(This article is produced in partnership with FishingMegastore.com)
Sea fishing is one of the last true escapes in fishing. With the varied coastlines around the UK and no two fishing marks the same, each session presents refreshing challenges and different species to catch.
The real beauty of sea fishing, which sets it apart from other forms of angling, is the complete unknown of what your next bite will be. Yes, you can target certain species, and as you improve, you will be able to somewhat predict what will take your bait. However, the next fish could be literally anything, and that is as exciting as fishing can ever be.
Going sea fishing for the first time can be daunting. As mentioned, you can fish from rocks, piers, beaches, estuaries, and for so many species that it can be difficult to know where to start. But once you hear the waves breaking and feel the fresh sea air, you will almost forget you're fishing.
In this article, we will delve into all the tackle you could possibly need to start, while including various tips to get you out and catching. Another bonus is that sea fishing doesn't require a rod licence, so you can enjoy your angling without worrying about that.
Sea fishing combo sets
If you plan on trying sea fishing for the first time or are having a family holiday and want to take some kit with you, then a combo set is the perfect place to start. This will serve two purposes: not only will it provide all the tackle you need for a session, which is ideal if you have no idea where to start, but these sets often state what species they are designed for, which is great if you know roughly where you will be fishing.
A quick search on Google will often give you access to information about what species certain areas of the UK are likely to produce, as well as tactics and specific marks to try. The most common method of fishing around the UK is beach casting, which involves fishing from the shoreline. The rods used for this are often quite substantial to allow you to cast heavier leads of around 4-8 oz, and the lines and reels are larger to handle the extra stress of retrieving larger fish and end-tackle.
As with all styles of angling, you can spend as much as you want on tackle, but for a beginner or someone who wants to try sea fishing to see how much they enjoy it, here are some products recommended by Fishing Megastore...
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The Fisheagle Full Monty Beach Combo includes everything you need to go fishing, just set the rod up and you're ready to fish. A reel preloaded with line and 20 rigs will ensure you have plenty of terminal tackle whilst the seatbox gives you somewhere to sit and store items.
The handy tripod allows you to safely secure your rod when it being used, with a useful headtorch included for fishing into darkness.
Pros
- Complete setup - comes with everything you need!
- Tackle box is sturdy and lightweight.
Cons
- The rod is a little heavy.
Lure fishing combos
Lure fishing can be a really effective and exciting way to catch fish from the sea. If you aren't one to sit behind rods for prolonged periods and like to stay active while angling, lure fishing is perfect for you. It is a great way to introduce beginners to fishing, and some surprisingly big fish can be caught using lures. Additionally, it allows you to travel light, so you can always pack a rod and tackle box in the car for a few hours of fishing in the morning or evening.
Many popular species around the British coastlines can be caught with lures, with mackerel and bass being two of the more popular and easy-to-catch fish. Generally, mackerel are fished for from beaches and rock marks using feathers, which comprise 3-6 hooks dressed in sparkling material made to look like small baitfish. Multiple mackerel can be caught on every cast, and sometimes the action can be frantic. However, a word of caution: please only catch the fish you need, as mackerel don't release very well.
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The Kinetic Allround CC Combo is a general-purpose rod and reel setup that's perfect for everything from bass to mackerel. The reel boasts a graphite body and rotor for reduced weight, strength and corrosion resistance. Also equipped with a electroplated aluminum spool and a bearing system that includes instant anti-reverse for smooth, dependable performance.
The spinning rod is built on a graphite two-piece blank formulated to be strong and reliable when it counts. Components include single legged SIC guides, comfortable EVA camo handle and a graphite reel seat for great sensitivity.
Pros
- Lightweight rod and reel, ideal for beginners.
- Perfect for all lure fishing work for species like bass and pollock.
Cons
- Not the best rod for beach casting with heavy leads, but it will tolerate smaller leads upto 4oz.
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The Fisheagle Mackerel combo includes an 11ft length rod, a matched reel supplied with pre-loaded line. The perfect setup for beginners wanting to get out on the pier in summer!
If you're fishing off piers and rocks you need a rod to get your baits out there. This Saracen Mackerel Rod is perfect for throwing feather rigs to the horizon or chucking a float out into gullies and bays.
Pros
- Rod is lightweight, perfect for using in conjunction with feathers for mackerel.
- Can double up as lure rod for bass fishing.
- Ideal for fishing off piers or in estuaries for smaller species like flounder.
Cons
- You will need to buy extra terminal tackle.
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Shakespeare's Catch More Fish 2 7ft LRF Kit is the perfect starter combo for LRF styles of fishing.
The kit includes a rod, reel plus a tackle box with essential terminal tackle items to get you started.The rod is a two piece and is built from composite carbon. It features an EVA handle with a reliable DPS reel seat and has a casting weight of 5-15gms. The Beta FD reel is pre-spooled with high quality Beta monofilament.
Box Contents
1 x Berkley Gulp Minnow pack.
2 x size 10 hooks.
2 x lead jig heads (3.5g & 5g).
2 x lead drop shot weights (7g & 9.6g).
3 x 8cm rubber fish lures.
Pros
- Lots of different lures included.
- Perfect for kids.
- A good choice for fishing off piers, rocks and harbours for smaller fish species.
Cons
- The rod is very light and isn't really suitable for large fish.
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These Major Craft Ceana rods are the entry-level range that has been specifically for the European market. The quality finish and performance are way above their price point, this is a proper Majorcraft rod that's fitted with Fuji guides with Fazlite rings and featuring DPS & VSS type reel seats with EVA grips and finished in a simple but modern glossy & matt black.
The rods are very light making them perfect for holding all day, the through action means you won't lose as many fish to hook pulls, whilst still being able to impart lots of action into the lures.
Pros
- Lightweight build.
- Through action, great for reducing hook pulls.
Cons
- Not ideal for really big lures.
Other sea fishing essentials
There are various other items you are likely to need when sea fishing. While some are transferable from your freshwater angling gear, many items for saltwater fishing need to be more robust and larger.
Your reels should be loaded with line between 15-20 lb, which will cover most scenarios and species you are likely to encounter. In your tackle box, you will want a mixture of leads, from gripper-style weights to plain leads, along with swivels, beads, and a range of hooks. Preferably, use circle hooks if you plan to return what you catch. It can also be helpful to take a cool bag to keep frozen baits like squid and worm baits cool, especially in the summer.
As many sea fishing spots require a decent walk to reach, a good-quality rucksack or tackle box is essential. It will keep all your tackle together and allow you to walk as far as needed without being weighed down. Since many anglers keep their catch, a good-quality filleting knife will help you prepare any fish you have caught to eat with minimal fuss or wastage.
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With the IMAX Oceanic bag, you can keep all of your essential fishing gear close at hand. It has a large main compartment with lots of space and security for all of your belongings. On the outside, there are two long side pockets for rig wallets and two front pockets for pliers and other small supplies. Even when fully loaded, the two padded and adjustable shoulder straps ensure maximum carrying comfort.
-Fully padded backpack, built to carry loads of tackle and accessories
-Two long side pockets that perfectly hold rig wallets
-Padded and adjustable shoulder straps and carry handle
-Toughened waterproof base for durability
-Made of 100% easy-to-clean 600D coated polyester
-Oversized, saltwater resistant nylon zippers
Pros
- Quality rucksack, well built and designed to last for ages.
- Plenty of room and well padded to prevent straps digging into your shoulders.
Cons
- Toggles on the zips could be slightly stronger.
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This Sift Sea Float kit contains a resilient sea fishing float with fluoro painted contrasting top for maximum visibility plus the weight, hook, beads & swivels you'll need to rig it up. Float fishing is great for various species like mackerel, garfish, bass and wrasse and this kit includes everything you need including instructions on how to set it up correctly.
Pros
- Contains everything you need to go float fishing.
- Hard wearing body will remain resilient against damage.
Cons
- Only one of everything in the kit, so if you lose anything you'll have to get another.
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If you don't have the know how or the time to make your own rigs, why not buy some of the Shakespeare Sea Fishing rigs instead. All the rigs are made from high quality components so you needn't't worry if they will be upto the job. There are rigs to cover all aspects of sea fishing too, from mackerel feather rigs to pulley rigs for larger fish like bass and smooth hounds.
Pros
- Quality components.
- Very well-tied rigs.
Cons
- You will need spare rigs or components if you lose anything.
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The Savage Gear Seeker Lures are designed for long casting, even in windy conditions – the blade design allows the lure to swim very lively and erratic with the most incredible 360-degree rotation on the spin stop – so that the lure spins away from the centerline – driving the fish crazy – resulting in hard strikes!
Each lure is supplied with an ultra sharp Treble hook, several colours soft Beads and clear hard beads, to protect the knot on the spilt/ring hook knot. When the fish is hooked, the lure runs freely up the line and the fish cannot use the weight of the lure to throw the hook. The photo print colours are made with sandeel details and superb finish.
Pros
- Superb lure for bass.
- Slim design allows for long casting distances to be achieved.
Cons
- Not the best lures for really shallow water due to their weight.
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Prep your bait and catches with this DAM Filleting Kit, comprising of three high quality knives, each different in length and a handy sharpener. The knife blades are made or hardened stainless steel and the handles are from high quality rubber. Comes in a high-quality hard case, so you can store or transport everything in an orderly and safe way.
3 different length blades
Complete with handy sharpener
Hardened stainless-steel blades
Quality, lightweight handles
Hard case included
Pros
- Carry case to keep your knives safe and sharp.
- Three knives to allow you to process any fish easily.
- Rubberised handles prevent your grip slipping when your hands are wet.
Cons
- The sharpening stone could be slightly better.
And that is about it. Unless you are lure fishing, you will just need some bait, and you are ready to fish. Baits like worms (rag and lug) can be dug up or bought from a tackle shop and are great for most species, alternatively, you can use larger baits like squid or sandeels to target bigger fish. Sea fishing can be tricky at times, but it can also be very rewarding. As mentioned, you never really know what your next bite is going to be, which makes it all the more magical!
Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Commercial Content Writer at Angling Times.