rig body) 10lbs for every 1oz of lead

"The line rules are the same as above but be sure the braking strain of the line is mimimum 16LB and 20-25LB if fishing over rough/mixed ground. Always add a shockleader when using a beach caster because this takes the shock off the main line and adds and a rubbing leader so you wont lose gear over rocks etc. Shockleaders should be about two rods lenghts in measurement and have a breaking strain of 50-60LB, clear colour is the best to go for to avoid detection by the fish."

i see so many flaw's here...
i use 15lbs for all types of shore fishing... and even then i feel its too much in some instances.. the only time i use heavier line (20-25lbs) is when targeting tope of 20 - 40lbs from the shore... as for shockleader... as i mentioned before "10lbs for every 1oz of lead" colour doesnt matter... unless fish really like the red shockleader i use.. the shock leadter takes the strain of the line as you are casting, hence why you see mackerel fishers lose feathers when casting a 3oz lead and only using 10lbs mainline, the main line cant handle the strain of the lead's g-force while being swung around.. and there is only one thing that can happen. hence why it is actually dangerous to stand near such people during mackerel season.
its the snood line that you have to be careful with.. but even then it doesnt matter that much either.. a snood can be from 8-15lbs and 20-30lbs if dealing with conger ray or huss(but not necessary)


Hooks: A variety of hooks from size 2-5/0 will be what you need for shore fishing, I will explain what hooks best suit each fish when I go down the list of species.

what are you after with 5/0??? tope??

size 4 - 1/0 is ample for all shore species.. 2/0 if your going for large ray10lbs+ or conger of 15lbs+

i've caught a 12lbs conger on a size 6.. but i bet you never thought of doing that:eek:

as for this bit

how do you expect to cast with a snood length that is longer than the rod???


i could continue but i'm getting bored

dbrock

my my steve,,,:D:D:D

but alot of what steve is saying is right bring the fun back into fishing,,, last year i hit a 50+lb tope from the shore with 18lb main line with a 5/0 hook on a 60lb pully pennel,,,
if i had of been using 30lb or 40lb main line it would have took all the fun away:)

any newbies into the sport should check out www.sea-angling-ireland.org
its a great site with lots of info and some great people to,

Popanddrop

hey i think in light of steves comment, I will give the readers a choice to wether I continue this thread writing about what I have caught fish on and the info I have gathered from the sea angler, etc. Or if ye want maybe steve could take over the thread and write something everyday. Its up to yourself and I hope people will comment back on their answer.
regards popanddrop

jArgHA

Well I for one have read many useful tips in this thread and it would be a shame if it ended. I think in fairness to stevecrow, his points regarding the various lines to use may well be valid from an experienced fisherman's point of view, but perhaps for a beginner who is not used to bringing in a fish on a lighter line, the heavier lines may offer a bigger margin of error.

If the OP however believes that some/all of stevecrow's comments should be reflected in the guide articles, then perhaps they can be edited by the OP to reflect those points.

coolwings

jArgHA wrote: »

Well I for one have read many useful tips in this thread ...

I agree. Please keep up the good work Popanddrop.

Others can add their experiences. But fishing can be done many ways. So criticism should not be taken too seriously. More it represents a different opinion. Readers will make up their own minds, or take on a combination of the views expressed.

A-Trak

Agreed - keep it u popand drop.

I've been a freshwater angler all my life and have no idea about sea angling, this is all good to me.

And if coolwings wants to start a similar thread regarding pike fishing and fish movement in Blesso I'd also much appreciate

Popanddrop

thanks for that guys, I do understand that the fact about lighter lines and yes I agree theres no doubting that but this basicially i a newbie thread so I am trying to keep it simple for them as not to confuse things, I want people to caught fish and not complain about losing fish, in future I will add some extras in for the expereinced angler.
Thats for the support. I will keep the thread going.

Popanddrop

I am just wondering would anybody be interested in starting a coarse fishing or game fishing thread, I am a sea angler at heart and know nothing on any of these subjects.

Doc Farrell

popanddrop, stop posting and you will make a grown man cry.

still waiting for 20 dumb things an angler should know!

Steve, this thread is an ididots guide for people like me, don't be upsetting me!

(i just saw that i spelt idiots incorrectly but i guess i ought to leave it....)

tracker-man

+1 for a game fishing thread like this

Popanddrop

Plaice
Description:Plaice are characterised by their smooth, brown skin, red spots and bony ridge behind the eyes. They are a type of flatfish which spends its whole adult life on the bottom. They are renouned for their taste and are hugely sought after.
Plaice, along with the other major demersal fish in the sea such as Cod is listed by the ICES as "outside safe biological limits." Moreover, they are growing less quickly now and are rarely older than six years, whereas they can reach forty.
The Irish record plaice is 8.23 lbs. The Plaice habitat normally extends around mainly beachs and sand banks.

Tactics:
Plaice can be caught from certain beaches in February and March, but these are skin and bone after spawning and it's best to wait until May before targeting them when they start to fatten up a little. The plumpest fish are taken from August to October. Ideal ground is coarse sand, shell gravel and mussel beds with some tide run over it. they also move in on to shallow surf beaches running along the edge of weed and mussel beds and hole up in gutters and around sand banks. Plaice are mainly daylight feeders and few fish are caught at night. They feed on seed mussel and other broken shellfish, worms, crabs and sandeels. Feeding times in relation to tide vary with each mark, but just as the new flood tide begins to run strongly is a good time, and again as it begins to ease, with the same periods through the outgoing ebb tide less reliable. The best baits are lugworm, king ragworm with some tail left to wriggle ,mussel, peeler crab. Try combinations of these as plaice are keen on variety. In gin clear water white snake ragworm are a real killer over coarse sand. The rig below is a personal favourite of mine and add yellow and red beads above the hooks and sometimes reflecter blades as these can intice a bite. Use 20LB main body line and about 6LB-12LB snoods.


Other Info:
If bites are gone, twitch the bait along the sand back to you very slowly.
Bring a selection of baits.

Popanddrop

tracker-man wrote: »

+1 for a game fishing thread like this

I think someone should should start one and someelse start a coarse fishing one.:D

DubCul

Popanddrop, excellent thread (for a Corkman :pac:).
I am a novice sea angler, found it very difficult to get decent books on Sea Angling in Ireland.

I for one will be following and saving every post on this subject.

Post on the dangers of rock fishing, especially things you should not risk for the sake of better vantage point, if you would please.

Again, congratulations Popanddrop, keep up the good work.

little buda

keep up the good work!! shapeing up really well and i looks like your starting to collect a few fans!

Popanddrop

Well im sticking to my list of subjects quite nicely and one of those subjects todays one in fact is a little about mein fishing.
Favourite Mark: The Black Head, Kinsale.
Favourite Species: Bass
Likes about fishing: The bite because you know your doing soething right.
The possibillity of using as light as tackle as possible.
When I loose a big fish.
Standing out in the rain and being sheltered from the wind so that the rain falls straight and the sea is flat.
Sunrise and Sunset.

Dislikes: Other people not having consideration for fish.
People leaving rubbish behind.
People basically butchering a fish when they caught it.
People keeping to much fish then what they need.
The wind.

Favourite International Species: Dorado

Best Caught(not size): Sightcasting for Dorado

Unusual thing seen when fishing: Caught to whiting on one hook.

Favourite Bait: Peeler Crab

Favourite Reel: Abu Garcia 6500C3

Favourite Rod: Daiwa Bass performance rod.

Favourite Lure: Storm Chugbug

Popanddrop

DubCul wrote: »

Popanddrop, excellent thread (for a Corkman :pac:).
I am a novice sea angler, found it very difficult to get decent books on Sea Angling in Ireland.

I for one will be following and saving every post on this subject.

Post on the dangers of rock fishing, especially things you should not risk for the sake of better vantage point, if you would please.

Again, congratulations Popanddrop, keep up the good work.

Thanks for that I have made my list for Monday-Wednesday and its
20 things you did not know about fish/fishing.
Flounder
Dangers of rock fishing.

Popanddrop

Hooks that have caused a cut or gash can get infected, always bring a first aid kit along.
All female conger eels that have spawned, will die in a matter of days.
Cod will go as far to eat paper cups and smaller cod.
Coalfish and Small Pollock can be caught on small hooks with only beads above it and no bait.
Mackerel can be caught all year round from deep water harbours.
Bass can have flat heads from the front by truly chasing prey fish and then hitting a pier wall etc in murky conditions.
Watch out for freak waves even if there is a calm sea.
To calm a fish throw a towel over its head.
Increasing casting range does not mean increasing fish.
Small hooks allows you to catch both big fish and small fish.
Fish can suffer from lock jaw, this is where fish will not feed due to a surge of fresh water being released into there habitat.
Rays can infact jump out of the water.
One of the best methods for fishing for bass is plugging at `night`.
Dogfish roam in packs.
In the right conditions Salmon can double their weight in just over two weeks.
Red line; Red is one of the first colours to disappear from the spectrum of colour underwater.
Conger Eels(the large ones, obviously males) can get stuck into a hole in a wreck and only a certain proportion of their body can come out to catch food.
Dogfish eggs are enclosed in capsules known as Mermaid perses.
If a crab looses it claw or leg it will grow them back.
Lobsters swim backwards.

jArgHA

what size hooks would you use on that plaice rig Popanddrop?

Popanddrop

Sorry about that aything from size 2-1/0, you can go little if you want though.

Popanddrop

Description: While flounders have both eyes situated on one side of the head, they are not born this way. Their life involves metamorphosis. During metamorphosis, one eye migrates to the other side of the body so that both eyes are situated on the upward-facing side of its body. After metamorphosis, flounder lie on one side on the ocean floor; either the left or right side might face upward depending on the species. Flounder sizes typically vary from five to fifteen inches, though they sometimes grow as large as three feet in length. Their breadth is about one-half of their length. Flounder are ambush predators and their feeding ground is the soft mud of the sea bottom, near bridge piles, docks, and estuaries; they are sometimes found on bass grounds as well. They are usually a browny colour with some black spots and a white belly. They feed on small fish, crabs and worms, etc. Flounder camouflage amazing well in sand and mud and can be seen when wading through such waters. They are a big prey source for Herons. Often a flounder will make a rattling bite on the rod tip and you must let the bite develope, some they engulf a bait and you would see the bite as they just sit there on the bottom. This is why many anglers are now using circle hooks to that the flounder does get hooked to far down the throat. Flounders or Flukes as they are also known are a targeted fish in angling competitions.

Tactics: The exact same as Plaice. Also these fish have no probems with bigger hooks and their mouths are extendable so you can target bass at the same time.

Other Info:
Flounder love colour so vary your bead presentation and use attractors.
Flounder can also be caught by lure so bass fishing is a great way to target both species.

stevecrow74

just to add a bit to flounder.. as mentioned before they are predators and do take baits down into there mouth, and a lot of anglers cut the line and leave the hook in the mouth to corrode away, the video shows how it is possible to take out deep hooked flounder (this works for all other flatfish, and some round fish too)

all you need is a length of stainless steel wire ( i have used a bait needle), and bend in the pointy bit so you have a nice small 3mm-5mm hook.
you'll see what i mean in the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b3Z0P9uOs4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b3Z0P9uOs4

Popanddrop

thanks for that, was actually looking for a vid lik that to stick up.:D

sai_saltydog

This works a treat Stevecrow74 made one up for me and it has resulted in a lot of happy flatties submerging back into the depths unharmed

Popanddrop

Never fish by yourself: fish in a group of at least three people and within sight of each other. If someone is washed in, one person can stay and help while the other alerts emergency services.
Inform others of your plans: always let friends or family know where you are going and when you will be back.
Wear light clothing: light clothing such as shorts and a spray jacket will let you swim easily if you are washed in. Jumpers may be heavy and difficult to take off.
Wear appropriate footwear: cleats, sandals and sandshoes with non slip soles suit different surfaces. Use the appropriate shoes for the conditions. Fish wearing a life jacket.

Carry safety gear: wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest. Also bring something buoyant that can be easily thrown and held onto, to help you stay afloat. Carry ropes and torches.
Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas: make sure you are aware of local weather, swell and tidal conditions before going fishing. Listen to weather forecasts or call the weather information line. Be aware that conditions may change dramatically in a short period of time.
Observe first, fish later: spend some time (at least 30 minutes) watching your intended spot before fishing to get an idea of the conditions over a full swell/wave cycle. Wave conditions can get worse as the tide changes - you should know whether the tides are high or low and coming in or going out.
Plan an escape route in case you are washed in: stay calm - If you are washed in, swim away from the rocks and look for a safe place to come ashore or stay afloat and wait for help to arrive.
Stay alert. Don't ever turn your back on the sea: if the waves, weather or swell threaten your fishing spot then leave immediately.
Ask for advice from locals who know the area: they can advise you of good, safe fishing locations.
Never get in where you cant get out, eg dont climb down to a spot where you cant get back up.
Bring a spare pair of clothing incase you do get wet, the cold can be a killer.(hypothermia)
Be carefull that you do not get blocked off behind you by the sea.
Watch for rip currents. These can be deadly.

Doc Farrell

Popanddrop wrote: »

Hooks that have caused a cut or gash can get infected, always bring a first aid kit along.
All female conger eels that have spawned, will die in a matter of days.
Cod will go as far to eat paper cups and smaller cod.
Coalfish and Small Pollock can be caught on small hooks with only beads above it and no bait.
Mackerel can be caught all year round from deep water harbours.
Bass can have flat heads from the front by truly chasing prey fish and then hitting a pier wall etc in murky conditions.
Watch out for freak waves even if there is a calm sea.
To calm a fish throw a towel over its head.
Increasing casting range does not mean increasing fish.
Small hooks allows you to catch both big fish and small fish.
Fish can suffer from lock jaw, this is where fish will not feed due to a surge of fresh water being released into there habitat.
Rays can infact jump out of the water.
One of the best methods for fishing for bass is plugging at `night`.
Dogfish roam in packs.
In the right conditions Salmon can double their weight in just over two weeks.
Red line; Red is one of the first colours to disappear from the spectrum of colour underwater.
Conger Eels(the large ones, obviously males) can get stuck into a hole in a wreck and only a certain proportion of their body can come out to catch food.
Dogfish eggs are enclosed in capsules known as Mermaid perses.
If a crab looses it claw or leg it will grow them back.
Lobsters swim backwards.

i'm loving it, this is what i want to read, even if its all false!