Catch More fish

A recent post touched on whether you needed to catch to have a good day on the beach. I would say yes as I defiantly have that unfulfilled feeling after a blank. I do enjoy just being away from it all on the beach hence I do seem to spend as much time on the beach collecting bait as fishing although this is often hard work the exercise cant do any harm and its all part of the game.
Blanks are unavoidable for matchman because we sometimes have to fish the wrong places at the wrong time but here’s my top 6 hints on how to catch more fish (including more cod)
1. Fish in the tide- its rare in my experience for the fishing to be worth while over slack water if there are any fish still feeding they also tend to be hard to hook at this time. The high water run or the ebb are the times to fish if it’s a particularly fierce tide then as the tide eases is likely to be the most productive time. You may have gathered from previous posts that I don’t go in for marathon sessions mainly because I don’t see any point lingering on the beach during slack water periods.
2. Use the right bait for the venue- I always try to use the bait the fish are expecting to find at a chosen venue. For example you are much more likely to catch a winter cod on the rocky ground at Ramsgate on peeler crab than on worm conversely peeler crab is a waste of time at Dungeness where most fish prefer the local Black lug.
3. Ring the changes- part of the skill in matchfishing is to search your peg to find the most productive area. If you are fishing an unfamiliar venue try different distances each cast don’t just fish at maximum range, I have caught and seen caught many worthwhile fish very close to the shore in perhaps in just a few feet of water. If nothing is happening change terminal tackle its easy to get carried away on the terminal tackle front but a switch from short to long snood or visa versa or to a thinner diameter hook snood can sometimes make a big difference in some circumstances. Try different bait cocktails perhaps try smaller baits or even bigger ones.
4. Pick the right venue and time- Perhaps the most important tip especially in August. Daylight fishing in shallow gin clear water is likely to be fruitless unless targeting mackerel or garfish. If the waters clear fish at night or move to somewhere with colored water. When the waters clears at Hythe its often dirty at Deal and visa versa. If you can fish a beach or venue that has been battered by a storm as soon as the wind abates you are likely to see more fish this is particularly true with cod who move inshore for a free feast on the dislodged worms crabs etc.
5. Best bait- its not unusual for a matchman to turn up to a competition with 6 or 8 different baits which is clearly over the top for the specimen hunter of someone just out for a good day on the beach. What I would say is get the best bait you can and look after it. Do not leave it too long between casts baits do wash out even if they may look ok do not recast with the same bait unless you really have too. Refrozen frozen bait is rarely any good.
6. Keep an eye on what going on- is your neighbour catching and you are not what’s he doing different. Are the hooks coming back bare if so you should be winding in more regularly- I have been known to get down to 6 minute casts on occasions when crab activity is manic. Any Gulls working nearby are the fish showing a preference for one particular bait?

I am afraid I have no secret potions or magic methods to disclose – nothing I have said is rocket science and is likely to know by most. Good luck to all on the beaches this winter lets hope it’s a good one with favorable conditions most weekends and plenty of fish.
Dave