Which boat are you on?
Unlikely to fish the Shambles as the tides are very big. If you do, you'll have more chance just off the bank in the race for Bass. You may fish the Shambles with the skippe dragging a dirty great weight, but with big tides I'd prefer to go and fish a nice inshore reef for the cracking Bream that are around at the moment.
If hiring the gear and you are Breaming, try and get a really nic light set-up. 12lb class or lighter.
Ask the skipper to help yo set up a Portland Rig ending in either single size 4 or preferrably a pennel rig with little size 4 hooks.
The pennel works well as you will see your fishingbuddies regularly getting bites, but finding the bait has simply had the end bitten off. With a pennel, if baited neatly, you won't lose these fish as there is a hook in the end of the bait too!
Fish with squid strips and worm for bait and use just enough lead to hold bottom.
Drop your gear down and touch bottem. Keep the reel in free spool, but with your thumb on it. Lift smoothly and at 11 or 12 O'clock let go of the spool and let a bit of line go downtide with the lead. When it touches bottom, put your thumb back on the spool and tighten up slightly. Give it a few minutes and then bump it back downtide a little further.
By doing this, you will cover more ground and find the fish. The bites will very sharp fast rattles. Give the fish a moment or two to get confident enough to take the bait properly.
Groundbait also works a treat. Small amounts of very finely chopped squid, a little cooked rice, trout eggs. Little and often works well.
Remember there is no point in simpy droppping groundbait in. You have to get it to the bottom. A bait dropper is the answer to this, but as good is "the plastic bag technique" which your skipper will be able to show you.
Good luck and have fun
Tom
Unlikely to fish the Shambles as the tides are very big. If you do, you'll have more chance just off the bank in the race for Bass. You may fish the Shambles with the skippe dragging a dirty great weight, but with big tides I'd prefer to go and fish a nice inshore reef for the cracking Bream that are around at the moment.
If hiring the gear and you are Breaming, try and get a really nic light set-up. 12lb class or lighter.
Ask the skipper to help yo set up a Portland Rig ending in either single size 4 or preferrably a pennel rig with little size 4 hooks.
The pennel works well as you will see your fishingbuddies regularly getting bites, but finding the bait has simply had the end bitten off. With a pennel, if baited neatly, you won't lose these fish as there is a hook in the end of the bait too!
Fish with squid strips and worm for bait and use just enough lead to hold bottom.
Drop your gear down and touch bottem. Keep the reel in free spool, but with your thumb on it. Lift smoothly and at 11 or 12 O'clock let go of the spool and let a bit of line go downtide with the lead. When it touches bottom, put your thumb back on the spool and tighten up slightly. Give it a few minutes and then bump it back downtide a little further.
By doing this, you will cover more ground and find the fish. The bites will very sharp fast rattles. Give the fish a moment or two to get confident enough to take the bait properly.
Groundbait also works a treat. Small amounts of very finely chopped squid, a little cooked rice, trout eggs. Little and often works well.
Remember there is no point in simpy droppping groundbait in. You have to get it to the bottom. A bait dropper is the answer to this, but as good is "the plastic bag technique" which your skipper will be able to show you.
Good luck and have fun
Tom
