estuary fishing - for beginner

[greyling]

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to be introduced to course fishing by a match angler. I learnt a few basics about float fishing (the anger moved before I became any good) and really enjoyed it. Then I got married, years have gone by and no fishing. I expect this has happen to many!

I now have a house right on an estuary. It is tidal and in portugal. I think the fishing should be good but I do not know how to fish an estuary.

As there is a jetty I can get to the deep water easy and also float fishing will be easy. I fancy float fishing again but realsie ledger will be easier. I really like watching a float.

The questions I have are, what type of rod should I use, what type of bait, what time of day to fish, when in the tide sequence to fish (it is a very strong tide), what depth to fish, hook size, line and weight rigging and so on.

I expect that the river holds mullet, sea bass, sea bream and much more.
I feel very lucky to have this on my doorstep and want to make the most of it.

Here is a link that shows the town and estuary. www.santaluzia.eu/freguesia.html

Thanks to all that take the time to help an old fishmerman and newbie.

[steve devon]

You could try float fishing for the mullet.

You will need light line (around 8lb is good), small floats, small hooks and bread

They will be in and around the boats (im going by one of the pictures here) and usually the ones you can see won't be interested in your bait but there's always more fish down a little deeper

I fished for them in spain a few years back in a harbour and there were 100s right on the surface but i fished around 6 foot depth and caught all day til i was kicked out for not bein aloud to fish there!

[Gremlin]

My pal is just taking delivery of a new (private) fishing boat at Lagos Marina.

If it's near to you, send me a PM.

He says he'll be back to UK on the 17th, but I doubt it because he'll be customising it for a month or 10!

He can't catch fer f**ks, but he likes small Makos on the barbie!



Silly sod!

[greyling]

Hello Steve, that is very helpful, thank you. Any advice on the rod and reel, it is a long time since I fished! As this is an estuary and about 1 mile from sea, and tide is about 3-6 foot, do you think bass and sea bream might be there? Saw some gar fish once and also a sea slug. What else might there be?

Thanks again for the reply - also thanks to Gremlin. Lagos is about 40 miles away. I hope your mate has lots of fun with the boat, great place to mess about with boats and beer.

[steve devon]

Any kind of match/feeder sort of rod is fine and a small fixed spool reel is best

I would imagine you would get them up that far but more on the bigger tides than the smaller ones