Sea fishing, step by step

You’ll need: A rod, a reel with line on it

1. 1

   Step 1: Join the rod pieces together, with the rings lined up in a straight line. Push them together firmly.

2. 2

   Step 2: Slide the foot of the reel into the reel seat on the handle, then screw the collar tight so the reel can't wobble.

3. 3

   Step 3: Flip the bail arm open. Pull some line off and thread it up through every ring to the tip.

4. 4

   Step 4: Flip the bail arm closed. Pull a little line out from the tip, ready to tie on your hook or rig.

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You’ll need: Your line and a hook. The loose end is shown in red.

1. 1

   Step 1: Push about 10 cm of line through the eye of the hook.

2. 2

   Step 2: Twist the loose end around the main line 5 to 7 times.

3. 3

   Step 3: Push the loose end back through the small loop right next to the eye.

4. 4

   Step 4: Now tuck the end through the big loop you've just made.

5. 5

   Step 5: Wet the knot with a bit of water, pull it tight slowly, then trim the loose end.

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You’ll need: A hook tied on, and some bait

1. 1

   Step 1: Mackerel strip: cut a thin strip from the side of a fresh mackerel, about as wide and as long as your little finger.

2. 2

   Step 2: Push the hook once through the thick end of the strip, skin side out. The rest hangs free and flutters in the water.

3. 3

   Step 3: Worms (lugworm or ragworm): push the hook point into the head end of the worm.

4. 4

   Step 4: Thread the worm round the bend and up the hook, then onto the line. Leave the point and barb showing so it can hook the fish.

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You’ll need: A set of mackerel feathers and a 3 to 5 oz lead

1. 1

   Step 1: Tie the swivel at the top of the feathers to your main line, using the clinch knot.

2. 2

   Step 2: Clip a 3 to 5 oz (85 to 140 g) lead onto the snap at the bottom.

3. 3

   Step 3: Cast out and let it sink. Then lift and drop the rod as you wind in slowly. Mackerel often take several feathers at once.

4. 4

   Step 4: Take care unhooking: there are a lot of hooks. Keep feathers wound on a holder when you're not using them.

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You’ll need: A float, a float stop, a bead, a swivel, a hook length and a small weight

1. 1

   Step 1: Slide a float stop onto your line, then a bead, then the float.

2. 2

   Step 2: Tie on a swivel, then add a hook length of about 60 cm with a hook on the end.

3. 3

   Step 3: Add a small weight above the swivel so the float sits upright with just its tip showing.

4. 4

   Step 4: Slide the float stop up or down to set the depth. From a pier, start around 2 to 3 metres deep, then watch for the float dipping under.

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You’ll need: A lead clip or boom, a bead, a swivel, a hook length and a 3 to 5 oz lead

1. 1

   Step 1: Slide a lead clip or boom onto your line, then a bead.

2. 2

   Step 2: Tie on a swivel, then add a hook length of about 60 cm with your hook.

3. 3

   Step 3: Clip on a 3 to 5 oz lead, bait up and cast out. Keep the line tight and watch the rod tip for bites.

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You’ll need: Plenty of space, and a clear look around

1. 1

   Step 1: Every single time, check behind and around you for people, dogs and cars.

2. 2

   Step 2: Leave about 30 to 60 cm of line hanging from the rod tip. Open the bail arm and hold the line against the rod with your finger.

3. 3

   Step 3: Bring the rod back over your shoulder, then push it forward smoothly. No need to force it.

4. 4

   Step 4: Take your finger off the line when the rod is pointing up and out in front of you, about halfway between straight up and level. Close the bail arm when the rig lands.

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You’ll need: Wet hands, and pliers or a disgorger

1. 1

   Step 1: Wet your hands first. Dry hands strip the slime that protects a fish's skin.

2. 2

   Step 2: Hold the fish firmly but gently, just behind the head. Watch out for the spiky fins on wrasse and bass.

3. 3

   Step 3: Use pliers or a disgorger to back the hook out the way it went in.

4. 4

   Step 4: If you're putting it back, do it quickly: low to the water, head first. Remember the bass rules: two a day at 40 cm or more.

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