Advice for first day on the beach

[pok17r]

Okay lads need a bit of advice. I've decided I'm going to go to the tackle shop in the morning and get myself a Rod and reel line tripod shocked leader etc. Then may be hit cross strand Belmullet tomorrow evening and fish till dark, which co-insides with high tied about 6:20.
Here is where I hit the problem.
What rig do I use?
What size weight do I use?
It gives a 4.5 m on shore swell.
What bait do I use?
The tackle shop is well-stocked with different baits.
What am I fishing for I know this sounds daft but I have not got a clue.
I was thinking of buying some ready made up rigs and see what they are made of and then get the bits and copy them.
Can you think of anything else I will need.
I don't really care if I catch anything or not. I would like to but I just want to get out and get the first day over, to get an idea what I am doing. Then I will be happy.
Thanks for any help you can give.

[Drew]

If I'm gonna give you one bit of advice for fishing beaches it is... You're casting too far... lol...

Suppose I better elaborate on this a bit, last Summer I took 2 mates beach fishing who had never been before, they had some gear and some idea, but immediately on their first casts they'd aimed for the horizon and missed countless fish feeding at their feet. Try fishing in the suds with size 4/2/or 1 hooks with small strips of Mackeral or worms baits if you can get them, add a small mackeral strip for more attraction if you're using the worms... if you're fishing alone with plenty of room, you'd do well to use a 2-3oz bomb to let your baits roll about a bit to attract flounders...

http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/hoo ... reys/7159/

try copying this rig, it should work well on the beaches...

[thekid]

the fun is in the learning.this site has it all.just scroll through the old posts and it will eventually start to make sense.good luck....

[eoghanb]

Wrap up warmly even if u think it's not that cold after a few hours on a beach it can get cold and miserable,make a flask of tea/coffee ,And have plenty of smokes if u do ,have fun

[pok17r]

Thanks lads, I will let you know how I get on and lets hope jaws is not knocking around

[tiddler1]

Just enjoy it!Cause everyone on this site has started in the same place as you in fishing level,and to this day we are still learning .I for one can still remember my first time fishing

[simplywabs]

Be careful on big swells at night! not sure about the beach condition where you would be going but there would be odd big ones from I got out and fish... it might be dangerous at night if you are not familiar. Life vest would help!

Good luck and tight lines!

[pok17r]

Dont worry, I wont be fishing in the dark, I will keep it simple for now. I am well used to the waves as I kitesurf as well and know to watch for the wave that will try to get you

[roger de dodger]

dont fish in the dark ,its very scarey!

[sparkey+1]

Yea i saw you in Poolbeg Rodger.... very scary!!!!

[polaris]

welcome to beachfishing !!!! how did you get on anyways,did ya get a bite or two,,,i fish that beach now and again,next time your heading ther give me a shout/ pm,,,,,best way in getting started is to keep it simple,nothing fancy then work your way up,,no point in byeing expensive gear then not likeing it,,,,let us no how ya got on,,tightlines,,,,,,

[pok17r]

Well I went out yesterday with all my new fishing tackle and caught nothing but I really enjoyed the day there was only a light breeze and it was lovely sitting beside the sea. It would have been nicer if there had been a few fish about but I suppose that's what fishing is you have your good days and blank days. A Big thanks to Terence for coming down and showing me the basics of sea fishing. We fished a couple of hours into the dark so now I understand the basics about fishing in the dark as well. Very tempted to go and give it another go today it is very like the course fishing I used to do very relaxing.

[pok17r]

I went to another beach tonight and caugth 2 sea trout 1.5 and a good 2.5 may be 3 pound beginners luck Caught them just before dark an hour and half before high tide then the weed came in and lost one to the weed. it was a good few hours. I am hooked now there is no turning back.....

[eoin1981]

i went beech fishing for the first time last sunday had no joy but conditions were not great could hardly cast out with the breeze,
how far should you be casting out?

[pok17r]

I was fishing in the first flat water, you know when the wave falls back down the beach and hits the next one just behind that about 20 to 40 yards not very far