A sport for all seasons
In the final part of our series for the novice angler, courtesy of Colwyn Bay Victoria Sea Angling Club, we take a look at fish species, baits and methods for the four seasons
IN this tutorial we will cover a handful of the many UK species that can be found on our shores throughout the year, their respective baits and rigs. As the seasons change, the dropping temperatures can have a dramatic effect on what fish can be caught in UK waters....
WINTER
The summer species have moved off to warmer waters as the temperatures drop and the low pressure weather fronts move in.
The colder months provide the highly targeted Cod, Dabs and the ever present Whiting which tend to arrive in large numbers.
It is sometimes impossible to get your bait through the Whiting to the larger species, namely the Cod. Catching Whiting when targeting other fish can be an annoyance but, on the other hand a blessing, instead of going home without catching a fish (a “blank”). Whiting can also be a good fish to develop your angling skills.
Cod are the main winter target and the main reason that the hardened angler is found in the dead of night by the shore in all weather, trying to catch themselves a fish for supper.
Cod Baits may vary from large cocktail of lugworm and mussel or squid, to plain Black lugworm on their own.
Popular Cod Rigs vary from a pulley pennel (on rough ground), paternoster (tangle free designed rig) or even a running ledger (static with grip lead or free running lead to cover wider fishing area and moving bait.
Hook Sizes vary from 1/0 to 3/0. The larger hooks being used to present baits, larger that the mouth of the Whiting.
SPRING
The water temperature rises during March and April and although the winter fish are still present, the summer fish Bass, Mackerel and Plaice, gradually move closer to the shoreline and are a pleasant addition to fish catches.
Bass are one of the most popular fish to catch with so many varying methods to catch them. The majority are caught within 60 yards of the shore and closer.
From: Bait fishing using black lug, yellow tails, ragworm, live baiting a lip hooked sandeel, edible peeler/soft crab etc.
To: The increasingly popular lure fishing.
Rigs: Probably the most popular rig for Bass is the sliding ledger with a hook length anything from 1m to 1.5m and a hook size between 3/0 to 5/0 or larger depending on the size of the bait prepared.
Lure Fishing: The use of lures has become one of the most popular methods with cheap basic starter kit costing as little as £30. As the weather warms you will see more and more anglers casting their lures into the sea at known Bass hot spots. There are many popular branded lures that will catch fish and cost anything between £5 and £25 each.
As expensive as some of the best lures may be, there has to be a balance against the cost of the lures and that feeling when soaking up the surroundings on the shore and your rod being almost snatched out of your hands by a Bass strike. Then your mind doubting and questioning, “is it well hooked?” “will it take me around the rocks?” “did I tie my knots correctly?” whilst testing your ability to safely manoeuvre the fish around the rocks and land it safely ashore. Likely to be one of the best fighting fish there are and makes the cost a worthwhile investment.
SUMMER
The winter fish are long gone as the summer arrives. The weather improves and increases the water temperature encouraging the Mackerel, Smooth-Hound, Rays, Bass, and Plaice to grace our shores.
Mackerel: As the vastly abundant mackerel shoals engulf the shallows, appearing to boil the shallow waters, the “once a year anglers” and beginners appear in their droves all along the shore line, casting in their feathers and filling up their freezers for winter.
Rigs: Simple mackerel feathers or pink shrimp rigs which can be purchased from a tackle shop. Nothing too expensive required for Mackerel. Small single lures on light tackle may give more satisfaction.
Method: A cast and retrieve method, similar to spinning will bring success. Casting over the shoal or into it can catch as many fish as you have hooks.
Smooth-Hound: Probably one of the most popular targeted species in summer would be SmoothHounds (common & Starry) and Rays, both are members of the shark family. Smooth hounds can be caught over most sandy or shingle shores.
Bait: They have a particular liking for peeler crabs but will also take hardback crabs and squid.
Rigs: Popular rigs for the hounds tend to be the Single Hook Pulley or Pulley Dropper rigs. Hook Size: 1 to 1/0 hooks. Bait: Whole peeler crab bait, retained on the hook with elasticated thread.
Small neat baits that are easily swallowed are the key.
Rays: Similar methods to the Smooth-Hound apart from the use of, possibly, a pennel rig and a slightly larger hook size. 1/0 to 2/0 for the larger baits.
Baits: Popular
Squid and Bluey, Mackerel cocktails.
Smooth-Hound and Rays: When either the hound or ray takes your bait, you will know you have hooked into a real fish, as when your rod pulls down with such force, that if you haven’t set the drag correctly on your reel, or you are not standing by and watching baits include or Squid and your rod, you will end up chasing your rod into the sea with a screaming reel and a thumping heart. Ideally, hold the rod as you will feel every thump as they accelerate through the water.
Landing these fiercely fighting fish gives you an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
AUTUMN
Angling at this point in the year has an abundance of species available at one time, with the winter fish starting to move in and the summer fish still available. This is probably one of the best times to take to the shores and enjoy the array of fish available to rod and line fishing.
Wrasse: Frequent local rock marks, harbour walls and kelp or weed beds. They like deep water with plenty of places to hide. The different species of wrasse are the Ballan, Corkwing, Goldsinny and the beautifully coloured Cuckoo Wrasse.
The wrasse is another fiercely fighting fish that will require the angler to either hold their rod or have it very close by. They have a very explosive, attacking bite and will bend the rod over to its limits.
The drag needs to be set correctly before starting to fish for wrasse otherwise you may be visiting the tackle shop for replacement rod and reel.
Rig: Popular rigs for the wrasse are 2 or 3 hook flappers Hooks: size 4 to 1
Bait: Fishing close to rock marks, piers or harbour walls, use small amounts of rag worm for the smaller species.
For the larger Ballan Wrasse, a paternoster rig, with size 1 hook, and larger amounts of rag worm or even crab baits will tempt them. Tight Lines,
Darren L Jones - CBVSAC Membership Secretary (Shorehuggersuk) -