Newbie - Bite Detection Problem

Joined: Jul 05, 2011 Posts: 1

Hey,

I've recently taken up Beach Fishing (in the Southsmpton area), and could use some pointers - (Any advice gratefully received).
I've started up with a (2nd hand) Abu CT C3 Mag Reel, and a cheap 12ft Abu 'Enticer Pro-Beach" rod, and using mono rather than braid.
My casting is rough & ready... but I just about get by and have caught a few fish.

However, the biggest problem I seem to have is bite detection. With the (fairly small) fish I have caught, there has been zero movement / flex in the rod tip to indicate a bite... and it's been a complete surprise (when reeling in to check/replace bait) to discover a hooked fish.

Obviously if I have this problem in daylight... at night I'm completely stumped.
Having done a small amount of boat fishing, I know what to expect with a bite. Hence I'm starting to wonder if the rod I have is completely unsuitable for the job. But I'm loathed to evict the moths in my wallet to buy a replacement rod, until I really know what I need.

I've read about people using 'bells' for bite detection (particularly in the dark), albeit there seems to be large % of people who hate their use.

However, if there's negligible movement in the rod tip... I don't know if this will help solve my problem anyway.

Cheers
Andy

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:11 am

Hi Andy mate, bite detection can be a bit of a bugger. For small fish such as flatties and whiting I use a Mitchell Carp rod, this is what we call a soft rod (flexible) with a 3 to 4oz gripper weight and like yourself using mono of about 15lb breaking strain.
Bells do work but as you say a lot of folk hate them, ok if your fishing on your own and the surf aint rattling your rod constantly. At night I use rod tip lights but don't forget to remove it before casting otherwise it goes sailing out in the wild blue yonder ( Iv'e done it myself )

Always tighten your line after casting so as to put a slight bend in your rod this way you should spot the slightest twitch.
Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:51 am

rabbi is right of course and to get that slight bend in the rod tip you often need to be using gripper leads of some description so that the sinker stays put on the sea bed. Personally I don't have problems with the rod tip light flying off in the dark as I use a special clip to hold it on - a lot of folk use easytear cellotape too.

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:29 am

I use an elastic band to hold on the tip light never had one fly off yet.

DAZ big grin

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:13 am

ive used rod tip lights for years and never lost a light
the light holder that you put the light in and you fasten
to your rod must have the blank end to the top of your
rod so wen you cast the light cant fly of if you have the open
end at the top the light will fly of

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:31 am

I only use the snap star lights got fed up with light breaking down when I was out. crying

DAZ

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:21 am

Don't use the star lights mate they are far too dear. Have a look on ebay, there is an outfit that sells tip lights for about 10p each, can't remember what they are called.

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:05 am

eccles wrote:

Don't use the star lights mate they are far too dear. Have a look on ebay, there is an outfit that sells tip lights for about 10p each, can't remember what they are called.

afternoon eccles how r u ,I got a box of multi coloured star lights 100 for £1.99 happy days.

DAZ winking

Sorry forgot to mention got them from Liddels big grin

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:27 am

Not used tip lights in years now, preffer the cheap way reflective tape and a £8 headlamp to light the tip up.

4 - 5 thin strands between the top eye and second eye works a treat for night fishing and i have this headlamp http://www.amazon.co.uk/Headlamp-Cycling-Climbing-Mountain-Running/dp/B0038MCYDI/ref=sr_1_9?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1319023475&sr=1-9

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:34 am

I do also use bells they have served me well when rebaiting or making a cuppa counting for bites I would of missed winking

DAZ

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:34 am

Well done chaps but slipperyeel can get a really decent headlamp for less if he wants. I discovered a geezer in Hong Kong selling these a couple of years ago: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoomable-CREE-LED-300Lm-5W-HeadLight-Headlamp-Torch-/390356799978?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item5ae31411ea
They use a single Cree 5 watt LED which is totally brilliant, in spot mode they have a range of over 100 m, not that you will ever have to use it.

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:41 am

looks like a nice light

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:48 am

Looks like a good deal m8 do they last well if so I think I will order one big grin

DAZ

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:29 pm

Dont forget postage and the waiting time.
Cheers
keith big grin

Member Joined: Jun 26, 2009 Posts: 16 Location: havant

allways keep the line as tight as you can as others have said so slite bend in tip,i allways use the snap and glow lights on my rods with small bit of black electric tape to hold them on,never fails on a dark nite