New to sea fishing and keen to learn

[Durham-Dougal]

Hello everyone, hope we're all well today.

About two months ago I found out that one of my best friends and his dad have been sea fishing together for over 20 years now and asked to go along with them to south shields to see what it was like.
I was instantly hooked (excuse the pun)
They both recommended that I go hardcore and learn straight away with a multiplier reel. The first couple of casts weren't pretty to be honest with you.
Thankfully since then, I've managed to learn how to use the reel and haven't made any bad birds nests since my second trip out.
I popped into the Ryhope tackle shop and the lads there recommended I pick up a Ron Thompson Axellerator which I've been getting used to over the last couple of weeks.
I've borrowed my friends spare Okuma magnetix and am comfortable casting and reeling back in with it now.
Obviously my casting distance sucks compared to me mate and his dad.
I've been using 30lb line with no shock leader, brakes on full and a 6oz weight and I'm getting between 70-90 yards (terrible I know) out off south shields pier at the moment.
I'm just trying to concentrate on getting the casting technique right and being consistent at the moment.
I've managed to catch a few codling so far (one of which would surely have been in contention for worlds smallest ever codling) and one sand dab (i'm told thats what it was)
Anyway, I've been having a look through these forums for advice over the last week or so and have bookmarked a few things to read through, and they have helped me a lot so far.
I'd like to continue learning with the multiplier reel, and at one point I was tempted to buy a reel with a level wind on it, but I now don't have a problem reeling the line in.
What I'd like to do now is learn how to cast further out, asmy pitiful casts are quite embarrassing at the moment hahaha.
If you experienced lads and lasses out there have any advice or could point me in the right direction of somewhere that I could pick up some pointers on perfecting my casting technique then I would really appreciate it.

Sorry about the massive essay I have written, hope I didn't bore you to death. All the best!

[codseeker]

any tackle will catch fish ya just need the fish to be there really tight lines and gudluk

[codcatcher3000]

hi n welcome. ur set up of rt axe and okuma magnetix is fine however to get a bit more distance and keeping it safe( lets just say yyour rod has a lot of power and capabilities) you would want to probs go for 18lb line with a 60lb shockleader or more. there are some casting coaches on here who can also help

[lumpsucker]

Hi mate. First off, there are a few different casting techniques you can use. Try looking up some youtube vids for the easycast, brighton cast, off the ground etc to get a feel for whats possible without going full pendulum

Generally speaking, looking and aiming high at 45 degrees will help.

Try and ease off the mag breaks to whatever you feel you can comfortably control, a little at a time each cast until you feel it getting a little out of control. If you have a headwind slow it down. You will soon get used to adjusting the brakes to suit the conditions.

Dont forget to check the mag setting before each cast as it will catch you out if theyve slipped to 0 accidentally.

Try to lay the line as evenly as you can on the spool when you retreive to reduce it fluffing during the cast

Try using streamlined rigs too, like clipdowns rather than flappers.

Shockleader and 18lb line rather than 30 will also add distance as has already been mentioned.

Finally, dont forget that you dont always need to cast miles to be into fish.

Good luck mate, hope to see a few reports

[Durham-Dougal]

Cheers for the advice so far lads, really appreciate it.
I've been watching a couple of casting videos on youtube and can't wait to get out there again next week as I have the week off work .
I'm definitely going to try 18lb line with a shockleader next time and see how I feel with that.
I've managed to get some VHS videos off one of me mates who swears by them and says he learnt from them over 20 years ago, so just need to dig out the old vhs player from the loft and hope it works.
thanks again for the advice

[saltysam]

Hi mate one thing to remember is that your 30lb main line still should have a shock leader with a 6 oz sinker for safety especially fishing near other anglers as for more distance most of this comes from the rod tip action also one to keep in mind is that the shores around here is rough to very rough so a bigger line is needed to help with the rubbing on rocks and heavy sea- weeds personally for me i would be using a 18lb line for a hook length and a main line of 28-30 lb and a shock leader to suit the weight --ie 10 lb of line for every oz of lead--so a 6oz needs 60lb leader ALB happy safe fishing

[Stewart 1971]

Whereabouts in Durham are you? I'm in Pity Me, happy to meet up either Maiden Castle (uni playing fields) or Framwellgate (New College playing fields) for an hour and get you started with the basics of casting technique.

[Juliogeordio]

To be honest mate, if your putting a baited trace 90yds I would be worried too much about your distance.... its plenty far enough for most north east marks... you don't always need to cast to the horizon to catch fish mate, lots of the better fish are closer in than you think. I tend to just use an overhead thump type cast. If your set up is right this will put a lead easily over 100yds+, also its a bit more safe than other casting techniques. and I have had no problems catching fish at any mark in the north east that ive been too.

Take Stewart up on his offer to have an hour out practicing... im sure by tweeking your set up and a bit of practice you will be confidently belting out the baits!!

[Motorhead]

Hi mate. First off, there are a few different casting techniques you can use. Try looking up some youtube vids for the easycast, brighton cast, off the ground etc to get a feel for whats possible without going full pendulum

Generally speaking, looking and aiming high at 45 degrees will help.

Try and ease off the mag breaks to whatever you feel you can comfortably control, a little at a time each cast until you feel it getting a little out of control. If you have a headwind slow it down. You will soon get used to adjusting the brakes to suit the conditions.

Dont forget to check the mag setting before each cast as it will catch you out if theyve slipped to 0 accidentally.

Try to lay the line as evenly as you can on the spool when you retreive to reduce it fluffing during the cast

Try using streamlined rigs too, like clipdowns rather than flappers.

Shockleader and 18lb line rather than 30 will also add distance as has already been mentioned.

Finally, dont forget that you dont always need to cast miles to be into fish.

Good luck mate, hope to see a few reports

I wouldn't learn off youtube as you'll pick up all sort's of bad habbits, the best advice i'd give you is to get a casting instructor put you right in minutes, heres a link to peter's page give him a message https://www.facebook.com/UltimateCasting?fref=ts

[waco]

To be honest mate, if your putting a baited trace 90yds I would be worried too much about your distance.... its plenty far enough for most north east marks... you don't always need to cast to the horizon to catch fish mate, lots of the better fish are closer in than you think. I tend to just use an overhead thump type cast. If your set up is right this will put a lead easily over 100yds+, also its a bit more safe than other casting techniques. and I have had no problems catching fish at any mark in the north east that ive been too.

Take Stewart up on his offer to have an hour out practicing... im sure by tweeking your set up and a bit of practice you will be confidently belting out the baits!!

just about to say casting in the area of 90yds ,and just getting into fishing is not bad at all, and well done in persevering with the multi you will be hitting a 100yds + very soon