Catch Fish with
Mike Ladle

Information Page

SEA FISHING

For anyone unfamiliar with the site always check the FRESHWATER, SALTWATER and TACK-TICS pages. The Saltwater page now extends back as a record of over several years of (mostly) sea fishing and may be a useful guide as to when to fish. The Freshwater stuff is also up to date now. I keep adding to both. These pages are effectively my diary and the latest will usually be about fishing in the previous day or two. As you see I also add the odd piece from my friends and correspondents if I've not been doing much. The Tactics pages which are chiefly 'how I do it' plus a bit of science are also updated regularly and (I think) worth a read (the earlier ones are mostly tackle and 'how to do it' stuff).

Another nice snook for Richard.

Most of my recent catches have been carp, consequently the sea angling information has been thin on the ground. However, my son Richard in Brazil is still catching the odd good sea fish so here's his latest message:-

Hi Dad,

I'm working in a cafe today (long story!), so the internet connection is crappy.

As regards my snook: I arrived at the beach in the dark (about 04:50) and had to wade across the river up to my thighs (thank god I live in the tropics!). I fished with the "B[lumi]-minnow" for 20 minutes with waves crashing around my legs. As the tide fell the waves became a bit smaller, though when I switched to a slandra it was spending too much time being tossed about in the foam. I thought the snook might be a little deeper because of the big surf, so I rigged up the lead-headed black minnow. My strategy was to fan casts from right to left, putting the lure about 10 meters beyond any rocks and letting it sink to the sandy bottom before starting my retrieve. I can't normally do this, but there wasn't much weed although the water was a bit coloured.

The snook hit about 15 m out just as the lure slipped over one of the submerged rocks. At first I thought it was a look-down, because it wasn't taking any line. However, once it got close enough for me to get a good view it surged away against the tight clutch and I had to dance down the slippery rocks with the rod held high above my head to stop the braid from touching the first line of rocks. After that it was heart in mouth time as I totally lost contact with the fish when the waves first washed it into a side gully. Just as I tightened another wave washed it out of the gully and deposited it conveniently by my feet... I picked it up, unhooked it and fished on for 10 more minutes with no more bites.

The mullet in its stomach must have been at least 12 inches. I have a horrible feeling that the really big snook (30lb+) won't even bother with my little lures - maybe no coincidence that our biggest ever snook was the one you had on your monstrous Slug-Go? If the conditions improve I will try next week with a big wobbled deadbait.

Cheers

Rich

Not bad eh? Wish I'd been there with him.

Spinning gear, braid and Black Minnow produced a 10lb snook from the rocks.

The snook ready to be filleted, and inset the remains of a 30cm mullet that was in its stomach.

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If you have any comments or questions about fish, methods, tactics or 'what have you!' get in touch with me by sending an E-MAIL to - docladle@hotmail.com