Saltwater Boat Angling — December 2017

Saltwater Boat Angling 73

an outboard engine, which allows you more

flexibility to reach shallower waters, plus you’ll

only need a small cuddy to protect you from

the elements. If you prefer deeper waters

offshore, you’ll need something sturdier (20-

30ft) with an inboard engine, propeller, shaft

and rudder. And you’ll probably want some

shelter and a good sized deck.

COULD A BOATING COURSE

MAKE YOU BETTER ANGLER?

If you were a golfer you’d probably take

lessons to improve your swing.

It’s the same with sea angling. A confident

boater who knows understands the tides,

knows where to find a great catch, how to

lay bait from a boat and manoeuvre the boat

without scaring off targets will undoubtedly

make you a better angler.

It is also puts you in the driving seat and

ensures everyone enjoys themselves in a safe way.

For inshore angling, RYA Powerboat Level 2 is

an entry level

two-day course which provides you with all the

skills and background knowledge needed to drive

a powerboat. It enables you to handle a boat in

a smooth and controlled way, and manoeuvre in

close quarters calmly and confidently.

If you are planning to fish offshore, the

likelihood is you’ll be driving a bigger more

powerful boat and covering wider terrain. Add this

to the nature and complexities of fishing at sea, it’s

advisable to follow on from your RYA Powerboat

Level 2 with the Intermediate course or perhaps

the Dayskipper practical course. These will teach

ANATOMY OF A SMALL CLUB

you more about practical pilotage and passage

planning using charts and electronic navigational

techniques.

To take either course you’ll need to have

knowledge of RYA Day Skipper theory, plus it is

also advised that you take a VHF/ SRC operators

course and have an RYA First Aid certificate.

RYA Resources Manager Craig Burton, said: “If

you’re serious about sea fishing, make it easy on

yourself. Being a better boater will ultimately give

you a more rounded skill set, making your fishing

trips even more enjoyable and successful.”

SAFETY CHECKS

It sounds obvious but check your engines, your

first aid and safety equipment before leaving the

harbour.

Simple things like checking your VHF radio

is working means you can easily contact the

Coastguard and receive weather warnings,

while checking your engines before you

leave can reduce the risk of engine failure.

UNDERSTANDING THE TIDES

AND THE CURRENTS

Understanding wind, tides and currents will

add a surprising amount to your angling

arsenal.

Daily weather and tides have a great

influence over what fish do. Learning

about the different species of fish and

understanding the conditions they like is one

way to predict a catch; reading the water is

another.

The state of the tide is very important.

Most fish use tides like a clock, some fish like

incoming tides, others prefer the outgoing

(ebb) tide.

Some fish species feed better when the

tidal current is at its fastest, others like less

movement.

Spring tides or big tides occur when there

is a new or full moon and neap tides (small

tides) occur when the moon is on its first or last

quarter.

Each of these can prompt fish to travel. Some

species feed harder over spring tides, whereas

over neap tides they can often lay up for days.

Fluctuations in water temperature, caused by

the weather, can affect fish feeding behaviour

too. Taking all this into account and having a plan

will help you know where to go to catch the most

fish.

UNDERSTANDING THE TERRAIN

Knowing your harbours and estuaries, your

headlands and reefs, sandbanks and gullies will

allow you to increase your catch offshore.

Being aware of safe entry in and out of marinas

is very important, it’s also useful Intel for knowing

when you can get up close to things like wrecks,

buoys, piers and breakwaters where certain

fish roam.

WHY BEING A

BET TER BOATER WILL

INCRE A SE YOUR C ATCH

Jim’s top three boat

angling tips

1. ANCHOR
   Learn how to keep your boat in a stationary
   position uptide of where you want to fish.
   Using the tidal current to lower your baits
   back downtide towards the fishing mark
   is often the best way to fish for seabed
   feeding species which are hunting by scent
   and sight.


2. DRIFTING
   Use the natural forces of wind and tide to
   drift your boat over the feature you want to
   fish. Lower or cast your bait so they follow
   the movement of the boat. This is perfect
   for catching shoal fish or fast moving
   predators that actively hunt on the seabed.


3. TROLLING
   Suspend live baits behind a boat and use
   the engine to gently tow them through the
   water so they look like live bait. This is a
   great way to catch bass.

Author Jim O’Donnell is a professional

boat angler and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

charter skipper. This article was compiled

using extracts and examples from his book

RYA Boat Angling Explained.

Jim’s book is available in paperback or as

an eBook: rya.org.uk/go/shop.

For more details about courses:

rya.org.uk/go/training

To find a training centre:

rya.org.uk/go/wheresmynearest

DRIFT SPEED

DRIFT WHEEL OVER

“A CONFIDENT BOATER

WHO UNDERSTANDS

THE TIDES, KNOWS

HOW TO LAY BAIT AND

MANOEUVRE THE BOAT

WITHOUT SCARING

FISH OFF”

SPACING

Practical boating is

sponsored by Raymarine

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