Sinker Tips

1) At low tide, or in places where the tidal flow is not strong, it pays to use a plain sinker. This will allow the bait to roll around in the current, and seek out fish holding areas such as dips and holes. It can also entice sluggish fish to take the bait - they may not be keen to seek out bait, but will not refuse a bait that rolls straight into their path.

2) Grip leads are a must on beaches with a strong current. There is nothing more annoying than an angler who continually lets his lines cross over your carefully anchored bait.

3) On spring tides, holding fast can be difficult, even with 5oz grip leads. In these conditions fixed grip leads (similar to those used for uptiding) are a better proposition. If you find yourself on the beach without enough lead to hold fast, try slipping rig tubing over your grips. This will increase the diameter of the wire and help to hold steady.

4) As mentioned on the forum previously, it can pay to use flattened leads (flattened with a hammer). This is particularly effective in rough ground areas as it is more difficult to get stuck in the rocks/kelp. The flattened sinker will also help to plane the lead upwards over the sea bed.

5) Breakaway leads can also be used in areas of rough ground, as the wires help to stop the sinkers rolling/wedging into crevices.

6) When fishing very rough ground, always try to incorporate some sort of rotten bottom device into your trace. Better to lose the lead than the fish!

7) The wires on breakaway leads can be used to trap pieces of groundbait in. This adds extra scent and can help attract fish towards your hook bait. Not a good idea for long range fishing however, as it will reduce casting distance.

Anyone got any others?

Hardly a new idea, but worth a mention - old spark plugs on a weak link make ideal sinkers on foul ground.

Good points. I must try the rig tubing in Foynes. On point one its also handy to use a small a plain weight as is possible to cover more ground. When flounder fishing in creeks you can walk the bait up the tide flow or on beachs the rig can be let swing around an arc to cover more ground. A light rod should be used which means it can be held for the session and you'll also get the bonus of more fun from small fish. Unfortunately this method will also seek out snags and as said above the rig shouldn't be allowed cross other anglers lines.

Donagh