Terry,
Look back, I never said fishing was a waste of time, just that this was a waste of a fish.
Alan,
No I do not always fish sandy beaches and yes I have lost traces.
As we all know they corrode very quickly and I have heard many stories and seen a couple of cases of anglers catching fish with hooks and line attached.
I have fished piers yes, but never had anything large from them. If I did I would probably walk it to the steps and try and retrieve it from there.
I never said I have not lost a fish in the kelp. Yes there is a chance of losing fish in kelp but that is a risk I am prepared to take. The fish still has a chance of surviving.
Yes alan your right I have never had a big fish from the shore, always small ones, biggest i think has been 5lb but I can live with it. I do not put anywhwere near as much time and effort into it that probably everyone else on this site does. So much so that I've never been yet this season.
I have never fished cliffs but personally would have thought it to be to much of a risk if you know there's always a good chance of losing it in the boulders.
As you say it is my opinion.