Christmas on the Isle of Man turned into an LRF species hunt. With a local LRF expert, Nick Robson. Only had 2 sessions but some amazing sport. Both taken at a minutes notice because of a break in the weather. First one was planned for one of the local harbours.
We decided to fish a set of steps leading out from a pier. Prior to going to the Isle of Man I'd been to our local LRF stockist, Moonfleet Angling, who had everything I'd been advised to buy, in stock. Wow a tackle shop with what you want!!
My Set up was a tronix ultra light rod 0.5g - 7g 1000 exage reel 6lb power pro braid with 3lb fluro leader the chosen jig head was a 2.3g shirasu No8 with a 2" berkley fish fry, eccogear agi straight or power isome in various colours. Nicks set up was a amazingly sensitive reins raz ajiringer ,1000 stradic and super fine .3pe 8strand (tooth pick & dental floss) its amazing how much back bone this rod has and proved itself in landing fish in excess of 6lb.
From the off it was a fish a cast with Calig (Manx name fo Pollack). Blocken ( Manx name for coalie). Scorpion fish (both long and short spines)nothing massive but serious fun on light gear.
The key to finding fish was finding structure , this could be weed, rock, wooden piles or large buoys with a slow lift and draw retrieve while concentrating on keeping contact with your lure.
Second session was again a case of wind dropped let's go decision. This Time we took a drive to The south of the Island. Again with the same setups we caught fish from first cast. But they proved to be difficult to land, well for me they did, which earned me the tittle of "rubber hooks",as the two lads I was fishing with brought in fish after fish, i eventually got the " feel" to be able to hook and land them. It was pointed out by nick that my lure was not quite straight on the jig head, i thought this would of been minor but was surprised at how important this was.This time we caught something different Skeddan ( Manx for herring) and lots of them. Along with the usual Calig, Blocken. Nick kept around 12 herring that have been turned into roll mops, gorgeous little treats !
I hope that this success continues when I return home to fish the north east coast.
We decided to fish a set of steps leading out from a pier. Prior to going to the Isle of Man I'd been to our local LRF stockist, Moonfleet Angling, who had everything I'd been advised to buy, in stock. Wow a tackle shop with what you want!!
My Set up was a tronix ultra light rod 0.5g - 7g 1000 exage reel 6lb power pro braid with 3lb fluro leader the chosen jig head was a 2.3g shirasu No8 with a 2" berkley fish fry, eccogear agi straight or power isome in various colours. Nicks set up was a amazingly sensitive reins raz ajiringer ,1000 stradic and super fine .3pe 8strand (tooth pick & dental floss) its amazing how much back bone this rod has and proved itself in landing fish in excess of 6lb.
From the off it was a fish a cast with Calig (Manx name fo Pollack). Blocken ( Manx name for coalie). Scorpion fish (both long and short spines)nothing massive but serious fun on light gear.
The key to finding fish was finding structure , this could be weed, rock, wooden piles or large buoys with a slow lift and draw retrieve while concentrating on keeping contact with your lure.
Second session was again a case of wind dropped let's go decision. This Time we took a drive to The south of the Island. Again with the same setups we caught fish from first cast. But they proved to be difficult to land, well for me they did, which earned me the tittle of "rubber hooks",as the two lads I was fishing with brought in fish after fish, i eventually got the " feel" to be able to hook and land them. It was pointed out by nick that my lure was not quite straight on the jig head, i thought this would of been minor but was surprised at how important this was.This time we caught something different Skeddan ( Manx for herring) and lots of them. Along with the usual Calig, Blocken. Nick kept around 12 herring that have been turned into roll mops, gorgeous little treats !
I hope that this success continues when I return home to fish the north east coast.
