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The Groynes, Hurst Castle, Hants

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 10:15:00

SPECIES
A mixed species mark giving sole, bass and rays in the summer and autumn, with bass and cod in the winter. Smaller species such pout, rockling, dogfish and whiting also show.

BAITS
The best of the bass and cod fall to a whole squid, though black lug baits tipped with squid can also be deadly. Peeler crab is good for the bass and smaller cod throughout the year. For the sole and other smaller species try rag or blow lug. Top bait for the rays is fresh or frozen sandeel or half a mackerel fillet.

TACKLE & TACTICS
This area is swept by a fair tide run, plus it's a rough bottom with plenty of snags, so choose a stiff 5-6oz beachcaster and a reel loaded with 20 to 25lb line and a 60lb shock leader.

A good rig is a standard pulley rig made from 60lb mono, but with a 30 to 40lb hook length and single size 4/0 to 6/0 Viking pattern hook. Fish the lead weight to a weak link system to save some tackle. For the sole and smaller fish, use a two-hook flapper rig with size 2 to 4 Kamasan Aberdeen hooks.

You'll need to carry leads from 5-6oz for average conditions, but locals fish that bit longer through the tide run by carrying 8oz grip leads.

Most fish are fairly close in and a normal overhead cast will easily put you in to the feeding zone. Some of the bigger bass work tight in to the stones at your feet, especially in the dark.

Peak fishing time is the two hours before high water and the first hour back, especially at night. Drop in short for the bass when the tide is running hard. It produces best with a bump on the sea.

LOCATION
From Lymington, head west on the A337 then take the B3058 at Everton. At Milford-on-Sea follow the signs for Keyhaven until you come to New Lane on your right. Follow this until you reach the shingle bank where there is roadside parking available. Go over the bridge on to the shingle bank and The Groynes are a good mile walk away at the end of the peninsula, but is rated by the locals as worth the hike.

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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