Novice needs help

[Drew]

Hi Folks,

This is an excellent thread.

A big thank you to all who contributed, this is what the Forum is all about - questions and answers. Everything that has been said has been informative, short and to the point.

Excellent reading, better than any magazine or book, and all free.

Cheers

Drew

[Rugby_Stan]

Well said Tasmanian Jim,
I would have had problems without this forum.

Thanks Portland Pirate. I will take you up on the offer of comming to see you in your shop.

[Brian of Nazareth]

I haven't cobbled a drop net together myself, but it can't be too difficult, I've heard of people making then with some netting and an old bicycle wheel. Mine cost £9.99, I find that a piece of fish tied in the middle works fine, but you need to lift it quickly for the first foot or two or the prawns will escape over the rim of the net at the slightest movement, a quick jerk upwards then bring it up as quick as you can. Look in the net very carefully as they are nigh on invisible if the light is poor. I thread the body section of one up the shank and hook a live one through the tail. Be prepared to catch some crabs too, but in my experience float fished crab is useless (probably just me) because the crab stays completely still unless its feet are on the ground, I reckon this is some survival instinct for if they get washed off the rocks.

Damn, I wanna go fishing NOW, wish I lived in Brixham.

[Rugby_Stan]

Thanks Brian.
I would have been there bringing the net up nice and slowly trying not to spill anything to find nothing there. I might not have made it past catching the bait or just used macky and worm instead.

[Pross]

I've done most of my recent fishing in Devon using a 2.5lb carp rod. I've used it for spinning to catch mackie on a simple Toby spinner which gives good sport and float fished rag worm to catch small pollack and bullheads, could also possibly catch wrasse on the rag baits which would also provide real sport. The other fish which your carp gear would be ideal for is thick lipped mullet. I've not fished the Weymouth area but I suspect the harbour area has lots of mullet, these are best caught on light gear i.e carp rod, stick / waggler floats and size 6 - 8 hooks with bread as bait. I haven't fished for mullet yet but intend going tomorrow to get them but from the advise I've had from Devon Dave, resident mullet expert, they are very picky and easily spooked so low diameter line, only the point of the hook showing, plenty of ground baiting with well mashed bread are the order of the day. Mullet fight like mad and, from my recent experiences at trying to catch my first carp I would say tactics and frustration would be quite similar. If you are taking a fly rod you could also try fly fishing for bass providing your rod is powerful enough to get the fly out against a sea breeze. Don't forget to wash any freshwater gear thoroughly after use as it obviously hasn't been designed for contact with the salt and rod rings etc. will soon rust up (as I know to my cost ). Enjoy the fishing, you may not get particularly big fish but you'll enjoy more sport than the guy feathering next to you using an 8oz beachcaster and multiplier reel.

[Rugby_Stan]

Thanks for the input Pross.
I have a range of spinners with which I plan on giving a go mate. I have not caught Mullet since I stopped going on holiday to Spain with my parents about 7 years ago. In Spain I used to spin for them. I started by using bread but the seagulls got out of hand (you would catch 5 gulls to 1 mullet) so I tried spinning for the zander but hit gold with the mullet. I didn't bring the fly rod as I only have an 11' rod rated as 6-8 fly line which I didn't think would be heavy enough. Thank you for mentioning the cleaning of the coarse gear. Is it enough to soak/wash it in warm fresh water or should I clean it in a specific way??? I have talked my better half into feathering (my guess for about 30 minutes) to supply me with bait then I guess she will go shopping whilst I spend a few hours with Mother Nature herself. If lady luck is on my side I should get a few.

If you are ever near Leicester then call me (PM me for my number) and I will take you for plenty of carp from an old mine near me. £8 a day for 2 rods and plenty of doubles (normally land at least 5 -8 doubles a day between May and September) if you can get to the right swim.

[Rugby_Stan]

Thanks for all of the help.
I had 2 5 hour sessions off the end of a jetty between Portland Bill and Weymouth. The missus got a makrel and I had a few Wrasse and plenty of crabs.
We did 4 hours at Swanage off the Pier and got a Wrasse nearly every cast.

[Ben]

well done mate, just like a real pro now!

[Portland Pirate]

I am glad that you got some good information Stan.

[Rugby_Stan]

I didn't realise that the bloomin crabs could cut clean through 20lb mono without even registering on the rod tip...... I got my own back by cooking a couple of the bigger crabs. They tasted nice but there was not a lot of meat on them. Just got to talk the missus into coarse fishing now.