Hake tactics.

[Ric0shay]

Im headinf out in the boat tomorrow and I just heard from a reliable source that there are some hake about.Iv never fished from them before.What rigs/methods would you recommend to increase my chances ?

[The Austrian]

a beam trawler no seriously, hake are a deep sea species living in shoals and anyone you catch is just a freak accident. You have to fish in depths of 500 feet or more to stand a chance and even then you need a heavy duty wrecking rod and reel spooled with fairly high breaking strain line, tested to at least 25 lbs to even get amongst them with heavy duty leads. Bodybuilding might be easier Anyway, if you really want to have a go, bait your hooks with smallish bits of bait, such as squid, crab, lug, mackerel or even live shrimp (if you can find them). Keep the bait on the bottom as much as you can. If you are not getting bites, try jerking the rod and shifting the bait around on the bottom, to simulate fish movements. Tight lines and all the best of luck, you need it
there is a rig for hake: http://www.psfishing.com/hake-fishing-rig-system.html

[CEng]

I've had Hake a few years ago on the Ling Rocks in Cork. We had 3 in total using Mackeral baited hokkai's fished about 5 to 10 feet off the botoom in an overall depth of 150 feet. Fantastic eating.

[Holeopen]

Pistola bank south of Toe head very good for Hake in late spring. Keep trying different depths on the bank and stick with that depth when you get a couple. Anywhere south of the 51 degree line is good in spring and summer.

[Ric0shay]

cheers lads,no sign of the hake.There wasn't much of anything but whiting to be honest but they all a good size 2lbs+

[JOHN1]

Give me 2lb whiting anyday

[Ric0shay]

I know,they became a bit of a pest,they seemed to be everywhere. Ill throw up a picture later..