GET INTO SHORE FISHING
Why you should plan for success.
THE route to a successful shore session rests solely on how well you’ve prepared for it. Putting the long hours in tying rigs, collecting bait and renewing shockleaders, before venturing on to the shingle, certainly has its benefits. Even the way you pack your tackle box can add value to a beach trip.
Failing to plan and prepare undoubtedly leads to failure. Fishing is unpredictable, and mishaps are inevitable. Being able to cope with those incidents is definitely what determines a better shore angler.
■ TOP TIP: Preparation and planning is the key to success, so start by getting a tide book or take your copy of Sea Angler with you and use our tide tables.
start at home
so, where does your planning and preparation actually begin? it will always start at home and there are multiple factors to consider, including venue choice, weather and tides.
after you’ve decided on a venue, you need to check the height and times of the tides. if the most productive time is around high water, it’s no good turning up an hour before. not only will finding a space to fish be tough, but, by the time you’ve set up, it’s a good bet you’ll have probably missed the prime time.
every shore angler should have a current tide book – if you don’t, make it your business to source one. They don’t cost a lot and can be bought from port authorities, harbourmasters and tackle shops. even local angling clubs may sell them.
always keep an eye on the weather and never rely on just a single forecast. Constantly checking weather updates and bulletins on the TV is vitally important, especially wind direction. an onshore gale is probably going to kill any plans to venture to an unsheltered spot.
On occasions, i’ve known anglers to drive to a mark where the road to the beach is steep. While they fished, it snowed heavily, putting the road out of use. When they returned to their vehicle, they were stuck.
■ toP tIP: Don’t weigh yourself down by carrying too much weight
effort and care
if you simply dumped all your gear in the garage or shed after your last trip, don’t expect it to be in good shape if you just left it unattended. a little effort and care of your kit goes a long way in helping to prepare for your next outing.
after each session, simply rinse your reel under a lukewarm running tap to wash away any salt and grit. Furthermore, always loosen the drag to prevent the drag washers from seizing.
a good tip is to always renew shockleaders on reels, too. a lengthy shore session can (and probably will) damage a shockleader.
Preparing a healthy stash of rigs at home is a sure way to keep a beach session running smoothly. surprise crack-offs and snags can mean lost rigs, so don’t waste time tying them on the beach.
One mistake shore anglers make is so stuff a seatbox to the brim, especially with lead weights. i like to base my session on four casts per hour, so, if i’m unlucky enough to lose a sinker each cast, during a five-hour trip i’ll need 20 lead weights to see me through. However, it’s highly unlikely i will lose all of them, and so 10 sinkers should be enough.
Just take items that you will need, such as a spare rod and reel, a headlight if fishing into dark, a rig wallet filled with spare rigs, mono mainline and shockleaders.
■ toP tIP: Pin a checklist to your shed or tackle room door so you don’t forget vital items
satIsfyIng fulfIlment
if you’re collecting bait prior to a shore session, always do your best to store it safely. Frozen baits such as squid or mackerel should be carried in a decent coolbag or box with ice packs. a layer of dry newspaper over the top of them means you can place packets of worms in there too.
Prime bait in top condition is a main catalyst to success. simple planning and preparation before a trip only adds to the enjoyment and the satisfying fulfilment you’ll feel when a shore session goes well.
■ neXt month: the focus is on casting.