begining fishing...

[Poly]

Just back from a weekend away with my son on the west coast. He seems to be obsessed with trying to catch fish (either from boat or off a pier/jetty etc). I basically know nothing... the only fish (mackrel) I have caught was at the age of about 9 and I watched it swim up to the hook from a pier.

So, I am guessing basic summer fishing in Scotland (probably west coast), is going to be mackrel? what sort of rod/reel do I need for this? what about lures/bait? where is best to go? are there any tricks to getting a good hit rate?

this is all to amuse a 4 year old - so (1) I don't want to spend a fortune (2) I want the best chance of catching SOMETHING or he will get bored.

bear in mind that I basically know nothing!

[Nos4r2]

Cheap rod/reel combo is about 15-20 quid. All you'll need then is a set of mackerel feathers or Hockeyes-or just a spinner. All of these you cast as far as possible and retrieve slowly.


Alternatively if you go into a tackle shop and tell them you just want something cheap for a child to go 'macky bashing' they'll sort you something out and explain how to use it.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Cheap rod/reel combo is about 15-20 quid. All you'll need then is a set of mackerel feathers or Hockeyes-or just a spinner. All of these you cast as far as possible and retrieve slowly.

Thanks Nos. Now my extreemly limited experience fishing used something like this:



(although not as pretty!). Am I right in thinking that that sort of reel is actually not intended for sea fishing?

Alternatively if you go into a tackle shop and tell them you just want something cheap for a child to go 'macky bashing' they'll sort you something out and explain how to use it.

OK I will try the local tackle shop - but I suspect he is set up for loch/lake and river fishing as that is whats local.

Am I more likely to get success from a pier or from the boat?
Are the fish more likely to be there at certain points of the tide?

Or is there a decent couple of pages beginners guide to fishing someone can point me to?

[Nos4r2]

That's probably a bit light for multiple feathers-but if you cut the rig down to one or 2 then it'll be fine. Same methods apply for pier or boat as long as feathering is allowed on the pier.
This might help:-
http://haddock-fishyfishy.blogspot.c...eathering.html

If you want to be really basic, that rod/reel will do with around 15lb line and a spinner-just cast as far as possible and pump/retrieve with a jerky motion. The reel will be ok for a while as long as you flush it with fresh water and keep it oiled/greased properly after use.

[Andy Moore]

For spinning, I can recommend a Shakespeare Ugly Stick 9ft. Nice and light, sensitive, a joy to use.

I never catch bugger all, but its a nice rod.

[Bigfoot]

When we went Yachting in Largs one of the chappies brought a mackerel line with him, did more harm than good, didn't catch anything, kept getting in the way and he didn't take it in when there were Dolphins about so everyone ended up getting angry with him !