Newbie to Sea Fishing

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:59 pm

Im new to sea fishing but not exactly a novice to fishing in general, in fact ive not bought my sea fishing gear just yet, but my intentions are to buy a couple of beachcasters and fixed spool reels, and i intend to fish mainly of Heysham North Wall.
Could anyone give me any pointers as in :- What baits to use, what rigs to use, what size hooks , line and weights to use, and whats the best tide to fish, and is it worth fishing it all year round weather permitting.
All of these questions are mainly for Heysham North Wall.
I intend to have a trip up there (100 mile round trip ) soon, to see if i can pick up some tips too.

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:40 pm

Hi Berni mate a warm welcome to the forums.

Most baits used are lug, rag, mackerel and mussels,

Hook sizes 2s to 2/0s 2s and 1s for flatties and 1s to 2/0s for flatties, whiting and codling.

A three hook flapper should be ok but I prefer a 2 hook flapper with a running leadger for the bottom hook.

Line from 15 to 18lb weight 4 to 6oz should be sufiecent.

Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:05 pm

Thanks for that rabbi, and just to reflect on what you put about the line to be 15lb to 18lb breaking strain, is that to be fished straight through or that to be the main line and to fish alot heavier shock leader, as ive read that a shock leader should be fished at all times and it should be 10lb breaking strain for every OZ of lead used.

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:15 pm

You have it in a nutshell never fish without a shockleader and its 10lb for every oz weight you are using.

Best of luck mate.

Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:16 pm

Your right bernie, always use a shockleader, and it is 10lb to each ounce of weight. Cheers...Mick

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:18 pm

hi Bernie

yes, as you say, normally 10 x the weight of your sinker. Some also add on an additional 10lb for additional safety.

the length of the shockleader is twice the length of your rod plus 6 winds around your reel

others say the length of the rod plus your drop length plus 6 times round your reel

hope this helps

dickyp

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:00 pm

welcome to the site......there are many here who can help you out......good luck

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:08 am

rabbi2 wrote:

Hi Berni mate a warm welcome to the forums.

Most baits used are lug, rag, mackerel and mussels,

Hook sizes 2s to 2/0s 2s and 1s for flatties and 1s to 2/0s for flatties, whiting and codling.

A three hook flapper should be ok but I prefer a 2 hook flapper with a running ledger for the bottom hook.

Line from 15 to 18lb weight 4 to 6oz should be sufficient.

Cheers keith big grin

If i was to do as you said Keith and use a 2 hook flapper and a running ledger rig, how would this be tied as a rig to a 60lb shock leader.
Im new to rig tying with regards to sea fishing, and i know buying ready made rigs can be very costly, and im very much out for cost cutting. So i would like to start to tie my own rigs.

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:32 pm

I tie a snap swivle to the shockleader then fasten the rig ti this using the snap swivel.

Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:38 am

hello bernie,

welcome to the forum.... maybe not the biggest but certainley the friendliest!!!! and most helpful!!!

sound advice form fellow members there... just keep it simple and enjoy your self!!!

before you go fishing please study fish species... be aware of weaver fish!!!! these chaps are armed with nasty spines which have a sting like a bee.... but you wont know how alergic you are to them until your stung!!
also dogfish need carefull handling as they are of the shark family they have skin like sand paper... doggies will try to wrap them selves around your arm and give you a chineese burn you wont forget in a hurry!

also you should know the minimum fish sizes if you plan on taking any of your catch home

good luck n stay safe!!