The Edge Effect for good marks and float fishing at night

THE EDGE EFFECT
The edge effect is one of the key lessons in choosing a reliable mark to fish. The term "Edge Effect" relates to finding the definitive line where ground feature changes abruptly. There are several reasons why a sudden ground change is important to attracting fish.

First off a sudden ground change indicates a tidal current that increases in power and scours out the seabed exposing the rocks and reef beneath the sand. This same tide current will sweep food off the seabed and carry it over the sand until it comes up to rest against the solid structure. This focal point for food obviously makes it a predictable place for fish to feed. Combing the edge of reefs is a favourite ploy of bass, cod and conger.

Using the edge effect to identify good marks

More static predators like rays and flatfish often choose to sit on the downtide side of structure right on the edge where it meets sand and feed on any food or fish that get washed over the structure to the edge by a fast tide run. Some say this is opportunist, but how can it be opportunist if they consistently do it? This is a premeditated action that consistently brings food to the rays and flatties.

If you are a shore angler look for areas on the beach where there is a specific and sharply defined change from sand to rock or reef boulders and put your baits tight alongside the structure. If you're a boat angler, use the tide currents to anchor your boat uptide of the edge and drift baits down to the border of sand and rock. Alternatively anchor over the reef and let the tide wash the baits over the reef on to the sand.

Understanding the "edge effect" and using it to your advantage will dramatically increase your catches, plus give you a better than even chance at finding specimen sized fish more consistently.

TIPS AND TRICKS
Although small hooks blunt easily and should not be used for more than one session hooks over size 3/0 have a much longer life span and can be re sharpened repeatedly. If you want to re use a hook, when you get home, wash it in warm water to remove the salt, dry it in kitchen paper, then smear pilchard oil over the whole hook to prevent rust. Pilchard oil will disguise the scent from your hands, smells natural to fish, and keeps rust at bay.

NIGHT FLOAT FISHING TACTICS

Float fishing at night

There are a few floats on the market that carry either an isotope or LED in the tip, but I prefer to use a standard cigar shaped float with a cyalume chemical light stick taped to the end or held in place by rubber bands. It's simple, cheap but effective. You can easily see a light stick 20-metres away, even the mini ones.

Bass are suckers for float fished baits at night. Use either chunks of peeler crab without bait thread and work the float tight along the edges of estuary creeks, or over shallow rough ground. There is no messing about, the float just disappears at speed when a bass takes. Bass also take ragworm well at night, but leave lots of free tail to dangle down and give the bait added movement. A word of warning, poisonous weevers are also caught float fishing at night, so check bass look-a-likes before you handle them.

Flounder also respond to a slowly drifted piece of peeler or soft crab. Again work the float down the side of estuary creeks, or in the margins. This tactic has also accounted for eels occasionally.

If you want good harbour or rock pollack on the float, then try fishing a live sandeel or ragworm just as the very first dawn light starts to appear on the horizon. The next half hour of twilight before full dawn can be the most productive period of the whole days cycle for pollack and bonus bass.

If you're fishing a northern harbour where coalfish are predominant, then again go for the float fished close in to the harbour walls. Coalies take mussel, lug or crab really well and will shudder the float before dragging it down. Scad are another surprise night catch inside harbours on the south and west coast if you fish mackerel strip.