I believe fishing the surf is far more than chuck it and chance it. For a long time I have been researching the methods and rigs used in Europe. Most of our rigs originate from that part of the world, in truth they are many years ahead of us in the Antipodes. I must add Italy has become a surfcasting force to be reckoned with, along with France, Belgium and the UK.
I have spent much time investigating the rigs favoured by the champion match anglers and it soon became obvious their methods are usually far more advanced that ours.
Being retired I had the urge to experiment and learn how to tie these new ideas for rigging multiple baits, the problem being exactly where to start? Well I didn't need to look far, although not everything I wanted was available, Tackle Tactics have a comprehensive range of the requirements to make those advanced rigs.
Thanks Phill (and the team) the parcel arrived today and I am really looking forward to making, then trying these advances in terminal tackle.
One article in particular I couldn't get in NZ was an instrument any European match man would never been found without: a bait needle. There are two variations, each with a specific purpose. Here I was really lucky, a shop owner in the UK read I could not buy these in NZ and he immediately parceled up a couple and sent them to me with his compliments. To show my appreciation this week I made a reasonable donation to the Sallies, these guys and girls are always doing so much good and rarely seek publicity.
To all this there is just one small problem: yes I wish to put this gear to good use but I have to wait at least four months. On Thursday I fly to China for a four month visit and won't be returning until late September. You can be sure I will be passing on the results and instructions should this work out as hoped for.
Once again, cheers Phill, top service as usual, just know it is appreciated.
Re: Tackle Tactics.
Posted by The druid on 8/5/2015, 6:57 pm, in reply to "Tackle Tactics."
From a very amateurish fisherman, I wonder if we are so far behind. I kind of got the impression from the posts on "rigs" that bait and location were the primary success starting points. I have good and bad days, like all of us, but this usually relates to my fish finding, not fish catching. For me, personally, I don't think any advances in rigs mean I will bring more fish home. Besides, I'm sure the Italian fish would have absolutely no idea where the car park is.
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.
Re: Tackle Tactics.
Posted by The druid on 8/5/2015, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Tackle Tactics."
Can't wait for the finale. Have a good trip, will you fish?
Hi Druid, part of my itinerary is to visit Zhanjiang, a large seaside city on a huge estuary. I will certainly be exploring to see how the locals fish and what they catch.
On my last visit I was based in the city of Guangzhou, this is on the Pearl River. I did see a few elderly guys with long rods so I quite naturally went to investigate. The first thing I discovered was on the end of the rod was a very small net, then I had a look at the catch: two small turtles!!! These are a great delicacy so I suppose the angler was very happy.
on 8/5/2015, 6:27 pm