More questions

[Dave]

I have been attempting to expand my knowledge over the past couple of weeks in an attempt to have more than just luck on my side.
I have had some great advice from many of you out there and spent quite a few hours reading from all the forums. However although i have learned lots of new and really useful info i seem to also expand my list of questions. Some of them may be a bit stupid but someone on this site did say the only stupid question is a question not asked.
Firstly i have become a bit comfused about what part of the tide to fish. I have always timed my trips to coincide with the fulltide but see that this may not always be best. Will i have an equal chance on the lowest point of the tide or better my chances at any point inbetween. I am not targeting any particular species just trying to give myself the best opportunities i can. the beeches i fish from around the littlehampton area are quite open and flat and comprise of vast expanses of sand when the tide is fully out.

Also hOw are bait clips used and where do they need to be on a rig and do i need to get any. I have seen them pictured in rig diagrams but still cant see how to use them and what advantage they have.
Those are the only 2 i have time to ask now but will have some equally thick questions to ask again soon
Thanks Dave

[kiwimarty]

First of all mate your question are not stupid. Most of us are only too pleased to help and yes you are right, there is only one stupid question!

The best way to tackle (no pun) the tide question is to gain local knowledge. Don’t be afraid to post on the forum a question about how a local beach fishes. Also try and do a search on the forum to see if anything has been posted before.
Also get yourself a diary. That way you can log everything that is relevant to a trip out. For example, you fish a particular beach on a certain tide, in certain conditions. What bait you used, what rigs etc etc.
It may seem daft at first but by starting to keep a record on how somewhere fishes is the best way to see how an area changes seasonally and how and when different species are around. Over time your diaries will give you an overview of what to use and what not to use.
Very often your local press my give limited info about catches etc so give them a ring and see if they do any write up’s. Also ask at your local tackle store but beware of tall stories!

A little more simpler answer to your question would be, that in most cases a mark will fish best on spring high tides (more water), fishing a couple of hours before (on the flood) and after (on the ebb).
Now I know many will jump on me for this piece of advice because as you will appreciate all marks can vary a great deal. Indeed some species of fish will be best caught during the complete opposite of what I have said, but im trying to get you started some where without getting you too bogged down with info.

OK on to bait clips. Well mate, these have to be one of the most important items on ya rig. Why, they stop your snoods and bait from flying around during your cast which will wreck ya bait and, believe it or not, cut the distance of your cast! They are designed to keep the bait close to the rig body thus giving the whole rig a more aerodynamic structure. As the weight hits the waters surface, this compresses the rig slightly thus releasing the bait. Now a more efficient bait clip is the Breakaway Impact Shield. These are a little more difficult to set up but offer a more streamlined rig because of the cone shape it has (even less resistance). They also are guaranteed to release the bait. Don’t worry as they come with instructions on how to setup. After you have done your first rig with it you’ll be hooked!!

I hope this helps you on your way mate.

Kiwi.

[devondave]

depends where im fishing and what im fishing for depends on what state of tide i would prefer....but in general i prefer to fish half tide down and back up on beaches i seem to catch more.

this could be down to the fact that i cant cast very far and on low tide im actually reaching the area where most would reach at high tide lol

and from rock marks im not too fussy on the state of the tide

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great info guys

Its a hard one in fact - what I do is look at the mark at low water and see what the sea bed is like i.e if its full of worm casts , gulleys ect

Then I look at were they start - 100yrd off shore but at low tide the water is 1000yrd out then you can start to think about what time the fish will hit their food areas

Some marks fish better at low tide because then you are casting into deep gulleys were the fish are held up .

OK on to bait clips. Well mate, these have to be one of the most important items on ya rig. Why, they stop your snoods and bait from flying around during your cast which will wreck ya bait and, believe it or not, cut the distance of your cast! They are designed to keep the bait close to the rig body thus giving the whole rig a more aerodynamic structure. As the weight hits the waters surface, this compresses the rig slightly thus releasing the bait. Now a more efficient bait clip is the Breakaway Impact Shield. These are a little more difficult to set up but offer a more streamlined rig because of the cone shape it has (even less resistance). They also are guaranteed to release the bait. Don’t worry as they come with instructions on how to setup. After you have done your first rig with it you’ll be hooked!!

Totally agree with above and well done kiwi

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Knowledge is the key to when the fish are there. In Torbay there are some places that only fish well either side of high tide and others that fish all the way through.

Your local tackle shop should know the best times and I totally agree with keeping a diary (I have a spreadsheet with the info). You can very soon see trends in a spot. These may or may not change over the course of the seasons but you do start building up a picture in your mind.

My spreadsheet was only started last autumn so I'm still fishing in spots that may not catch fish just to see if the trend continues.

[gullyworm]

No point in answering aseen as kiwi has answered so well.
One point though,you would probably learn a great deal by going fishing with other anlgers.
Theres often meets going on on this forum and if you ever out portsmouth way and you fancy going fishing give us a shout.

[fishingbonsai]

Question for SimonTorbayFishing.

Any chance of getting a copy of your spreadsheet Simon?

[kiwimarty]

Originally Posted by gullyworm

One point though,you would probably learn a great deal by going fishing with other anlgers.
Theres often meets going on on this forum and if you ever out portsmouth way and you fancy going fishing give us a shout.

Very good point though Gully . Get talking with peeps on here mate and dont forget the friendly anglers fishing near you. Many are only too pleased to help with advise.

Kiwi.

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Originally Posted by fishingbonsai

Question for SimonTorbayFishing.

Any chance of getting a copy of your spreadsheet Simon?

I'll PM you about it.

[pingu]

cant emphasise enough about meeting people as thats where I learnt so much last year, even if just realising what I was doing was right in first place,just needed more confidence and few Tweeks in right direction,
as an after I have just started up a diary /database this year even note if blank or if you see reasons for against fishing particular mark etc, and will build up more local knowledge that way,