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Sea Angling for Spearos
- Thread starterMr. X
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
You guys need to come over here and try some ulua fishing from shore! You get a strike from one of those and good luck getting your pole out of the holder 100lbfish+50lbdrag+80lbtest=:blackeye
We get some pretty good sized bonefish here too, usually catch them on fairly light tackle (12lb test) dunking shrimp or live 'oama (baby goatfish). Great fight! my biggest so far was about 9lbs. I thought I had a 30lb ulua!
We get some pretty good sized bonefish here too, usually catch them on fairly light tackle (12lb test) dunking shrimp or live 'oama (baby goatfish). Great fight! my biggest so far was about 9lbs. I thought I had a 30lb ulua!
Shakespeare beachcaster / Abu 505 sea/line?
I saw an article in Sea Angler magazine a month or two ago where Alan Yates reviewed a Shakespeare (might have been a Shimano:hmm) beachcaster that he quite liked, unusually light -- I don't suppose anybody saw/recalls the model (I think it was named something like Surfcaster - might have been the Shimano Forcemaster Surf)? I think the RRP might have been around £55.
The reason I ask it because it looks like we'll be holidaying as a bigger group this Summer as in-laws plan a family get together. Thinking maybe I should get a heavier sea rod to beef up our tackle & give the brothers-in-law something to use. Either a semi-decent rod (like the one above) that I can use afterwards (with my Leeda surfcaster reel) or a cheap rod/kit that is simply a spare for visitors.
Also, do you think my lovely old Abu 505 freshwater spinning reel with star-drag would be upto a spot of seafishing? I used to use 4lb line on it, I reckon 6-8lb might have been what it was designed for(?). I don't use that sort of line anymore, so wonder if it would be ok to use my left over 17.5lb Whiplash braid (probably as thin as 8lb line, at around 0.010mm).
Sea Angler magazine tip videos, personal lessons from Alan Yates (national team captain?), defo worth a view:
I saw an article in Sea Angler magazine a month or two ago where Alan Yates reviewed a Shakespeare (might have been a Shimano:hmm) beachcaster that he quite liked, unusually light -- I don't suppose anybody saw/recalls the model (I think it was named something like Surfcaster - might have been the Shimano Forcemaster Surf)? I think the RRP might have been around £55.
The reason I ask it because it looks like we'll be holidaying as a bigger group this Summer as in-laws plan a family get together. Thinking maybe I should get a heavier sea rod to beef up our tackle & give the brothers-in-law something to use. Either a semi-decent rod (like the one above) that I can use afterwards (with my Leeda surfcaster reel) or a cheap rod/kit that is simply a spare for visitors.
Also, do you think my lovely old Abu 505 freshwater spinning reel with star-drag would be upto a spot of seafishing? I used to use 4lb line on it, I reckon 6-8lb might have been what it was designed for(?). I don't use that sort of line anymore, so wonder if it would be ok to use my left over 17.5lb Whiplash braid (probably as thin as 8lb line, at around 0.010mm).
Sea Angler magazine tip videos, personal lessons from Alan Yates (national team captain?), defo worth a view:
GoFishing.co.uk - Brightcove
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1134982581&channel=1126878784]THE PENNELL RIG - Brightcove[/ame]
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1133451524&channel=1126878784]SANDEEL - Brightcove[/ame] <--World Champion advice
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1135711403&channel=1126878784]HOW TO USE RAGWORM - Brightcove[/ame]
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1133257144&channel=1126878784]PEELER CRABS - Brightcove[/ame]
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1134982581&channel=1126878784]THE PENNELL RIG - Brightcove[/ame]
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1133451524&channel=1126878784]SANDEEL - Brightcove[/ame] <--World Champion advice
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1135711403&channel=1126878784]HOW TO USE RAGWORM - Brightcove[/ame]
[ame=http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1133257144&channel=1126878784]PEELER CRABS - Brightcove[/ame]
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Fluorocarbon for plugging?
Miles mentioned some time ago that he has converted to using fluorocarbon after seeing a friend get all the bites. Anyone using fluorocarbon for bass plugging? Read an article by Henrey Gilbey & he was using 30lb braid with a 30lb fluoro carbon rubbing trace to plug for bass in Ireland. 30lb seems pretty thick for a visual fish like bass. I think ML mentioned moving to a heavier trace too (think he previously used 10-15lb?). I was thinking of trying some Vavaris 345 fluorocarbon from Veals (recommended in a different plugging article) not sure what to get though. I was originally thinking of 14-25lb, probably 20lb, but now thinking 25lb -- but perhaps 30lb is the way to go if this stuff is so hard for fish to see? I guess the knot becomes the weak link (to avoid loss of braid as well as lure in event of a bad snag).
Also, anyone know if the Exage 6000FA is available in the UK? Anyone seen it? Wondering how much bigger it is than the 4000, as the weight is quite a bit higher.
Miles mentioned some time ago that he has converted to using fluorocarbon after seeing a friend get all the bites. Anyone using fluorocarbon for bass plugging? Read an article by Henrey Gilbey & he was using 30lb braid with a 30lb fluoro carbon rubbing trace to plug for bass in Ireland. 30lb seems pretty thick for a visual fish like bass. I think ML mentioned moving to a heavier trace too (think he previously used 10-15lb?). I was thinking of trying some Vavaris 345 fluorocarbon from Veals (recommended in a different plugging article) not sure what to get though. I was originally thinking of 14-25lb, probably 20lb, but now thinking 25lb -- but perhaps 30lb is the way to go if this stuff is so hard for fish to see? I guess the knot becomes the weak link (to avoid loss of braid as well as lure in event of a bad snag).
Also, anyone know if the Exage 6000FA is available in the UK? Anyone seen it? Wondering how much bigger it is than the 4000, as the weight is quite a bit higher.
Interesting. I'm currently using a 2500 which is usable, just, but really too small for sea plugging. Was thinking next reel would be 4000 but recently read that ML was getting a 6000, primarily for tropical fish - so wondering if was worth considering going a little larger, maybe 5000. Checking spool capacities, 4000 isn't that much more than 2500 - but perhaps, as you suggest, it's enough. Didn't think Exage was available in larger sizes but apparently it is, although 6000 is the next size up, and a fair bit heavier. Was thinking it would give enough capacity for other types of fishing/locations too (although my Leeda surf reel probably fills that role already & ML seems to have managed with a 4000 in the tropics for some time). Talking of the Leeda surf reel....
Some of the inexpensive rods I'm looking at (for guest use, general holiday shore fishing, ledgering & heavy lure fishing). Seemed like folk generally thought 2-4oz would be the size to go for, last time I looked into this. Quite like the idea of a 3-piece rod for anything over 10ft. Couldn't find the recommended Shakespeare Odessa Bass - typical, looks like they discontinued the popular & well thought of model. Not sure which model would be the current equivalent, perhaps one of these?:
Shakespeare Fishing - ShakespeareTidewater MPV (or Bass)
Shakespeare Fishing - Shakespeare Salt MPV
Shakespeare Fishing - Shakespeare Salt Bass Rod
This ones quite a bit more expensive but perhaps a better longer term "investment":
Daiwa Longbeam 11ft 6" Bass Special Rod - Only £43.99 - Poingdestre's Daiwa Longbeam Bass special
https://www.veals.co.uk/acatalog/Shimano-rods.html Shimano Nexave Surf BX1324 (2-4oz)/ Shimano Nexave Surf BX1325 (2-5oz)/ Shimano Nexave Surf BX1336 (3-6oz)
Interesting deal, buy an Okuma 50 reel (same size as Shimano 5000?) and get a free Ron Thompson 20-60g spinning rod:
https://www.veals.co.uk/acatalog/Spinning.html#a1101
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Daiwa Longbeam is off the list (broken tips/weak bottom spigot): Sea Angling Ireland :: View topic - €150-200 to spend!
Shakespeare Odessa Bass/Salt Bass/Salt MPV
Shakespeare Odessa Bass/Salt Bass/Salt MPV
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mr.x, i use a couple of carp rods from trago mills on the rocks down at long quarry that way the expensie gear/rods don't get trashed & chipped,they always seem to handle everything fine,but still get tangles on braid till i switched to using a shimano 6000,the slim metal perks work well for bass cos i rig 2 of them on an outrigger boom have you ever tried it, it seems to work, i say that cos it looks like a couple of sandeels that have gone AWOL from the main shoal
As far as rods go, I take it we're talking bait now and not spinning with the ones you mentioned?
A rod branded as a bass rod will do the trick for that, something rated to cast 2-4oz and 11-12ft long normally.
I have heard the S/Spear Salt range is OK for the price, as in you get what you pay for but they seem prefectly useable.
I use a pair of Fox Estuary Bass rods, but them I am the CI dealer for Fox so I get them cheaper
Other than that, my old fav's were the Abu premium range, great bass rods IMO and not the price of a Zzipy or Daiwa.
The Ron Thompson bass rods I have tried are pretty poor, own a few which I used before Fox for my guide service, very floppy though they are perfectly capable of casting and catching as any gear will. Landed a 3lb bass on one and it had the rod locked over to give you an idea of floppiness.
A rod branded as a bass rod will do the trick for that, something rated to cast 2-4oz and 11-12ft long normally.
I have heard the S/Spear Salt range is OK for the price, as in you get what you pay for but they seem prefectly useable.
I use a pair of Fox Estuary Bass rods, but them I am the CI dealer for Fox so I get them cheaper
Other than that, my old fav's were the Abu premium range, great bass rods IMO and not the price of a Zzipy or Daiwa.
The Ron Thompson bass rods I have tried are pretty poor, own a few which I used before Fox for my guide service, very floppy though they are perfectly capable of casting and catching as any gear will. Landed a 3lb bass on one and it had the rod locked over to give you an idea of floppiness.
Had a bass trip for 3 today, shore fishing as usual and a whole day to find a shiny or two. Had 3 dozen live greens which I had extracted from Micks tank the day before, taking all the greens he had out of the hundreds of reds.
Started off fishing into some tide in shallow water using the bubble float and live eel method, not a lot of action until there was a hit on one of the eels after about a half hour, missed him. Very quiet so moved after another haf hour to another similar mark, this time there was more action but no fish. Seeing the eel jumoing like a salmon half way through a drift had the heart going but no big splash followed.
Went quiet again so I decided on a long drive and a short walk down a rather vertical path to fish into some deep water about 11:30 or so. It turned out to be a tad rough once we could see the mark but I told them that was good and it looked great for a fish.
Found ourselves some comfy spots and we started with 2 on the spinning gear and one on the bubble floated live eel. Was rather slow... The spinners produced nothing at all and we soon had 2 rods on bubble floats and one freelining.
Suddenly the freelined eel comes to life and there's a massive hit on the rod which resulted in him hitting it back which resulted in nothing. Quick lesson on freelining and how to deal with a take and we're off again.
One of the bubble float rod holders then says something about having a fish but she's kind of ignored (sorry!!!) as something else is going on elsewhere, her line is stuck in the rocks in front and once that's freed all seems to be normal again til I spot a bass cruising round her float in a rather casual manner and I get the "told you there was a fish on"... OK, Ok, so she gets it closer and expertly netted by your's truly. lovely bass of 2-2-0 and one happy camper. Absolutely engulfed the 7/0 hook, could just see the top end of the shank and eye, the whole bend was right down there.
Water was starting to get a tad rough by now with some major swell coming in breaking over the rocks to the sides of us with the occasional small splash coming up but nothing to worry about I tell them. (Famous last words they were to be...).
The eels were being fished on the edge of the really rough churned water just into the pure white water trying to get into the "confused zone" as I have decided to call it, informing them that the bass will be hunting the edge of the rough stuff coming in and out looking for the bait fish confused by the white water.
A few minutes goes by and the freelined eel comes to life again, one big whack and instructions followed the bale arm is of and suddenly the line starts to whizz off the reel, re-engage, strike and fish on!! A superb fight this time, holding deep in the white water and using the ever growing swell to try and break free.
Eventually he's in closer and a nice fish so down I go to try and get close enough to net him, missed him on the first try as some white water engulfed him and he's off through the waves like they aren't there, he's back round again and I have another go, just to find myself engulfed in a wave which came right over the top of the rock I was standing next to below the ledge (cheers for the heads up guys...), shake my head off, check i'm not swimming and back to the bass, he comes in closer and I get him this time, get the net in quick and pass it up to the guys on the ledge so I can climb back up looking rather like a drowned rat.
Nice looking fish, get the camera out of my pocket to find it dripping with water (not good) and discovered that digi camera don't like being full of water and unsurprisingly it wouldn't turn on!! The memory card doesn't work either so no good qulity on the mark pictures until I get emailed ones from their cameras which didn't come swimming wth me!!
Anyway, pics done we get him on the scales at a healthy 3-14-0.
Nice one!!
After fishing a while longer looking for a fish for person no 3 there's nothing doing so time to slog back up and get some grub. so they jogged back up the cliff while I wheezed along behind them.
Final mark wa back on the live eels on the bubble floats but only 4 eels left by now having lost quite a few while getting used to casting them.
Afetr a little while there's a bite on the bubble float where it vanished for about 5 seconds and re-appeared about 10 yards away. Very strange, pulled in and the eel is undamaged and very much alive. Cast again and again, the float goes for a moment almost immediately. there's no way that eel was taking the float on his own so there must have been something down there.
Now for the pics. I got a couple later on before we parted company and shown them a few places to try, so here's the phone cam quality pics... Not taken anywhere near the mark captured I should add!!
Julie's 2-2-0
David's 3-14-0 held by Julie
the 2 fish for comparison
Started off fishing into some tide in shallow water using the bubble float and live eel method, not a lot of action until there was a hit on one of the eels after about a half hour, missed him. Very quiet so moved after another haf hour to another similar mark, this time there was more action but no fish. Seeing the eel jumoing like a salmon half way through a drift had the heart going but no big splash followed.
Went quiet again so I decided on a long drive and a short walk down a rather vertical path to fish into some deep water about 11:30 or so. It turned out to be a tad rough once we could see the mark but I told them that was good and it looked great for a fish.
Found ourselves some comfy spots and we started with 2 on the spinning gear and one on the bubble floated live eel. Was rather slow... The spinners produced nothing at all and we soon had 2 rods on bubble floats and one freelining.
Suddenly the freelined eel comes to life and there's a massive hit on the rod which resulted in him hitting it back which resulted in nothing. Quick lesson on freelining and how to deal with a take and we're off again.
One of the bubble float rod holders then says something about having a fish but she's kind of ignored (sorry!!!) as something else is going on elsewhere, her line is stuck in the rocks in front and once that's freed all seems to be normal again til I spot a bass cruising round her float in a rather casual manner and I get the "told you there was a fish on"... OK, Ok, so she gets it closer and expertly netted by your's truly. lovely bass of 2-2-0 and one happy camper. Absolutely engulfed the 7/0 hook, could just see the top end of the shank and eye, the whole bend was right down there.
Water was starting to get a tad rough by now with some major swell coming in breaking over the rocks to the sides of us with the occasional small splash coming up but nothing to worry about I tell them. (Famous last words they were to be...).
The eels were being fished on the edge of the really rough churned water just into the pure white water trying to get into the "confused zone" as I have decided to call it, informing them that the bass will be hunting the edge of the rough stuff coming in and out looking for the bait fish confused by the white water.
A few minutes goes by and the freelined eel comes to life again, one big whack and instructions followed the bale arm is of and suddenly the line starts to whizz off the reel, re-engage, strike and fish on!! A superb fight this time, holding deep in the white water and using the ever growing swell to try and break free.
Eventually he's in closer and a nice fish so down I go to try and get close enough to net him, missed him on the first try as some white water engulfed him and he's off through the waves like they aren't there, he's back round again and I have another go, just to find myself engulfed in a wave which came right over the top of the rock I was standing next to below the ledge (cheers for the heads up guys...), shake my head off, check i'm not swimming and back to the bass, he comes in closer and I get him this time, get the net in quick and pass it up to the guys on the ledge so I can climb back up looking rather like a drowned rat.
Nice looking fish, get the camera out of my pocket to find it dripping with water (not good) and discovered that digi camera don't like being full of water and unsurprisingly it wouldn't turn on!! The memory card doesn't work either so no good qulity on the mark pictures until I get emailed ones from their cameras which didn't come swimming wth me!!
Anyway, pics done we get him on the scales at a healthy 3-14-0.
Nice one!!
After fishing a while longer looking for a fish for person no 3 there's nothing doing so time to slog back up and get some grub. so they jogged back up the cliff while I wheezed along behind them.
Final mark wa back on the live eels on the bubble floats but only 4 eels left by now having lost quite a few while getting used to casting them.
Afetr a little while there's a bite on the bubble float where it vanished for about 5 seconds and re-appeared about 10 yards away. Very strange, pulled in and the eel is undamaged and very much alive. Cast again and again, the float goes for a moment almost immediately. there's no way that eel was taking the float on his own so there must have been something down there.
Now for the pics. I got a couple later on before we parted company and shown them a few places to try, so here's the phone cam quality pics... Not taken anywhere near the mark captured I should add!!
Julie's 2-2-0
David's 3-14-0 held by Julie
the 2 fish for comparison
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Good report ADM. Are greens & reds types of sandeel?
Thanks for the link Atomic (BTW have you checked out this thread yet: http://forums.deeperblue.net/regula...nsultation-including-ban-use-projectiles.html ) - looks like a good option. I haven't had time to sort through the options properly yet. I'm thinking the Salt is probably the current equivalent and jims.org.uk offers very good prices on Shakespeare gear (Podge might too?). Although the 2-section Salt Bass is the obvious choice Shakespeare also offer a similar spec. rod called the Salt MPV (multi-purpose) which has 3-sections for a similar length (11ft vs. 11.5ft). The 5 foot sections of my current rod just fit my rod bag and various key positions in my cars, so I'm little concerned about moving to 5.75ft sections. On the other hand, set-up and breakdown of a 2-piece rod is relatively hassle-free.:hmm Perhaps the joints weaken or spoil the curve?
A colleague got his new carbon fly rod yesterday. It's actually a cheapy so he can take a friends son fishing but it looks really good - I think he might end up try it himself. 9ft #7/8 Leeda carbon fibre rod, reel with line, tippets & a box of flies, £49.99! A very keen fly fisher was gob smacked when he heard the price after handling the rod for a while. I'm tempted to get one and I don't even fly fish! He got it on-line (troutfishing.com? something like that).
New book on Bass fishing: Mike Ladle's Fishing Diary
Thanks for the link Atomic (BTW have you checked out this thread yet: http://forums.deeperblue.net/regula...nsultation-including-ban-use-projectiles.html ) - looks like a good option. I haven't had time to sort through the options properly yet. I'm thinking the Salt is probably the current equivalent and jims.org.uk offers very good prices on Shakespeare gear (Podge might too?). Although the 2-section Salt Bass is the obvious choice Shakespeare also offer a similar spec. rod called the Salt MPV (multi-purpose) which has 3-sections for a similar length (11ft vs. 11.5ft). The 5 foot sections of my current rod just fit my rod bag and various key positions in my cars, so I'm little concerned about moving to 5.75ft sections. On the other hand, set-up and breakdown of a 2-piece rod is relatively hassle-free.:hmm Perhaps the joints weaken or spoil the curve?
A colleague got his new carbon fly rod yesterday. It's actually a cheapy so he can take a friends son fishing but it looks really good - I think he might end up try it himself. 9ft #7/8 Leeda carbon fibre rod, reel with line, tippets & a box of flies, £49.99! A very keen fly fisher was gob smacked when he heard the price after handling the rod for a while. I'm tempted to get one and I don't even fly fish! He got it on-line (troutfishing.com? something like that).
New book on Bass fishing: Mike Ladle's Fishing Diary
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Mr. X,
I'm not sure if the salt bass is the same blank as the odessa... might want to ask on the UK fishing forums.
About the sections, I always think the fewer sections the better as it usually equates to a more fluid curve and a thinner blank which is obviously lighter and cuts through the air more swiftly... usually, not always plus joints can get worn and/or slip which affects casting as line rubs against the guides, so more care has to be taken to align them and in worst cases tape them.
Sometimes tho the convenience of a short multi sectioned rod far outweighs the nice little touches tho, I own more than one travel rod for a reason.
I dunno that flyrod personally but thats a good size for bashing seatrout, bass and mackarel on the coast as well as reservoir fishing.
I seen the new proposed EU headache... just let me know when you are totally screwed so I can start my spearfishing trips to Norway company $$$$ ££££
I'm not sure if the salt bass is the same blank as the odessa... might want to ask on the UK fishing forums.
About the sections, I always think the fewer sections the better as it usually equates to a more fluid curve and a thinner blank which is obviously lighter and cuts through the air more swiftly... usually, not always
plus joints can get worn and/or slip which affects casting as line rubs against the guides, so more care has to be taken to align them and in worst cases tape them.Sometimes tho the convenience of a short multi sectioned rod far outweighs the nice little touches tho, I own more than one travel rod for a reason.
I dunno that flyrod personally but thats a good size for bashing seatrout, bass and mackarel on the coast as well as reservoir fishing.
I seen the new proposed EU headache... just let me know when you are totally screwed so I can start my spearfishing trips to Norway company $$$$
££££
i've been out in my kayak each day this weekend, harry roughers out there yesterday, into wind and tide made it hard work. trawling a plug, i managed a single good pollack over a coule of hours :-( good to be out in the waves though.
today was calmer and altogether more pleasant; i have added a second rod holder to my solo kayak, so 2 rods = 8x the hassle... took a bit of work to keep the lines apart when reeling one of them in. After a good hour and a half my 'main' rod was hit hard - i thought i had a snag as it bent right over! once i had the rod in my hands i could feel the fish and it was ready for a fight!
i was well chuffed with my best bass so far (rod or spear), dinner for the family tonight and being on the water makes it even more special.
today was calmer and altogether more pleasant; i have added a second rod holder to my solo kayak, so 2 rods = 8x the hassle... took a bit of work to keep the lines apart when reeling one of them in. After a good hour and a half my 'main' rod was hit hard - i thought i had a snag as it bent right over! once i had the rod in my hands i could feel the fish and it was ready for a fight!
i was well chuffed with my best bass so far (rod or spear), dinner for the family tonight
and being on the water makes it even more special.
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Nice work Jonny. What did he weigh?
Iblanked today, reckon the monster live eels I was using scared the fish off. tied them on and sent them out with instructions to grab something but they came back empty finned despite one of them having a brief fight with something.
Iblanked today, reckon the monster live eels I was using scared the fish off. tied them on and sent them out with instructions to grab something but they came back empty finned despite one of them having a brief fight with something.