Dreaming of the Spring

[jusw]

Was down at the boatyard on Saturday doing an oil change etc., It got me round to thinking of varying my sailing slightly next season. How many of you guys fish of the back of the boat when sailing along?

I thought it might be an added interest whilst sailing on calm days along the Solent from Chichester.

I assumed I'd just use a line over the stern, but I haven't been fishing for 40 years so am a bit out of touch!

Can anyone suggest what might be needed? Nothing flash, not serious fishing just something to pass the time when there's a lull in the conversation.

Julian

 

[smeaks]

I use a set of feathers attached to a hydrovane (see ebay for loads of examples) on a simple spool handline. kit sinks to a predetermined depth and when a fish strikes the board flips and comes up. easey to manage and if short handed and you have to tack etc unexpectedly there is not a great deal to get in the way.

 

[Cerddinen]

Fishing is unsuccessful at any speed above about 2 knots. Without a hydrovane or similar the lure will simply skid along the surface. With a hydrovane the drag is considerable. I would save fishing for those times when the sails are down and you are doing no more than drifting. I also find it safer and easier to fish off the side than the back. The guardwires and the shrouds give support and it is easier to move round to land or play the fish. I would also recommend catching a couple of mackeral, eating one immediately (you'll be amazed at the difference between truly fresh fish and even an hour old fish), and using the second for bait. Baited muppets (plastic imitation squid) fished from a slowly drifting boat can catch a surprising variety of fish. If you want a rod I suggest a Shakespeare Ugly Stick for 12 lb line. This is a light rod and makes it fun - it is too easy to buy a rigid heavy-duty boat rod that takes all the sport out of the process.

 

[Refueler]

Betterware have a neat little item that is perfect for that lazy fishing of the arse-end of the boat. I used handlines for years but found it hard work when you had more than 2 mackerel on the line.
It's a Golf Cart Umbrella holder. It clamps to a pushpit rail nicely and you can drop your cheap "Tesco" telescopic rod into it. A short lashing with slip knot to make sure you don't lose rod and away you go.

Here you can see it just to right of the ensign attached to top rail :

Have paravane to keep feathers nice and deep. Mackerel are FAST and will attack most lures especially shiny glittery at even reasonable boat speed ... 3 - 4kts etc. It's just a matter of keeping lures deep enough and amongst them.
For solent - you'll find that the Fort just out from Pompey hbr is popular Mackerel location as well as Gilkicker pt. In fact most of the Forts have their fish popualtions. The sand spits extending out from Langstone are good for flatties ..... OOOPs - shouldn't have passed that on !!

If you are right deep in Langstone hbr .... the mud flats to your right as you approach Havant slipway - the water that branches of to the Causeway bridge - turn nto stbd to head toward the causeway .. all that mud to port is excellent flounder with baited spoon ... even in shallow water that only a dinghy can reach.

 

[cjepearson]

I bought a boat in Durban, RSA a few years ago, and bought all the fancy fishing gear. I then sailed three thousand miles, and never caught one single thing. I then dumped the whole lot in disgust, and the next day a flying fish hit the mainsail and flopped into the cockpit. Somebody upstairs was definately trying to tell me something. You may have better luck in the Solent!

 

[theoldplucker]

Used a couple of paravanes of the back for many years with a spinner. Feathers pick up too much weed. Still catch mackerel at 6 knots ! They're quick down here. Also the odd bass, garfish (laughing charlie) and once a salmon peel.