hemlocks fishing diary

Member Joined: Nov 09, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Southwick

Hi,

I am new to fishing just 2 weeks into it. Caught 3 fish first week after buying starter beachcaster and couple of rigs and bait. Week later tried again in stormy weather and drew a blank after making newbie errors (non anchoring lead for starters).

Anyway figured I am gonna kepp at it till I learn what the heck I am doing! So saturday I went to the shoreham powerstation area with some black lug and some king rag I had bought and gave things another go. Fishing couple of hours before high tide till couple of hours after i found my black lug was dry and like twigs sad

. So I used the pretied rig I had used the past couple of weeks and cast out using the king rag. I got a few good knocks in the first hour or so but no full hooking of any fish. A couple of anglers just along the beech near the hot water outlet seemed not to be catching either. I examined my rig and realised the hooks were blunt and there was a little rust forming on them!!! I changed rig and got no further bites in that session! I learned however that I should wash with non salty water and dry my rigs at the end of each session and check they are sharp before using them so if I do get a bite I can hook the things.

Not to be put off I went to the tackle shop Sunday morning and got some new bait. I complained about the dead black lug and went red as I was told it is normally dry and I should have slapped it against the paper to give it some life before using!! Arggh being a newb is embarassing sometimes, well a lot but hey I am gonna learn how to fish somehow!

Anyway I set up just west of carrots cafe with a couple of other anglers a hundred meters or so away either side of me so figured if they were fishing there then it should be ok. I was using nice juicey dutch lug and my hopes were high of catching something today.

I had a couple of hours before high tide and managed a few light knocks but not much else. I changed from a 2 hook flapper to a wishbone rig for next couple of hours and got nothing at all. After putting the 2 hook flapper back on and loading up the lug I had some positive knocks as the tide was going out but not much else and the only thing I caught all day was my finger on a hook!

By the looks of it the others nearby didnt catch either. As the sun came out at the end of the day and the saild boats headed for harbour I reflected on my weekend and changed my mind about throwing my rod into the sea. Such a beautiful end to the day with the sun lighting up the white cliffs way off east and the tranquil evening with the sound of the ocean lapping the shore was great, just would be bloody better with a fish or 2 throwing themselves at my hooks!

So please some questions I would like answered in my quest to become a non newbie at this. First do others blank like this? So far its been 3 days in a row and I dont know if I am doing things wrong or if its normal sometimes. Am i fishing in the right places? I dont know if i am setting the bait on my hooks right, I am hooking rag and lug throught the mouths, threading them halfway down their body and pushing the kook point out the side a little so its clear to hook a fish. I leave a little of the tail flapping about to entice the fish to bite and sometimes put more than one on each hook.

I dont know any1 who fishes so any advice would be great, but please I can find somewhere to throw my rod so dont need help there happy

Anyway I will continue to do my bit next weekend for keeping our fish stocks up by not catching any, sure i will learn more each week. Hope you all had more success.

Jay

Guest

I'm fairly newbie too
and yeah I've blanked more times than I've caught but didnt mind cos it was all part of the learning curve. Spent more time faffing about with my kit and getting settled, but everything will come with time.
You'll start to learn your venue, when it fishes well, distances, gullies, what tide etc. Dont be embarassed to ask other anglers on the beach for advice, or if they're receptive sit with them for a while and watch.
I would say also ask the tackle shop ? about how things are fishing, baits, etc.
However I've never heard of slapping the lug to bring it to life in the paper (I could be wrong), but def no need to be embarassed. Mine always comes folded in paper and very damp and full of life. (have to padlock my bait box to stop them jumping all over the place. Well maybe not)
Question to the experienced anglers, is slapping the lug normal?? Never heard of it

Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:14 pm

Hi guys, to answer 2 of your questions, yes blankings an occupational hazard this year, I ended a a blanking session last night, at sandsend. but only after 5 trips out. as for the lug slapping, the answers yes, ive not had to do it myself yet, but its right, if they are misbehaving just throw them down onto the ground a few times, this teaches them a lesson and makes them usable. Tightlines..Mick

Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:59 pm

Hi all

Yeah blanking does happen and is v annoying angry

but you have to keep at it!

Dont know your area but all can say is try different things
Different rigs,baits etc
Try fishing different times night time is usually better then day.

I tend to slap the worm! winking

i find it makes them more managable.

Just persevere!

Andi