Shore Fishing Past and Present.

[Mr Fish]

No problem taking sizeable fish to a weigh-in, provided the fish get taken home and eaten. Although I fish them, I don’t really agree with anything over 18cm matches, I still feel we should fish to ministry size limits. Only problem there is, in many matches, there wouldn’t be any fish measured. What a terrible state our seas are in.

Tbh I was never a fan of volume matches, however they’re judged but at least C&R gives the fish a bit of a chance.

It’s one thing to take a sizeable edible fish to a weigh in but hounds, eels, huss etc were often not eaten. One or two used to take hounds back in the day, I think the local Chinese had them in return for free takeaways lol, but there was wastage.
I’d never do it now and my club has a picture and release system which is done on trust with a relatively small number of members so no one is going to cheat their mates.
In a much bigger comp I realise that’s difficult unless it’s a fixed venue with some stewarding/witness forms etc.
All our competitions are roving ones.

 

[crablante]

Do you guys have techniques on reducing the chance of deep hooking?

I've been using circle hooks for this reason but it still happens. Fishing on Friday it ended pretty much inside the stomach of a 25cm bass and tiny conger

 

[Cwab]

Do you guys have techniques on reducing the chance of deep hooking?

I've been using circle hooks for this reason but it still happens. Fishing on Friday it ended pretty much inside the stomach of a 25cm bass and tiny conger

Can only add I fish large baits for the cod fish almost exclusively on a Pennel rig with top hook been a 5/0 circle into very rough ground and rebait regular. However still from time to time find rockling hooked in such a way I have to tap them to prevent suffering (remove head).

 

[crablante]

I have to tap them to prevent suffering (remove head).

I spike their brain after hearing about Ikejime

 

[Cwab]

The amazing part been for me with a rockling having to remove head to get hook back

 

[concrete]

Do you guys have techniques on reducing the chance of deep hooking?

I've been using circle hooks for this reason but it still happens. Fishing on Friday it ended pretty much inside the stomach of a 25cm bass and tiny conger

There’s a dilemma.

Do you take home an undersize fish that you know will die if you put it back, risking getting caught with it. Mind you, that’s almost never going to happen.

I use circles much of the time and the only fish I deep hook with them are whiting and rarely rays.

 

[concrete]

Tbh I was never a fan of volume matches, however they’re judged but at least C&R gives the fish a bit of a chance.

It’s one thing to take a sizeable edible fish to a weigh in but hounds, eels, huss etc were often not eaten. One or two used to take hounds back in the day, I think the local Chinese had them in return for free takeaways lol, but there was wastage.
I’d never do it now and my club has a picture and release system which is done on trust with a relatively small number of members so no one is going to cheat their mates.
In a much bigger comp I realise that’s difficult unless it’s a fixed venue with some stewarding/witness forms etc.
All our competitions are roving ones.

I like the idea of biggest fish matches, but as soon as money is involved the cheats appear.

 

[Mr Fish]

I like the idea of biggest fish matches, but as soon as money is involved the cheats appear.

Yes it really only works on small scale trust levels unless there’s some foolproof way to weigh the things.
I know there are some comps now that ask for a video etc

 

[Topwater]

I don't understand the desire to match fish. I compete with the fish and the elements and to some extent myself I suppose. As ever its each to their own.
As far as I'm aware the circle hook was designed to be fished as a single hook with bait presented hanging from the bend, be that through the nose/tail of a live/dead bait or on a hair/bridle/dongle dangle dingle mathingamybober

 

[crablante]

I don't understand the desire to match fish.

Me neither - no offence meant.

Do you take home an undersize fish that you know will die if you put it back, risking getting caught with it. Mind you, that’s almost never going to happen.

I've never been checked in the UK - only in Spain when digging for bait the coast guard may check if they suspect you've taken stuff you're not supposed to, like razor clams, cockles, etc

 

[Angrybear]

The amazing part been for me with a rockling having to remove head to get hook back

Why didn't you just cut the line, return the fish & tie on a new hook ???

That's been std practice in fishing forever, the hook will dissolve in a couple of days

 

[JLD]

I believe the circle hooks were first designed for commercial long line fishing. Easier to bait up and unhook. They are meant to be used with fish/squid baits hooked just once to retain a bit of movement. I don't think they work so well with worm baits. I also find that they work best when snelled but that just might be me.

 

[Angrybear]

I don't understand the desire to match fish. I compete with the fish and the elements and to some extent myself I suppose. As ever its each to their own.

Well In the Military it was classed as a "competitive sport" so we got time off work to compete, a service vehicle (or paid milage), accommodation at the nearest military base, etc, etc, plus lots of smarty points if you made it up to represent your service/combined services/national teams.

Not sure if that's still the case, I stopped fishing matches 2005.

 

[Angrybear]

I believe the circle hooks were first designed for commercial long line fishing.

Correct, they're designed to self hook in the scissors, as the fish turns & swims away, because long lines are unattended with no angler to set the hook.
It's also the reason why you don't "strike" at a bite when using them, just tighten up & the fish should hook itself.

 

[Cwab]

Why didn't you just cut the line, return the fish & tie on a new hook ???

That's been std practice in fishing forever, the hook will dissolve in a couple of days

Very simple I’m afraid and to avoid doubt a question of scale, i kill them as hooks usually protruding through top of head / brain and do not wish them to suffer further ( if indeed they do), fully aware thanks of best practice for last fifty years or so.
My point ( no pun intended) is how this happens considering the scale of things, some dead or close to it hence a humane dispatch, does not happen often but amazing when it does and always rockling.
To be clear removing head simply makes the process easier with a dead or dying fish, simples.
Trust this gives you a better understanding of real time fishing situations with at times bizarre occurrences
Edit, post 23.

 

[Mr Fish]

I don't understand the desire to match fish. I compete with the fish and the elements and to some extent myself I suppose. As ever its each to their own.
As far as I'm aware the circle hook was designed to be fished as a single hook with bait presented hanging from the bend, be that through the nose/tail of a live/dead bait or on a hair/bridle/dongle dangle dingle mathingamybober

Me neither - no offence meant.



I've never been checked in the UK - only in Spain when digging for bait the coast guard may check if they suspect you've taken stuff you're not supposed to, like razor clams, cockles, etc

I only do the small scale local club matches for best specimen because it gives me more motivation to get out and fish a couple of times a month at least.
Certainly it isn’t worth it for the amount you win and I have no interest in fishing the bigger open pegged matches they run on Chesil etc.
With one or two exceptions, on this coast they’ve always been roving matches because of the geography and high tidal range.

I recognise there’s a skill in fishing like a machine to rack up heaviest bags or lengths but it’s never interested me.

 

[Cwab]

personally don’t or ever have fished matches nor any desire to do so as enjoy the solitude of fishing and away from madding crowd and a as wilder place as possible within reason. Do fish with people I like and trust but prefer own company and nothing against match fishing or those that are drawn to it for whatever reasons, each to their own.
Used to fish some jetties and piers on late night tides as most were genuine anglers with plenty in common, but also element of drugged fools and nutters who brought out the worst in me edit, nothing against folks enjoying recreational drugs, their choice but not when casting next to me.