Starting sea fishing - help!

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:09 pm

I'm an experienced coarse angler and I now have the opportunity to spend more of my spare time on the Devon coast, so I'd like to take up sea fishing too.

Can anyone recommend the best way to start? What rod/reel etc.

Also what rig & what bait is best for a newbie shore fishing, and does anyone know any decent fishing beaches in the Brixham/Dartmouth/Slapton areas?

Thanks for your help with this.

Andy

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:03 pm

Hi Andy,
I guess if your a course angler, then you'll have the ubiquitous carp rod and bait-runner in your arsenal. For starters this will do you proud, as it will be capable of throwing an ounze or 2 some distance with 15lb line if it's attached to feathers for mackerel. Also, I imagine the devon coast to have some really nice rocky marks which will hold some nice wrasse. Finally, the bass will come in nice and close to the breakers on those sandy beaches.

I found my carp rods generally fine for a fair while for most things. Only struggling then needing to launch a much bigger weight (5/6oz) to hold bottom or get more distance to find the fish. Also they were a bit floppy and in high wind bite indication was hard. Have only recently brought new rods specifically designed for sea fishing, as the sound of a carbon carp rod letting go after a bit too much punishment is something to behold. They are better, but I wouldn't say they make the fish jump on my hooks. Like course fishing, sea fishing is about finding features that attract fish then getting the bait well presented in amongst them.

As for bait and rigs, 2 hook flappers from tackle shops are £1.50ish and are a good starting point and bait, there's a huge selection but Ragworm is sold at most tackle shops and does catch fish.

The best thing I did when starting off was to just wander up and down where people fish, being a pest and asking questions.

Hope this helps. And good luck.

Matt.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:56 pm

Thanks Matt,

That's given me a good starting point.

As you say, I guess the best approach is just to get on with it and learn on the job. I like your point re: asking what others are using.

Let's hope I never have to hear the sound of a carp rod breaking!

Cheers,
Andy

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:07 pm

Andy,

As for marks around the area, sorry haven't a clue I'm afraid, but one thing I have found is that sea anglers are alot more open about information. Yeah, there are secret/favourite marks, but people and tackle shops will definately point you in the right direction and it really is a refreshing change after reading about all the 'undisclosed secret southern stillwaters'.

Matt.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:25 pm

andy,
years ago i used to holiday at brixham and would be fishing at every given opportuninty.
usually at fishcombe cove area, there are rock platforms there that give access to about 20ft of water at high tide .
either in the parkland by the little hut n flag pole ( yacht club signaling site)
or further around towards torquay the other side of the little cove on the point.
carp rods or a light feeder rod is what i used, catching pollock/ mackerell and garfish on a small 'delta' rubber eel about 1.5 inches long on a 3ft trace and just enough weight to cast effectively with .
or float fish for the wrasse that abound there with rag or fish strip.
or 'ledger' on the bottom on clean ground which i found less productive.
other marks would include;- brixham break water/ berry head

i rarely got around to fishing the open beaches, too much fun with the light stuff on the rocks .

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:07 pm

Thanks Geejay,

I'll check out fishcombe cove & brixham breakwater this weekend.

I think I've seen those little rubber eels before, so I'll pick one or two up and give them a cast and see what happens.

Out of interest, what is the trace you refer to made out of? When I used to go pike fishing we used to use a 12 inch braided wire trace - is this the sort of thing you mean, or have I got the wrong idea completely! Apologies if this seems like a dumb question, just want to get things right first time.

Many thanks,
Andy

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:35 pm

the trace can be the same material as your main line , but i'd use a mono trace if i had braid for a main line , might help if the trace wraps around the main line while casting, the drag from working the eel should straighten things out.
i used 8-10 or some times 15lb mono , preferably clear but not essential.

wire biteing traces get used for toothy species ie;- conger / spurdog and other toothed shark. though these days most people use high bs mono
(like strimmer cord) 100-250 lb bs for the conger.

some fish like wrasse have a good set of choppers and so its worth useing heavier snoods, (25-35lb)
or regularly checking for damaged line at the hook, these heavier snoods
are sometimes a bit of a compramise as they will affect presentation when fishing light in clear water.

if bottom fishing in summer the spider crab invasion is in full swing
they also damage snoods, 30lb + snoods help stop them cutting the hooks off, though its not fool proof.

i was pestered by them at bournemouth last night while chaseing rays and turbot , couldn't find them but had some good sport with bass catching a couple to approx 4-5lb on whole squid at range.

Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:16 am

andy,
how did you get on m8.

Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:19 am

Geejay,

Thanks for the info re: traces.

As for the weekend... I made a flying visit to Brixham to check out the breakwater - plenty of people fishing, so it looks pretty popular, which is good. Also found some decent looking rocky marks at the mouth of the Dart Estuary.

However, various family comittments meant that I didn't actually get a chance to do any fishing myself- so frustrating!!

Still, have had a good recce of the area now, so will be back as soon as I can!

Will keep you posted. How did everyone else's weekends go?

Tell me what I missed out on!!

Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:27 am

unfortunately i usually work over the week end and only get out on wed and thursday nights.
i'm still planing this thursdays session, most likely another crack at turbot/ray or smoothound with the odd bass thrown in, sort of bournemouth - lymington area though if tides suit i'll change venue at the drop of a hat.

andy, your coarse fishing experience may put you in good stead for targeting mullet, ( brixham breakwater , inside the harbour) a good set of poloroids will help u spot them
they are very shy biters , so fish a stick float, with bread bait , and ground bait with mashed bread, and use sml hooks .
i've rarely fished for them and so know just the basics ( pr'haps others could shead some light?)

its damn frustrateing when a shoal swims round n round your bait and won't take it. ive never caught 1 yet but they're supposed to fight well.

Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:59 am

Did see the mullet, 3 or 4 of them, about 1 foot long or so, inside the marina under the walkways. Also seen then in Salcombe harbour.

Agreed, would be good to drop something like a bread/maggot combo on a size 12 or 14 with a carp or ledger rod and tempt them. Will def. try that out.

Anyone else managed to get a mullet?

I've heard that they're finicky and have soft mouths, (so hooks tend to pull out...?)

Member Joined: Jun 19, 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Plymouth

Hi andy

Just reading through your posts. I have only recently returned to sea fishing after a long break.
Slapton is one of the best marks i have ever used. Plaice flounder, dogs, cod, they have all fallen to me there.
Using ragworm, mackeral flappers, and lugworm peeler crab. Cocktails of each from there.

Rod wise i have been using a 2.5lb test curve carp rod for pier work and bass spinning working fine. Then using a cheap ron thompson beach rod and beach multoplier cost £40 brand new for rod and reel in plymouth.

Thinking of takeing up coarse fishing myself.

so see what happens. :roll:

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:08 pm

Thanks for the Slapton tips hearme,

I'll definitely make a visit next time I'm in Devon.

Thanks also for the rod tips - was wondering what i should be using.

Will let you know how I get on! Cheers

Member Joined: Jun 19, 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Plymouth

No problem Andy hope to see you there. Rig wise for slapton. i use a beach multiplier, and rag/ peeler cocktail. with a long range clip down rig..

take care and speak soon. :lol:

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:34 pm

Excellent. What time of day have you had the most activity, and at which end of the beach?

How come you're thinking of trying coarse fishing then? You can't beat it for suspense when you can see the fish you're trying to catch, just waiting for them to take the bait!