My 1st fishing rod

[colhel]

This was purchased with my Grandson in mind and a progression from a successful day with a crab bucket.
It's about 4ft long with a reel and some rather nasty looking hooks. We're based in Weymouth and a neighbouring fishing boat has offered us the opportunity to follow them. We've yet to take up the offer but have dangled the rod in the harbour, but didn't catch anything. We used bacon for bait (smoked). It was suggested that I purchased smoked as it was my preference and not necessarily the fish's favourite. But I'm no expert.

 

[sarabande]

Bacon is a No-No, as smoking is an artificial flavour. Buy some squid (preserved or fresh) or ragworm (ditto). The choice of bait depends on the target fish, and the method of catching them, which is why 'feathers' are used for mackerel.

Perhaps a quick chat with your friendly fishing boat will lead to some lessons in baiting up, casting, and landing. If you catch a fish, you must be prepared to use a priest on it, clean it, and to eat it . Catching fish to release them is an unwholesome idea of sport.

 

[KREW2]

I can confirm there are no fish in the Weymouth area.

 

[Martxer]

I got some frozen squid to use as bait. I left it in freezer compartment on the boat, when it was time to go home did all the usual shut down and left the squid in the freezer.
The next time we went to the boat 2 weeks later the smell on the boat was not pleasant and it took a while to get rid of the smell from the fridge.
The only tip I can give you Colin is don’t leave squid in the freezer.

 

[Deleted member 478]

@Martxer
Try wiping the freezer surfaces down with white vinegar

 

[Momac]

Catching fish to release them is an unwholesome idea of sport.

Perhaps so
But big business in the UK

 

[colhel]

Thanks all!
Think I'll need to update once we've had a proper go.

 

[rotrax]

Take your pliers and close the barbs down. I ALWAYS do this with kids around as the hooks are easy to get out if an accident happens.

On a Sport Fishing charter in NZ in March the Mate told me what a pratt I was and that we - First Mate, Grandson and I - would lose fish.

Well, we did not, plus First Mate caught the largest Snapper of the day.

It makes returning under-or oversized- fish easier too as the hooks just slip out with little mouth damage caused to the fish.

Tight Lines.

 

[Martxer]

@Martxer
Try wiping the freezer surfaces down with white vinegar

Took numerous wipe downs with white vinegar bicarb of soda and lemons.
Happy to say we did get rid of the smell eventually.