Mike's Diary Archive 2004
Using fishing tools, fishing for smoothound
ALL TOOLED UPOver the years I've built up quite a collection of unhooking tools. Each of which I carry for different styles of fishing. I wouldn't ... Full story
Offset hook points and surf tope tactics
A TWIST IN THE TAILThere's a misconception that a hook with a point offset from the shank is superior at hooking fish than a hook ... Full story
Sea angling clubs and plugging for bass
SEA ANGLING CLUBSMalcolm Gilbert of AMMO Baits and B.A.S.S recently asked me why I thought so few sea anglers were members of clubs? I'm a ... Full story
Circle hooks
GOING ROUND IN CIRCLESCircle hooks have been popular overseas for quite a few years now, especially in the big game scene, but its only been ... Full story
Choosing the right lead, fish release
ANGLE OF ATTACKI've been watching anglers on beaches with keen interest recently just to gauge as to what lead choice they make. Immaterial of sea ... Full story
Specimen fish species, rock ling tact
SPECIMEN FISHI was asked a good question the other day. What exactly is a specimen fish? Specimen fish, in the true meaning of the word "specimen" ... Full story
Keeping warm in winter and beaching big fish
KEEPING WARM THIS WINTERYou can't fish well if you're freezing cold and it's raining down your neck. Here's how to keep warm this winter. The main ... Full story
How to get started in sea angling and how to collect razorfish
GETTING STARTED WITH SEA GEARI'm getting asked frequently what is the cheapest way to start sea fishing and what should beginners buy. Start off with fixed ... Full story
Surf beach cod tactics and repair kits
SURF BEACH COD TACTICSSuccessful beach cod fishing is all about timing. The bulk numbers of cod come closest inshore during the big spring tides just ... Full story
Weighing fish, shore coalfish tactics
WEIGHING IT UP!Weighing fish needs to be done carefully so as not to damage the fish, but at the same time record their weight accurately. Small ... Full story
Starting fishing targets and early season crab tactics
THE NUMBERS GAMEAbout 20 years back I started to set myself targets on the number of species I could catch in the space of a ... Full story
Useful cutting tools and knifes and estuary clam collection
STAY SHARPA few little additions to your tackle box can make all the difference. Take cutting tools for instance. I always carry a set of stainless ... Full story
Bait sprays and additives, huss fishing tactics
FOOD FOR THOUGHTDo bait sprays and liquid additives really work? Though in everyday use in coarse fishing, sea anglers are reluctant to use them. I tried ... Full story
Using sea fishing swimfeeders and fishing for small-eyed ray
USING SALTWATER SWIMFEEDERSSea anglers have been slow to catch on to the merits of swim feeders. Yet when bites are scarce having a strong scent ... Full story
Line colour for rigs and catching rock conger tactics
RIG LINE COLOURI got in to a long conversation the other day in my local tackle shop about the pros and cons of line colour ... Full story
Don't chase fish and rough ground bass tactics
TADPOLE TALESRemember in a previous column we chatted about going for different species? Well, in addition to a yearly score table I also try to ... Full story
Rod tip reflection, broken tip rings, fishing fast tides
SEEING IS BELIEVING!I'm constantly amazed at how some beach and rock anglers are content to struggle through a night session relying on a few inches ... Full story
Does hook snood length matter, rock wrassing tactics
THE LONG AND SHORT OF ITAn interesting e-mail dropped in to my PC the other day from reader Dominic Taylor based down in Chelmsford. He ... Full story
Using big baits and summer beach thornback tactics
10 TO 1 ON!Big bait means big fish! We've all heard that one, and there is a lot of truth in it. But what is ... Full story
Practice fishing and pier and breakwater garfish tactics
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT...OR DOES IT?In most sports practice makes perfect, that's for sure. It may not be that simple when it comes to match fishing ... Full story
Buying fishing tackle in bulk and reef cod fishing tactics
CASHING INYou can save quite a wedge of your hard earned cash buying your tackle in bulk. If you check through the mail order adverts you'll ... Full story
Sequins and attractants and storm force flounder tactics
ARE YOU A FLASHER!?In daylight and calm gin clear seas flatfish become docile and less inclined to feed, often just sitting dormant on the seabed. ... Full story
Spring clean your fishing tackle and scratching tactics
SPRING CLEAN UPWith fishing in most areas fairly quite now, this is the traditional time for spring-cleaning your tackle. I keep fishing without any break, ... Full story
Log in
J Knot: Braid to Mono
This is the best knot we’ve found for joining a mono leader to main braid reel line. We first came across it when fishing for ... Full story