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Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Richard Buck 22 May, 2008 12:26:00

SPECIES
Small eyed ray and Bass

BAITS
Large sand eel topped and tailed account for most of the small eyed rays caught but the bigger fish will also take mackerel fillets or whole squid. All of these baits will account for many of the bigger Bass to as well as lug and crab. Live eels also work well and are easily collected on the beach by ‘stomping’ on the waterline.

TACKLE AND TACTICS
Watergate is a wide, shallow clean surf beach with no snags so tackle losses are usually only self inflicted. There is little difference in which area of the beach you fish though the right hand side (if looking seaward) tends to see the bigger fish.

For the rays you will need a 4-6oz beach caster and 6500 size multi or fixed spool loaded with 18lb line and 60lb leader. A running ledger has a much greater hook up rate then any other rig, with the rays tendency to run with the bait loosely ion their mouth without swallowing it. The beach is renound for a left to right rip but where possible it is better to use plain leads but if you do have to use grippers then set the legs fairly close to the lead so they are not sticking out too much. For a trace I use a short length of 30lb amnesia-around 10 inches with a 3/0 pennel and 4/0 main hook.
Distance can help but it is not essential as many are caught well within the range of an average overhead thumper.

For the bass a 1-3oz bass rod with a 5500 size multiplier or fixed spool loaded with 15lb line should be fine. Again, a running ledger seems to result in the greater number of hook ups, but with a longer trace then for the rays, say 2 feet of 15 lb amnesia ,a single 3/0 and a couple of worms or a crab account for most Bass.

The beach definitely fishes best for rays from low water up to the middle of the tide but bass can be taken right through the tidal range and at very close range. The beach can see some very large swell but tends to be better when it is small and clean, on medium sized tides. Fishing through the day is impossible on this popular surfing and extreme sports beach so it is best not to attempt it until dark.

LOCATION
It’s right on the B3276 which is well sign posted from Newquay and the A39. There is a secure car park only yards from the beach that only costs 50p for the night if you arrive after 18:00.

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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