Setting Up For A Plugging Session

When you get up in the morning or return home from a long day at work you sometimes get a little glimpse of the sea. You look once, don't think about it, then immediately look back again. The conditions just look perfect. Almost....... too perfect. But either way you want to head out. Now there is a great sense of anticipation when your on your way to the mark. Jumping hedges, walls, over gullies, getting our feet wet. But the bane and I mean the killer of fishing is to arrive and then realise you forgot your lures, clips, scales and i even once forgot my reel! So here's a quick little guide on how I prepare for all circumstances when out fishing as to avoid a long and very frustrating walk home.

First thing is first. Clothing. Gotta love those long johns for when its cold. Make sure your warm in cold conditions. A warm angler is an efficient angler. Likewise, If its hot. Make sure you take your sun cream. Don't want to look like a tomato with your bass in the picture. Must be so embarrassing for the thing. A bottle of water will also keep you hydrated and ready to go. Another useful point, that i learnt the hard way, is to take a coat. May sound obvious. But when your in a rush, one of the last things on your mind is a coat. Especially in these winter months when the rain is so unpredictable (as it is most of the time)

As for tackle? I like to take a few items.

1. My lures. It depends on the conditions, but I'll usually take one for the surface, then mid depth followed by a deep diver and just for special measures a Super Shad or jelly lure. This way we can tackle most fishing situations.

The Bass Busters

When you take all these lures you are faced with a wee problem. If your like me and don't really want to lug much stuff around when fishing you could put your lures in a take away tub or plastic mini container. Water proof and compact. However, all those trebles are going to entwine and create the worlds largest and deadly bass lure. So here's the solution......         

Treble Guards. Veals Mail Order.

Next up we have our clips. I like to use smaller snap swivels for lures and larger crane swivels for the sets of feathers. This way you can interchange the lures or feathers quick and easy!

Left : Crane Swivels
Right: Snap Swivels

OK, so far all's good. Something i take seriously in fishing, is releasing. If iv caught a fish that i don't want to keep the next task is to UN-hook it in the best way and then help it to swim off.

Left to right.
Fish Grip.
De-Gouger
Pliers

With this gear you should be well on your way to helping that fish return safely and UN harmed. Remember, if you end up with a lively fish in your hand, with all those hooks flying around. It can be dangerous. Not just for the fish but your hands to! To avoid this. Simply have a good grip on the fish. Hold it upside down. This calms the fish and knocks it out leaving you to safely remove the hooks. However, throwing the fish back immediately will most probably leave it very vulnerable and kill it. So it's only fair to take it to the waters edge or rock pool and hold it upright, pushing it gently forward and backward. Thus allowing water to pass its gills and revive it. That way you can send it back ready to fight another day!

Finally Check the tides and weather. The last thing you need is to be stuck on a rock in the middle of a storm and remember. "If in doubt, don't go out"


Tight Lines
Kirk

Used & Abused Kit Review

Rod & Reels

Expedition - Shakespeare

When it comes to fishing, I like to know I'm using the right gear. Or at least know I'm using a rod that's not going to let me down when I'm playing a 6 pounder! It can be confusing looking at all those long sticks at the tackle shop. Whats the best one for me? Whats the cheapest? Is it any good? Most people who buy a rod will get the best deal or bargain they can find. This could be ideal...... if your only going to fish for a few days. If you want a rod that will (with care) never let you down. Then it is worth your time looking into spending a little more of your hard earned wonga. 

Tech:

Length : 8' (2.40m) *

Casting Weight : 5-30g

Max Rec Line : 10lb

Sections : 6

Case : Hard Tubular

When hopping from one rock to another in search of fish. You want to be mobile. Hence one of the reasons I love this rod. Its case means you can carry it on your shoulder leaving both hands free for those "hard to get to" locations.


Reaching the mark can be hard. But reaching the fish can be even harder. With its light weight tip the expedition can literally "flick" your lures with pin point accuracy straight into the feed. Hook, line and sinker. When playing your lure can feel almost anything that even slightly touches it and when the fish strike......... you feel it.......... hard! Some recent trips have produced some 4 - 6 pound bass and the expedition has handled them perfectly. I don't usually spend my life savings on fishing gear and with this rod. You wont need to.

Price : £39.99

Ideal for anyone who dose not want to burn a hole in their pocket yet still fish with a great amount of confidence. Highly recommended for any lure angler.


Tight Lines
Kirk
 

* You can have longer and even shorter rods. The casting rate and price will vary with that to.

Feeling Like A Flounder

There are over 400 hundred species of flatfish in our waters. 400! It's probably safe to say that no one has caught them all. But the more notable fish of these species such as the flounders, soles, turbot, plaice, and halibut are not only on the fishing list, they also pop up on the menu :P 

Some people will say that the first fish they ever caught was a flatfish. This could be true as they are not too difficult. In-fact it can be quite easy at times to catch them. There are many methods in catching these fish. The two most popular would be to set up a simple paternoster rig with small hooks and cast 10 yards out. You wont need to cast far as they are usually very close to shore. Sometimes you can even see them on the shore line! As for bait. Rag worm, lug worm, mackerel strip and even supermarket brought mussel's do the trick.

   

The Paternoster Rig

The other method is a deadly method and also my favourite. It involves using a baited spoon. Not the type of spoon your probably thinking of. This type.....

The spoon.

Very easy to use. Just attach a small hook to one end and add a few bright beads. Flat fish are suckers for this. Then add your trace and attach it to your mainline. Simple. Finish off with adding a small rag worm or oily fish strip to the hook and away you go. As for fishing it, either cast out and retrieve slowly. Or for those in a boat or kayak drop will it hits the bottom and paddle nice and slow. Within minutes you should have one nibbling the end of your line!

My next kayak trip will be for these species. The minimum landing size are as follows;
Dab - 15cm
Flounder - 25cm

Sole (Lemon) - 25cm

Megrim - 25cm

Plaice - 27cm

Sole (Dover) - 24cm

Turbot - 30cm

Ill upload a diary on the day I set off. If I do land these species just give me your number before hand and I'll give you a call!

Tight Lines
Kirk 

November Bass

As we get nearer the winter months one of the last things on our minds is to stroll out onto the wind beaten shore lines and dip our toes into the water, or is it?

For us anglers it isn't the best time, but, with a little patience and determination you could pull something worth the wait out of the water! As the water temperature cools most "summer" species tend to leave the shores and head to deeper water. Those included are the mighty mackerel and red crab. However, it's not all doom and gloom as the "Winter" species start to make their move in. This means cod will work close to the shore offering great fishing for shore anglers alike. But what about the bass, are they still around? YES! You can say goodbye to the schoolies though. All that's left are the larger bass. Were talking 4 pound and above. Sounds good eh? Well it dose sound good but, were faced with a problem. Seeing as their numbers are low finding them can be a problem. It's a matter of knowledge and being in the right place at the right time and if you have that knowledge you will/should be in that place at that time!

Nov 2nd 4lbs 5 Ounces

For me it's all about the location (as is most fishing) However, fishing can throw up allot of surprises! Hence why I like to say "Everything you know about fishing is known as (Generally)" You can't guarantee anything. OK, so the hunt for bass is on. As for times? Get up early or go to bed late. They feed more productively at night so it would make sense to fish for them at dawn and dusk. Allot of anglers will say that you will only catch bass when waves are about. That is part true because it stirs up the shore line, digging out crabs, sand eels, razor fish etc. Creating a buffet for almost all predatory fish.You can see it in action sometimes when you see birds on the surface of the water in huge groups. What if there are no waves? Don't worry. They are still around. Things just get a little harder. Try the very tips of coasts. When fish search for food they will have to pass this spot to get to other coves, beaches etc. So starting there could land you amongst the fish. If you have the time. Fish the tide moving in, placing your lures right in amongst rocky ledges and sand banks. As the bass come in looking for food, your lure is conveniently placed right on their plate.




Hopefully this will help you beat those winter time bass blues.

Tight Lines, Kirk