Turbot and Brill fishing has become very popular over the last few years here in Brighton. We fish for Turbot and Brill throughout the summer and autumn when they shoal up on various offshore deep water marks along the Sussex coast. August and September are usually the peak months to catch them. Our Turbot grounds are quickly establishing themselves a reputation for being amongst the most prolific for Turbot fishing in the UK.
How we Fish for Turbot and Brill
Turbot and Brill fishing isn’t complicated and it’s a really enjoyable and relaxing day, especially compared to wreck fishing! The first job of the day is to catch some Mackerel and maybe Launce (Sandeel) for bait so don’t forget to bring some small Sabiki type feathers. Once we have our bait we head to whatever Turbot mark the skipper has chosen to start the day on and we fish on the drift. Each drift can cover anywhere from a quarter of a mile to maybe a mile or more, it varies from day to day and on the state of the tide.
Everyone fishes on the same side of the boat so that all the lines are going away from the boat and not under it. This is why we limit our Turbot and Brill trips to 7 anglers! There are a few tips and tricks we will show you on the day to maximise your chances of getting a bite and hooking the fish.
Turbot Fishing Rods and Rigs
A 12-20lb class boat rod is perfect for Turbot fishing paired with a suitable multiplier reel loaded with braid and a mono rubbing leader. Using braid is a significant advantage as you need to be able to feel whats going on as your bait drifts over the banks and down the gullies in depths of 120 feet (35 metres) or more! We also recommend that you don’t use fixed spool reels for this type of fishing, the reasons for which will become obvious on the day.
As for rigs a simple running ledger works just fine with a 25lb fluorocarbon trace anywhere from 3 to 6 feet long. Bling is optional, we quite like the large inline spoons from various manufacturers. Hooks can be anywhere from 4/0 to 6/0 either single or Pennel rigged. Don’t forget your feathers for catching the bait too!
