DoubleShotDamo

Well, a bit more time to actually GO fishing, and a bit more money to be able to pay for it!! Apart from that, to catch a few fish and enjoy what I am doing. But also to know that in ten years time I can still go and enjoy myself by catching a few fish. That means no go zones for commercials at certain times of the year to protect breeding fish, a limit on how close to the shore nets can be shot and trawlers can trawl and for commercials to stick to it (it's your future too), catch and release to be compulsory in ALL matches (that's anglers doing their bit for conserving stocks ), and that's about it...oh and for people to stop talking as if bass are gold plated, diamond studded, rarest of rare, on the brink of extinction fish...'cos they aint!!

It's a funny thing fishing. Two years ago the spiders turned up locally. Our pier head was packed with anglers. We all had fresh spider, apart from one local whom I know well. he had fresh shore peelers. While there was the odd hound to spider crab, the guy with the shore crab caught 8 hounds. He then got snapped up twice in a row and went home. A few of us matched his 8 fish with our spiders by staying a couple of hours after he had left. On another occassion, the reverse had happened. Spider was THE bait with shore peeler only accounting for the odd fish, although most people fished with spider (so not a fair comparison). As for hooks, rigs etc. everyone has their favourites. As long as the basic rules are adhered to, i.e. strong snood, strong hook, and the correct sized bait to match the hook size, then everyone should land a few fish.

Where you from, Pugs? (where in West Sussex that is!)

Pugs, keep it quiet but April at Pagham...very few anglers, plenty of smuts, if you hit it on the right night!

Nope. Rocky I would have thought.

Same here. Got a little boy now, not old enough to fish yet, but one day! I will do the same this year. Can't be bothered with having to race down there in my lunch break just to find someones had them all!!

I have kept em for a couple of weeks. Most pop within a week or so. Only the bullets take a while longer. The real hard ones are no good... they die; probably need to eat. You done much lately?

Hello Pugs. Pagham is great. Anywhere along the open part of the beach to the left of the Yacht Club. Casting all distances catches fish, and weed!! I had an 11lber 20 yards out one night, cos the weed was so bad if I cast any further!! Can be mega busy when the snuts ar "in"".

As Ollie says, the spiders must be "popping". If you can quite easily crack the side of the shell by pressing it in with your thumb, then it goes in the bucket. Try fishing a session with "hard" peelers and you will knacker your fingers. Spider peelers will not live long out of water. They will also not live long IN water unless the water is airated. I have kept hard spiders on a bubbler and you will be surprised how quick they become ready to use. Also, an average sized spider will provide several good sized baits if you like sticking on a big bait. I prefer smaller baits, as you don't miss as many bites. So, bearing this in mind everyone, take what you need, not bucket loads just because they are there!! Incidentally, frozen spiders are far inferior to fresh ones. Roll on the spring!! Ollie, I will see you there mate!

Yes everyone, who manage to get a few codling in the bag in a winter, Stavey is not bullsh*tting...I too am in Sussex (West) and west is worst than east. I haven't caught a cod / codling for three years!! Maybe I'm just cr@p!

Each to their own, but a 6/0 is too big. Smoothounds have small mouths for a relatively large fish.

Hello Mate. 1 hook up the line, 30lb minimum snood, 2/0 strong hook (say kamasan short shank), 5 or 6oz gripper and crab bait, but not too big. Half a good sized shore crab or equivalent is ideal. I say this, as every year you get guys fishing bloody great pennels with huge spider crab baits, and guess what....they don't hook anything! Don't leave reel on free spool, you will miss runs. And don't leave your rod unattended!! Probably see you down there this year. Pagham produces fish early in the year, so worth a look in April (ish).

You're right there, mate...totally cr@p!

Sam, it is give and take. I don't fish half as much as I used to since my little boy was born. I think you have to weigh up what is more important in your life, i.e. girlfriend or fishing. Put yourself in her shoes, she is stuck indoors bored sh*tless as you put it, while you are out all hours. Don't get me wrong, I am not having a go, but I have seen marriages end and families wrecked due to the bloke p!ssing off fishing all the time. I think once a week cannot be grumbled at, 3 times over Christmas...hmmm, I'd be in the doghouse for that!

Yeah, I am five mins walk from sea, in Goring.

Hey Geffaz, another Worthing-ite! Do I know you!?

Unheard of down here (West Sussex) apart from the odd tiddler. I, and probably a couple of others, would definately be up for a trip to Kent for a bash!

Pretty crap on the south coast also. Saying that, a good, strong easterly can put a bit of colour in the water and at the right time of year can produce some fish. Flounders in the winter don't mind easterlies.

No. It's like saying " We are all going to die, so why not just kill each other!" Doh!

I didn't say in the last few years!

YAWN!! ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

Well said. I look forward to continuing to read and contribute to the "Fishing" part of the forum. Cheers!

No idea Stavey. The way it is going, this one will end up locked aswell!!

Wow! I post a very short report on how the fishing went at Dungie, and all hell breaks loose!! Anyone got any catch news, tips, tricks or anything a bit more positive to share? I wonder how long it will take for the next thread to start harping on about commercials, fish stocks...........oh no! here I go again!! HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!