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St Bees South Heads, Cumbria

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 09:50:00

SPECIES
Cod, coalfish, dabs and rockling feature from September  through to March. Plaice begin to show during late March running through to  September, with eels, wrasse, pollack and bass appearing in late April. Some  conger eels are taken throughout the year, along with dogfish. July and August  sees a run of mackerel on the bigger tides if it’s calm.

BAITS
Top winter bait is black or blow lug tipped with mussel for  the cod and coalfish. Lug or rag will take the plaice, dabs and rockling, with  mackerel strip the conger and dogfish bait. Fresh peeler crab is best for the  bass. The pollack will take mackerel strip off the bottom, but its best to spin  for these with Wedge type lures, especially late in the evening.

TACKLE & TACTICS
There are plenty of snags here, so a 5-6oz beachcaster, 7000  sized reel and 30lb line with a 60lb shock leader is the best choice. Pulley  rigs from 60lb mono are standard here armed with single 2/0 to 4/0 Viking  pattern hooks. For the conger, fish 6/0 hooks.

A two-hook clipped down rig with size 2 Aberdeen hooks is ideal for the smaller  species at range.

Rough ground lays out to about 70yds, so fish a weak link  system to the lead weight, which needs to be no more than 5ozs.

The best of the fishing is below the sandstone cliffs at the  South Heads for the three hours either side of low water. This gives access to  deeper water casting off the ledges and rocks. There is rough ground close in  which is good for the cod and pollack, but long casts find cleaner ground  carrying the dabs etc. In calm conditions you can stay on the marks over high  water, but you can get cut off and experienced local knowledge is required  here.

LOCATION
From Whitehaven take the A595 and at the roundabout at the  end of the Henerigham by-pass take the Barrow road. Take the second turning on  your right, then turn left on to St    Bees Road at the end. As you enter St Bees down  the sharp hill turn right where the road goes sharp left. This road comes in to  a car park overlooking the beach, leaving a short walk on to the cliffs.

WSF Tackle
SEARCH FOR TACKLE
DEPARTMENTS

BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each
Berkley PopperThe most versatile topwater bait ever produced. The Frenzy Popper just might be the best ever! Its unique balanced design allows it to be fished several ways. Chug it or pop it, and it spits water like a big fish chasing little ones. Slow it down with soft twitching actions, and it walks with the best of 'em.

TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each
FeathersAs any boat or shore angler will tell you, lure rigs when used alone or with bait are great for catching all manner of species. We've selected the very best rigs from the Shakespeare TideWater range that are idea for boat and some shore work.

7" WSF Jelly Worms
Berkley Power WormsDeadly 7inch jelly worms that are deadly for all manner of predator fish, especially pollack. We allow you to buy individual colours so you can mix and match what you want!
Jelly worms are 30p each!

Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers
Blue PilchardBuy 3 Devil's Own Diving Plugs you get one of them for free in our 3 for 2 offer.
Check out our Devil's Own Lures.
These lures are ideal for bass and other predatory species. Price: £2.74 each. or £5.48 for 3.

WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
Sakuma HooksSuper strong Japanese Hooks from Sakuma. We now stock the 545 Manta Extra, 540 Manta, 560 Stinger and 543 Pennel Manta Extra hooks. All hooks are supplied in boxes of 30.

Bass PoppersBASS POPPERS! FROM £3.67
These excellent long range casting popper lures are ideal for numerous saltwater species including Bass. Berkley Frenzy Poppers.

SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25
Saltwater FliesWSF Now stocks the high quality range of saltwater flies from Fulling Mill. We have picked out a deadly selection from the Fulling Mill range that will help any saltwater fly angler this season.

BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS
Captiva ReelsPRICE FROM: £37.18
Sea spinning reel, ideal for use with the Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod. Packed with features including an ultra smooth front drag, permanent instant anti reverse and a metal spare spool. The 5000 is idea for use with spinning with heavier nylons between 12 and 15lbs and Braid.

BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL
Captiva Reel DealsIdeal spinning combo from Penn and Shakespeare. Featuring the hugely popular Salt Spin 10ft, 3 piece spinning rod, and the fantastic Captiva 5000 CV2 Spinning Reel from Penn. PRICE: £73.39

BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18
Abu CardinalThis Front Drag version of the popular Abu Cardinal range of reels is an ideal reel for braid. Each reel features 7 bearings (1AR) Bearing, Instant Reverse and a spare spool. It holds 210/10lb line. Each reel comes with a free Abu Cardinal Reel Bag.


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