101_North

Sea Hare maybe?

If you're spooling the line on yourself you could try running the line through the middle of the yellow pages or something similar. This should help to keep the line under a decent tension. Cheers 101

Almost there now. Wedding on Saturday and then heading out there on Sunday. I must admit that re-reading this post has me looking forward to it. I'm taking my light spinning gear and a selection of spinners, surface plugs, hooks, floats etc. Not sure how much fishing I'll manage but will get out once or twice at least. She'll be glad to get the peace and quiet I'll post a report when I get back. Cheers 101

I take it the bass will take lures - wedges and the like? And the mullet bread? Really starting to look forward to this now. Good to hear that Corsica is a nice place - it certainly looks it from the photos I've seen and I've yet to hear a bad word said about it! Thanks for the replies folks. 101

Thanks for the info mate Had a quick look at some of the sights and it's certainly whet my appetite. I'm not sure exactly how much fishing I'll get done as it's my honeymoon but I have no doubt that she'll be quite content to sit and read in the sun while I go off fishing! Truth be told she'll be glad to get rid of me for a few hours! I'm still not sure what gear I'll be able to take but it'll probably be a fly rod and a spinning outfit. I have no idea what to use for bait off the shore or what lures to take but I'll enjoy experimenting. We are hiring a car so hopefully we'll be able to get to some of the places you mentioned. We've heard great things about Corsica and your post has got me looking forward to this now! Cheers 101

Hi Folks, I've recently booked a holiday to Corsica in July and was wondering if anyone knew much about the shore fishing potential. We're staying in Sant'Antonino near Calvi. I'd be interested in any information anyone might have. Cheers 101

Have a look at the Shimano Exage travel range mate. They pack down small and come with a hard travel tube. I have a 7ft telescopic version and a 9ft multi section rod which I use when travelling. They both fit into my suitcase. I've been impressed with both rods. 101

Cheers for the info mate - it's appreciated. Had a wee go tonight but I think the mackie have disappeared as I got none on this rig or feathers. I did get a nice codling and a few coalfish so it wasn't a wasted trip! Thanks again 101

So at a guess would I have the hook length hanging about 3 ft below the lead with the cork on the hook length. Or Could I set it up with a sliding lead and a stop knot so that the hook length is shorter and easier to cast? Or Am I way of course here?

Any chance you could describe this in a bit more detail mate as it sounds like just what I'm looking for! Never had much sucesss ledgering for mackerel but this sounds ideal. I'm just trying to picture this rig in my head

Already posted this on another forum but I thought I'd add my comments here too. Just wanted to pass on my thanks to Ian and others who have worked tirelessly to get RSA in Scotland to this point. When asked earlier about any issues people wanted to raise I mentioned a local issue, which although on a small scale compared to many of the issues raised, is something that concerns me. I have to say that I'm very pleased to see that the point was not only taken onboard but included in the report. I think this proves the benefits that this whole process can have for every recreational angler in Scotland Keep up the good work and as others have already said - If there's anything I can do....... Cheers 101

Not sure about Cockenzie but Granton is fishing OK just now so I'd expect Cockenzie to be similar. Most people mackerel fishing round here will be using feathers (or similar rigs) which are very effective. To be honest, if you really want to get the maximum fun from catching mackerel, try using a light spinning rod with a spinner - something like a Dexter wedge or abu koster. You'll soon find that mackerel can give a good account of themselves on light gear Good luck

Plenty of time yet mate and the best is probably to come. Last year they were still around well into September and there were even some being caught in October (although mainly the odd single). I even saw one caught at Scateraw Harbour in November! HTH

Good to know Ian. A great deal of thanks to all those fighting on behalf of RSA in Scotland

Not really sure if it's on a big enough scale or not but the annual nonsense that goes on at Torness needs addressed. I have no doubt that that area could be a great Bass fishing area if it was left alone and didn't suffer from idiots every year bagging and selling on every juvenile Bass that they catch. In the grand scheme of things it might not be a top priority but it's a real shame that an area which, if left alone, could produce some excellent sport is ruined each and every year by idiots keeping undersize fish and the illegal netting which is alleged takes place. This has been reported time and time again (only occasionally do the fisheries guys turn up) and yet the problem still exists. I've met enough people there to know that they are willing to travel good distances to catch Bass. Maybe if they were protected the sport would really be something? Again this is a problem that I get frequently annoyed by but I'm not sure if it merits further action or not? Good to have the opportunity to raise the issue anyway

I've seen this done at Torness. Seen one guy in particular who ties about 12 small trebles down his line. He then wraps the hooks round a lump of bread and drops it in the tide. I've seen him land a few but as you say they are mostly foul hooked

Well they've been scoffed now - and you're right - tasted as good as ever I've taken a screen grab of this thread though - just incase I die

The whole belly cavity was full of them - as soon as the knife went in you could see them on pretty much every organ. There wasn't any evidence of them in the flesh but I guess they would be hard to spot. Find it interesting that every fish was full of them despite the mackerel caught on previous visits to the same venue this year being clean

Folks, Just a quick question. Been getting a few mackerel over the past few weeks. I noticed that last night all the fish were full of ringworms. None of my previous catches have been affected. Is this something that can be specific to certain shoals or is it just coincidence that all fish caught last night were in this condition? I know that parasites are fairly common in fish but can these move to the flesh or are they gut only? Fish were gutted a few hours after being caught. Are these fish OK to cook or should they just be frozen for bait? Just curious

Cheers for the advice Leon. I'm hoping to get out for a while this weekend so I'll report back if I've any luck. 101

I've managed one trip this year and, to be honest, found it as frustrating as usual I've caught mullet before, last one in December, but never with any consistency. My problem is striking. I can get them feeding and going for my bread bait but I really struggle hooking them. Most of the time they have the bread off the hook and away. When I do manage to hook one it more often than not comes out as the hook was never properly set. I'll keep going, however, as it's very addictive and I know I can catch them but I suppose the more often I go the more I'll learn. Always amazed by the number of other anglers who tell me I'm wasting my time or that they don't know why I bother!

Not a thing mate! Tried a few different sections this week but blanked at them all. I was maybe still a bit close to town. Next weekend I'm going to cycle out to the Almond aquaduct direction and try round there. Seena few photos of pike taken from round there in an old thread on here. I know there's pike in there somewhere so I'll just keep trying, moving around and changing lures until I find a decent spot. Cheers

Cheers for the reply guys. I'm not too bothered about big pike - catching some jacks would be great as it's a handy venue and I can pop over the fence for an hour or so in the evenings. Probably take the bike and try a few different spots. I have a few of the Storm Wild Eye Perch lures so I'll give them a go and i'll get myself some small Mepps spinners. Thanks again - good to know that there are fish there and I'll not be wasting my time

Hi folks, This is my first post in the course fishing section as I'm usually lurking in the Sea forum. I've recently bought a flat which backs onto the Union Canal in Edinburgh so I looking to get back into fresh water fishing after a long absence. I've seen a few jack pike being caught near the Fountainbridge end of the canal but does anyone have any info on the best sections for pike between say Fountainbridge and Linlithgow? What are the best tactics and is the Fountainbridge end any good? I guess it only contains small pike this close to town but it's close to the flat and I suppose if I've seen fish caught then there must be some about! Any tips etc would be greatly appreciated. I'll probably travel by bike along the towpath. Got my permit today so looking forward to getting out and exploring it better. Cheers 101

Easiest way I've found to make a trace of feathers is to make a big dropper knot in a length of line (much bigger than in this animation but the same process - just make the dropper much bigger) and then cut the top of the dropper about 1cm from the knot. This leave a good sized snood on which to tie your feather. Duplicate this process down your line at regular intervals until you have the required number of snoods. Leave enough at either end for a swivel and lead link. With not much practice it should be straightforward to get a fairly even distance between hooks. Either that or make small dropper knots and then tie your snood length to these. Hope this helps http://www.animatedknots.com/dropperloop/index.php?