Weather conditions out at sea can change very quick.  The calmest, sunniest day on land with no wind blowing can be quite different a few miles offshore and even when the conditions are perfect it is never guaranteed that it will remain that way for the whole duration of the trip. The Skipper will factor in the likelihood (or not) of changeable conditions when deciding if a trip is good to go.

Be Prepared

Be prepared for any eventuality is the motto on any fishing trip and especially wrecking fishing trips.  Sun protection including sunscreen a hat and a pair of shades are in order for those glorious sunny days or warm and waterproof clothing and footwear in case the weather should get cold and wet.

It is not worth having to spend a day uncomfortable because you didn’t bring the appropriate gear.

Clothing

Consideration should be given to suitable footwear for the trip.  It is most likely that the deck will become wet and so can become slippery.  For your own comfort and safety footwear with a rubber sole is the most appropriate.  Deck shoes, Trainers or Wellingtons are ideal.

Temperatures at sea can be considerably colder than those onshore.  We recommend that you are prepared with plenty of thin layers and good fleece and a waterproof jacket.  It is much easier to take a layer or two off than it is to put on an extra layer that you have left at home.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is something you might also want to consider as when the shines hot and the weather is calm you will burn very quickly as the sun reflects off the water all around you. Go home with a nice tan not looking like the last lobster in the pot!

When the boat is up tide of the wreck you will be fishing your lure on the sea bed as the drift starts, winding in your line a at steady and constant pace for perhaps 20 to 40 turns, depending on the skippers advice as you pass over the wreck, then dropping back down to the bottom again depending on the shape and size of the wreck being fished.

The skipper will be constantly communicating with you so that your lure is at the correct depth necessary to catch the fish.  It is important to count the turns as you go so that if you get a bite you will know at what level in the water the fish are. This should then be remembered for the next drift.

Different species may be encountered at different depths and positions on the wreck. For example, Cod and Ling maybe on the bottom scour with Pollack higher up or above the wreck structure itself.

It is also important to remember that when a fish takes the lure that you DO NOT strike.

The fish will bite and then immediately dive for the wreck where by it will hook itself.  All you need to do it to continue to reel in and resist the urge to strike as doing so can result in losing the fish.

For more information please take a look at our wreck fishing page.