Beads on turbot traces?

**John Mason** · 06-02-2006, 18:55

Hi folks,

I know you get a lot of good 'uns down there - one thing I want to ask you: do you ever add beads etc to your traces, or do you let the bait work alone?

I've used the latter approach for years, with a big bait (half fillet of AMMO mackerel) nicked once through a small (size 1) hook, so that the bait moves about a lot and the hook is fairly well hidden, with some success from the shore with fish to around 5lb at certain times of year, but I'm curious to know what is the accepted method in the CI?

Cheers - John

**Grant** · 20-02-2006, 12:20

Sounds like you have it a lot more sorted than me on the turbot front! I use sandeels with no beads etc as a general rule, and all my turbot have been caught like this.

Someone with more experience than me should be able to give you a better idea.

**dabcatcher** · 23-02-2006, 12:07

i havn,t caught a turbut yet..they are quite scarce on the northeast coast..

but will be very interested to know how to atract them should i find myself in an area that holds them.

watching and waiting..

**Big Bones jones the fish** · 25-02-2006, 13:32

I have had some good fortune over the years to catch some cracking turbot. Hooking ammo mackerel throught the small end is the best way as the bait lays better this way when as it is not fresh and the flesh runs that way if you know what I mean! You need to trim any excess flesh off though and make it as streamline as possible. I got taught a very valueable lesson 3 years ago by the Turbot King Richard Seager out of Guernsey. When using fresh mackerel always trim it but hook it on the opposite end in the thick end? I am not kidding you he is the man! I caught a good few turbot after that with him( I have caught loads before but the catch rate was 3 times as much as normal) and last year I fished for three days on the Shoale Bank with Tiger Lily and had 18 turbot and 4 Brill. One bait I used for four drifts and had four turbot on it. Six inches long 1 inch wide hooked through the thick end.

As to beads, I have seen the most unlikely rigs catch them including beads and if I wasnt catching and someone next to me was pulling them in one efter the other I would chuck them on but generally I go with what I have been catching on for the last 20+ years. Off the shore I think it may be more of an advantage as a little attractor but a moving bait using a rolling lead may be of more help?

**John Mason** · 25-02-2006, 22:04

Originally Posted by Big Bones jones the fish

I have had some good fortune over the years to catch some cracking turbot. Hooking ammo mackerel throught the small end is the best way as the bait lays better this way when as it is not fresh and the flesh runs that way if you know what I mean! You need to trim any excess flesh off though and make it as streamline as possible. I got taught a very valueable lesson 3 years ago by the Turbot King Richard Seager out of Guernsey. When using fresh mackerel always trim it but hook it on the opposite end in the thick end? I am not kidding you he is the man! I caught a good few turbot after that with him( I have caught loads before but the catch rate was 3 times as much as normal) and last year I fished for three days on the Shoale Bank with Tiger Lily and had 18 turbot and 4 Brill. One bait I used for four drifts and had four turbot on it. Six inches long 1 inch wide hooked through the thick end.

As to beads, I have seen the most unlikely rigs catch them including beads and if I wasnt catching and someone next to me was pulling them in one efter the other I would chuck them on but generally I go with what I have been catching on for the last 20+ years. Off the shore I think it may be more of an advantage as a little attractor but a moving bait using a rolling lead may be of more help?

Brilliant to have a few replies. Will think about & reply tomorrow before the Rugby (been watching that today hence non compos mentis

)

Cheers - John