"Angus Robins" wrote in message
t...
Last post generated some v. interesting debate. Felt that I learnt loads.
Have stuck with the carp tackle, got some decent lures and floats and
although not immediately successful I am hopeful. Have found a spot under
some cliffs with a good forty to fifty feet of water under the rod tip.
I want to fish mackerel strip but feel that my size 6 o'shaugnessy hooks
are a bit on the wee side. Also, I now know that dogfish are considered a
nuisance in many places, but I am interested in catching a few for the
plate.Do they fall to float fished or bottom baits? What depths of water /
types of terrain are they found in?Any advice/guidance?

Cheers,
Angus,
Applecross


Hi Angus,

I tend to match hook size to bait size. If you're fishing small baits use
small hooks, for large baits use larger hooks. So for a small bit of
mackerell strip you could use size 6's. For whole squid or whole crab use a
6/0. Size 1's or 1/0s are pretty good for general purpose fishing.
Whatever the hook size always try to leave the point of the hook clear of
the bait - don't entomb the point in the bait.

If you find you are getting plagued with small fish all the time, you can
try going up a few hook sizes to filter out the fish with smaller mouths.
Having said that I have still managed to catch tiny 5 Bearded Rockling on
6/0s with whole squid ;-)

Dogfish are bottom feeders so you will be unlikely to get one on the float.
Fish the bottom with a good chunk of fish bait ( Mackerel or Squid ) on the
hook - after dark is best.

ETV