We all recognize the recent unpredictability of the weather and its significant impact on our fishing locations, targets, and methods. While these decisions can be challenging, they help us focus our efforts. I am uncertain about the situation in the UK this year, but my sea fishing activities have been severely disrupted. The fish are not showing up where and when I expect them. I believe the weather has greatly influenced this. It could also be due to angling pressure, overfishing, changes in migration patterns, or other factors. So, where does this lead us? As anglers, we can either persist in targeting specific catches and risk coming up empty, or adapt our strategies to pursue what's currently biting. If you're like me and simply enjoy the act of catching, then adapting is the way forward. However, there are challenges to face.
First, we must determine what is likely catchable and align our tackle and techniques with what we hope is biting and what might also be caught during a specific session. This will then guide us in deciding which tackle to bring.
Secondly we will need to condense our tackle as much as possible, so we can realistically and comfortably carry the tackle required.
Thirdly, relying on just one skill won't suffice. It's essential to be proficient in various aspects of the sport. This could include float fishing and lure fishing for chub, or HRF and LRF for wrasse. Wrasse and Bass fishing are also examples. Consider your own abilities and reflect on what you should bring.
We all know how difficult it is to streamline our tackle, but if we think about it, we usually carry too much anyway. You may have noticed that I've been both HRF and LRF fishing in recent videos. Lately, it's been challenging to catch ballan wrasse with the HRF gear, but by bringing an LRF/BFS rod, I've been able to keep the bites coming and maintain the fun in fishing. I'm gradually reducing my terminal tackle and lure selection even more. The main issue is storage solutions; finding those little boxes or rig wallets that fit everything perfectly can be tricky. However, there are plenty available; we just need to be creative with our storage. The biggest challenge is being strict with yourself and only taking what you need. Like many of you, I struggle with this.
For now, I will focus this exercise on my HRF and LRF fishing, outlining what I need to bring based on what usually occurs during most of my trips. So, what do I consider essential? My goal is to catch wrasse, bass, and pollock with my HRF gear, and small wrasse, bass, pollock, flounder, and various mini species with my LRF setup. Below is a list I've created for my fishing needs, including essentials for both techniques and those specific to each.
Common to both disciplines:
Small tackle bag
Box for weights 3-15gr Texas weights, FreeRig/Dropshot weights, Splitshot
Net
Hook packet - Containing EWG & Dropshot hooks of various sizes
Metals - large & small
Small soft shell, foam inner plug box - containing 1 x top water large, 1 x top water small, 1 x crank bait small & large
Slimline Maheo tackle box containing various soft plastics & metals plus clips.
Slimline Maheo Slit Foam tackle box containing various sizes of jig heads.
HRF (Hard Rock Fishing ), essentially heavier equipment for bigger fish that inhabit the rocks or surrounding area.
Rod
Reel
Leader
Large clips
LRF (Light Rock Fishing ), essentially fishing for smaller and mini species that inhabit rocks or the surrounding sea.
Rod
Reel
Leader
Isome worms and Aqushirasu lures
Dropshot rig tube
Small clips
Daiwa Rockfish ISO net net with HTO collapsible large net head.
I tend to use this approach primarily in the winter when bites are scarce, but I can recall trips throughout the year where I wished I had brought an LRF setup while HRF fishing, or vice versa. For instance, HRF wrasse fishing can be unproductive in my area in May, but there might be a mackerel run, or it might be more rewarding to target smaller species of wrasse or gobies and enjoy the experience by downsizing. It could simply involve carrying a few bass lures for those moments when you spot diving gulls or a solitary large bass. Perhaps you can't access the prime spot for Ballan wrasse, but you could have enjoyed catching tompot blennies, pout, and corkwing wrasse at the same location until it became available. One addition I haven't mentioned but will include is a squid jig for the months they are inshore. Naturally, you can adjust your gear to accommodate the various seasonal fish migrations and adapt it to various fishing genres.
I hope this has inspired you to consider your own fishing strategies; it's quite feasible without overpacking!
Cheers The Constant Angler