SAFETY FIRST
- Always wear lifejackets and clip on when retrieving a fish
- Always wear gloves (cut proof ideally) when handling the line as well as when dispatching and filleting fish!
- Make sure your gaff is long enough to reach the water safely from deck level
- Get a big bucket to put fish in when you get them onboard
- Use cheap vodka or gin to humanly (and cleanly) dispatch fish by pouring a shot into gills
- Use a very sharp fish knife to process (sharp knives are safer than blunt)
- If you hook a shark or big bill fish try to cut the line as close to the hook as is safe
TOP TIP
- Get a small pet bell to alert you to catches
- Use outrigger clips or surgical rubber to make a shock absorber
(But don't worry too much as monofilament will stretch)
FERG'S EASY DAISY CHAIN RIG FOR YOYO FISHING!
What you'll need:
Cuban YoYo (hand fishing) reel loaded with:
150-200ft (45-60m) of 150lb to 250lb monofilament line – never braided on a YoYo as it can cut you
At the end of this add an equally rated swivel
The swivel then goes onto 7-9ft(2-3m) 65kg to 80kg braided wire leader
(Use wire as fish will cut through monofilament)
On the braided wire add 5 lures, the first four from the swivel are decoy muppet lures (3inches) without hooks. They can be slid down the wire and held in place using crimps or whipping twine.
The final lure on the line is a 6inch squid lure with a number 7 hook which can be hidden in the ‘skirt’ of the squid, also add a 50-75g lead weight on the line, which is again under the skirt of the squid.
REMEMBER YOU ARE JUST ONE BOAT IN A BIG OCEAN
By having multiple lures, the rig looks more attractive to the fish. Fish are more likely to hunt from behind, so they will go for the lure on the end of the line first (thinking they will then go for the rest of the lures). Once they have struck the lure, they will turn and run at which point they will nicely hook themselves in the jaw.
NOTE… Multiple hooks on the line increases the risk of injury as you are hauling the fish in… so only use one on the end lure!
A single hook can be hidden in the ‘skirt’ of the squid. This also helps avoid the worst of the sargassum seaweed (you can use double or treble hooks, but you are more likely to catch weed!)
FERG’S FAVOURITE LURE COLOURS - PINK, GREEN AND BLUE
(mahi mahi love the green lures)
PROCESSING YOUR CATCH
- Slug of spirit to the gills – quickest and most humane way to dispatch fish
- Bleed overboard (tuna and wahoo need bleeding – mahi mahi doesn’t) Bleeding is particularly important if you want to freeze the catch otherwise it tastes metallic
- Gut, fillet and/or steak your catch
- You’ll need a very sharp fish knife
- Wear cut proof gloves
- Storage (current UK food standards)
- Raw two days in the fridge
- Cooked four days in the fridge
- In the freeze two months
MORE TOP TIPS…
When you bring the braided wire in at the end of the day, spray it off with fresh water, it help to prevent it rusting for longer
Hooks that rust are kinder on the fish, if you lose a fish the hook will work out in about 6 weeks rather than stainless steel which takes much longer.
Use the yoyo to bring in the fish, pull the yoyo, grab the line and then wrap it round the yoyo. Don't just pile the line up round your feet.
BE AWARE OF
Ciguatera Poisoning - one of the most common food-borne illnesses related to fish consumption - and is sadly increasing. It’s commonly found in reef fish (rarely in pelagic fish) so best to avoid eating reef fish (and those fish who eat reef fish, such as barracuda) in areas where ciguatera cases are reported. If in doubt, ask a local fisherman. Read more
Fish Worm (ewww) - most are found in the intestines – so make sure you properly gut and clean the fish. Some will also have small white worms in their flesh – these are not dangerous if you freeze or cook – but avoid eating raw.
