wrasse fishing conditions

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#1 Post by **Davy Murdoch** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:48 am

i`m just wondering what is everyones favourite wrasse fishing conditions,time of day,type of venue etc.i`m just trying to build up a picture of how conditions vary around the country.

mine would have to be a cloudy but warm day with a small chop on the sea.somewhere that you can dangle a bait down a rock face or into a hole or gulley(augrusbeg is one of the best examples of wrasse dangling i`ve seen)would usually prefere a good depth(25-30 foot or more) of water but i dont think its totally necessary cos i have a few marks where the water would only be around 8-10 foot deep at low water but have plenty of cover for the wrasse to hide.i`ve found the shallower marks are best fished first or last light as they seem more confident moving about in low light conditions and the deeper places seem to fish anytime.

#2 Post by **col** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:39 am

I would fell pretty much the same, Iv'e found where I fish the ebb is usually better and the water doesn't need to be that deep either. :)

I would never fish for them if the water was dirty coloured and generally Iv'e found the nicer the day the better the fishing, a bit of cloud cover can help.But, in saying that there are some marks that I wouldn't fish in anything but perfect weather because of the danger so I don't know if the wrasse feed more when its slightly rougher :?

col

#3 Post by **pete** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:40 am

Prefer the weather to be bit settled..allows me to drop baits directly underneath my feet where most of the wrasse were hanging out. On the deeper marks the wrasse seem to have fed throughout but with a noticeable increase in activity on the flood tide. Now that you have me thinking about it I might go wrasse fishing this evening :D

#4 Post by **Davy Murdoch** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:57 am

would agree with you col about any colour in the water,it def has to be clear.i`ve never had too much luck when its really dirty.i`ve found that when its glassy calm the shallow marks dont fish as well as when there is a small chop/ripple on the water.i`m not talking waves just a light wind chop.
also wondered what would be the favourite choice of rod/reel/rig etc.i`d have to go for a big fixed spool/30lb main line/3lb pike rod and fixed pat trace complete with "magic" beads :wink:

#5 Post by **col** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:09 pm

For the bigger wrasse float fishing with hardbacks I would either use my beachcaster plus fixed spool or a carp rod. If its really rough ground I use the beachcaster and completely tightn the drag so no line can't be taken.

This way you have an incredable battle with wrasse, often with you nearly loosing balance due to their strenght :shock: . But the downside is they loose energy quicker and after the initial mahem its over.

Normally though I'd use a carp rod and let it pell some line, this way is more enjoyable. I pretty much allways use float gear with about 20lb line(heavier if ledgering) as this is way more fun I find. :D

col

#6 Post by **BrazelC** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:35 pm

Have tried all methods/baits for wrasse with plenty of success. Agree re fishing best on bright clear days into clear water but have found that (as mentioned) a small chop on the water seems to be best and when sunshine is around fishing close in into shaded areas works far better. On the bait front, worm baits are best, rag worm always seems to bag fish. Hve tried floats but have caught biggest fish using standard pater noster - floating rag worm off the bottom with some floating beads at the hook has proved deadly! may sound surprising but try it - it works!.

By far the best fish for introducing younger kids to the pleasures of fishing, rather than tormenting them with "teaching" casting techniques (or doing it for them), let them drop it in and sit down and wait for the fun. Have had some fantastic days fishing as a result, most rock marks around the country hold plenty of fish and as they feed freely in the sunshine I don't wind up dragging the youngsters out in all weathers.

Always remember to know the mark you are fishing if with young children, fish the lea side of headlands if any waves/swell and look for flat pier like platforms that are easily accessible - and always, always throw a length of rope in alongside the tackle and secure it when you arrive at the mark - takes five minutes but could be a life saver.

#7 Post by **col** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:52 pm

Just wondering, when float fishing with crab should you aim to have it just off the bottom or higher up? I normally have it higher to try and entice them away from weed but will bites suffer this way?

#8 Post by **BrazelC** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:18 pm

I always had better results 3-4ft off the bottom, bigger fish also.

#9 Post by **blackiemc** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:24 pm

Hello
Some of my info for west Connemara area comes from older times when wrasse were fished as food or to trade (when salted).

My Grandfather always said it was a waste of time to fish for 'gunner' before the flower appeared on the flagger (wild iris).
Some of my older nighbour claim to have seen gunner caught up to Christmas.

My uncle swears that if the wind turns to the north while fishing then just pack up and go home, however I have got bites under these conditions (is the north wind the enemy of rock-fishing, anyone??)

The best months generally in this area are probably sep/oct, ie. the fish are taking like crazy, however the weather conditions are generally worse at this time of year. Fishing those rough grond marks in a big swell can be a bit dangerous, also because the bait is being moved around a lot it's much easier to snag gear and lose it etc.

We have had great days fishing in conditions from bright sunshine to dull days, always with no more than a gentle swell from June to Sep. This fishing usually started around midday and finished around 7PM.

When HT comes the fishing normally goes slack and we normally head home. Is this a mistake??

Blackie Mc

#10 Post by **Drew** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:21 pm

Flat Calm , Down the Side of Donaghadee Pier for Ballans, and Goldsinneys, Or casting tight to the other Pier, with Ragworm always seems to do the job when Im targetting them

#11 Post by **col** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:50 pm

Anyone ever used razor for wrasse, any good? :?:

#12 Post by **blackiemc** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:37 am

Never tried razor, in my area razor only come available on a very good strand, whereas lug is easily gathered most of the time.

Would be interesting to know if razor works alright as it might stay on the hook quite well against the king of bait robbers if whipped on well plus it probably freezes well so having a stock would also be handy.
Will post results when I get a chance, whenever that is!

Blackie

#13 Post by **coaster** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:52 pm

I have tried razor only once for wrasse and not a bite.
having said that I didn't get much on any bait that day.

Sea Angling Ireland

wrasse fishing conditions

wrasse fishing conditions

Wrasse Fishing