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