Fishing

[Jon H]

I could do with a bit of help

Relatively new to this activity but just bought a 490 Valiant and in a few weeks off to see the sea for familiy holiday down in the Swanage / Studland area

My young son wants to try has hand at fishing

I have had a bash previously with no success at all


Any recomendations where to fish in that area, what sort of rod or equipment to buy, when to do it etc

Any help gratefully recieved

[Downhilldai]

If you get some mackerel traces for around a quid each and some 4oz weights (one trace and one weight per rod, but get some spares in case you snag & lose them ), then you should catch something at that time of year. Nothing complicated or sophisticated and good fun. Any fishing shop will sort you out. I'd recommend you go for a budget 2-piece 6' rod and fixed spool reel, which you should be able to get for £20 - again ask at any fishing shop, or try ebay. The only other thing you'll need is some snap shackle swivels to connect it all up - about a quid for 10 and a spool of 10 lb line for a few quid

Show us some pics of your first catch

[codprawn]

Kids love catching Mackerel - in the summer you can easily catch a load every time you put the hook over the side!!!

[Nos4r2]

Go into a tackle shop and ask for local advice and a cheap setup (about £25 a go for rod and reel is about right). I've PM'd you some fishing marks round Poole/Swanage.

[spartacus]

Mackerel lures should pay dividends if you're on top of a shoal. They are a mid-water fish, so don't drop the weight too deep. Mackerel will chase anything, right to the surface if need be.

For anything else, cod, etc - you'll need decent bait. I swear by peeler crab, squid, rag-worm and mackerel. These fish are deeper. Drop weights until they hit the bottom, then wind-up so they're a couple of meters of the sea bed. For best results, position yourself over a wreck, or rocky ground.

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

If you get some mackerel traces for around a quid each and some 4oz weights (one trace and one weight per rod, but get some spares in case you snag & lose them ), then you should catch something at that time of year. Nothing complicated or sophisticated and good fun. Any fishing shop will sort you out. I'd recommend you go for a budget 2-piece 6' rod and fixed spool reel, which you should be able to get for £20 - again ask at any fishing shop, or try ebay. The only other thing you'll need is some snap shackle swivels to connect it all up - about a quid for 10 and a spool of 10 lb line for a few quid

Show us some pics of your first catch

Now that shows confidence!

I will go onto eBay and then try a fsihing shop

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Kids love catching Mackerel - in the summer you can easily catch a load every time you put the hook over the side!!!

DO you drop a line over the side? or simply tow it behind you ?

Bait?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jon H

DO you drop a line over the side? or simply tow it behind you ?

Bait?

You don't need bait for mackerel - they are so greedy they will even take a shiny hook!!! The feathers are just that - with a few shiny bits. All you do is jig the rod up and down fairly near the surface.

once there were so many fish under us the echosounder couldn't even see the bottom. We were in 60' of water but the depth guage said 20'. Put a 6 feather trace over the side and you get 6 jerks on the rod - 6 fish in one go!!! To be honest a 6 trace is too unweildy - a 4 trace is better.

[DM]

Originally Posted by codprawn

6 fish in one go!!!

Where's the sport in that?

Unless you're after them for bait for something bigger or you've got a big family to feed, why not use a light spinning rod with a single spinner?

It always seems strange to me that people go mackerel fishing, catch far more than they could ever use and then throw them in the bin. If you're not gonna eat it, why kill it?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by davidmanning

Where's the sport in that?

Unless you're after them for bait for something bigger or you've got a big family to feed, why not use a light spinning rod with a single spinner?

It always seems strange to me that people go mackerel fishing, catch far more than they could ever use and then throw them in the bin. If you're not gonna eat it, why kill it?

None at all and I fully agree - however the kids were loving it(3 girls). The fish weren't wasted - I had some African friends over doing their degrees in Swansea . They were very greatful for the fish - ate every little bit - even the heads - yuch!!!

[Lewy]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Mackerel lures should pay dividends if you're on top of a shoal. They are a mid-water fish, so don't drop the weight too deep. Mackerel will chase anything, right to the surface if need be.

For anything else, cod, etc - you'll need decent bait. I swear by peeler crab, squid, rag-worm and mackerel. These fish are deeper. Drop weights until they hit the bottom, then wind-up so they're a couple of meters of the sea bed. For best results, position yourself over a wreck, or rocky ground.

how about trolling lures do they work well? all my boating is done in the solent area. would you recommend this method for bass for example. If so what type of lure would you recommend?
i'm not too keen on buying worms and crabs for bait so was hoping just to use lures if possible. do you know any spots/wrecks i could try in the solent area? thanks

[codprawn]

I have caught Bass on a Toby lure but Mackerel is better. Just get some feathers and then use mackerel for bait!!!

[Slomofo]

Have a look here:-

http://www.solent-fishing-guide.co.uk/

Bass in the mouth of the Hamble on lures & bait

Mackerel everywhere on incoming tide

Mullet near the marinas

Wrasse/Bream/Doggies galore island side near the needles!

Feathers/Muppets probably the best bet for 'clean' fishing

Enjoy!

[wavelength]

the best bet for 'clean' fishing

I know what ya mean - but apart from catching nowt there is no such thing as cleanliness when mackerel fishing. You'll still be trying to clean the scales and mackerel s*** from the tubes for months But its still fun.

[m chappelow]

just be carefull with hooks around the tubes ,especially with mackerel when bringing them aboard ,,i land them in a plastic box or bucket its a bit safer with a few hooks on a trace and if there are any small children about it stops them getting caught up , also keeps the boat getting messy too as, wavelength just said,

[BassBoy]

If conditions allow, try any of the local headlands, like OldHarry, Durlston and StAldhelms when the tide is running hard. But be careful of the overfalls. Last weekend, we had 20 Makerel, 2 good sized Pollock and 2 bass, off st Aldhelms on Hockeye feathers, simply drifting through the race close inshore. Change the depth your fishing at to find the fish. Got a bit hairy at times with 6ft standing waves!. You could then go into chapmans pool for a fish BBQ on the beach. Have fun but don't scare the family!

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by codprawn

You don't need bait for mackerel - they are so greedy they will even take a shiny hook!!! The feathers are just that - with a few shiny bits. All you do is jig the rod up and down fairly near the surface.

once there were so many fish under us the echosounder couldn't even see the bottom. We were in 60' of water but the depth guage said 20'. Put a 6 feather trace over the side and you get 6 jerks on the rod - 6 fish in one go!!! To be honest a 6 trace is too unweildy - a 4 trace is better.

Sounds fantastic

[Jon H]

So when I pop to the fishing shop I want to hand over the credit card and ask for:
6 foot rod (2 sections)
4oz weights
Fixed spool reel
10 lb line
Snap shackle swivels
Mackerel traces
Feathers and shiny bits (or are they the tracers?)
Fish around Harry’s Rock
Rocky ground or wreck
For Mackerel keep near surface (does that mean you don’t let the weight touch the bottom
Head for
Chapmans pool for a BBQ

[Hightower]

Don't forget that once the Mackerel are caught then you'll have some fresh bait for many other species of fish. Anything from the humble pout to a large Ray. All depends on what type of ground you're fishing.

[codprawn]

I much prerer a multiplier type reel over a fixed spool. A nice ABU7000 will set you back less than £50.