PLUGGING AGAIN
 

How many times has someone said to you, “I couldn’t go fishing, I’d die of boredom from all that waiting around.”

So often, such comments roll off the tongue of the same people who enjoy sitting and roasting in the sun on a crowded holiday beach.  They just don’t realise what a relaxing pastime they are missing.

Regular readers will know that I am very keen on visiting beautiful places, with a minimum of lightweight gear that will fit into my jacket pockets, to fish the salt water with fly or plug.

Russ Symons, the renowned photographer and writer, who is one of my regular fishing pals, took the photograph, which appears at the top of this article of “yours truly” early on a recent December Sunday morning, plug fishing from a quiet dawn beach, to the west of Dartmouth.

I could wax lyrical about the sky, the water, the quiet calm, the hunt, but I believe this photograph says it all.  Does anyone need further persuasion?

For the past couple of seasons, I've been using a "Normark" 'Gord Brown' two-piece 9 foot fresh water pike baitcasting rod for lures between half an ounce and 2 ounces, which is excellent for general light weight salt water use.  I always give it a rinse in clean water after trips out, to prevent corrosion setting in on the rings.  After serious use, it's still in very good condition, with no signs of wear.

Speaking of really compact tackle, I've just bought myself a new rod, ideal for plugging and spinning.

Shimano have just released a range of multi sectioned spinning rods.  They come in their own zip topped plastic travelling tube, which is covered with fabric.

You can reduce its length from the standard 11 feet to approximately 9½ feet, if you wish, by replacing the first section above the butt, with the shorter plain section that comes in the rod bag.  The five short sections certainly do not in any way appear to compromise the action of this particularly well made rod which is rated to cast between 50 – 100g.

If you are off abroad for some winter sunshine, this is the perfect rod to pack in your suitcase.  It is surprisingly good value at a r.r.p. of £64.99.

There is an alternative lighter model, rated to cast between 10 – 30g, with a maximum length of 9 feet, which can similarly be reduced to about 7½ feet, available for £59.99, though you might have to search to buy either, as the initial stocks have sold like hot cakes and more are presently being manufactured.

Apart from spinning, I reckon either of these rods would also be an ideal tool for mullet fishing.

For more details, and your local stockist, contact Shimano (UK) Ltd on 01386 425826

So what would you use with this rod?

For the past couple of years, Patsy has been very pleased with a Shimano  Stradic 3000 fixed spool reel she bought herself, because it looked so good and felt particularly smooth.

It holds about 120 yards of 10 lb monofilament line on the deeper of the two supplied spools.

You can clearly see from the picture, that it's still looking good and working faultlessly after 2 years of hard use.

The only task required is to give it a good rinse off in fresh water after a day out in the salt.  We usually give it a quick spray with WD40 on the outside surfaces and then wipe it down with a soft cloth.  These simple precautions have completely prevented corrosion.

I've just treated myself to an Ahab 2000 fixed spool reel, made in the U.S.A. by Fin-Nor.

It has 5 ball bearing races.  The precise spool clutch consists of a cork washer sandwiched between stainless steel plates, with an adjusting knob on the front of the spool.

You can remove the spool from the spindle, without affecting the clutch settings.  This quality does carry a hefty price tag, with a r.r.p. of £174, for a reel designed to hold 100 yards of 10 lb mono. I’ve put 120 yards of 10 lb braid on mine, which required the addition of some backing line.

You will see in the photo, that I've had to wrap an elastic band around the spool to prevent the line unravelling during storage.  That's my only criticism, there is no clip on the spool body under which you can trap the end of your line.

This reel is built like a “Rolex” watch, superbly engineered.  You’ve got to handle it to really appreciate it.  I reckon it’s worth every penny.

For details of your nearest stockist, contact the U.K. distributors, Rok-Max at Brixham on 01803 883111.

You can carry a small selection of plugs and lures in your jacket pocket, but be sure to contain them in a secure plastic box, if only to prevent their sharp treble hooks catching in your clothing, or even worse, in your flesh!

There are many types of lure readily available.

The bib under the head controls the depth to which the lure dives when retrieved.  It's simple to tell, generally a large bib indicates a deeper diving lure.

Some have floating bodies, which are useful when you're fishing over rocks and kelp.  If you stop winding for a moment, the plug floats up in the water and lets you retrieve it over obstructions.

Others, such as the Rapala "Sliver" have sinking bodies which have the reverse effect.

A useful variant are floating lures without a bib, which have a blunt concave face.  This causes them to pop when they are retrieved across the surface of the water.  The spurts and splashes attract predatory fish.  They really do work, when conditions are right.  Once you've seen a fish hit a "popper" from below, you will want to fish them every chance you get!

You can buy a good selection of plugs from your local tackle dealer.  For a really wild selection, visit Harris Angling's specialised web site at www.harrisangling.co.uk  Chris & Sue Harris offer advice and a really good postal delivery service -and - they're really nice people.

Don't forget to rinse your lures in fresh water after use and give them a quick spray with WD40 to prevent the hooks corroding.

During the summer months, you can spin and plug from the beaches or while wading in shallow seas, but please be careful.

At other times, a pair of modern chest waders and boots with studded soles make the whole experience far more comfortable.  You can see a good selection at Plymouth based  www.snowbee.co.uk .  They also offer an excellent postal delivery service.

Most importantly, it really does work.

Here's a photo of Russ Symons holding a sea trout, 2 lbs 6 ozs, which I saw him catch back in September.

Don't forget, it will cost you £60 at any Post Office, for a N.R.A. licence to catch migratory game species such as salmon and sea trout and it goes without saying that you should check when fishing for them in rivers and estuaries that you are not in conflict with someone who actually owns the game fishing rights there.

You don't require any licence to catch sea fish such as Bass; Pollack; and Mackerel, all of which will be only too happy to take your plug.

You must keep trying until you learn to use the correct lure that will contact the fish at the depth where they are lurking and entice them into a savage attack.

It is a very enjoyable way to fish and I recommend you give it a try.

You do not need to spend a fortune on equipment, you can buy a basic spinning rod with an inexpensive fixed spool reel for about £35.  One of our regular pals uses a "Ron Thompson" telescopic rod which his son bought, while visiting on holiday, and a similarly specified reel.  I've seen him catch Bass over 5 lbs, right under his feet.