Thinking about my first match

[CoarseanglerSteve]

So the local tackle shop is running a series of evening matches starting this week, labelled as a friendly fun intro into match fishing. £1 a time, winner takes all, on total length.

As a seasoned coarse match angler, but still fairly new to sea fishing, I am tempted to give it a try, so would welcome any advice.

It's off the beach where I fish, so know a bit about species and baits, but admit lately I have been targeting better fish (rays and hounds). Those are still being caught so was thinking of hedging my bets fishing a 2 hook clipped down rig, with a small hook and lug, for anything that swims, and a slightly larger hook with crab (assuming I can get some, if not maybe bluey/squid), hoping for a bigger fish. Is that viable or would the larger bait cause tangles on a 2 hook rig? Have fished a pulley rig with a single hook when targeting the better fish so far. Know I probably won't compete on small fish alone.

One rod/2 hooks is the rule. Fishing late evening, 1.5 hours either side of HW.

Do people take buckets to keep fish and take them to their neighbour for measuring? Was thinking of having 2 rods set up just in case, with a spare rig baited up ready for the rod in use. Could set the second up solely for better fish should they show.

Would welcome thoughts from all you experts!!

 

[Tatunka joe]

Not sure of your beaches but from your reports I’d say your best bet will to target hounds reason being there likely to be the longest fish to target unless you get decent Congar up your way I’d build some 2 hook loop rigs resin being great for distance and you can have a long trace 30 inch snoods ideal I’d orso invest in the best bait possible for hounds down here nothing beats peeler apart from fresh hermit but rag and squid is orso good then I’d just fish hard change if baits every 20 mins have a pre baited trace on your spare rod so your ready to go oh and can’t go wrong with chinos for hounds but orso Varivas bmx are good orso in size 1/0 or 2/0 remember hounds will find the smallest of baits so don’t Chuck huge crabs on better to half them for better hook up rate

 

[Mr Fish]

Hard to say without knowing your area Steve. The top local matchmen might work on building bigger bags/length of multiple smaller fish quickly but then if it’s just a fun low key thing, they probably won’t be there, possibly just local club anglers?

As Tat says, hounds is probably the best chance for length.

In terms of how the fish are measured and the format, you’d have to ask the shop I guess, though what you’ve said is probably something like it.
I would hope it’s something with fish welfare in mind, so either match stewards or as you say, just scoot over to the neighbour and get it done quickly.

 

[Thrasher]

Give it a bash you maybe learn quite a bit?

 

[cap'nhaddock]

Fish for the fish that will be in front of you rather than the fish you hope will be there.

There are many more small fish, both species and fish numbers, than big fish.

You'd be happy to pull in a 30lb carp on a size 18 hook, sea fish are no heavier, there isn't a special heavier lb for sea fish.
I know match anglers who use size 10 as a matter of course, someone might catch a big smoothie but chances are that they won't, it could be caught on a small bait on a small hook. I'd use a strong size 4.
There are probably rules against having a second rod ready to go, you'd best check.

The 'better' fish is the one that gets you points.

 

[bananas]

Why not have two 2 hook rigs to use, one with smaller hooks and one with bigger hooks, or a mix of the two hook sizes, that way while your baiting up one you have the other trace in the water, double patting we used to call it.
If you get Dogfish up there, aim at them, as a few of them ups the total length you need.

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Speed is of the essence in most matches.
Spare rigs baited and ready to go.
5 to 10 minutes between bait changes, less if the fish are instantly on the bait.

You can win by taking a big fish only approach but not often.
If someone is pulling in 2 dogfish every few minutes you are going to need a lot of hound's to beat them.

 

[ouchthathurt]

If it’s just a social type match mate, then just go and enjoy it! If someone is hauling, copy them! I’d probably go for the general approach and just get as many fish on the score sheet as possible, and treat it as a fun day out with the possibility of meeting like minded anglers you can chat with, learn from and maybe arrange the odd trip out with. I’m not a natural match angler though!

 

[Valleyboy]

I'd be looking at dogs and hounds especially as you are allowed only two hooks ad not 3. Same rig as Tat suggests, a loop rig. One short shank wide gape 1/0 or 2/o hook for crab baits and a strong 1/0 aberdeen for sandeel or other fishbait. Some one who fishes the area a lot coud peobably ad\/ise you better though on what to ttarget. Coming from a coarse match fishing background e\/erything else should be second nature to you, preparation, tidines, speed etc. A change of baits as well in case you want to switch to the small stuff. Maddies or whites can be decisi\/e

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

So went for it last night. Was a bit hesitant as it was fishing 10-1 am (i have only fished into the dark on a couple occasions) and I couldn't get any crab. It has also been quite weedy along the stretch these past few days.

Anyway, armed with some lug, rag , squid and bluey I decided to give it a go, although reverted back to a FS on my conti rod as I have yet to use my multipliers in the dark. Was glad I did as I didn't realise how close the pegs were (the Cleveleys stretch of the promenade is permanently pegged with little fish shaped markers/numbers). Just hoped I could cast straight and avoid crossing my neighbours lines, especially as I was next to Hazel, the owner of Hookers Baits .

Everyone was really friendly and helpful so was looking forward to starting, and just hoped I wouldn't blank!

It was a slow start but as the light started to fade I saw the first fish caught, a few pegs away. I was fishing a 2 hook rig with worm on a size 2 and a squid and bluey or squid and black on a slightly larger hook in case any bigger fish were around.

After 30 minutes it was clear it was going to be hard, with only a couple fish caught. One guy had a nice sole but bites were few and far between. At about 10:45 I had a good knock but nothing materialised. The next cast brought a better bite, a little rattle which proved to be a tope pup. I added another about 30 minutes later but that was it for me.

The guy who had the sole also had a decent smoothound so was clearly going to be the winner (based on total length).

At the all out there were only 2 who caught anything of note, with another guy getting a ray. However, when the results were announced I was surprised that I had managed 3rd, beating a few others who also had one or two small tope! Was quite pleased as this was my first attempt and it was clearly a tough evening.

I enjoyed it, but am not totally convinced if it is for me. I liked the company and chat, but I do like the seclusion of fishing on my own, and being so close to other anglers was a bit off putting. I also think I prefer to try to target better fish rather than the catch anything approach which i suspect is needed in many matches. Will probably give it a go again as this is a series of friendly Friday night matches where entry is only a pound and winner takes all.

 

[wingnut55]

Good for you for giving it a go, match/comp fishing is not for everyone. Like you i have always been a solo angler. But at least you now know what it's like. So well done you.

Ian.

 

[Mr Fish]

So went for it last night. Was a bit hesitant as it was fishing 10-1 am (i have only fished into the dark on a couple occasions) and I couldn't get any crab. It has also been quite weedy along the stretch these past few days.

Anyway, armed with some lug, rag , squid and bluey I decided to give it a go, although reverted back to a FS on my conti rod as I have yet to use my multipliers in the dark. Was glad I did as I didn't realise how close the pegs were (the Cleveleys stretch of the promenade is permanently pegged with little fish shaped markers/numbers). Just hoped I could cast straight and avoid crossing my neighbours lines, especially as I was next to Hazel, the owner of Hookers Baits .

Everyone was really friendly and helpful so was looking forward to starting, and just hoped I wouldn't blank!

It was a slow start but as the light started to fade I saw the first fish caught, a few pegs away. I was fishing a 2 hook rig with worm on a size 2 and a squid and bluey or squid and black on a slightly larger hook in case any bigger fish were around.

After 30 minutes it was clear it was going to be hard, with only a couple fish caught. One guy had a nice sole but bites were few and far between. At about 10:45 I had a good knock but nothing materialised. The next cast brought a better bite, a little rattle which proved to be a tope pup. I added another about 30 minutes later but that was it for me.

The guy who had the sole also had a decent smoothound so was clearly going to be the winner (based on total length).

At the all out there were only 2 who caught anything of note, with another guy getting a ray. However, when the results were announced I was surprised that I had managed 3rd, beating a few others who also had one or two small tope! Was quite pleased as this was my first attempt and it was clearly a tough evening.

I enjoyed it, but am not totally convinced if it is for me. I liked the company and chat, but I do like the seclusion of fishing on my own, and being so close to other anglers was a bit off putting. I also think I prefer to try to target better fish rather than the catch anything approach which i suspect is needed in many matches. Will probably give it a go again as this is a series of friendly Friday night matches where entry is only a pound and winner takes all.

Good effort anyway Steve. Must admit I don’t think I could get to like the pegged version of matches either.
Most of those we have down here are ‘rovers’ and best specimen, with a very large designated stretch of coast as the fishing boundaries.
The downside to that is some are still catch and kill but increasingly events are going down the verify with a photo/video and release route.

Sad to say in years past I did compete in events where you had to retain the fish, but these days I won’t do that.
I really only fish club matches these days and they are catch and release.

 

[ouchthathurt]

Well done on getting 3rd mate and giving it a go, it’s all about enjoyment at the end of the day, some people like match fishing, some like fishing alone. It’s all what works for you, but if you don’t try you’ll never know!

 

[Tatunka joe]

3 rds a good result on your first attempt well done bud ?

 

[JLD]

Well done on third.

Like some others pegged matches are not to my taste. Not knocking you at all, each to their own and all that and I'm sure you, coming from a course background, take care of the fish you do catch. Got put off completely myself when fishing one years ago and the bloke next to me explained how he didn't want to waste time unhooking under sized fish carefully so he just ripped the hooks out. Don't know why he wasn't double patting. Later when I was walking back I saw that the shoreline was strewn with dead, mostly undersized fish, mostly little flounder and turbot. Carnage and it made me feel bad so never again.

 

[Trampster]

Competition or match sea angling is not for me either, but good on you Steve for giving it a go. Everyone to their own and well done - 3rd place on your first attempt is a good result! ??

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

I hear what you guys are saying, and agree with a lot of what has been said. I don't think fish care was as good as it could be, and yes, JLD, being a coarse angler I am very mindful of doing everything I can to return fish without undue stress. I went armed with a bucket to put fish in to take to be witnessed, but there was none of that going on. That said there wasn't much caught and I saw no signs of mistreating small fish - there were no size limits anyway.

I am very used to pegged matches, and the pressures, but there were some differences being in the sea (and in the dark!). I will try again I think, but am getting to like the challenge of trying to catch decent specimens hence my current desire to target hounds and rays .

 

[Had1]

well done on the first match ...making me think of doing one !

 

[Tatunka joe]

I only fish match’s so I can be happy to catch dogfish ?

 

[Valleyboy]

Can't moan at 3rd for a first attempt. The dynamics of matches there will change greatly by autumn once the whiting shoals amongst others arri\/e and the water colours up. Lots more bites and fish with the harder working and more organised anglers normally doing better