Fishing from sandy beach

[kenneth]

Hi, I would like to know if anyone can tell me if it is possible to catch any thing reasonable using a rod and reel from a sandy beach ?

Would it be ideal to go in the early hours of morning or evening, and what type of bait would be best.

Thanks for your help.
Kenneth

[KenChir]

It is defintely possible. Though I never went personally. What I believe you'd better have, is a beach casting rod. Which is typically 4.5 mt long so you can get your bait far out where it starts to get a little deeper.

I think sea bass (spnott) is a probable catch... but I think others will have better advice... and what the heck i want to start beach fishing too this winter!!

So guys, help us out!

[sergio]

yeah im interested too . apparentley people who go beach-casting also have special rigs they use  . even the lead is shaped in a certain way to guarantee a long cast. i dont know much about this though , i would like to try sometime.

[Simon G]

Well beach casting is quite fun
we normally go when the sea is rough
the fish which are found in the sand are
mingus
sargi
xilep
mulett
trill
gurbell
spnot
rays
tracni
skalm
ruzett
bies (flying gurnard)
and if you are lucky enough awrat wild ones

you must cast where the waves are breaking or behind them.

[KenChir]

So what is best for beach casting... Day or night ?

[Simon G]

i would say evening to night or early morning

[sergio]

umm ,what kind of rod/reel combination would i need ? for example , maybe a light carbon ledgering rod ? how long ? i dont know much about this but  i would like to try

[Simon G]

A light ledgering rod wont do it you need a beach caster to cast a heavy weight 200-300 grams out side the breaking waves.  and a heavy spinning reel or a bait casting reel.
on the other hand a light ledering rod is good when the sea is not rough.
the main problem would be that the waves will bring the small weight in in rough seas.

[sergio]

hmmm so i would need a new rod. oh well. umm do you know of any specialised rigs ? or can  i use a standard paternoster rig ?

[Simon G]

it depends on what rod you are using
with a beach caster you need a shock leader
the best terminal tackle i found is a pater noster rig with the first hook by the lead and at least 1 mt long and the other about 1.5 mt from the lead and 50cm long.

[sergio]

can i ask  - is a beachcaster the same thing as a surf casting rod ?

[Simon G]

yes they are the same but be sure if you are going to buy one the guides do not rust as they are a pain to change

[placebo]

ramla l-hamra gozo is a very good place for surf/ beach casting
 

[The Angler]

Hi guys, I have practised some beachcasting myself. I went probably about 10 times. Obviously the main problem is that we do not have many sandy beaches.

The most important thing is patience and very good tackle. The main aim is to reach about 100-120m with your cast. I have two reels that I usually use. Both reels are meant for beachcasting. As for rods, the main LFS in malta has a very good rod for about Lm20. I have been using it and its really good.

Usually I have a .25 diameter running line in the reel and then I add a .45 shockleader. The shockleader's main aim is to take the shock of my 150g lead. Good swivels are a must since usually you will be facing some rough seas. the leads need to be anchorable type and you will definetely need bait holders especially with minisquids as bait. A very important accesorie is also the bait tying line.

Also one needs to practise the method of casting. In Italy there are special competitions meant only for casting. The casting system is called parabolic cast. it is not easy to explain in words.

Anyway one day we should meet on a beach and have it all done.

[The Angler]

If you want some more info but in italian have a look at this.

www.pescareinsicilia.it