The best rig for the end of March?

[MikeR]

I\'m booked on a 12 hour trip onboard the Chieftain (Whitby) with Mariner Kenny at the end of this month, probably fishing the rough ground. I\'ve been informed that pirks are the order of the day and we are fishing a neap.

I\'m taking 2 rods, 1 set up with a heavy pirk and a couple of small shads (instead of hokkais) and the other with a long trace for use with a larger shad, or at a push a small squid bait.

Does anyone have a better idea to catch at this time of year?

Cheers.

[jeff]

Hi Mike,

Can\'t speak for Whitby but I\'m fishing between Seaham and St. Mary\'s at the moment with a 6-7ft flowing trace with pennel set up. Best bait is lug and Squid cocktail, (see my catch reports)

In my humble opinion using pirks and lures is not really a viable option until the water clears up.....don\'t tend to use them until late April/ Early May at best.

Hope this helps.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Stephen]

if you can get hold of some fresh peeler mate try that works all the time for me.

[macky]

sounds about right miker

we fished on cheiftain this time last year but we had a 36 hour trip
and headed for dogger bank

we had fish but nothin special i think biggest was about 19lb thats all
we used 1lb rippers with either 1 or 2 muppets above it

as for bait
ya cant beat squid on a long flowing trace

[LING_BASHER]

Yer sounds about right.That would be my choice.When the water is as coloured as itis now daylights and that are pointless.

[DaveMason]

Got to agree with the previous posters , bait at this time of year . The only exception being Luminous pirks or lures , which topecatcher has had some success with .

[MikeR]

Thanks everybody. Might have to search for some luminous pirks then.

[davsut]

If the Cod a scarce and you have to fish for ling you will need plenty of squid. Change it for fresh every drop down and get it as close to the seabed as possible.

Best of luck

[KeithB]

Mike, Fishtek do luminous pirks, they are about a fiver each on their website, but UKHooks do them slightly cheaper.

I would just stick with rag or lug tipped with squid.

[Tat]

A couple of mackie would\'nt come amiss either

[MarinerKenny]

hmm..Interesting.
I have been assured that pirkign will be the order of the day as the sea should be cleared way out by then. Think I had better contact them again just to make sure - don\'t want to go armed with a load of pirking gear only to find out that wthe water is so coloured that pirking is useless - but then also I don\'t want to go armed with bait and rigs only to find out that the water is clear and pirks are the order of the day.
Have to add that out at Filey Brigg on Friday the water was lovely and clear.

[MikeR]

Cheers Kenny. If you could let me know what John says. At the minute I\'m trying to cover every possiblity with my gear, and I think I have. One rod for heavy pirking and one for bait/shads (and plenty of feathers incase it gets really desperate).

[MarinerKenny]

Mike, Speaking to John he says at the minute it is impossible to say one way or the other - their season starts proper on 19th and he is going to let me know after that.
If it is a bait jobbie - and I personally hope it ain\'t, then he is going to ask the tackle shop to open early for us all to get some bait - But I will take my own, I ain\'t paying what they charge in there ! I will get mine from the bait shop known as morrisons !
But will have go into the tackle shop for a few booms for my rigs.

Watch this space !

[MikeR]

Kenny, even if they don\'t open up I\'ve got spare booms in my box so no worries there. I\'ll be taking mini squid anyway. Just hope my guts (and the weather) hold up!

[MarinerKenny]

Weather forecast is spot on (Could do with being a tad warmer like !), the Sea has cleared nicely, and Pirks & artificals \'ARE\' the order of the day - this is coming from the skipper who has been out on some charters for the past week.
Still taking a few mini squid with me.
Wonder if we will fish any ground where Plaice may be ? Thinking of taking a spoon rig or two just incase