Newbie Help Requested

[Strategist]

Hi Everyone,

I am relatively new to fishing having tried a little beach casting and boat fishing (I was a little green around the gills after the trip) with a friend.

I would be grateful for any help that anyone can give me regarding the following.

i) Where is the best place to fish
ii) what type of fish will I catch in the area
iii) what is the best bait to use
iv) what type of rod, reel,line is best (for both beach and boat please)
v) any other advice you can give me will be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation

[Portland Pirate]

Hi Strategist.

I think it would help a little if you could be more specif as to which area you want to fish. I live down in Dorset and the fish and fishing is very different from an area that might only be 20 miles down the coast.
As far as which type of rod and reel is best, well that could open a whole can of worms as many people have different opinions. It would come down to what your budget was. For me I would go for a Zipplex 4500 with a ABU 6500 mag elite for most of my clean beach shore work. For boat I have ABU suveragn 10 - 20 and 20 - 30lb class rods matched to Shimano TLD 15 and 20 reels. For Conger and big Blonde Rayfishing I use a Shakespear Conger rod and a Shimano Tiagra 30 reel. I always use braid for boat fishing.

[Strategist]

Hi Portland Pirate,

Thanks for this info. the closest beach to myself is about 1 and a half to 2 hours drive. I live in the south east. What is the best bait for beach casting, I have been advised to use bloodworm, is this ok?

Strategist

[Drew]

Hi Strategist,

Welcome to the Forum.

In response to your questions - there is no specific answer to any of your questions. No matter who you speak to, you will get a different answer.

I am mainly a charter fisherman, fishing out of Portsmouth - Mudeford - Eastbourne in the south and from Bradwell in the South East. Charter fishing is relatively expensive at around £50 a trip + the cost of petrol. I live in South Bucks which is about 100 miles from the sea, in whatever direction.

I have a selection of rods and reels that have been collected over the years. Most of the rods are from the Daiwa range and my reels Abu & Shimano. I've never bought cheap rubbish, as you only get what you pay for. However I would rather buy a bottom of the range Daiwa - Abu - or Shimano rod than a top of the range rod from some other manufacturer. I am no means a rich person but I am lucky that I don't have to work within a budget, however I can fully understand someone that has to.

My advice to you would be to have a trip on a charter boat and ask the others on the boat to let you have a go with their various rods and reels. Whatever you do don't go into a tackle shop and ask their advice, you will be advised to buy whatever they have in stock, do your homework first and make up your mind beforehand. My advice for beachcasting would be the same, ask the guys on the beach for advice. Bearing in mind that everyone has a favourite rod and reel and they will only tell you what their favourite is.

If you are serious about taking up the sport you wont go wrong with a Daiwa TDXB 1230 or Abu Suveran 12-20 rod. I would suggest an Abu 7000\7500C3 or Shimano Charter Special 1000/2000 reel. Whatever your choice from the above would cost about £200 from Poingdesters in Southampton, expensive but will last a lifetime if looked after.

Hope this helps

Regards

Drew

[Omahayank]

Hi Strategist & welcome.
Fishers are Mostly a friendly lot, ask as many questions as you can. My best advise is to go along w/as many of your friends that fish as you can. Get a lesser expensive or a used rod and reel that'll get you started and go out and try it. Watch the fishers around you and pay attention to how they do their thing, try it and if it works for you keep it. Keep experimenting, the same for bait too. More new baits are 'discovered' by kids and newbies. Be patient and remember its called 'fishing' and not 'catching'. But most of all, Have Fun!!

[Strategist]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your helpful comments, they are really appreciated.

Keep them coming!

Strategist

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by Strategist

Hi Portland Pirate,

Thanks for this info. the closest beach to myself is about 1 and a half to 2 hours drive. I live in the south east. What is the best bait for beach casting, I have been advised to use bloodworm, is this ok?

Strategist

Hi.

Bloodworm is primarily a fresh water bait. I would use lugworm or Ragworm.
Other very good baits are Mackerel, fresh is best but frozen is good as well. Don't bother with any from the supermarket unless you are really stuck They are just not fresh at all and they are very soft and mushy.
Squid can be a brilliant bait at times. I use this to great effect for Bass. I buy mine frozen.
Sandeel, Peeler crab and hermit crabs are my other favourite baits.