Well Druid, there can be little doubt bait and location play a huge part in the equation but that doesn't mean to say we can't up the odds by a few more percentage points.

Let's throw in bait presentation and as fish are mostly shoaling species, what's wrong with encouraging the end gear to hook into more than one fish.

The rigs I have been researching are designed primarily to take more than one bait that little extra distance, plus keeping the rig streamlined (no aeroplane effect when casting) by having all snoods clipped down under spring tension.

It sounds complicated and the rigs are not a two minute job to tie. However, from the results overseas there can be little doubt they work. Oddly it also means the angler may have to adjust his (or her) way of thinking also.

Yes we all like to catch large fish but in all honesty how often does that happen? So if we can agree that when we go to the beach the odds of taking a pan sized fish far outweigh the chance of catching a specimen, it is not difficult to think of targeting the most likely candidate.

This is where match fishing tactics can help the average angler. Start thinking of the session's haul rather than an individual fish. Anyway, I am a long way from making my finding's known but I am very much looking forward to when it all comes together.

I believe the expression is watch this space.

Incidentally, I have no idea where the car park is either ... I always park mine near the stone wall.