Tackle needed?

[Captain Pelvis]

Hello I have decided that once it warms up a bit I fancy adding 2 or 3 fish to my list of captures. Instead of my usually Chub and Perch I would like to try some local streams for 3 spined Sticklebacks, Bullheads and possibly Stone Loaches. My question is what size hooks do you suggests? I thought I might use squats, pieces of redworm and bloodworm so would i need hooks around the 24 size? I fancy getting a pen fishing rod for messing about with little fish and would fill the reel with 1lb line and simply freeline the baits past rocks were the bullheads will be lying up and through the shoals of sticklebacks. If anyone has any tips then they will be gratefully received. Thank you.

[fishermanste]

Hello I have decided that once it warms up a bit I fancy adding 2 or 3 fish to my list of captures. Instead of my usually Chub and Perch I would like to try some local streams for 3 spined Sticklebacks, Bullheads and possibly Stone Loaches. My question is what size hooks do you suggests? I thought I might use squats, pieces of redworm and bloodworm so would i need hooks around the 24 size? I fancy getting a pen fishing rod for messing about with little fish and would fill the reel with 1lb line and simply freeline the baits past rocks were the bullheads will be lying up and through the shoals of sticklebacks. If anyone has any tips then they will be gratefully received. Thank you.

Well that certainly sounds like how i started off as a nipper, fishing squats on a size 24..... or smaller, using the whip with line that would snap if a decent size fish so much as nibbled my bait. sounds like your on the right track to me.

[Tigger]

Hello I have decided that once it warms up a bit I fancy adding 2 or 3 fish to my list of captures. Instead of my usually Chub and Perch I would like to try some local streams for 3 spined Sticklebacks, Bullheads and possibly Stone Loaches. My question is what size hooks do you suggests? I thought I might use squats, pieces of redworm and bloodworm so would i need hooks around the 24 size? I fancy getting a pen fishing rod for messing about with little fish and would fill the reel with 1lb line and simply freeline the baits past rocks were the bullheads will be lying up and through the shoals of sticklebacks. If anyone has any tips then they will be gratefully received. Thank you.

 

 

For sticklebacks you don't need a hook. If you just tie a worm onto a length of cotton and watch the fish latch onto it, wait till it gets one end into it's mouth then just lift it out. I used to do it all the time when I was a kid.

[Captain Pelvis]

For sticklebacks you don't need a hook. If you just tie a worm onto a length of cotton and watch the fish latch onto it, wait till it gets one end into it's mouth then just lift it out. I used to do it all the time when I was a kid.

 

Hiya thanks for that, i knew that method worked but can really count it as properly caught on rod and line? im guessing you can but say you caught a record fish in this way would it count when no hook is actually used?

[Elton]

Captain,

 

This thread may help.

[Captain Pelvis]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

I had noticed that thread, that ten spined stickleback is lovely that sort of fish would make my day! Hopefully i will be able to catch some tiddlers.

 

Also if anyone else is interested in the smaller species then i would recommend "The Little Book of Little Fishes" its a lovely book with great illustrations!

[Elton]

No doubt Vagabond will contribute to this thread when he notices it.

 

He's still recovering from the fight

[Vagabond]

No doubt Vagabond will contribute to this thread when he notices it.

 

He's still recovering from the fight

 

 

 

Welcome, Capt Pelvis to the ranks of the species hunters !

 

The most important aspect of catching minispecies is the research and observation beforehand. If you get seriously into the subject you will acquire a lot of books and field guides, especially if you hunt overseas and marine fish as well. Not only do you need good recognition, but you need to know about each particular species' habitat in order to locate them.

 

3-Spined sticklebacks are easy, once you have located some ! You do need a naturalist's skills to locate some fish (and in the case of the stone loach and bullheads you mention, that means standing stock still in wellies in a rocky /gravelly stream and locating them by sight)

 

The ten-spined stickleback was not easy to find, hours of reconnaissance were needed. The winkling out of a stickleback from amongst the hordes of roach and perch fry with which it shared its habitat was quite time consuming - a whole day before the right fish took the bait!

 

The actual angling skill is very basic, but you need to learn to stand very still or the fish will think you are a giant kingfisher coming to gobble them up, and make themselves scarce. Most fish will be caught at close range by sight-fishing.

 

Tackle - also very basic. I use one or more joints of an old bamboo roach pole, about four feet of 3 lb main line, the smallest porcupine quill floats I have (Elton kindly sent me a couple of dozen years back) cocked by a No 6 shot, and size 22 to 26 hooks to a 12 oz nylon trace (you need to learn the spade-end knot for these tiny hooks, and tie several up at home in a good light - they can be a nightmare to tie in cold, wet and windy weather). The reason for such a strong main line is to ensure you only lose the hook if you get snagged - most tiny fish live VERY close to cover for obvious reasons.

 

Good luck!

Edited February 22, 2010 by Vagabond

[Dales]

I fancy getting a pen fishing rod for messing about with little fish and would fill the reel with 1lb line and simply freeline the baits past rocks were the bullheads will be lying up and through the shoals of sticklebacks. If anyone has any tips then they will be gratefully received. Thank you.

 

The mini pen rods can be good fun and is my weapon of choice when targeting tiny reef and rock pool fish and they can deal with the odd rogue bigger fish that may snaffle your baits. They may be a overkill for targeting sticklebacks but they are good fun.

[Elton]

I've had fun with my pen rod, Dales.

 

Captain - I've still got some of the blank quills that Vagabond mentioned. If you need any, PM me your address and I'll send you a few freebies.