Sea Fishing – Alan Yates’ Monthly Diary

A sand shark from San Yang, Gambia - now is the time to get your name down if you fancy fishing the festival there next year!

September is one of Alan’s favourite months and he is looking forward to ambushing a biggie!

August is one of the worst months in the sea angling calendar so rather than spending all my time chasing fish which aren't around in numbers or are not feeding I've made a trip over to France to do a bit of carp fishing and this leather of 36lb 5oz was one of the fish which made for an excellent trip. It's all change at sea now and it's time to start preparing for the delights of autumn and winter.

September is a favourite month, because it’s the first real sign that autumn and winter are one the way, the evenings get darker, the temperatures drop and these are the things that change the behaviour of the fish and start them on their migrations to spawn, or to warmer water feeding grounds.

This and next month are ‘ambush months’, time to nail a biggie on its way through your region. Big on the hit list are bass and, because they hug the shoreline, they are a major target for shore anglers, even those that can’t cast. In fact lots of proficient anglers who can cast a decent distance fish too far out for bass and on so many occasions over the coming months a novice overrun or plop cast will produce a giant bass.

This is the ideal time to add a ‘snide’ rod to your fishing - a second rod fished closer than you would normally dare; especially after dark or from the deep water piers where a down the wall in the gutter cast can produce a surprise specimen.

Of course most anglers will be after cod and the grapevine has already started buzzing in Kent amongst other regions. The trouble is that rumours get exaggerated and the ‘Chinese Whisper Express’ can cause mayhem particularly amongst beginners. I have a rule, halve the report and it will be nearer the truth!

As an angling correspondent for my local papers, as well as the nationals, I get lots of catch reports and many never live up to the rumours. In the world of match fishing the truth is always there to see and as an example let me tell you about Dover Breakwater.

This is a lovely deep water venue at Dover only reachable by boat. Every day reports suggest catches of cod, bass etc and the venue does produce its fair share of quality fish – BUT it’s only the matches that produce the true weights of the fish, because they are weighed. Those Saturday reports of cod to 6lb on Sunday in the competition weigh 2lb 12oz and are codling – This happens so much that’s why I have my half the rumour rule.

One thing I will say on catch reports is that often the rumour is a moment missed – it’s pointless heading to a hot venue after the catch as happened. Likely you will be fishing the wrong tide or weather conditions. So take a note of the date, tide and conditions that produced the catch and then fish the next time they occur!

Talking about Dover breakwater good news for anglers is that the ‘Concrete boat’ as it is nicknamed by Dover regulars has re opened after being closed all summer because the boating company operating the ferry halted the service. But now Dover Sea Angling Association have purchased a boat and are employing an ex charter skipper to operate it weekly. Currently the boat goes to the wall on Wednesdays and weekends although private parties can be arranged through Dover SAA on 013034 204722 subject to the availability of the operator, etc.

Recently I have been working with Mustad to produce a new range of sea angling hooks and the first patterns are coming on line soon – Look out for them in your Leeda stockist. I have also produced a new range of terminal rigs with TF Gear and these are all placed on winders, ready to use and removable without tangling.

Look out for the Pulley Pennel rig, which is the rig of the moment for bass and cod. It features a Pulley bead and these do not risk damage to the snood line like a swivel and are so much safer to use if you want a lighter hook snood when overhead casting. The Pulley also includes rubber stops as do most of the other rigs and these makes its extension when a fish is on less likely to bump the hook out!

More information on the Gambian Beach Championships 11 to 14 April 2013. The contest in its second year is limited entry so now is the time to get your name down. The event is unique in competition terms because it allows only one hook and is a points for species event. Don’t worry about the lack of fish because of the one hook rule, last year I won a four-hour match during the festival with 18 fish.

Contact organiser Bernard Westgarth for details:
E Mail: bernard@fishthegambia.com
Web www.fishthegambia.com
Tel 01325 720113

Before I go some good advice for those of you after cod and bass over the coming months.

The inshore plague of small whiting has worsened around many regions in recent years and already there are signs that a pin whiting invasion is imminent. They are a pest because they take baits aimed at bigger fish and, on some venues, they are worse than dogfish!

Advice is to fish with a really big bait or fish with a livebait. After dark the small whiting invade the shoreline and the bass do predate on them in many regions so on the calm nights also watch for any of the whiting you return being taken on the surface. A handy rig if this occurs is a short slider loaded with a big hook and a live whiting. Clip it on your main line via an American snap swivel and let it slide down the line – then wait for the splash!