Species

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE BRITISH SEA SPECIES Records, locations, habitat, rigs and bait &CKOFELELREPCETE

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE CONTENTS Welcome... 4-5 COD The UK’s most popular species to your free, pocket-sized Guide to British Sea Species. It will assist you 6-7 WHITING on your journey through many sea The ‘terriers’ of the sea angling adventures. 8-9 BASS Our venues are brought to life Thrilling sport on bait and lure by crashing waves around rocky headlands, or a rolling surf on a storm 10-11 POLLACK beach. Even gently swaying fronds Hard-hitting fish from deep water of kelp at a deep-water mark add a touch of magic and set a shore 12-13 FLOUNDER angler’s heart beating a little quicker. Britain’s favourite flattie Meanwhile, boat anglers relish early mornings steaming to offshore 14-15 THORNBACK RAY wrecks, with big fish in their sights. Springtime fun with this species We are blessed with some amazing 16-17 PLAICE places to fish. With a diverse range They provide early-season sport of species to target, there’s always something – or somewhere – to whet your appetite. Whether you’re a species hunter, specimen angler, or someone who just prefers to feel the sea air in your face as the rod bends, we really have got it all. In this free collect-and-keep booklet, we’ve chosen 22 of the more commonly-caught fish, explained their habitats, what they’re likely to eat and, more importantly, where to target them. Put it in your tackle box and keep it close because it’s a concise guide, steering you to more fish as you absorb heaps of knowledge and experience. I hope it puts you on track to being a more successful sea angler. Paul Fenech, Features and Tackle Editor. 2 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

18-19 BLACK BREAM 32-33 MULLET Anglers love this hard-fighting fish Shy fish that require stealth tactics 20-21 CONGER EEL 34-35 STINGRAY Strong tackle required Achievable from the shore or boat 22-23 SMOOTHHOUND 36-37 SOLE Sleek and slender sharks Head to a shallow and muddy mark 24-25 BULL HUSS 38-39 DAB A larger species of dogfish Caught all around the British Isles 26-27 BLUE SHARK 40-41 BALLAN WRASSE Homing in on your pungent bait Bold fish caught in rough ground 28-29 PORBEAGLE SHARK 42-43 TURBOT Set your pulse racing Highly-prized fish from offshore 30-31 UNDULATE RAY 44-45 COMMON SKATE Their numbers are on the increase Have been testing tackle for years 46-47 TOPE Hook one and expect a fight GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 3

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE COD Gadus morhua n Shore record: 44lb 8oz, Brandon SEASONS Jones, Tom’s Point, Glamorgan, 1966 n Boat record: 58lb 6oz, Noel Cook, Autumn and winter Whitby, 1992 are regarded by anglers as the ABOUT optimum times to target cod from the Cod are probably the most shore and boat. targeted species by both shore and However, some boat anglers all around the UK. rock marks produce Generally regarded as a bottom results, while big cod feeder, immature fish weighing up can also be caught to 5lb are known as codling. over reefs and wrecks during the With relatively poor eyesight, summer. Spawning they rely heavily on scent and tends to occur vibration to locate food by using a between January beard under the chin and sensitive and March. lateral line. They love fast tides, deep and coloured water and rough ground, and will often venture very close to the shore during or after a storm. Cod are not as prolific nowadays and have virtually disappeared from some regions. Until July 2017, cod in the North Sea had been listed as unsustainable. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: 35cm 4 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIGS A Pennell rig with large hooks is the most popular because it enables a larger bait to be used. Cod have huge mouths and even earned the name ‘bucketmouth’ for their tendency to engulf large crabs and fish baits. BAIT AREAS Codling and cod will eat Found all around virtually anything, although the UK and Ireland lugworms, black lug, ragworms, from beaches, piers, white ragworms, peeler crabs, promenades and rocks. squid, mackerel and Bluey are Inshore reefs and wrecks all popular choices. from the boat. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 5

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE WHITING Merlangius merlangus n Shore record: 4lb 8oz, David Backler, SEASONS Orford Ness, 2014 n Boat record: 7lb 6oz, Mark Curtis, Regarded as an Plymouth, 2012 autumn or winter fish, their numbers ABOUT have increased and they are caught The ‘terriers’ of the sea can be throughout the year. found feeding in almost plague Spawning occurs proportions from most marks, but from January to April. especially along the South Coast. BAIT Easy to catch, anglers regard them as a pest as they take baits Lug, black lug, rag intended for other species. Some and white rag are anglers prefer to catch them and deadly. Tipping-off leave them hooked as a livebait to with pieces of squid attract larger species such as cod. or mackerel is a well-used tactic too. Calm, frosty evenings are perfect to catch whiting, and they do AREAS provide exciting and aggressive bites on the rod tip. They range in Beaches, piers, size from 8oz to 1lb 8oz, with a 2lb promenades and fish regarded as a specimen. estuaries. Inshore reefs and banks A member of the cod family, from the boat. they also have extremely sharp teeth that help them feed on smaller fish and crustaceans such as shrimps. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: 27cm 6 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIG Multi-hook rigs, like two or three-hook flapper or clipped, are the favoured variations. Aberdeen hooks of size 2 to 1/0 are perfect for targeting whiting. Undersized whiting can be annoying during a session, but can attract cod. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 7

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE BASS Dicentrarchus labrax n Shore record: 19lb 12oz, SEASONS John Locker, Portsmouth, 2012. n Boat record: 19lb 9oz, P McEwan, Bass can often be Herne Bay, 1987. caught throughout the year but spring ABOUT heralds the start of the season. Must be Regarded as a true sport fish, it’s a returned between highly-prized catch for many sea January 1 to June 30. anglers. A predator that patrols A single fish is the extremely close to the shoreline, limit between July it seeks out food by ambushing 1 to December 31 in other fish such as sandeels. 24 hours. Spawning occurs between Fish between 1lb-3lb are March and June. known as school bass and tend to move around in shoals, while larger specimens usually become more solitary. Inshore boat anglers prefer to drift over shallow sandbanks or around structures on the seabed, while lure anglers have huge success at certain venues. Sometimes referred to as ‘sea bass’, it’s a slow-growing species, and many larger fish can easily exceed 20 years of age. nMINIMUM LANDING SIZE: 42cm 8 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIGS AREAS Generally, a single- Fish patrol very close to hook paternoster the shore around rocks and is favoured, but sandbanks. Also found in lure anglers have many estuary systems, huge success at and can be extremely active certain venues. at first and last light. Float tackle with livebaits can often GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 9 be a good tactic. BAIT Live sandeels and joey mackerel are incredibly good, plus surface poppers and diving lures too. All worms, crabs, fish and mussels will attract bass.

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE POLLACK Pollachius pollachius n Shore record: 18lb 4oz, SEASONS C Lowe, Abbotsbury, 1986. n Boat record: 29lb 4oz, Spring and summer W Mayes, Dungeness, 1987 can be particularly good for shore ABOUT anglers. Late winter into spring is often Mistaken by many as a coalfish, regarded as the it’s easily identified with its lower best times by boat protruding jaw and lateral line anglers drifting that has a distinctive curve over wrecks in deep along the flank. water for the larger specimens. A member of the cod family, it is a fast and ferocious predator Spawns in deep with large eyes for hunting water from January purposes. Often found in shoals to April. inshore, while larger specimens head offshore and take up residence around wrecks and other structures. Particularly found in deep water, close to rocks and kelp, where they take on a fabulous, almost golden bronze appearance. Undergoes significant commercial pressure as demand is high as food fish. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: 30cm 10 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIGS AREAS Some shore anglers Caught all around the UK prefer to deep-spin and Ireland over wrecks. a frozen sandeel Rocks, piers, breakwaters, at the edge of kelp deep water and kelp beds beds and rocks, or are all perfect habitats for you can floatfish shore anglers to target. with ragworms. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 11 Lure fishing is a top tactic, too, for both shore and boat anglers. Red Gill patterns, jelly worms and weighted shads in a variety of colours are successful. BAIT Ragworms, crabs, frozen sandeels, and chunks of mackerel are deadly from shore marks. Boat anglers almost exclusively work lures over offshore wrecks.

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE FLOUND Platichthys flesus n Shore record: 5lb 7oz, Barry Sokell, SEASONS River Teign, 1994. n Boat record: 5lb 11oz 8dr, The arrival of A Cobbledick, Fowey, 1956. flounders signals the start of spring ABOUT and often a new peeler crab moult. This popular flatfish is prolific throughout the whole of the Winter usually British Isles and Ireland. sees some large specimens caught, Ferocious feeders, where there’s especially after a one, there will certainly be more. storm when food is They love shallow, muddy venues in abundance. with plenty of tide running over their backs. Spawning occurs with the onset Can be found extremely close to of spring. shore, especially if there is a surf running. More recent times have seen light lure tactics adopted to catch them as they certainly are attracted to a moving bait. Generally, boat anglers don’t bother targeting them, but those who do catch them while drifting over sandbanks or in a large estuary. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 25cm) 12 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

ER RIGS AREAS Popular methods Close to the see a simple shoreline is a two or three- prime location, hook flapper rig especially if holes (right) and size 2 or gullies have Aberdeen hooks. been carved out Lure methods do by a recent storm. work occasionally, River systems especially a and estuaries are baited spoon also productive set-up. venues. BAIT GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 13 Most baits will attract flounders, especially a moving one. Because they are predators, they will happily feed on fish baits like mackerel, Bluey, razorfish and squid. All worms work, with black lug tipped with maddies or harbour rag a real favourite. Shellfish washed up during a storm are deadly. Spoons baited with a peeler crab, ragworms or harbour rag offer superb sport on light tackle.

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE THORNBACK Raja clavata n Shore record: 22lb 11oz 8dr, SEASONS Michael Johnson, Salcombe, 2008 n Boat record: 31lb 7oz, J Wright, Most prolific Liverpool Bay, 1981 in early spring, becoming ever ABOUT more widespread throughout summer. Sometimes called roker, Tend to drift into thornbacks are a member of the deeper water from shark family and arrive in numbers autumn onwards. from spring onwards. Easily Spawning mainly identified by the sharp thorns during the spring. protruding from the back, tail and sometimes the underside. BAIT Males have ‘claspers’ that are Fish baits like used during breeding, and often sandeels, mackerel, the females will move into shallow squid and Bluey are water to lay eggs. These are tough the most popular capsules that are also known as choices. Peeler mermaids’ purses. crabs and ragworms also bring results. Boat anglers seek them in shallow estuaries with fast tides, where uptiding produces good results. They make good eating, but most anglers return them. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 45cm across the wings) 14 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

K RAY AREAS Tidal estuaries like the Bristol Channel or Thames Estuary produce excellent results, especially when fishing afloat. Shore anglers favour venues with coloured water, such as the Holderness beaches or deep-water ledges in the Bristol Channel or south-west Scotland. They are becoming more prolific, and appear to be moving further north along the east coast. RIG Single-hook paternoster or pulley rig from the shore. Long running leger (above) when uptiding from a boat. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 15

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE PLAICE Pleuronectes platessa n Shore record: 8lb 6oz 14dr, SEASONS R Moore, Southbourne beach, 1989. n Boat record: 10lb 3oz 8dr, Spring sees plaice H Gardiner, Longa Sound, 1974. heading inshore after a busy spawning ABOUT schedule. From March, anglers This is a popular species for shore set their sights on and boat anglers, and these fish targeting them. generally start to arrive inshore Spawning occurs from March. early in the year, normally in January, A heavily sought-after fish but can last well commercially, the bigger into March. specimens have seen a large decline in numbers in recent years. AREAS This species can be relatively Shore areas like easy to catch during the peak of mussel beds provide the season. Many anglers like to good sport, also use rigs that have lots of coloured estuaries or marks beads to act as visual attractors. that have running tides and muddy Minimal tactics are needed and seabeds. Boat modern-day boat anglers drift over anglers prefer to sandbanks and drift over banks with mussel beds with lightish tackle. light tackle. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: 27cm. 16 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

BAIT All worms, but black lug and ragworms are really successful, along with harbour rag and white rag and sometimes tipped with squid. In season, peeler crabs can also prove effective. RIG Simple rigs work best, like two or three-hook flapper versions, with size 2-1/0 Aberdeen hooks. Many anglers choose to use a wishbone rig with added coloured beads, but successful anglers use black and green beads as they are said to imitate pea mussels. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 17

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE BLACK Spondyliosoina n Shore record: 6lb 8oz 6dr, SEASONS Rosanne Guille, Sark, 2001. n Boat record: 6lb 14oz 4dr, Black bream J Garlick, Torquay, 1977. typically prefer warm water, and ABOUT from April onwards, the first fish tend to Recognised for its hard-fighting be caught. qualities, the black bream is hugely admired by many sea Spawning occurs in anglers. More common around April and May where Mediterranean shores, it is, the male builds a however, partiuclarly prolific all nest, the female lays along the South Coast and her eggs, and the English Channel. male guards them until they hatch. Normally found feeding off the bottom, they can shoal up, and it’s not uncommon to find shore and boat anglers groundbaiting to keep the fish close. Boat anglers slowly drifting over wrecks often find the better specimens, especially when fishing delicately. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 24cm) 18 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

BREAM cantharus RIGS A simple two-hook paternoster rig is, without doubt, the best option. Hooks tend to vary from size 4 to 1/0, depending on what size baits you intend to use. BAIT AREAS Strips of squid Boat anglers target them throughout and ragworms are the English Channel, while shore good with shellfish, anglers in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire especially mussels, down to Devon and Cornwall – even razorfish, clams North Wales – enjoy super sessions and scallop frills. during calm and warm conditions. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 19

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE CONGER Conger conger n Shore record: 68lb 8oz, Martin Larkin, Plymouth, 1992 n Boat record: 133lb 4oz, Vic Evans, Torquay, 1995 ABOUT Lurking close to rocks and harbour walls and colonising offshore wrecks, congers are not a popular food-fish, and most who target these fish quickly return them. Smaller ‘strap’ congers can be caught from boulder-strewn venues in the Bristol Channel. They are able to swim in reverse and once on the surface can spin dramatically, making them difficult to land. They have strong jaws, so take care. When congers reach five-15 years of age they stop feeding before heading off to deep-water Atlantic marks to spawn. After spawning, they make the return journey. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 91cm shore; 120cm boat) SEASONS Conger eels can be caught throughout the year but can be most prolific once they have returned from their annual spawning cycle. 20 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

BAIT RIGS Congers feed predominantly on A simple single-hook fish, so whole squid or mackerel paternoster rig works flappers do the buisness from well from the shore, the boat. From the shore, while a running leger anglers like to use mackerel rig is perfect when fillets or a whole mackerel head, fishing afloat. In all often with the guts hanging out. cases, strong mono and equally strong hooks should be used. Conger eels often register a shy bite with gentle taps on the rod tip. Many anglers like to give them a bit of extra time to take the bait. AREAS Harbour walls, jetties and rocks, often with baits dropped straight down the edge. Boat anglers favour wrecks or structures for larger fish. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 21

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE SMOOTH n Shore record: 20lb 3oz, SEASONS P Orchard, Hill Head, 2000. n Boat record: 28lb, Typically a summer A Chilvers, Heacham, 1969. species and often well into autumn. ABOUT As a rule, the first run of smoothhounds Generally recognised alongside will coincide with the its close relative, the starry first moult of peeler smoothhound (Mustelus crabs, depending on asterias), these fish often move what region. around in packs. Unlike other sharks, they have no teeth, but BAIT instead have crushing pads to help them feed on food such as Smoothhounds crabs, shrimps and hermit crabs. feed almost entirely on crustaceans such It’s a bottom-feeder, but as crabs, whelks, occasionally can be caught hermit crabs, mid-water too. squat lobsters and shrimps. They will Over recent years, their numbers occasionally fall to a have increased, aided, to an squid bait. extent, by catch and release. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 51cm). 22 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

HOUND Mustelus mustelus RIGS AREAS The pulley rig (above) or single- The Lincolnshire and hook paternoster are preferred Holderness coastlines from the shore. Many boat and all along the south anglers will use the running leger coast see good numbers, method, especially at anchor especially around with uptiding tactics. Sussex and Dorset. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 23

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE BULL H Scyliorhinus stellaris n Shore record: 19lb 14oz, SEASONS G Ebbs, Pwllheli, 1992. n Boat record: 22lb 4oz, More prolific during the M Hall, Minehead, 1986. warmer months, but often caught throughout ABOUT the year in certain areas. It rarely ventures north on Sometimes called a the east coast, but good nursehound or greater spotted numbers are found in dogfish, the bull huss is the south-west Scotland. larger relative of the more common (and smaller) Rough ground marks lesser spotted dogfish. off the south coast, Wales and especially Ireland, Easily recognisable by the see double-figure large flap that covers each specimens caught. nostril without reaching the upper lip area, the bull huss AREAS is a bottom-feeding fish that much prefers areas that are Anywhere that has lots weedy and rocky. of weed and rocks can certainly be home to bull Often caught by boat huss – Dorset, Devon and anglers who are anchored Cornwall in particular but and uptiding. However, shore also the Lleyn Peninsula anglers fishing into strong tidal in North Wales, Dumfries and rocky areas also have & Galloway and all of the lots of success with them. Republic of Ireland. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 58cm) 24 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

USS RIGS Pulley rigs (see page 23) tend to be favoured by shore anglers, or versions that can cope with snaggy ground. Boat anglers prefer to use running leger rigs anchored with breakout sinkers. BAIT Fish baits like mackerel, Bluey and especially squid are recommended for both boat and shore. In season, peeler crabs can winkle out the larger fish. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 25

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE BLUE S Prionace glauca n Shore record: None registered, SEASONS qualifying weight, 40lb. n Boat record: 218lb, Blue sharks are a N Sutcliffe, Looe, 1959. migratory species and spend the majority ABOUT of their time offshore in the deep waters of A shark that spends most of its Northern Europe. As time living and feeding extremely the sea around the UK close to the surface. The begins to warm, they distinctive shining blue colour will head back allows it to be identified easily. to inshore waters. The blue shark tends to hang around in large packs, especially when feeding. It has the ability to smell food from a long distance, especially if there’s lots of blood from an injured fish. Because of its true fighting qualities, many anglers now solely target this species on charter trips. These anglers adopt catch and release, and in some cases the fish are tagged for research purposes. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: Catch and release only. 26 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

HARK BAIT AREAS Bloody and oily fish, such as Mainly found off the whole mackerel, mackerel Pembrokeshire, Somerset, flappers, herring, squid and Devon and Cornwall pilchard are excellent for coastlines as well as attracting blues. A rubby- Ireland. Occasionally dubby groundbait bag draws found as far north as them closer to the boat. Scarborough and Scotland. RIGS Wire traces are necessary to prevent the sharp teeth of a blue shark biting through a hooklength. Big, strong hooks are also needed. Baits are suspended at alternating depths with a float or balloon. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 27

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE PORBEAGLE SHARK Lamna nasus n Shore record: None registered, SEASONS qualifying weight, 40lb. n Boat record: 507lb, Same as the blue C Bennett, Dunnet Head, 1993. shark, but can withstand colder ABOUT waters such as the North Sea. Often found living and feeding alongside blue sharks and close to the surface. A hunter with the ability to move at great speed, they can feed heavily on a wide variety of species of fish and squid. Many anglers also target this species on charter trips due to its fighting qualities. All anglers adopt catch and release. In some cases, these fish can be tagged for research purposes. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: Catch and release only BAIT While a rubby-dubby bag draws porbeagles closer to the boat, you’ll need to fish a bloody and oily fish such as whole mackerel, mackerel flappers, herring, squid and pilchard. 28 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

AREAS Porbeagles are caught from October to March off the north of Scotland. They are also caught off the Pembrokeshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall coastlines as well as Ireland. RIGS Because of the porbeagle’s sharp teeth, a wire trace is necessary to prevent the fish biting through the hooklength. Big, strong hooks are also needed. Baits are suspended at alternating depths with a float or balloon. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 29

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE UNDULATE Raja undulata n Shore record: 21lb 4oz, K Skinner, SEASONS St Catherine’s Breakwater, 1983. n Boat record: 22lb 13oz, From spring and S Juggins, Weymouth, 2016. through the summer. Often a more prolific ABOUT nocturnal feeder from the shore. This species of ray has thrived over the last few years, due to RIGS protection, little commercial value and anglers now practising catch Shore anglers and release exclusively. use pulley rigs or fixed paternoster Easily recognisable by its unique versions. Boat spotted and lined markings. anglers will use long flowing traces or Generally found all along the running leger rigs south coast from Sussex to (right), and can be Cornwall, with caught either on the some superb drift or at anchor. sport in and around Dorset in particular. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: Classified as endangered and recommended to be returned in all cases. 30 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RAY BAIT AREAS Prefer to feed on fish, Undulates appear to be especially flatfish such as thriving all along the south plaice or dabs. Anglers tend coast, including Chesil Beach to use mackerel, herring, in Dorset, Milford Shingle in Bluey, sandeel or squid. Hampshire, and Sussex. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 31

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE MULLET Chelon Labrosus n Shore record: 14lb 2oz 12dr R Gifford, Aberthaw, 1979. n Boat record: 10lb 1oz P Libby, Portland, 1952. ABOUT SEASONS The thick-lipped grey mullet is A migratory species probably the most common of the that returns as the species found around Britain and summer warms Ireland. An extremely frustrating up coastal inshore fish to catch due to its very shy waters, harbours nature, it is easily spooked. and estuaries. It is rarely found venturing north unless in sources of warmer water. It can shoal-up and take residence around hot water outflows from power stations and will happily mix with other species like bass. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended size is 33cm) 32 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

AREAS Quiet areas like harbours or estuaries are prolific venues. Also found feeding close to rocks or on shore venues with sandy seabeds. BAIT RIGS Bread, maggots, Stick or waggler float tactics are harbour rag successful, or a freelined piece of bread. and ragworms. Use extremely thin mainlines and light Pieces of fish, hooklengths with size 10-16 hooks. like mackerel Fly-tackle with a floating pattern drifting or herring, can on the breeze can be exciting. also be a good alternative. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 33

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE STINGRA Dasyatis pastinaca n Shore record: 78lb 8oz, SEASONS Guy Spriggs, Chesil Beach, 2015. n Boat record: 72lb 2oz, Depending on region, P Burgess, Essex, 1996. generally stingray arrive from spring. ABOUT They will remain in the warmer Each year stingrays arrive at shore water right marks around the UK and Ireland through summer. from spring. RIG Although not caught in large numbers, they are a fish that many Single-hook pulley anglers target due to their size. rigs seem to be the favourite for anglers Found at venues that have targeting them, but muddy seabeds and especially they can be caught sand, they are renowned for the on all variations. sting that protrudes from the tail. Anglers must take incredible care when handling, because the sting is a spike that is serrated on the sides. The lining is laden with venom and can cause a lot of pain if you are spiked. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 45cm across the wings) 34 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

AY BAIT AREAS Naturally, stingrays tend to feed Found all along the on molluscs and crustaceans, south coast and into especially crabs. However, Essex. Especially active anglers have an excellent success in many of the inshore when using king ragworms. waters of Ireland. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 35

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE SOLE Solea solea n Shore record: 6lb 8oz 10dr, SEASONS N Guilmoto, Alderney, 1991. n Boat record: 4lb 6oz, They become M Le Moignan, Solent, 2005. rather prolific during the ABOUT summer after the first fish Usually found in shallow water and begin moving especially muddy estuaries, and usually inshore from referred to as a Dover sole. Regarded as a spring. Soles prize catch for many because they make spawn in particularly good eating. It is a slender spring and flatfish, quite long with a curved mouth summer in and targeted heavily commercially. shallow water. The sole RIGS will move extremely Lighter close to the rigs with shore during particularly summer, but light snoods as it becomes and small size colder, they 4 hooks. Two venture or three-hook further out to flapper rigs are deeper water. used by many n MINIMUM shore anglers. LANDING SIZE: 25cm 36 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

BAIT AREAS In their natural habitat, they They thrive on venues that feed on molluscs, crabs and have soft sand or muddy worms. Anglers use small seabeds, especially large lugworms or pieces of black estuaries. Can be found feeding lug tipped with ragworms heavily in small breakers a few or bunches of harbour rag. yards from the shore. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 37

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE DAB Limanda limanda n Shore record: 2lb 9oz 8dr, SEASONS M Watts, Morfa beach, 1936. n Shore record: 2lb 12oz 4dr, Caught throughout R Islip, Gairloch, 1975. the year, but becomes numerous ABOUT after spawning in spring. They will One of usually move closer the most to the shore during prolific the summer. flatfish and abundant in most regions of the British Isles. Particularly likes seabeds that are muddy, and can be caught at most ranges from the shore. Not really targeted by boat anglers, but will regularly provide some sport when drifting over shallow ground with light tackle. Good catches often occur from the shore during calm conditions, but especially when the water is coloured. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 25cm) 38 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

BAIT Dabs can be caught on almost anything, particularly worms tipped with fish. Black lug that is a few weeks old and beginning to go ‘sticky’ is really good. After a storm, shellfish like cockles and razorfish can attract bigger specimens. RIGS AREAS Multi-hook rigs like two or three- Present around the hook flappers are effective. whole of the UK, but Some anglers prefer to use rigs shore marks in Kent, with long booms attached with Norfolk and Suffolk are size 4-1 Aberdeen hooks. some of the best. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 39

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE WRASSE Labrus bergylta n Shore record: 9lb 1oz, SEASONS Pete Hegg, Portland, 1998. n Boat record: 9lb 7oz 12dr, Not regarded as Tony Heart, Jersey, 1999. a winter species, but shore and boat ABOUT anglers begin to catch them during There are quite a few species of spring and summer, wrasse around our coastlines, lasting until but the most common is the late autumn. ballan. It’s a deep-bodied fish and acclaimed by many anglers for its particularly hard-fighting qualities. These fish can school-up but, more often than not, the larger specimens tend to be solitary. It builds a nest made from algae lodged inside rock crevices, where the eggs are laid. It can be particularly prone to severely cold winters where many fish have been recorded as dying. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: None (recommended 23cm) 40 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIGS A float rig (right) or single-hook paternoster, armed with a size 1/0 strong hook pattern. In recent years, lure anglers have gained lots of success with soft plastic lure patterns. AREAS Almost exclusively found close to rocks in deep water, or patches of weed close to the shore. Boat anglers regularly catch them while anchored or drifting over reefs, rocks and wrecks. BAIT Mainly feed on molluscs and shellfish, they are consistently caught with ragworms. Peeler crabs plus a freelined hardbacked crab can be deadly. Lure fishing can be an exciting tactic. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 41

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE TURBO Scophthalmus maximus n Shore record: 28lb 8oz, SEASONS J Dorling, Dunwich, 1973. n Boat record: 33lb 12oz, Prolific throughout Roger Simcox, Salcombe, 1980. spring and summer and into autumn, with the ABOUT occasional fish caught during winter. Predominantly found in the English Channel, it’s a highly sought-after species by many boat anglers. On occasions, there can be numerous larger fish found feeding over the many offshore banks located around the UK and Ireland. From the shore, immature specimens can be located from shallow, sandy beaches, especially those that are lined with crushed shell, coral-like seabeds. Smaller fish are never too far from the shore, only moving into deeper water as they mature. Spawns through summer and is heavily fished for commercially. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: Shore 35cm; boat 41cm 42 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

T BAIT AREAS Feeds mainly Banks in on fish such as the English sandeels, sprats Channel such and herrings. Boat as Shambles off anglers prefer launce or Weymouth and The fillets of mackerel, even whiting Skerries off Dartmouth or pouting to lure larger specimens. are the most famous. Shore anglers opt for ragworms Found on many sandy tipped with a sliver of mackerel or shore venues all around chunk of frozen sandeel. the UK. RIG Shore anglers use flattie rigs like a one-up one-down with size 1 Aberdeen hooks. Boat anglers prefer a running leger outfit with strong tackle because these fish can scrap in a running tide. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 43

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE COMMON SKATE Raja n Shore record: 169lb 6oz, SEASONS G MacKenzie, Loch Roag, 1994 n Boat record: 227lb, R Banks, Can be targeted Tobermory, 1986 throughout the year, but more are caught ABOUT by boat anglers from spring until autumn Can grow to massive sizes and are from the western mainly caught by boat anglers, waters of Ireland. although some shore anglers have had good success too. BAIT Generally, they are found Large baits seem to feeding in extremely deep water, be the best choice, but occasionally venture further with coalfish, inshore, especially into the sea dogfish, herring and lochs in the Highlands of Scotland. mackerel all being n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: good options. Catch-and-release and often tagged when caught. 44 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

batis RIGS AREAS A running leger rig is The Highlands of Scotland to the favoured the Hebrides, plus the south approach of and west coasts of Ireland. boat anglers. Also caught in Red Bay near Hefty gear Cushendall, Northern Ireland. is needed to deal with the sheer size of these fish, coupled with the huge depths that they are often caught from and their ability to ‘hug’ the seabed. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 45

SeaAngler POCKET GUIDE TOPE Galeorhinus galeus n Shore record: 66lb 6oz, SEASONS Kevin Legge, Baggy Point, 2010. n Boat record: 82lb 8oz, A summer species R Chatfield, Bradwell-on-Sea, 1991. that arrives at venues as the first ABOUT mackerel shoals turn up. Can hang One of the most popular sporting around well into sharks to catch, especially with autumn, but will balanced tackle while boat fishing. follow its main prey of mackerel. They have incredible pace and can quickly change direction. Mainly found in shallow estuaries where mackerel are plentiful, there are also a few shore venues where they can be targeted too. The largest specimens are generally female. n MINIMUM LANDING SIZE: Catch & release 46 GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES

RIGS Although light, balanced uptiding kit can be used, it’s advisable to use a wire biting trace at the hook. Long-running leger rigs for uptiding and pulley-rigs from the shore. Many anglers also use rubbing leaders to coincide with the rough skin of a tope. BAIT AREAS Squid, sandeels, Bluey, Favourite boat venues include whiting and flounder Thames Estuary, The Wash, are top baits, but the Humber Estuary, Bristol Channel favourite is without and Luce Bay in Scotland. Expect doubt mackerel, either shore action from Sussex, Devon, fished whole, as a Cornwall, Dumfries & Galloway, flapper, or a single fillet. Wales and the Isle of Man. GUIDE TO SEA SPECIES 47

SeaAngler Britain’s biggest and best saltwater angling magazine TwAwKEwO.gUreTaAtmGRaEgAaTziSnUeBs.ScCoR.uIkP/TsIOeaNaDnEgAleLr: