Newbie needs sea advice

[Guyfrog]

Hi All, In early 2012 my partner and I are moving to Cardigan SW Wales, I have been a Course Angler for nearly 40 years, and have been lucky enough to have enjoyed catching most species to specimen size (Carp 28-07,Barbel 13-14 Chub 6-12), but I am an absolute novice when it comes to shore fishing , so I'm looking for any help that the membership can offer me, I have good quality carp and barbel rods up to 3lb tc, (will these be man enough??) I would like to fish for Bass, Mullet,Mackrel and flatfish. I am prepared to invest in more tackle in the future but want to land a few first to see if I get the same enjoyment as I do from course fishing, any advice on tackle, tides, bait, lures, and reading material would be greatly appreciated. Tight Lines GF

[Bluesbro]

Hi guy welcome to the forum my friend, are resident experts from wales (MRG LAZY HOOKER) will be along to advise you of some lovely spots to fish in south wales soon im sure (along with other members of course)

I would suggest that for most fishing your rods will not be "man enough" to cope with the riggours of fishing the coast, however with some calm weather or sheltered bays/harbours etc you may be able to put a small ledger on your rod and fish with light tackle for bass, flatties and Mullet. You may also be able to fish in the summer months with a lure or float for makeral, pollock and garfish but again it really depends on which areas you are looking to fish.

In general you need a rod that would be able to cast out at least a 4oz lead + bait for sea angling and also have enough backbone to then be able to retrieve that weight plus fish, possibly some weed through a strong current/swell. Of course you will also need a reel thats upto the job as well, if you have any large pit reels they may be ok to use but I would be consious of what may happen to the internalls apon prolonged contact with salt water.

You can of course get yourself a sea rod and reel from the market/ebay for around £30/£50 and start fishing with them. If you find you enjoy it then it warrents upgrading to some better gear if not then you have not wasted to much cash and possibly wrecked a load of nice freshwater gear in the process.

Hope this helps a little, im sure others will be along soon to add their thoughts on your question

Tight Lines

Joe

[chris.oldgit]

as joe says, or sell the coarse gear and buy salt water tackle with the proceeds

[chazyboi]

hi buddy i know cardigan bay rely well from abber up to pwllheli i have friends there and utill recently fished it all the time, there are some beaches you can use your carp rods on and one or two esturies , borth being one twyn and barmouth being others they are shallow clean beaches ,, the dyfi estury inbetween borth and aberdovy holds plenty of mullet and some schoolie bass at its mouth fish it on a flood or you can fish it from ynslas beach drive as far as you can round to the right till you cant go any further it turns into a small river theres plenty of mullet fish it as the main estury floods mussels and harbour rags kill there,,for bass close in, in borth try the golf club ,,twyn is the same as is barmouth fish the estury on flood and the estury up at cricieth,,A lot of the lads i fish with there ...when i can ...use light gear carp rods 3lb test as there is no mud and your aiming for 2 to 3 breakers away even closer sometimes for the dabs ect ,,,abber stone pier is ok with a carp rod down the wall for wrass ect ,,theres a good tackle dealer in abber when you want a beach rod ,,, a local mullet fisher man gave me this tip there but i have never tried it , hook up your bread but rub it in a cow pat apparently mullet like it lol might have been avin me on but who knows lol

[chazyboi]

joe ,,not to be a pain but pit reels are actualy sea reels originally as there wasnt a reel that held enough line specificly for carp to fis the big gravel pits and places in france , us carp anglers nicked them from the sea angling world ,,,mat hayes if you watch him uses a shimano big bait runner the original one on his vids sea fishing for tarpon ect and luke moffet uses them for cats to over 100lb , ,,i use my daiwa emcasts for sea fishing no problem ,

[Guyfrog]

Hi All,
Thank-you for all your reply's, much appreciated, Chazyboi we going to be located Cardigan Town so ta for the info further up coast as have relatives in Bangor area, so shall follow yr advice re N Wales, If anyone is able to help with advice on decent rods reels for shore fishing so i can keep an eye on ebay for a quality bargain be greatly appreciated, as said b4 Bass and Flat fish will be the intended target.

All the best

Tight lines GF

[chazyboi]

daiwa d series bass rod or theory one 30 quid other 80 ,,beachcaster super cast 114 quid if you want a good rod for a starter the beaches are pretty clean id go for a good secondhand daiwa moonraker,,and i have 2 long beams what i use but it is personal choice mate,,,, and im no expert... pop into abber tackle and ask them there might see you there soon lol

[barbelblanker]

I am primarily a coarse fisher too. To me mullet are the ones to got for in the sea . That and bass. Welcome!