Match Fishing

[Robbie_B]

Hi all
For anyone that match fishes or fished in club competitions, what kind of rigs and how many would you have with you as spare or back up. I'm not to sure what I need to have with me or what way to set up.
Thanks

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Hi Robbie.
For general match fishing (ie targeting all and everything in size), as I said on your other thread, 3 hook clipped and 3 hook flappers in sizes 4 to 2/0
Normal approach is 1 rod 3 hooks fished as efficiently as possible.
Bait up, cast out, bait up a second rig. Have a 3rd set up un baited as a spare.
The time you leave the baited rig in the water is dependent on how quickly the fish are feeding.
Sometimes they are feeding quicker than you can bait up!
Assuming you're watercraft is good, the key to success in matches is speed.
The quicker you can catch, the more success you will have.

My match rig wallet contains 6 of each of the following: 3 hook clipped and flapper in sizes 4 to 2/0
2 hook loop in sizes 2 to 1/0 (only use when the fish are at extreme range)
2 hook up and over wishbone in size 2 (specifically for targeting plaice at a specific venue at a specific time of year)

There are other ways to play the game, but generally the above is the standard approach.

If bigger fish can be specifically targeted, you can edge your bets that way, it's a case of reading the venue on the day.

Eg, will a few thornback rays win or a bag of 100+ whiting?

 

[Robbie_B]

What pound bodie line and snood line would you use? Would you have a selection of different strength snoods?

 

[JLD]

I don't think fishing a match is the place to learn how to fish and, if you already know how to fish why change it just 'cos you're in a match ? I've made that mistake myself and it never worked for me.

 

[Robbie_B]

I don't think fishing a match is the place to learn how to fish and, if you already know how to fish why change it just 'cos you're in a match ? I've made that mistake myself and it never worked for me.

I know how to fish, I just wondered if there was anything different to try to help me improve, everyday is a learning day, especially for me, love to learn something new that can benefit me

 

[Mushty]

What pound bodie line and snood line would you use? Would you have a selection of different strength snoods?

For me the trace body is an extension of the shock leader, so 60lb zippy. Hook length strength is a topic in itself I use 30lb oblivion…may sound a bit over kill for lug baits etc but I find it gives good bait presentation by not flopping around or tangling up and I’ve never had issues catching fish.
For pulley rigs I use 60lb hook lengths.

 

[Shirleycodlin]

What pound bodie line and snood line would you use? Would you have a selection of different strength snoods?

Fishing in close proximity to others, ie in a match, I use 80Lb body and snoods between 20 & 40Lbs to suit conditions.

 

[Robbie_B]

Thanks very much, I had been making up some snoods of 8,10,12 and 15lb amnesia but some interesting pointers there, going to make up some stronger too.

 

[Mr Fish]

Thanks very much, I had been making up some snoods of 8,10,12 and 15lb amnesia but some interesting pointers there, going to make up some stronger too.

Yep the first three are definitely a bit light. As said, stiffer line stands out better and is less likely to tangle.

Also, it will be less prone to abrasion and even sandy bottoms can rough line up quickly with constant retrievals and wave action etc.

Not to mention roughing up from dogfish skin, whiting teeth, even dabs have teeth, so it’s not that it’s not strong enough to land a fish, just that it won’t take the abuse very well.

 

[Angrybear]

When I used to match fish for the RAF I would have probably 6-10 rig wallets ranging from 3 hook size 6 scratching rigs to 6/0 Pennell flowing traces, in other words any rig for any UK fishing, & what I would call old faithful the 2 hook clip-down size 1-1/0 would have versions with no beads, glow beads, yellow beads or black & green beads because sometimes one will out fish the others
Once you see the venue & your draw you will have a good idea of what can be left in the car & what to put in the box, but I will always have spare hooks & line 'just in case'.
Very light snoods can knot & tangle so min 15lb amnesia, except for the real scratching rigs I'd use 10lb Maxima because it's stiffer & less prone to tangle.
As Shirley said timing is important, watch other anglers for how long they leave a bait out, but probably 15mins max, as a starting point, if the rules allow 3 hooks/2 rods a big bait on a single 4/0-6/0 can be left longer while speed fishing a 2 hook clip down.
Also understand the scoring system, are you fishing for length, points per fish, weight, do different species earn different points or just 1fish=1point etc.

 

[Robbie_B]

Thanks for all the help and replies, I really appreciate it.

Would anyone have any pictures of how they set up for a match, how they lay out there gear etc. I'm all over the place everytime I go out

 

[Angrybear]

Just common sense, and reading the rules, much depends on the type of comp & ground, and whether mobile or fixed 'peg'.

Some comp's state you can have 2 rods rigged, any spare rods can usually have a reel fitted but the line cannot be through the rings.
Spare baited rigs (double patting) are usually allowed but there may be a limit of 1 baited rig ready to go, but extra rigs can be hanging with a weight un-baited.
if catch & release some state a bucket of water for fish others that the fish must be registered & released before you can re cast.

The biggest time saver is having bait ready, fish, squid, crab etc in tubs cut up ready for the hook, a few worms in a tub while the bulk of the bait is in a cool box to stay fresh.
Some anglers use coarse fishing bait stations that hold several bait tubs in a frame, but loose food tubs work just as well.

Spare rigs in rig wallets with the contents written on, spare leads in a bag or tub, spare spools of line in a spool bag, (although you shouldn't need to tie anything during a match) a tray on the side of my tackle box will have scissors, baiting needle, disgorger, hook sharpener, bait elastic etc ready to hand, & there will be spares of everything in the box.
I wear a coarse fishing belt towel but will have a spare towel in the box, my cutting board has a sponge on a cord, hold one drop the other in the sea to clean.

If it's mobile you can keep all sorts in the car in different bags/boxes, & just take as little as you need at each mark.