RichardB

quote: basshead keep trying a 7lb cod was caught the other evening from the shore near the blocks (southsea) See!

No problem ! :cool:

quote: I've always thought the bigger the bait the further out you would need to cast it. Guess that's not the case. Definatley not in this case Matt. I fish for Bass quite near the Warsash area and have had them up to 7.5 lbs. IF they are there they will be feeding close in. BTW, I don,t usually bother with a grip lead unless strength of tide makes it absolutely necessary - which is unlikely if your fishing around that location. I keep the hook trace long - 2 1/2 to 3 feet, and the least weight possible, typically 2 or 3 oz. I've found this allows the Bass to pick up the bait without immediately feeling a lot of resistance and dropping it straight away. This gives you the chance to see/feel the take and strike to set the hook. This means of course, you must be very vigilant or hold the rod, and I repeat it's a waiting game !. This not a definative method of course - but works for me in that particular general location.

quote: Usually and especially with Shoal bass, I don't know I have caught one until I saw it, they are so small. Matt I take it you are using ragworm as bait ? If so this probably accounts for the smoothy (well done). You will however be more likely be pestered by tiny Bass with this. For better ones try baitng up a pennel rig with a largish strip of mackeral. Stick to your running ledger and cast short (about 25 - 30 yards). Much more of a waiting game but searches out better quality

Where I come from, this kind of thing counts as courtship.

If its Gosport area you will be mackeral fishing in, then try Haslar sea wall, or the beach at Gilkicker Point. Both have deepish water around high tide. Also the pier near the Gosport ferry pontoon sees mackeral caught quite regularly. Try evenings on the rising tide. [ 14. September 2005, 01:41 PM: Message edited by: RichardB ]

quote: But each cast has the heart-pulsing tension of a blackjack hand. And there’s always time for just one more because that could be the big winner. I loved it." Ever tried to explain to explain to a puzzled non-fishing person just what it is that makes you keep doing it ? Thats it !

quote: one in my area just closed as well richard and i thought he had a good trade,his bait was v.good but he didnt have the product range of the more established shops. Yes, I was bit puzzled by this one, as the shop in question seemed to have plenty and varied stock, good bait and was in an area benfiting from loads of local anglers plus visiting ones and a reasonable holiday maker influx in the summer. I wonder if the upsurge in online discounted tackle sites has affected things.

One of only two tackle shops in my immediate area closed recently. I'm not surprised as the bloke who ran it seemed a miserable git. I've been giving some thought to taking up the lease as I'm not a miserable git. Bit scary though - steady job which I dispise verses new venture with usual risks attached, and mortgage, wife, two children, two dogs and five goldfish to support

Well done chappers I'm not jealouse at all Will be trying again soon.

quote: Doom and gloom ???? Perhaps the word is realistic, and educating the young man about what has happened to the fish and why is in my book the best way to go rather than painting a Rosie but unrealstic picture. Having said that, there are still cod caught even from the shore in the south of the country and If this young man is keen Im certain he can locate 1 or 2. Point taken. I fully agree with what you say *Autumn*, but to be fair I don't think I painted a totally Rosie picture for Basshead. I inferred that he was likely to be in for a pretty long wait and not to ignore other possibilities in the mean-time. He is obviously keen and I just wanted to encourage him to stay that way.

Basshead07 Hi, I live in your area (Gosport) and regularly fish the autumn / winter months at Stokes Bay, Gilkicker Haslar Wall and the like. Don’t let yourself be bothered by sarky comments from a few older anglers that may live other areas where cod are more accessible and have become blasé about it, or indeed those that are all doom and gloom and have little that is constructive to offer to encourage a youngster. (I’m sure no one meant any real harm). Your 12 and I’m in my forties now, but I still get excited at the prospect (no matter how slim) of the chance of catching prized species as their season approaches – that’s part of what fishing is all about ! As far as cod are concerned, yes – It is difficult along our stretch of coast. The last time I remember a lot of people catching cod was one season back in the late Eighties – there were plenty around to about 5 lb. But every year there is always a few decent ones pulled out and next time it could be me ! Or you ! So get down there from late October, fish at night, cast large baits of lug or rag /squid cocktails out as far as you can on simple paternoster rigs or any illustrated in above posts. Take another rod and bait up smaller hooks with rag, lug squid or mackeral strips – this should keep you interested with whiting, pout, dabs etc. always on the cards. Plus even late in the year there is still the chance of that bonus big Bass ! This is what I‘ll be doing - might see you there.

Mine has real ones, but strangely only while hoovering ...

quote: I bet you're really annoyed at not getting a sole........Nah, not really. Just that I don't think I've caught a good one since I was kid. Every year about this time I have a half - hearted attempt at them and fail heroically. Plus they're very tasty and my wife's a chef.. dribble, drool

Again, thanks Shonzy. Might take you up on that - not sure when at the moment - so much family stuff/gardening/diy etc. going on Always manage to escape somehow though !

Originally posted by Shonzy: quote: Try magazine lane RichardB see post on here had 2 2lb-ers Cheers Shonzy, Yeah I did see that the other day - cracking fish. I also had a good laugh about the controversy over your lower intestine problems Might try that, or give it a go over Southsea / Eastney. I was being a bit lazy on Saturday - Stokes Bay / Gilkicker literally minutes from my front door and couldn't be a****d to go further afield. It was a very enjoyable evening for all that though.

Thought I’d try for a sole at Stokes Bay on Saturday night...caught 3 pout, four smooth hound pups, six shoal bass to 1.5 lbs and an approx 8 lb Conger. Ah well, variety is the spice of life...

quote: Greys BZE bass rod would be nice but is too short Greys do the BZE in 12ft 6ins version - thinking of geting one myself - any good ?

Terrific session MJB ! Well done. On my last beach session weekend before last, I took 7 hours to catch 1 bass of 6.5 lb - nice, but I bet your shorter time was much more fun over all I think I'll go again this evening .....

Cheers Glasgowdan Sounds just the job - I'll follow them up.

Can anyone recommend a good middle-sized fixed spool reel? What I’m looking for is something of the size that could be used for a bit of plug spinning, but would also be useful in a light line set up for casting up to 4 oz a bit of distance over clean ground. I’m normally a multiplier user but I do like to use FS reels as well, but don’t want or need a huge ‘coffee grinder’.

Hello Matt - welcome. I agree with above and would emphasise strongly the suggestion that you seek out someone to give you a few lessons with your kit on the beach or a practice field, before setting out for actual fishing. It's not some kind of mysteriouse rocket science, but can be very frustrating for the novice on their own as "birds nests" of the line and crack offs can result without a few basic pointers on technique with multipliers. This can easily put people off them, but its worth persisting as they satisfying reels to use once mastered. Good luck !

Yep, their brilliant are'nt they. I'd like a whole "flock" of them, or whatever the collective noun might be.

Yeah, Pink Floyd - "the business !" :cool: Funny, I've also got a JRT (Jack Russell Terrorist)- "Kipper". Doesn't go on boats much but often accompanies me beach fishing. [ 24. August 2005, 10:54 PM: Message edited by: RichardB ]

You could get my house on it Fantastic, wish you many happy trips on her. [ 23. August 2005, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: RichardB ]