The depth of water was varying between 70 and 80 metres and most of us were fishing superbraid lines because in this depth of water the use of braid with its ultra thin diameter enables sinkers half the weight of those used with comparable breaking strain nylon monofilament lines to be employed. Which naturally means…

It seems like this year is going to see quite a few changes at the fishery. I will outline some of them below. First, however, I want to ask readers to get involved in a club in their area. In Bristol, our association is pretty strong, but it still could do with more members. All…

Baits though have changed beyond recognition to when I first chucked out a bait intended for an elusive carp. I had little to go on in those days; gleaning information from the few books that were around that gave little away. Let’s not forget that carp fishing was a secretive activity and the writers then…

Whilst you can taste the change in the environment in April, it isn’t until May that the days stretch out and the first week or two of good weather puts in an appearance. The fishing can also be superb, and, with a multitude of species to aim for, it can be easy to become spoilt…

Shelling crabs, carving a squid or maybe preparing a mackerel flapper are tasks which demand a “hands on approach”. Once I even saw an angler who brought a pair of “marigolds” (rubber gloves) with him to use for these jobs. Needless to say the banter was of an incredibly high standard that day!Fishing with Dave…

Fishing for Spring Cod deep in the Western Approaches a couple of weeks ago we were using Calamari squid festooned off some Silverfisken and Diamond jigs. Then, for one reason or another, the fish just turned off. No matter how we worked the jigs, bouncing the bottom, drag and lift, none of the usually deadly…

Trolling is a method much used by inshore artisanal fisherman as the modern parlance likes to call them(Euro speak). In other words full time professional fishermen who use small boats handlining for mackerel, trolling for bass and pollack combined with a bit of potting and sometimes even a bit of netting. I have no argument…

.Both the Greater Weever and the Lesser Weever are capable of inflicting a sharp and painful sting from the spiny rays of the first dorsal fin. What the books often don’t tell you is that there are another set of spikes on the side of the gill plates, which can also inflict a painful sting….

The Bass Bullet responded by sheering and planing in random, three dimensional directions. Its sides reflecting and sparkling holographic light in the effervescence of the sunlit waves. The mackerel hit the lure like an express train, winning a foot or two of line against the drag, wrestling the rod tip toward the water. This is…

Pages of dire warnings about all the nasty things that can happen if you do not take the advised precautions or use the advertised lotions and potions. I am of a generation which did not have the advantage of all these hi-tech sun creams or the knowledge that inspired them. I know of people who…