Where are the Fish at the Wreck?
Wrecks provide the perfect habitat for a wide variety of fish species, fish on most wrecks can be divided into two main categories; those feeding at or near the bottom, such as Cod, Ling and Conger, and those feeding at a higher level such as Pollack and Coalfish. The higher level feeders hunt prey fish above the wreck in the pressure wave created by the water forced up over the wreck by the tide.
A good day’s wreck fishing can be achieved on all tides ranging from big to small.
Wreck Fishing Tips
1. On the drop down keep you finger on you spool so that you control the speed of the decent, if you do not you will only end up with a birds nest (tangle)
2. When you are working your lures count how many turns up you get your fish, this will save time if they are being taken say 35 turns up as you can quickly go to that depth
3. Vary the speed that you retrieve your lures, and remember that the speed of the tide also effects the action of the lure
4. Also have a good supply of rigs made up, as if you loose your rig on a wreck it can be quickly replaced ready for the next drift
Wreck Fishing Tackle
When fishing wrecks rods should be of 12/20lb or 20/30 class.
The reels size Shimano TLD 10/15 or Shimano Torium 16, Abu 7000, Penn 975, Dawia sloshes, that hold braided line 20lb class.
Fishing with french booms long traces to a 4/6/0 hooks.
Lures can be storm shads or eels, jelly worms will do the trick.
Canon Ball weights are great for wreck fishing as they do not spin and seem less likely to become snagged in the wreck in 350 feet of water. 8 oz to 12oz are preferable.
If required, tackle can be provided read more about wreck fishing tackle.
Latest Wreck Fishing Techniques
Experimenting with offshore Jigging techniques on the wrecks has been a revelation to many anglers, vertical jigging covers far more water, the average lift being from around 10 to 30 metres of water. The special jigs are unbalanced and will move sideward. It's similar to the surface lure technique known as "walking the dog" only you're fishing in a vertical water coloumn rather than horizontally, absolutely great for pollacking.