EIGHT SPECIES TO TARGET OFF THE ROCKS

Thornback ray

Thornbacks are a member of the shark family and arrive in numbers from spring onwards.

Identified by the sharp thorns protruding from their back and tail.

Best baits: Thornies have a liking for sandeels, mackerel strips, squid and crab baits.

Pollock

A member of the cod family, the pollock is a fast and ferocious predator which are often found in large shoals near the shore.

Wrasse

The most colourful character you’ll find close to the rocks in deeper water... and one of the hardest fighting fish you’ll encounter too!

They can school-up in shoals but the bigger fish are normally more solitary.

Best baits: Mainly feed on molluscs and shelfish but also try crab baits.

Particularly found in deep water, close to rocks and kelp.

Best baits: ragworms, crabs, frozen sandeels, and strips or chunks of mackerel are deadly.

Mackerel

Catch one mackerel and you’ll normally catch more of them, and sometimes you can get two or three at a time if you hit upon a big shoal.

Can feed at all depth so try mixing your retrieve styles. Best baits: Catch them on feathers a really simple way of fishing!

Dogfish

How cool do these mini sharks look!

I wasn’t going to include them as they’re not often caught on float tactics... that was until I caught a few of them while shooting pics for this feature!

Best baits: Crabs and fish baits

Bull huss

The bull huss is the larger relative of the dogfish and can be found in areas of weed and rocks. Easily identified by the large flap which covers each nostril.

Best baits: A bottom feeding fish which loves fish baits like mackerel, plus squid and crab.

Blenny

There are loads of different types of this colourful little character on the UK coastline, and you’ll find them hding among the gaps in rocks, in harbours, and even in rock pools. Best baits: Anything small and smelly, the blenny will wolf it down.

Gurnard

An incredible looking fish, there are different types including grey, red and the tub gurnard (pictured above). Found on the seabed in sandy or muddy bottoms.

Best baits: Will take all fish baits plus crabs, shrimps, and worms.