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Advice on fishing in Richmond (London)


Sebbo

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Hello everyone.

 

I fancy having a go at fishing the Thames around Richmond, what would my chances with artificial lures and spinners be there? What is the likelihood of catching Pike in that stretch of the Thames?

 

Any advice on decent spots around that area, and any tips in general?

 

Thanks !

 

Sebbo

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Hi Sebbo and welcome.

 

Your chances of catching on artificials is a bit less than your chances of catching on stuff fish can actually eat but artificials certainly work and for some of us, are a lot more fun to use.

 

Sorry I can't help with venue specifics but I'm a bit too far east of you to be able to give advice about the river or the area.

 

What sort of gear do you have available (rod, reel, lures, etc.)?

" My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!" - Harry Truman, 33rd US President

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I'm a bit too far east of you to be able to give advice about the river or the area.

True enough, but its a long haul across Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and most of the States :) Isn't there a shorter route ?

 

Sebbo, I don't know the area, but I'm sure someone on here will.

 

I expect you know that you will need a fishing licence; when the pike season starts on the Thames; and the appropriate gear and technique for catching and unhooking pike. If so, fine, if not, please ask and someone will provide an appropriate link.

Edited by Vagabond

 

 

RNLI Governor

 

World species 471 : UK species 105 : English species 95 .

Certhia's world species - 215

Eclectic "husband and wife combined" world species 501

 

"Nothing matters very much, few things matter at all" - Plato

...only things like fresh bait and cold beer...

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Thanks for the advice! I think you confused Richmond VA with Richmond in London England ! I don't think the fish are the same there but my equipment is as follows - 6 foot Abu Garcia rod with Abumatic 275 reel, http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Pr311262000/Pr311262000, and various small spinners and lures.

 

Vagabond, if I am correct you need wire trace, a large landing net, and some forceps and wire cutters? I am not sure if my rod would be strong enough.

 

Do you think there are Pike in that stretch of the Thames?


Thanks everyone.

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Vagabond - My Oops about the direction. :doh: Nice catch.

 

Sebbo - no confusion at all about which Richmond you meant. The Thames gave it away. :D

 

That's a nice rig and great for fishing light lures. If you get a large fish on, your weak points are likely to be the hook, the line, or the reel's clutch; the rod should not be a problem. One reason I like fishing lures with a light wire single hook is that a large fish can easily bend it straight and get off without damage to fish or to rod & reel. If you are fishing with mepps-style lures, its probably a good idea to take pliers and flatten the barbs on each hook so a fish that breaks off will have an easy time getting rid of it.

 

If the reel came pre-spooled with monofilament line, I'd strongly suggest removing it and respooling with a better quality line. I really like a braid like PowerPro in about a 10 lb breaking strength and spin-cast reels like yours are ideal for that since they don't tend to allow the sort of birds nest you can easily get with a regular multiplier or the wind knots that can plague a fixed spool/open face spinning reel. That should make for a nicely balanced rod/reel/line setup and lures in the proper casting weight for that rod should be great fun to use.

" My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!" - Harry Truman, 33rd US President

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Vagabond, if I am correct you need wire trace, a large landing net, and some forceps and wire cutters? I am not sure if my rod would be strong enough.

 

.

Looks like Newt has covered the catching, now for the release.

 

Broadly you are right, but make sure forceps and cutters are man enough for the job. Say longnosed pliers rather than forceps, and mini bolt-cutters rather than wire cutters - if a pike inhales your lure and gets hooked in the gill rakers, you will need to cut through the hook shank rather than the trace.

 

Google a link to a piece on pike-handling if you are unsure.

 

Once landed, lay the pike on its back on an unhooking mat and straddle it between your legs. Finger in the front of the gillcovers under the chin and lift its head up, it will usually then open its mouth allowing you to get your long nosed forceps in and carefully remove your hooks. If hooked in the rakers or gills, cut through the hooks - you can easily put new hooks on your lures afterwards. Deep hooking (ie down the gullet) should not be a problem if you are using lures.

 

Get the pike back in the water ASAP - they can be a bit fragile.

Edited by Vagabond

 

 

RNLI Governor

 

World species 471 : UK species 105 : English species 95 .

Certhia's world species - 215

Eclectic "husband and wife combined" world species 501

 

"Nothing matters very much, few things matter at all" - Plato

...only things like fresh bait and cold beer...

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Sebbo, Newt,

 

I'm not sure if the Abumatics will accomodate braid. I use the 1276 and even it has a slight bit of slack in the spool after casting. You have to learn quickly to pull it out (maybe 1/2inch) before beginning your retrieve. The lighter the lure the larger the loop inside the reel housing. With braid it is difficult to maintain line lay on the spool.

 

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I use braid for spinning, but I tend to use heavier than 10lb. I think I've got 20lb on at the moment. Doesn't inhibit casting or presentation, and dramatically reduces the loss of lures (you can usually bend the hooks out of most snags).

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