Gear required:
- 60lb mono for 99% of all rigs you will tie yourself
- 6/0 – 10/0 hooks for flowing traces. 6/0 for inshore Cod’ing – 10/0 for big Ling baits (and sometime Cod)
- X Large 3 Way Swivels for making the flowing traces
- Hokkais: 3/0 to 6/0
- Daylites: Size 1 to 7/0
- Other shop bought boat rigs – fill yer boots with whatever takes your fancy
- Shads – can be fished in exactly same way as flowing trace
- Pirks – don’t forget you will prob also need large treble and split ring
- Weights – 10/12oz (same for Pirks)
- X Large Snap Link Swivels for quick changing of rigs
- 20lb Class Rod
- 50lb Braid
- Large Multiplier Reel (with lever drag if budget allows)
You can buy cheaper stuff to start off with but if you get into it you’ll sharp want to upgrade – my first boat rod lasted about half a dozen trips before I upgraded
General Boating tips:
Always take a waterproof/windproof layer
Always take something to eat and drink
Always take a hat
Always have suncream in your tackle box
Try and stay off the pop the night before a trip
Always have something to eat before a trip
Always go to the loo before a trip (not just a tinkle either if you get my drift)
Fishing tips:
If bait fishing keep the lead hard on the bottom – this may mean letting line out to do so, I generally leave the reel in free spool and thumb out line as required…only engaging the clutch when a fish takes.
Hokkais/Large Daylites etc can be fished bare but if being plagued by mackerel tip off the hooks with large chunks/strips of bait
Pirks – use a mono “leader” this can be a hokkai/daylite trace or a length of plain mono. If fishing with braid this means that in theory you should just lose the pirk at the mono “weak link”
Don’t be afraid to mix it up – if the fish aren’t taking hokkais try something else…
Slinky Kate tips:
Always carry a camera
Always have a smile on your face
Always enjoy the fishing regardless
