Newbia advice pleeeeease.

Joined: Aug 18, 2008 Posts: 2

Hi Guys, newbie here! happy

As you can probably guess from my username, i am a Course Angler. I live in Coventry which i suppose is about as far away from the coast as you're likely to get, i mainly fish for Barbel in our great rivers but often go down to Devon for some sea fishing. I come in peace seaking help.

Every year i fish in the Torbay area at least once or twice and have done since i was a small lad on holiday. I'm not your usual Grockle who likes to chuck the chicken. I prefer float, plug and lure fishing in and around the coves or from Brixham breakwater although i have spent some time Wreck fishing in the surrounding areas.

I've been quite happy with my fishing so far as i've been able to use my old Carp gear, 2.5lb test curve Diawa Sensor rod, Diawa Regal-x Baitrunner reel loaded with 12lb line. This has been fine for the float, plugs and lures and has caught me numerous fish and quite a few different species not just Mackies but i now have the urge to try something a little different. There are many times when i'm out on the rocks when it just looks right for some legering but have not tried it for fear that my tackle won't be up to it.

I've fished for Barbel in the floods over the last couple of years using Carp tackle with 4-5oz leads to hold in the flow with no real problems and was wondering if my tackle is up to the job of some light legering in the sea. Most of the marks i fish have rocks and/or weed for about 30yds out then it's a sandy bottom. I've witnessed some nice fish being caught from the bottom and fancy giving it a try.

OK, here come my questions.....
If i were to tackle up with 20lb main line and a running leger rig with say 3-4oz of lead, would this be strong enough? Would i need a leader if i'm not casting to the horizon? Would a 15lb hooklink of 3-4 ft be ok?
Would it still be ok for my float, plug and lure fishing with 20lb mainline? Would this set up be ok for deep spinning for Pollack? If not could you suggest a set up that will do me?
I ask because i look at all the sea tackle and rigs etc that are available and the idea of 30-50lb snoods with three hooks etc scare the life out of me. i'm used to lighter hooklinks with only one hook lol.

Any advice would be really appreciated and if any of you fancy giving Barbel a go, ask and i will give you as much help as i can.

Cheers Ian. big grin

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:09 pm

Nothing wrong with the gear you have for the purpose you intend to put it to; many sea anglers think the best fish are furthest away so go for mega casting gear..... and don't catch much. If you cast in lakes and rivers without cracking off with those leads there is nothing in the sea air which will make the kit act any differently.
You will now get people yelling that you must have a shock leader for elfinsafety...... ignore them as you know how to cast sensibly. Enjoy your fishing, I use a Shakespeare Odessa Flattie for light beach-casting, I have spoken to people who use that rod for barbel...... not much difference between fresh water and the sea..... just the salt level and a wealth of old wives tales, superstitions and customs.
12lb line cast not too far and a 3oz grip lead should cope with almost any tidal pull.
(my money is on most sea anglers never having caught a fish as heavy as a modest sized carp.)

Regular Joined: Oct 14, 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Holyhead

I've just read your post and hopefully I can shed a bit a light on general ledgering in the sea. Because of the depth of the water, waves and tide your weight/bait will washed in or taken with the tide unless you use enough weight to hold bottom. If your using a light rod and heavy weights what happens when retrieving is that the weight will drag over the seabed because the rod is constantly bent over and unable to lift the weight off the seabed. Light tackle is fine for close in work on clean ground in shallow water. I would recommend a 12 foot rod casting weight 4 - 6oz which will lift your weight off the seabed when retrieving. The line can be anything from 15lb to 30lb for this type of ledgering depending on how rough the ground is. If using 30lb line then there's no need for shockleader unless your putting power into the cast. Good luck

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:08 pm

Of course 20 lb line is fine I use it all the time and don't bother with shockleader unless I want to do power casting over 80 yds. Unless you are fishing in an "after storm" surf, 3 oz grip lead sinker is fine from those Torbay beaches but I do go up to 5 oz when there is surf or a strong current (around headlands etc.) I guess you already realise that hook sizes are normally at least 1 or 1/0 for sea angling unless you are after something special like dover sole.

Joined: Aug 18, 2008 Posts: 2

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the prompt replies, i knew i could count on you guys. Some good advice there.

I'm gonna give it a go and see what happens. I do have concerns about the action of the waves, weeds and tides etc on such light tackle and i'll have to see what the conditions are like first but nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. I 've pre-warned the missus that i may need to visit the local tackle shop, seen some good outfits for sale (and i need to look after my course gear as it's not really designed for the sea with all that salt corrosion dear, honest!!) winking

Thanks again for your help, i'm off to tie some rigs now. Tight lines all.

Cheers Ian. big grin