Fishing

[Roberto]

Hello all,

so I have this wonderful trolling reel, I reckon similar to those used by Hemingway 50 years ago and would like to use it.

I went through some books and net sites, but only found that I should have at least six rods, fifteen different lures, hooks ranging from 1 to 20cm, nylon dacron monel lines, etc etc and worst of all I should sail at no more than 2knots.

What should I do if I wanted to, say, sail at average 5/6kt, from daily sails 10-15nm from shore to one two day crossings (med, channel etc), basically putting the rod aft and forgetting about it until some desperate creature with suicidal tendencies hopefully strikes ?


Which _one_ kind of line, hook, rod, lure would you use ?

thanks

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[ChrisE]

Roberto,

How long have you got?

Like sailing, fishing is full of advocates for this that and the other but I'll give you my WAG.

If I was in a warm sea like the Med or the tropics generally then I'd troll something on the surface to imitate a flying fish and expect to catch tuna, dorado (also known as dolphin, mahi mahi, etc) and the occasional sailfish. I usually use a muppet (a plastic squid like thing) and a teaser (something like half a beer can or a CD) to kick up some spray. I'd expect to catch fish where oceanic depths rise to around 50-100m and near bits of flotsam in open ocean.

If I was in colder water, say North of Cape Finnestare then I'd expect mackeral, garfish and with real luck a bass. I'd then use something imitating a sandeel (a toby, a redgill or any long thin plug). I'd expect to catch fish around headlands, rips and over reefs, etc.

As for rod, reel and line, I'd use your Hemingway special with at least 200m of 40-50lb test for the first option and something a bit lighter for the second.

Best of luck

Chris

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[Roberto]

thank you Chris,

I imagined there would be as many different answers as anglers... the reel is a penn 9/0, how long should the rod be I thought 1.5/1.6m better as a longer one would not be practical in the boat ?

so I take 200m 50lbs line then I attach a rubber squid or a longish fish with one small strip of metal foil and let it all float and splash behind the boat ?

thanks

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[RelaxedatSea]

I've only had expericence with fishing in the med and atlantic, and find that a sqid on a large hook seems to work with Tuna. Rods just get in the way when not in use.... attach the reel directly to the push-pit, and ignore it while you sail as fast as you can (bigger fish prefer faster bait). If you've got two reels use them both together, as you often catch two at a time.

Killing the blighters is a much more interestig topic - someone once said that a half bottle of alchohol in the gill would do the business - but it doesn't. Winch handles are supposed to work - but they just annoy the drunk fish! - A knife works, but can get messy - Does anyone have a better way?

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[Roberto]

thank you Andy

with the reel on the pushpit, isn t it too messy if the animal begins going right left up and eventually under the boat ? or is the speed enough to keep it well behind the stern until hopefully onboard?

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[ParaHandy]

the fishing bit is relatively simple ... stick a heavy enough weight to sink it at 5kn.

the vessel, the captain and crew is a different matter ...

a minimum of cooperation from the above is, in my experience, essential. breathalysing the skipper would be wise as steering a straightish course is essential and, although unreasonable to expect the skipper to be a gnarled old salt in oilies, be suspicious of one who is attired in only his grundies. when giving directions as to where you think the better fishing grounds are do not be persuaded to follow a different course as you will find that the skipper has an ulterior motive which generally involves his stomach (cf breathalyser above) ... to avoid years of mickey-taking from the useless skipper & crew if, as does happen even to the best, your luck is out detour via fishmonger beforehand and be ready to produce a silver darling as appropriate ...

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[claymore]

Priceless advice and not a little biased, no doubt in some vain attempt to gloss over your personal lack of success which led to the introduction of the cauliflower as the staple survival ration.
Delia Smith recommends the cauliflower as the ideal companion to fresh caught mackerel and so I'd done my bit there - if only you hadn't let me down so badly through your inability. Readers might be interested to peruse your theories regarding stunning fish with all those weights that you ended up chucking at them - and please can we not endure another round of "The boat needs to be going at 2 knots, make that 4 OK then - up it to 6"
I think we need to come out of denial here Para, ma wee teuchter.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[ParaHandy]

this, you see Roberto, is typical of what you have to put up with whilst harvesting the silver delights of the deep.

i ask you, what fish is likely to be attracted by a sodden lump of brassica hurtling through the vertiginous abyss of the deep?

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[Roberto]

*what fish is likely to be attracted by a sodden lump of brassica hurtling through the vertiginous abyss of the deep?*

one of those vegetarian fish with horrendous looking jaws, enormous eyes and possibly 2centimeters long at all ?



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[AndrewB]

Crab line.

Costs all of £2, I've caught mackerel, bass, whiting, sole etc on it. When I've used a rod as well its never done better, though its a little easier to 'strike'.


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[ChrisE]

Relaxed,

Regarding reels on pushpits they certainly work but if Roberto is going for the full Hemingway experience then a rod in a holder adds some excitement.

Alcohol definitey does kill the fish. I use it for anything bigger than a mackeral. You need to hold the fish upside down and pour about a standard measure (25 ml)onto the gills. The fish moves onto its aquatic maker within 10-15 secs as the alcohol goes straight into the bloodstream and stops its heart (I'll probably end up going that way as well).

Chris

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[ChrisE]

Roberto,
The rods are OK, in tructh anything that bends a bit is sufficient. Regarding how to troll the bait, you've got the basics.

In terms of speed, I agree with Claymore how fast you go is up to the wind or your motor, I'll just say that I have caught fish at speeds over 3 and upto 25 (25knots not on my Rival but a gamefishing boat)

I will say, though, that I've been fishing for the best part of half a century and in common with other sailors that have been fishing a while we seem to catch when sailors who just trying it out don't.

Chris

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[Roberto]

Re: Crab line.

I used crab lines but with my total lack of luck I never caught anything, oh yes a plastic bag once !

So desperate (well..) I am trying to find if there is more luck in a rod and reel.

who suggested fishing with a horseshoe ? -.<)

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[Roberto]

I'll go for a cheap 5/6ft fibreglass rod then, promise myself to upgrade to some top premium carbon stick after the first marlin

thanks Chris

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[claymore]

Ye pair o' daft eejits - ra cauli wiz supposed tae be companion fer ra fush oan ra plate

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[AndrewB]

Better kit or better knowledge?

Success in fishing off a boat is more about knowledge than kit - that and a reasonable helping of luck. Where fish are likely to be, the signs that they are around, when and what they'll be feeding on, what their prey is and how it behaves, how they take prey. A good angler is a fish psychologist.

I'd rate spending your money on a couple of trips out with good sports anglers to pick up local advice, rather than on a new rod and reel. Bottom tackle is more important as well, and luckily much cheaper.

 

[Roberto]

Re: Better kit or better knowledge?

agree, far from me spending much in these things, atl east now as a complete novice, but the reel was a gift and I found rods for around 20£, so why not...

I think I ll add a couple of crab lines anyway, to enhance the comeoncomeonfish effect!

thanks Andrew

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[RelaxedatSea]

In respect of attaching the reel to the pushpit. I've never had any problems with the fish going under the boat, and entangling the line. However this is always a possibility. I don't believe that using a rod would be much of an advantage.
In terms of "show", I can see an advantage of the rod. Once the fish has bitten, and the line goes screaming off, then I've always hove to, to reel the fish in.

Now eating the fish... If I got a tuna, then straight down to the galley, and chop it up, serve fresh, with a little ginger and soya sauce - make sure you slice it thinly. Curried fish can be a treat for long distant trips too.


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[EME]

Ignore them ..

Firstly, if you have Penn 9/0 of Hemingway era ( or 30 yrs after) , I will exchange it for a brand new pice of kit from Decathlon. Do NOT use it without proper overhaul ... it is magic.

Best speed to catch all fish is allegedy 5-7 knots . Get yourself a 20-50 lb rated rod stuff it with heavy braid , smallish lure just skipping the surface (30ish metres behind boat) and sail on. The 50-100m contour lines work well in most (warm) parts of the world with exception of the Med !!

Trick is to aim for birds skimming over water ( do we Really pay for professional skippers?).. Catching is very much a matter of luck.
\
P.S. Mounting reel without rod will not work.. rod takes care of the impacts from fish ..

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[penfold]

Nah,
Abandon this anachronistic line fishing mullarky and buy yourself a catamaran with a HUGE cockpit; then go fishing in the med, or somewhere else warm, and sip G&T while you wait for the flying fish to land at your feet (works best when broad reaching in F4+). Flip the things into the frying pan for instant scran!

Better still rescue rhib-bourne anglers wot have run out of fuel, who then give you 20kg of grumpy looking Grouper fish. Mmmmm, Grouper steak and chips! Took four of us three days to eat it, and a bloody hacksaw to cut it up!

cheers,
david

<hr width=100% size=1>Why'd he call me shortie?
Because you're small,...small,...S, M, all.