Tieing knot-help a newbie please

[tandcphoto]

Hiya

I have just bought some starter gear to get back into it after a 25 year absense. Got a 12ft beachcaster, fixed spool reel, line, weight and a couple of rigs. My first question is, is there a knack to tieing an Albright knot to attach a shockleader. Just spent the last 1.5 hours in my garage trying to do one, eventually managed it (well sort of managed it) and wondered if anyone had any tips to make it easier or is it just practice?

Second question, got a three hook flapper rig and a 2 hook long range rig, guy i the shop said it was a couple of good ones to start with. What bait should I use, I am one the Fylde coast near Blackpool and always used lugworm in the dim and distant past but getting out onto the flats to dig the buggers up is tricky now that I have a job etc (its easier to bunk off school to go fishing than it is work!!). I have thought of getting a few lures but assume they dont work very well in the dark (or am I wrong).

Please remember I am not experienced so try not to take the mickey too much.

Cheers
Tom

[gullyworm]

Hello mate try this for knots Grog's Fishing Knots Index
Not to sure about the area your fishing but i think its Flatties and whiting if i m right??
Lug will do just fine i would have thought.
Find yourself a decent tackle shop which sells good bait and offers good info,worth there weight in gold.
Lures do work at night ,but i think it depends on what fish ,what lure and the location.

[maghouse]

The allbright is a top knot to use IMHO - you can use the improved allbright (couple of extra turns at the bottom) to make it even better - worth perservering with ....

As GW says - Grogs is the dogs danglies for a knot website !

[dobbin]

try 1 hook up above the weight and one down below the weight with azip slider inbetween for the weight

[rigmaster]

hi, does anyone know any websites on how to tie different knots because i've been using the same knot for about 3-4 years now and it's getting a bit tedious, any feedback would be great cheers.
tight lines!

[steve devon]

Got few knots in the tips bit of my website, not the clearest on the internet but worth a look!