Rocky ledges are also good Jon directed us to Bembridge Ledge, which we drifted slowly over, catching a number of different species, from small pollack to pouting. The vertical walls and shadows of a fort give fish a good place to feed and hide. We headed out to No Man’s Land fort in the eastern Solent, and caught three mackerel. Man-made forts are particularly good areas, especially in a fast-flowing current. Sometimes areas of deep-lying, rocky ground – good places to fish – are dotted with crab pot markers. Unfortunately these do also pose a threat to sailing craft, and often the worst time to be dealing with a line-full of mackerel is when you’re sailing through overfalls. These places can often also be identified by surface indications: swirls, overfalls and eddies generally denote depth changes. Seabed features like sandbanks, rocks, ledges and wrecks tend to hold fish, and you can identify these from your chart, making sure that there’s enough depth for your boat. Your best bet for a good spot is to talk to a local expert – a tackle shop or fisherman – who should have some local knowledge. Ledges and seabed features (this is Bembridge Ledge off the Isle of Wight) are good places to look for fish But there’s nothing to stop you pausing en route to your destination at a likely looking spot or sandbank to stock up on your supper, so we’ve included some tips on fishing at a slow drift, too. This article focuses on catching bass and mackerel – two of the most common and tasty fish to be found UK waters – while under sail as opposed to sailing purposely to fish. ‘I’d say 80% of success in fishing is down to preparing the kit and 10% is down to skill.’ They’re creatures of habit,’ Jon explained. ![]() ‘All you need to do is think like a fish. ![]() Jon owns Hamble Danglers, a fishing tackle shop in Warsash, near Southampton, and has been fishing since he was a boy.Īs we motored out towards the east Solent, I wondered if he had any obvious tips for beginners. I spent a day afloat with Jon Holgate, a competitive angler who has fished for England at international level, to learn the basics of fishing under sail. Hooking and eating your own catch at sea is healthy, immensely satisfying and free, but without some basic knowledge, is likely to remain a rare treat. Considering how much time I’ve spent afloat, the ratio of fish sizzling in the pan to those still swimming in the sea has remained frustratingly low.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |