Sea fishing - any advice?

[Arzosah]

Is there a local angling club? There's aquaponics too ... and farmed fishing ... and crabbing .... and cockling ... there's lots you can do

As far as I understand, salt water fish and aquaponics generally don't marry up well. Seems to work better for fresh water fish from my understanding. Also to fit a family of cod in an aquaponics setup would have to be huge
There's a particular species/breed of fish they have in the US that is very suited to aquaponics and the dinner table, can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, began with T maybe? Not sure if we have it here. But lobster might be in the same category as cod, I'm afraid

From what I've seen of farmed fish, it would take quite a bit of infrastructure and forward planning and time for it to start generating enough to eat sustainably.

Just my 2 cents but I wonder how hard it would be to farm lobster in a pool in a garage etc....... nice food supply and could sell them for money too

Absolutely I really can't imagine a family of cod in a barrel in the garage The US fish I've read about in online fiction is tilapia, I'm betting thats the one you're thinking of, Fozzie.

There are definitely hydroponics firms in this country that sell the kit, there are two in my county alone, and I see that Kate Humble has set up (experimental, surely?) an aquaponics system, also using tilapia. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle ... ood-crisis

Sorry for the hijack, CynicalSurvival, you started me on fish and I just kept going

[Devonian]

As you have specifically mentioned this being a means to feeding yourself after a SHTF event, then you need a more efficient means of fishing. With a rod and line you could sit there day after day after day and not catch anything - trust me I've done it!! Or the weather conditions could be so bad that it is not safe to fish.

So after (and only after - as it is currently illegal!!), I would consider the use of gill nets as a means of survival fishing.

[CynicalSurvival]

As you have specifically mentioned this being a means to feeding yourself after a SHTF event, then you need a more efficient means of fishing. With a rod and line you could sit there day after day after day and not catch anything - trust me I've done it!! Or the weather conditions could be so bad that it is not safe to fish.

So after (and only after - as it is currently illegal!!), I would consider the use of gill nets as a means of survival fishing.

That's a very good point Devonian... I will look into that, thanks

No problem Arsozah - I will also consider any good alternative to sea fishing.

[CynicalSurvival]

Perhaps I should also consider also crab/lobster potting, though again I've never tried it. Anyone had a go at this? Apparently it is legal to take a small amount for personal use.

[Warbow]

CYN: Whereabout in Scotland are you? My best mate and prepping buddy are constantly outdoors practising our skills, one of which is fishing, particularly sea fishing. We don't mind traveling to new areas to try something new and never mind taking someone along to pass on our knowledge, plus we're kit monsters so have plenty of spare rods, reels and tackle etc. for you to use.

If you're not too far from us a trip up to help you out is not a problem.

[CynicalSurvival]

Awesome that sounds amazing I live in Ayrshire on the coast, about an hour west of Glasgow.

[Warbow]

I know it quite well, love Ayr, beautiful part of the world and just in range, not that far to drive fortunately. Leave it with me and I'll try and sort something out.

[farnet]

The primary things with sea fishing is to know your bait and setup for the type of fish you are fishing for.

Eg pollock and mullet like ragworm

Makerel from the shore can be caught with sand eels and ragworm, from a boat you can use spinners

The best thing to consider is harvesting from the shoreline... Limpets, winkles, clams, cockles etc.

Seaweed is extremely good for you, and can be dried.

With a snorkel and mask you can spike urchins and catch spider crabs (used to do that as a kid, and there is a knack as the punchers can hurt. And not forgetting mussels, but be careful as they filter the crap of the sea and where you harvest them can make you poorly

[QUAID]

Generally you want a set up that is an all rounder for plenty of different scenarios.

I use a combination rod, comes in 4 sections that can be swapped and changed for Boat, Beachcasting, rock and pier scenarios http://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalo ... r_Rod.html

Forage bait your self best scavenged bait is - Rag worm in summer - Lug worm in winter - Peeler crabs all year round.

Use a Paternoster set up for most fish or sliding rig.

Unless you are a competent caster - get a fixed spool rig as apposed to a multiplier.

Then all you need are weights, hooks, beads, swivels and line as a minimum.

During Summer time use mackeral feather rigs (no bait required) i have caught 4 fish at a time using these, they are easy!!!

[farnet]

Quaid, how good are peeler crabs as bait, I've never tried them.

Someone once said you can eat the rag and lug worm...... but personally I'll pass, I'll eat the seaweed instead.