Scratching tips needed.

[dexs7]

Hello lads,

Fishing much more matches this year than I have before, I usually just fish for pleasure.
I am not used to fishing for small fish and mini species and can struggle at times and find myself frustrated when I fail and end up using larger hooks and baiting up for the big fish again which works the odd time but I know I could be catching much more if I was scratching properly. I am not expecting anybody to give away there secret tricks but I would love some info on what rigs, size hooks, bait and casting distance and any other info anyone can give me without giving away there secrets please pm me if you do not want to post. Thanks Lads.

Last edited by dexs7 on Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

size 6 hooks ,three hook cascade with long snoods ,try some hi vis floating beads if bites are slow ,as for distance you only find that out when fishing each match when you find the fish stick to that distance,it will prob change as the tide moves or if it gets dark ,if your after flats keep your rod tip low or maybe use a two up one down rig ,if your constantly getting undesize fish maybe go up to size 2 hooks ,keep an eye on your hookpoints if not needle sharp put on a new rig!fine bait elastic for all your fish baits if a fish cant get it off the hook its gonna get hooked sooner or later .why not fish one big hook and two small ones?if your fishing in kerry you must get the odd decent fish!!!!!!!

size 6 hooks ,three hook cascade with long snoods ,try some hi vis floating beads if bites are slow ,as for distance you only find that out when fishing each match when you find the fish stick to that distance,it will prob change as the tide moves or if it gets dark ,if your after flats keep your rod tip low or maybe use a two up one down rig ,if your constantly getting undesize fish maybe go up to size 2 hooks ,keep an eye on your hookpoints if not needle sharp put on a new rig!fine bait elastic for all your fish baits if a fish cant get it off the hook its gonna get hooked sooner or later .why not fish one big hook and two small ones?if your fishing in kerry you must get the odd decent fish!!!!!!!

Thanks, wow size 6 I never taught id have to go that low, sounds like a plan thanks for the info and the sound advice, bait wise what would you suggest.

if its tralee bay your fishing with the minimum hook size is size 4, i'd say the vast majority of clubs would be the same.

not realy much difference in a 4 and a 6
as for bait now thats a real local thing ,last time i was in kerry i had 20 rag and six frozen razor ,got flounders on the rag as soon as i went to big razor baits i got bass if i was fishing up here i,d be on sandeel sections and mac mostly at this time of the year so it is really a try and see job

your choice of snood line can make a big difference. light lines will work well in calm conditions as the flow of water will move it where a heavier line wont.
some of my scratching rigs are made of (i think 8lb) 0.18mm fluro, some might go lighter. i have a floating bead on 1 or 2 snoods with a stop knot an inch above the hook to give it a little extra movement in the calm conditions. id use a size 4 or 6 hook but you might be restricted to a size 4. some brands are bigger than others tho and a 4 in one brand can be like a 6 in others
if there is a surf the lighter line will tangle so go up a bit in diametre to combat the conditions.
as roger said baits will depend on location but maddies will do the trick in most situations. i also like black wraps of lug as i can cut them as small as i need. a small bit of lug tipped with a few maddies can be a top bait on its day.
i like this line, its pretty cheap as its 100m and it works for me, others will have their own favourite. i usually use long traces and snoods for calm scratchy conditions and use shorter heavier snoods on the rougher surfy conditions.
https://www.tackledirectireland.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_53&products_id=20&zenid=n6r6t7tsur4e54tr68sqgpi9q0
2 spools of it will see you right, maybe 1 in .18 and another in maybe.30 for not so calm days. if the water is coloured or at night then the fluro probably isnt needed so it might not matter as much but in clear/daytime water i think it can up your catch rate.
good luck.