new starter problems

[Meatloaf]

4 questions for a newbie please men

a, Went out today but only thing i caught was the bottom ( loads of kelp on low water . had slack line after casting . What size weights you lot casting with

b, How do you manage to keep worms on hook after casting ( sure mine was dropping off on impact ( cotton ??)

c, When i ran out of bait ( see above ) would it have been any good trying some sort of feather or are they ony good for piers/ deep water etc

d, On low water which piers are accessible (only free one i know is Blyth )

Appreciate all the help i can get

Thanks

Dave

[codcatcher3000]

A: 5 -6 OZ GRIPPERS SHOULD HELP U RETAIN TENSION. A ROD WITH A DECENT tip should help( soz for caps)

b. cotton can help. what u can try to use is a baiting needle to give u the best bait presentation and help thread the worm well as well. a clipped rig would also help.

c. u can also get coalies on feather . if u got the time and no bait left. theres nothing to lose feathering. ( probs a bit pointless in proper winter conditions)

d. if the piers are open and i can get ur bait in the water...any

[Wee Ver]

Can buy worm hooks which have like a barb near the eye or leave a little extra on line when snipping after tieing the knot acts like a barb n holds worm on

[finding nemo]

What size weights you lot casting with

5oz should hold in most cases. When the sea is calm ive been down as low as 2oz and up to 6oz with a bit of tidal rip or surf running. Some lads go upto 7 but ive found if a 6 wont hold then usually neither will a 7 so either move or pack up. Sea state and location really determines what weight to use and depends on the type of fishing ie using a 3oz plain bomb to roll aroumd to give movement of bait to attract fish or a 6oz gripper to set fast on the bottom.


, How do you manage to keep worms on hook.

cotton is one way. If using big baits or cocktails i use cotton in most cases. Another way is to add a tipping bait ie squid or mackerel a small ammount doubled over on the hook will stop the worm or worms sliding off the hook.


, When i ran out of bait ( see above ) would it have been any good trying some sort of feather or are they ony good for piers/ deep water etc*

Take plenty of bait.. more than needed. Most people do, better to go home with bait than to miss prime fishing time through having to leave early. More so in the summer months for macky, coalies and pollock using feathers is spot on and even now will take fish but this time of year and moving into deep winter bait is the only method really used but some still use lures and do very well. LRF is a new craze for mini species using tiny lures.

d, On low water which piers are accessible (only free one i know is Blyth )

every pier in the north east can be fished low water some better than others but all worth a chuck.. some even fish better from low water.

hope this helps mate

[Stewart 1971]

b) There are loads of bait robbing crabs around at the moment and they can strip your hook in minutes especially if you are using small worm baits. As a rule of thumb I tend to rebait every 20 minutes but this can be halved if the crabs are really active.

which leads to d) always take plenty of bait for a session. It is better to have bait left over at the end than to run out half way through, and skimping on bait is a sure fire way to not catching fish. Cod especially are greedy buggers and you want a big bait out there to tempt them

[markt1225]

I had the same problem with rag and I find a baiting needle has made life easier for me and getting a more consistent worm bait presentation

[broon shoe]

Try long shank hooks for your worm baits.I use mustad 34042np-bn worm hook I find this a good hook its barbed on the shank so its ideal for bulky baits .tie down with cotton keeps every thing nice and tight and neat good presentation makes all the difference

[Juliogeordio]

Agree with Broon Shoe, long shanked hooks for worm baits... ive never had a problem with worm baits coming off and don't agree that you need cotton with them... as mentioned its more likely to be crabs stripping hooks providing you have baited it correctly.

Try the 5oz gripper weight and as mentioned, if your struggling to hold bottom, either put up with it or more location till the tide slows down.

All of the local piers will fish low water mate, just get the hours in or ask about a certain mark on here!

[broon shoe]

A slither of squid nipped onto the bottom of your hook can keep the crabs at bay for a while so your bait should last a bit longer

[Mogthemackem]

a, Went out today but only thing i caught was the bottom ( loads of kelp on low water . had slack line after casting . What size weights you lot casting with

Answers - fish somewhere with a slightly cleaner bottom. A lot of piers have kelp closer in so ensure you cast 20+ yards to get past it. Use smaller hooks and baits to increase your catch rate. After casting, let your line settle then reel in slack until you feel a little tension. This may have to be repeated a couple of times until your tackle settles properly. You can use smaller weights when no tide pul and heavier grip weights where there is tide pull. Ensure your line is strong enough to cope with casting the weight to avoid risking serious injury or death to yourself or fellow anglers (ie use shock leader)

b, How do you manage to keep worms on hook after casting ( sure mine was dropping off on impact ( cotton ??)

Answer - Might sound a silly question but how are you putting your worms on? Not being derogatory but as a newby you may not know how to present them properly. I have seen many a fresh water cross over angler putting them on like lob worm and just hooking through the middle of the body which will virtually guarantee the worm to come off very quickly if not during cast. Thread the worm through the length of the body and it should stay on. As someone mentioned, a finger nail chunk of mackerel added to the end will ensure it is more secure (providing you make sure the hook point goes through the mackerel skin and not just the flesh.

c, When i ran out of bait ( see above ) would it have been any good trying some sort of feather or are they ony good for piers/ deep water etc

As said before always take extra bait. The last thing you want is to have a very productive session when the fish are biting instantly and have to go home as you've ran out of bait (even if it means taking extra mackerel rather than buying loads of worm if you don't have the funds). Feathers can catch you codling, coalies, Pollock and mackerel but be very careful to reel in fast or you will lose the gear. Only use when the sea is clear as hopeless if water is coloured.

d, On low water which piers are accessible (only free one i know is Blyth )
South shields and roker piers are accessible and free although both can be closed at times. Can still fish so far up shields towards the gate even if it is shut

[broon shoe]

I your not very confident with putting your worms on what u can do is nip 3 or 4 worms through the head then hold them against the hook shank and tie them on with cotton very easy