Help with bottom fishing

[Island991]

Having moved from course fishing to sea fishing this summer ive been enjoying good success from float fishing from rocks/piers. Ive tried ledgering etc and have had no luck at all, but i know nothing about bottom fishing.

Can anyone recommend a good rig to use?

also ive just bought a multiplier and new rod and have read about shockleaders etc what are these??!! someone was on about tapered ones for a level wind multiplier(which is what i bought).

cheers

[wayne]

Hi a shock leader stops you getting crack off's when you cast (main line breaking under the stress of casting) i think the shock leader has to be double the breaking strain of the main line, but i always use 50lb shock leader then you have to put double the length of your rod on to the reel if that makes sense. As for a good rig try a two hook flapper i use this because you can try different baits on each trace/snood what ever it's called i use 3/0 hooks on this and a 1/0 on each so you can twist the line around it to hold the hook in place then hook the top of your bait on the 1/0 and the bottom with the 3/0 this makes the bait look better in the water and this does make a difference then just having a ball of mush on the end. Oh and you can use bait elastic this also helps. For more rigs look on the forum there's loads you can make yourself and i think Smooth hound also wrote something on different hook sizes so you can get the right hooks for the fish your going for.I dont have a multiplier yet but i will get one i think for a level wind when you are reeling in feed it between your finger and thumb going back and forth across the reel.

[fishfinder]

A shockleader as Ive been told should be 10 times the weight of the lead youre chucking out ie 6oz lead 60lb shockleader.but I would only use this on the beach on the rocks I would use say a 30lb line straight through.as for rigs it depends on what species your fishing for and where your fishing ...I fish the rock edges of the northeast so would use a rotton bottom rig with a size 4 - 6 hook on and a good stiff rod coupled up with a 7000 + abu reel to rip through the kelp but if I was fishing the beach Id probably use a pennel rig with an open multiplier (no level wind) and a longer casting type rod like a zziplex sst giving me more distance to get into deeper water ..then theres bait!!! for the rocks I use crab and mussel and on the beach Id use worm baits so its definately a case of horses for courses...the best way to learn is by joining you local sea angling club where the lads there will give you pointers and valuable info on the area you fishing ...hope this helps

[wayne]

Thanks for correcting me you are right 10lb for each oz of lead i knew someone would say if i had it wrong

[Island991]

cheers for all the help. Blanked again yesterday. I have caught nothing bottom fishing in about 10 sessions now, since i started trying. I know the fish are there because st the same time im float fishing and catching garfish/mackerel/pollock/scad/pout but nothing ever on the bottom rigs.

anyone got any offers of help

otherwise....... !!!

[pingu]

ok hopethis helps
shockleader is 10lb per ounce of lead therefore 5oz lead = 50lb leader
try using a rig with smaller hooks say size 1 or 1/0 max with one above lead and one below as got more options then(use higher above)
also when are you going day or night(as say makkie/gar guess day)
night is always better for bottom
dave

[Island991]

cheers ill try some evening slots when i get the time!! before it starts getting to damn cold!! We get alot of bream around here at this time of year. are they active day or night??

[Fishing Forum Admin]

try using a rig with smaller hooks say size 1 or 1/0 max with one above lead and one below as got more options then(use higher above)
also when are you going day or night(as say makkie/gar guess day)
night is always better for bottom
dave

Just like to add that your snoods ( hook length line ) do not need to be that high in LB . If you are after wrasse pollock whiting the 15lb is all you need and will help with the old bite side of things

If you are fishing in clearwater then have you tried adding beads ect as this can help as well

If you are using runnning rig then try changing your hook length size i.e if you are using 3 foot length try it at 5 foot you just never know

Me if Im have problems I just have a wonder as see what everyon else on the beach is catchin on ( rigs and bait )

[Island991]

once ive cast out i tend to use a float rod at same time, which demands close attention. am i likely to miss bites on the other rod without noticing? i have the ratchet and drag set so i can hear bites. is this ok or do i need to watch tip closely as well?

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Watch the rod tip as you see bites develop and you can hook the fish

Saying that most fish hook themselves unless your hook and bait is to big