Deciding the species to target.
Follow our simple guide through your first steps in shore fishing. We’ll help you overcome any obstacles along the way. This month we look at targeting certain species…
EXPERIENCE
Around the UK we have a fascinating and diverse shoreline that is home to many different species of fish. From shingle banks, storm beaches and sandy stretches, to estuaries, rocky platforms, deep gullies and sloping ledges, all provide a platform for a shore angler to cast a bait. But if you’re a relative newcomer to shore fishing, do you have any idea what species are likely to be feeding in front of you?
It’s vitally important to learn what fish are resident at certain venues. Listening to tackle shop groupies waxing lyrical about the many double-figure cod they’ve beached, while you’re struggling to even buy a bite, can certainly leave you scratching your head. By no means ignore the chatter among anglers because you will undoubtedly pick up snippets of information. But by gathering your own experiences, and compiling a database of species – where they gather and their feeding patterns – you’ll be well on the road to success.
DECIDING YOUR TARGET
The amazing aspect of fishing around our shores is the fact that this is, actually, one of the most unpredictable sports to participate in. Just when we think we have it sussed, an event will occur, or a strange catch will be made, to make us have a rethink. However, shore fishing tends to be rather straightforward when approaching it.
The first, and probably most important, rule to acknowledge is to target a species that you know for sure is around. Don’t simply turn up, fish for hours and hope for unicorns!
Fishing from rocks into deep water with lots of snags and plenty of kelp under the surface will certainly be a place to target cod, bull
huss, pollack, bass, wrasse and possibly conger eels. Big baits, strong line and hooks, together with tackle that packs a punch, will certainly be required here.
Species such as bass, codling, flatfish, rays and smoothhounds are often found lurking close to beaches featuring sand bars and gullies with generally a fair bit of tide running. Learning to cast properly - and accurately – can be incredibly beneficial on such venues. Also, shingle banks can offer easy access to deep water and strong tides. These can produce hordes of whiting and dogfish, with perhaps surprising larger specimens like cod.
Piers offer fantastic access to deep water. The biggest mistake many shore anglers make on a pier is to walk immediately to the end of it and whack a bait as far as they can. Fish love to hang around structures, and most of the time they’ll be directly under your rod tip. Although piers are comfortable, summer months can see them crowded with holiday anglers using feathers for mackerel.
Tidal estuaries are excellent places for targeting flounders, plaice and bass. The ground is often muddy and possibly mixed, with gravel or mussel beds.
Adding to the tide and features in an estuary, these are renowned for being stuffed with plenty of food items. Shrimps, worms and crabs are often plentiful, and with that comes a healthy stock of fish.
■ TOP TIP: Target fish that are likely to be present, not what you hope are there.
LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
An important thing to remember when shore fishing is the fact we all need to be aware of the law. Many of us take fish home to eat, but we all need to be know what we can or cannot remove, and the rules that govern what we take.
Most sea fish have an MLS, or minimum landing size. The law states that certain species of fish need to be a particular length before they can be removed from the sea.
More recently, recreational sea anglers have now been included in bass legislation. The powers that be have decided that bass numbers are in significant decline.
Whether or not you believe this to be the case is irrelevant – all recreational sea anglers must now adhere to a close season and from April 1 to October 31 a bag limit of one bass in any 24-hour period.
For all current and up-to-date minimum landing sizes for all species, plus the latest news on bass regulations, visit your local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA). For example, anglers in the North East should visit: www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/ minimum-landing-sizes/
■ TOP TIP: Be sure you are up to date with MLS, laws and legislations. Ignorance is not an excuse – you run the risk of prosecution if you don’t adhere to them.
■ NEXT MONTH: The focus is on preparation and planning for a trip.