A nudge in the right direction...

[Sigsy]

Hi, Im a total novice to fishing and I was wondering if this sounds ok to you all?

I want to go beach fishing in South Shields but I dont want to spend a lot of money yet, so I managed to lay my hands on a couple of rods and reels for £20, the rods are 9ft, 10ft, 2x12ft and 2x13ft. I've been told they're coarse fishing rods and they look pretty sturdy enough but like I say im a novice.

From what I've read, ive come up with what I think I need to get setup to fish for the first time.

One of the 12 or 13ft rods?
15lb line?
size 2 hooks (aberdeen)?
3-way flapper rig?
Ragworm, lugworm and mackerel strips bait?

I realise that the rods aren't proper beach casters, will this severly hinder me or will it be ok for a newbie? like I said I'm not diving into this head first just want to test the waters so to speak before I make any significant purchases.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[phill_itofish]

I'd find out the casting weight of your rod first mate, you dont want to snap it,. the rest of it sound ok, if your planning on targeting flatties!. if your going for cod i'd use a clip down rig to give you the extra distance in your cast !

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

Welcome to NESA mate

Using the "lighter" tackle isn't a hinderance, but you'd be best fishing when conditions are calm or flat as any kind of sea may cause you problems

The set up you describe sounds like the perfect set-up for targeting Flatfish

Like Phil says find out what kind of casting weight your rods can handle...that would determine what range of fishing scenarios you can cover with the tackle you mention

 

[Sigsy]

Thanks, talking about casting weights, one thing I havent been able to find anything about is what size weight to use? any thoughts?
If so what casting weight should I be looking for on my rods?
Oh and also, whats a shockleader and do I need one?

I apologise in advance for the barrage of questions and what must sound like total basics, im just dieing to get out there

 

[greggthe1]

Yes Phil but the fish are sometimes right at your feet Maybee bigger hooks and different rigs for cod.

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

Casting Weight

Casting Weight

depending on the age of the rods there should be an indication on the rod itself...usually down the blank toward the rod handle - possibly next to the manufacturers logo


Usually in Ounces (Oz) or Grams (Gms)...

 

[Sigsy]

So as long as I dont put a heavier weight on the end of my line than what the casting weight of the rod is I should be ok?

 

[mick65]

I have several rods that I no longer use, including beach casters (Conoflex and Zziplex I think). The names of the manufacteurers have disappeared when I got them re varnished and new rings put on. These rods have not been used for approx 20 years, but they were good in there time. They are made of carbon, or semi carbon. If you would like them, then let me know.

 

[Sigsy]

Really? wow, that would be fantastic!

Thank you very much indeed!

Edit: I've Sent you a PM mate. Cheers.

 

[phill_itofish]

Why Shields Beach mate??

 

[Sigsy]

Mainly just because I live in South Shields, and I know the coastline very well and have seen the spots people fish at when Ive been out and about.

 

[eddie t]

welcome to NESA. why not try the piers mate.

 

[phill_itofish]

Mainly just because I live in South Shields, and I know the coastline very well and have seen the spots people fish at when Ive been out and about.

Shields beach is fine, but the conditions need to be right, best at low tide with a bt of movment in the sea. Dont get me wrong you can still get fish at other times but low tide is far better. Hight tide. i'd fish Brigams or the Walk Way, on the river and The first gate on the pier. Depending on what your rods are like there's always the rock marks but you'll need a strong rod.

 

[Sigsy]

Cheers

Yeah was thinking of generally just starting out along the South Shields Coastline.

 

[phill_itofish]

Have a look at these mate, will give you a bit of an idea

:: View topic - Frenchmans point, South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

:: View topic - The Shelf, South Shields, South Tyneside.

:: View topic - South Sheilds Pier (very detailed info on s/s pier)

 

[Sigsy]

Thanks for the advice guys

So I think i've gathered now that if go and buy myself some 15lb line, size 2.0 Aberdeen hooks, a clip down rig and a weight less than the Casting weight of the rod I pick to use...

...i'll be set to mosey on down to the pier for 2hrs before high tide.

Is there anything i've missed?

 

[phill_itofish]

Thanks for the advice guys

So I think i've gathered now that if go and buy myself some 15lb line, size 2.0 Aberdeen hooks, a clip down rig and a weight less than the Casting weight of the rod I pick to use...

...i'll be set to mosey on down to the pier for 2hrs before high tide.

Is there anything i've missed?

just one thing, you do realise that this fishing lark will take over your life and cause many and argument with the missis and lead you to go and stand on random mark till all hours in the morning chasing the double figure cod!!!

oh and if your going to buy gear, Real Sports on Dean road is your best bet IMHO

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

just one thing, you do realise that this fishing lark will take over your life and cause many and argument with the missis and lead you to go and stand on random mark till all hours in the morning chasing the double figure cod!!!

oh and if your going to buy gear, Real Sports on Dean road is your best bet IMHO

lest we forget the sessions where we stand for 5 hours in howling gales, rain etc having spent £15+ on bait and all for nowt...

Like Phil says, partners will complain that they never see you and when they do they'll complain coz all you talk about is fishing or are getting your gear ready for the next time you go out

I would also say that it's very clear that fishing is also a science - wind speeds, wind directions, types of tide, rainfall etc etc

plus then there's knowing where to fish when all the above factors are right...

But...to quote a fellow member "It beats sitting in the house"

 

[Sigsy]

Hehehe

Sounds great to me,

One last question..... (for now)

What size weights do you guys use, what would you reccommend? (pier/beach/rocks)

Got no idea what the casting weights of the rods are, so just gonna have to get the most commonly used weight and see if they're up to the job.

 

[greggthe1]

5 or 6 oz leads for most marks. You will get away with lighter when you are fishing for flatties in very calm seas but as a guide stick with 5 or 6 oz. Plain or grippers (grippers are the 1's with wires in and do as they say...grip the bottom.)