Conger

[willpey]

Hi Guys

As part of my target for 2014 i want to, and hopefully will land a nice conger from the shore.

I've never successfully managed this but did happen to hook one off Sorrento Point a few years ago during the summer but sadly snapped the line trying to land him. I didnt have the right setup that day if im being honest either as i only had a pier rod which couldn't handle the weight and the fixed spool was useless. I plan to go out with my light/medium boat rod and multiplier reel this time round.

Can anybody give me any hints/tips on best way to go about this? Is Sorrento Point even a good area to target them?
I know they love fresh mackeral, who doesn't:) but what trace/hook and time would be best to specifically target these guys?

All help, hints and tips appreciated folks as i've never specifically gone after these fellas from shore.

[SaltOnlyAngler]

I use a 20-30 lb class multiplier, a 30-50lbs class boat rod and 50lbs braid. I normally have a foot of 100lbs wire and a 6/0-10/0 hook with a metre of 50lbs mono( as a leader). I use this fishing from the rocks. You don't need a weight if using a whole mack but of you want to use one attach it to a red zip slider on the leader and make sure you use a weaker line like 10 or 15lbs

[Rob Millard]

Used to catch plenty of strap conger from Sorrento when I was a nipper. HW at around dusk will do the trick. Mackerel head, 6/0 hook and 150lbs mono trace would be my preferred set up. Uptide rod works well in this situation, and try and plan where you're going to land any decent size conger you might catch before you even put a line in the water.

[chris power]

When younger I always fished for conger on my local peir when we were fishing for dogs we used fresh mackerel we got of boats comeing in.we fished with a normal boat rod with a wire trace with I size 10/0 hook we feed the wire trew the head of the fish and push the head down so the hook comes out of the mackerels head.they tend to feed more when there is slack current usually jst at hw or lw or when it is calm night is best but last year my mate got one about 20 pound + in the day time on a calm day. As robb mentions defo make sure u no we're to land. Him and have help at hand u can't give them any chance keep the firght going when they get to the surface they spin like mad and it is usually when you lose them .they tend to be territorial fish so if you no if some one has got a big one at a mark like a peir you have a good chance to get him as well.patiance is key give it time we spent all our summer trying to get them and we lost loads keep at it at and you will get what you want.

[willpey]

Thanks for the tips lads.

Is there a best time of the year to try get conger as its probably a bit cold for them now is it? I'm seriously looking forward to catching and landing one and hopefully it will happen soon enough!

[Rob Millard]

As the water warms & clears your chances will increase, but you'd be in with a shout from next week on I'd say.