Plaice Info

[Dan-Langstone Angler]

In the good old days catching Plaice at Eastney was a piece of cake but these days not so easy. I agree that alot of the better Plaice will be caught at long range but dont be afraid to drop a bait 20yds out with a 4oz ball lead. Let it roll around until it settles in a depression in the sand, thats where the Plaiceies live!
Another good method when the tide isnt hammering is to trim the wires back on a grip lead lead and let it do the same as above, as the Plaice are not so plentiful its good to search em out.
Most years massive Plaice are caught by kids or anglers using ropey gear and ten year old hooks, its not always how you fish but where you fish.
Dan

[solehunter]

Some great posts there guys. I`m going to try fishing for them with more bait movement this season. One idea is to use a bubble float or power ball with a long trace attached and let the tide/ wind pull my baits slowly along the bottom simulating a drifting boat (well thats the theory. Also i`m going to reel in my static baits a few feet every 30 seconds or so.

[Crusader]

Well I am pleased that this topic has stimulated good good discussion - that was my aim and I have certainly learnt a thing or two!!

Thanks to all those that have contributed so far, and to those who haven't yet but will later!!

Dave

[maghouse]

Just my 10p's worth ..... pick the right day - ie. warm & sunny, flat calm sea and they will be there - March/April time generally.

I use both green & red beads and caught on both - as said, it is the attractant they are looking for. Never used spoons there, flat lead on a small tide away from HW would work but a gripper with a tide run works as well. Any rig 'hard on the bottom would work IMHO, wishbones definatley work as do 1up1down type rigs.

You do need distance though, rarely caught close in so 100 yards + is needed although having said that I was fishing last year and a young lad next to me caught a big plaice at 20/30 yards ..... jammy git

Anyway, I have been checking and there are NO Plaice coming this year so no need for anyone to come down to Eastney

Last years selection ...

[skatenchips]

You do realise postin them piccies have just opened a
monstrous can O "let me at it"....lol
All in sundry will be invading "your" fav marks now..!!!!!!!!!!

A massive case of "spots before the eyes Itis"....
dont ya just luv those juicy big buggers.

Gazza

[fishcakebreadcake]

All the plaice ive had down Eastney off the beach have come on a simple clipped down wishbone rig at distance,i m not a fan of beads from the shore ,some like bling some dont ;D

From the boat its a different matter,i use a watch lead as light as poss and a running ledger no longer than 8-10 inches with loads of green and black beads.
Theres no need for long traces when drifting for them ,i reckon the watch lead kicking up silt is a good an atractor as anything.

I think this thread shows there are no hard and fast rules its all down to personel choice.

[furdy]

the one thing i try and do is keep the drift of the boat around 1.2 knots.
if the tide is running faster I use old sash window weights over the bow to drag on the bottom to slow the boat.
If you then use just enough lead to hold bottom, the lead should bounce back in the tide in front of you. When you feel a bite you'll need to recover any slack line until you drift over the point at which the fish has stopped your bait and then start paying out line again until clamping down and lifting into the fish.
I know it sounds overly complicated but its pretty simple in practice but I do think the speed of drift is really important.
And its green and black beads for me every time. No spoons either, I'm not convinced that they are effectivce at all.

[squideyebarnes]

good bit of info there!

[Lavy]

Dead right about the speed of the drift , we find its got to be between 0.9 and 1.2 knots .Any faster dont seem to get them at all , any slower and still get a few but nowhere near as many.