The Complete Fisher Forum

Jim-h · User is Offline Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

hello everyone, i've decided this season to have a crack at swff mainly after mullet and bass around the south east essex coast, dont know whether this means that insainity has finally set or if i've seen the light? I'll have to let you know in a month or so i suppose. I have been doing quite a bit of fly fishing for pike, i haven't posted on this site before as have mainly used the pffa site, before on that topic but have allways had a good read and thought that there are some good posters on this site so i thought i'd finally get my act together and sign up. Anyhow back to the swff, i am starting to get my tackle together as i think that my pike outfitt will be a bit heavy - 10wt. so have ordered a 8 wt shakespere atlantis as this is the rod i use for pike in the 10wt and think its a terrific rod for the money. have started to look for reels, i have a trion for pike and have been more than pleased with it, does ayone use these for swff? also am seeking some advice on lines? i.e. which do you use more often? floater/inter/sinker? and finally a little information on flies would be very helpfull i have seen some of your wonderfull creations on here, i have only just started tieing and cannot possibly match some of these is there anywhere online that sells good quality sw flies? know this is probably asking alot for a first post but any help/advice would be greatlyy appreciated Very Happy

Sparks · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Jim

I Fish just over the estuary in NE Kent so similar conditions to you. I find that an 8wt with a floating line covers most situations over here also use a ghost tip and ocasionally a DI3 from the shore. As to a reel try Okuma airframe / Sciera Avalanche (same reel) cheap but robust and impervious to salt water.

Flies are a whole hoby in themselves but dont worry about how you tie them I am c*** at tying but my flies still catch well. There are hundreds of patterns but I find that 99% of my fish come on 1 of 4 patterns , Clousers (Olive over white and chantreues over white), Rays fly, Gurgler,very long Zonker. Size of hook is dependent on what the fish are feeding on I carry 3 of each pattern in sizes 8 to 2/0 for clousers and 4 to 3/0 for the others .

Dont worry too much about water clarity the Estuary and approaches are never really clear the fish will still find your fly.

Gary
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Neptune · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 6:51 am Post subject:

Jim

All what Gary says

+

See if you can find a more experienced swffer to take you under his wing, its a rocky road to travel on your own

The most important asset, after the gear, is to believe it is possible - you will get a load of blanks but when it comes together - what a blast.

After quite a while the blanks become less and less and then you start to catch more and more frequently. Even the top boys have bad days however

I know a fair number of real good swffers, a common denominator is that they all come into this lark from long experience in other disciplines, but once you have made the change and adapted considerably, all would say that swffing is the pinnacle of angling. Wild fish, taken from the biggest ressy on your own fly often in very challenging conditions.

Its an addiction more compelling than narcotics

Good luck and enjoy the journey

K
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Mary · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:43 am Post subject:

All I shall add is the 8wt will be too heavy for the mullet. You can get away with them on the rocky shore when the mullet are gorging in the churning surf, but on an estuary mark you're going to need to be a bit more delicate and a 6wt is ideal.

Jim-h · User is Offline Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

I do have a 6wt trout rod that I could use for the mullet, will give it a try with the 8 but like you said if it is to heavy then I can use that. What strength leaders do you reccomend for the mullet and bass?

ballthebuilder · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:27 am Post subject:

Sparks · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject:

Agree with 4 or 5lb tippet for the mullet if they are spooky, but generally use a tapered leader 30lb at the butt end down to 18lb with a 12lb fluro tippet for bass. Quite often fish 1 or more droppers as well.

Taylor your end gear to the ground you are fishing over 4 or 5lb is fine over clean ground but no good if you are fishing into snaggy ground.
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ballthebuilder · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:36 pm Post subject:

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