| For me the cost of fly fishing on the local tarns | | | | |
| and lakes in Cumbria was becoming a bit too | | | | For your first trip buy some ready made sea |
| much. I had a young family and fishing was | | | | fishing rigs, you can always use these as |
| starting to be put on the back burner, simply due | | | | templates to make your own if you get the sea |
| to cost. This lead me to look for more cheaper | | | | fishing bug. A good starting rig would be a two |
| options to take part in the sport I love. Only living | | | | hook flapper or a single hooked rig. |
| 2 minutes from the cliffs, beaches and piers of | | | | |
| Whitehaven I decided to give sea fishing a revisit | | | | Your going to need some weights. Gripper type |
| as it is what i had done when just a boy. | | | | lead weights are excellent for sea fishing. There |
| I had a rough idea of equipment needed, i knew it | | | | are various weights such as 5oz and 6oz. Buy a |
| consisted of rod, reel, line and tackle. So with this | | | | couple of each to get you going. Try first with |
| in mind i headed to my local tackle shop for a | | | | the 5oz, if you find your line drifting around to |
| quick browse. | | | | either side of you or making it's way back in |
| I'm always on the look out for a bargain, or | | | | shore then up the weight to 6oz. Namix leads are |
| always trying to do something on the cheap. With | | | | excellent sea fishing leads and cheap too. |
| a idea of what I wanted I started browsing online, | | | | |
| looking at forums and tackle reviews for the | | | | Around your home you will likely have a lot of |
| best.... but cheapest options. I come accross a rod | | | | things that can help you get started. Something |
| and reel combo on eBay for only £64, I can't | | | | to carry all your new gear in such as a rucksack |
| remember the exact model but i remember it | | | | or small toolbox, a knife for cutting bait and |
| was a shakespeare set up of some sort. I bought | | | | something to wipe your hands on such as a old |
| some ready made rigs from my local tackle shop | | | | tea towel. |
| with some frozen mackerel and headed off to | | | | |
| the west pier in Whitehaven, needless to say I | | | | You will need some bait, if you don't want to dig / |
| blanked. Blanked but not put off all together. | | | | collect your own the tackle shop will likely have |
| | | | | frozen worm and fish baits such as mackerel, |
| So your thinking of starting sea fishing? Here's a | | | | sandeel, lug and rag worm. Do your research on |
| head start. | | | | your planned location. The internet is a valuble |
| | | | | source to the modern fishermen especially |
| The gear that is a necesity is of course your rod | | | | forums. Some sea fishing forums have catch |
| and reel. I would strongly suggest going to your | | | | reports with people saying what bait they used to |
| local tackle dealer for help and advice. They may | | | | catch fish with. As a guide you wont go far |
| have facilities to test a new rod out. You should | | | | wrong with some black lug and some mackerel. |
| wherever possible try to haggle a deal out of | | | | |
| them. Try and get some extra's thrown in such | | | | Now your ready to hit the shore don't forget |
| as line. Don't spend too much on your first set up, | | | | about safety during fishing. Take care when |
| you may not enjoy sea fishing. If you do enjoy | | | | casting that their is no one near by to get hurt. |
| sea fishing you can always upgrade later. | | | | Never go to low water alone, fish with a friend or |
| | | | | join a sea fishing club, most areas have a sea |
| As mentioned some line is needed, about 18lb | | | | fishing club ask in the tackle shop. |
| breaking strain is about a happy medium. You'll | | | | |
| also need a length of shockleader. Basically a | | | | Don't forget to take plenty of pictures, the British |
| shock leader is a length of line that is of higher | | | | coast is very sceanic... and you may well catch a |
| breaking strain to take the extra forces during | | | | fish! |
| your cast. See my sea fishing tackle blog for | | | | |
| more info. | | | | Goodluck, and if you need help just ask. |