Boat Fishing - Your Advice & Suggestions Please

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

Hi all,

Have finally managed to get myself a seat on a Fishing Charter. Going out on Sunday 13th April on the Marine Quest, out of Eyemouth at 13:30, can't wait!

So far, I've only fished from the shore so am not very clued up on what I will need in the way of rod, reel & tackle. Although you can hire them for the day, I'm gonna buy em as I plan to get as much boat time as possible.

Looking for all your advice & suggestions on what or what not to buy. Am not looking to spend a fortune, that went on my shore rods & tackle big grin

Regards
Foxy

welsh · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Hi. Id buy a nice budget uptide rod and any abu reel from and above the 6500 range. You could buy second hand gear to save on money. Rabis got some nice rods and reels on here to sell prety cheaply. Take a few sets of mackrel feathers and any rig should do. Your bound to catch whatever rig you have off a boat. Just remember to get some really heavy weights to hold you down. Take some grippers too incase they will let you cast uptide. Hope that helps.

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

Cheers m8. I mailed the skipper who said that I should be able to use what I already had for shore fishing. Wasn't too sure about the length of rod for a boat and whether a fixed spool would be any good.

Will probably still buy a rod 'n' reel, just for the boat though, then tell the wife winking

Regards
Foxy

welsh · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

Cool. I wouldnt fancy swinging a 13ft beachcaster round on the back of a boat though. A nice 10 - 11 foot boat/uptide rod is probably best choice. You can pick them up prety cheaply too. You could use a fixed spool but im prety sure a multiplyer has more power for reeling in. Id check to see whats happening about the bait situation before you set off too.

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

That's what I was thinking. Probably end up killing someone wi ma beachcaster sad

Just been checking out the Abu reels, dunno how I'd pull that one off wi the wife though.

Just mailed the skipper to check on the bait situation but have got a nice little tabletop freezer in ma shed, full of peelers, squid, sandeels, blueys, mussels, razor and black lug. Surely catch something wi that lot big hug

Just need to work on the seasickness now whew!

Regards
Foxy

welsh · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

Youl catch just using mackrell, but if i was you, id be taking as many peeler as i could winking

Heres a useful link with some cheap reels.

http://www.sea-fishing.org/ftopict-7876.html

You can buy sea sickness tablets too by the way.

fishmad · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject:

if budget is what ur after look at the fladden range i kitted my self out with an 8` rod for £8.50 and multiplier for £10.00 its a good little outfit its managed to pull up some good siezed tope either that or look on ebay

trooper · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

If it's your first time on a boat trip i'd recommend hiring the skippers gear for the day. If you enjoy your time out and feel you want to go more times then go out and buy your own boat gear.

DUFFISH · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:27 am Post subject:

follow troops advice i hired skippers gear as saves on time and cost if only a 1 off !

rabbi2 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

Hey Welsh. Thanks for the recommendation. May you have many sons and daughters and may the sun always smile upon your countenence. keith

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

Thanks for all the info lads. However, I plan on getting as much boat time as I can this year so I'm just gonna buy a rod 'n' reel. Skipper just mailed me to say that it was too early for catching the Mackies for bait so I guess it's down to Tesco sad

Regards
Foxy

HoOkEd · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

Foxy,

I fish regularly on a boat, and the skipper is the best person for advise. on the phone

He will know the coast and the fish that are around through experience or through his fellow skippers in the charter trade. Are you the only person or are others with you in others words how many are going and what are their experience... as the new boy the skipper may go along with what the others want to do in the way of fishing.

When I go boat fishing, we tend to target species so fish areas where the venue (hopefully) will provide the catch we want. I fish on and around the Goodwin Sand in the English Channel.. soon when the weather is better we wil be targeting Skate... but as there is still Cod around you cant miss out on them...
For Bass fishing we visit wrecks and use a variety of fishing methods...
There is no hard and fast rule as to what tackle you need, we use uptiders and down tiders.. but do you know if you will be drifting or will you be at anchor?

If I was you I would speak to the skipper more... remember your charter is his living so he should be very helpful... and anyway if you become too much of a pain in the B*m at wits' end - New!

he can always tie you to the anchor and lob you over ... only kidding whew!

Also, remeber to take your camera... the forum loves a good picture... gives the post a lift

good luck and look forward to your report
HoOkEd

gazza76 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

totally agree with hooked about boat fishing only thing i done which the skipper never told me was after you had your day of fun and you clean the decks, was i went to get some water to clean the table and wash away blood and stuff from the catch and put the bucket over the side as we were on our way back in nearly took me into the water and had a nice shoulder ache lol, then got told take it from the wash from the back of the boat , mike cottingham skipper of challenger 2 did have a word with a few swearwords mixed in . Gary big grin

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

Thanks again for the info lads: Have been in regular contact with the skipper and I think we are pretty much sorted for now. As with the shore fishing, it will be pretty much trial and error on our part, and a lot of watching and asking, the others on board.

Again, as with the shore fishing, it's a day out, in the great outdoors, and if I only catch one fish, I'll be happy.

And if I do catch anything, the photos will be posted up here immediately.

Regards & Many Thanks
Foxy

Foxy · Member Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 60

Me again

Have finally got myself a Boat Rod & Multiplier. However, I forgot to ask in my previous posts:

What size of hooks should I be using on my rigs?
Which rig would you suggest for general boat fishing?
What weight of leads to use?

AT the moment I've got 6oz leads and the usual off-the-shelf rigs.

Regards
Foxy