Sea Fishing Around Cornwall

J. Hussey

Description

This antiquarian book contains a concise introductory guide to sea fishing in Cornwall. Including information on habits and habitats, rods and equipment, bait, technique, and much more, this volume constitutes the ideal introduction to sea fishing. It is highly recommended for those with an a practical interest in the sport. The sections of this text include: “Introduction to Sea Fishing”, “Round the Coast”, “The Fish”, and “Tips for the Beginner: Bait, Tides, etc.”. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly hard to come by and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on fishing.

Sujets

• Sport
• Autour du sport
• Histoire du sport
• Autres sports
• Sports de plein air
• Sports
• Fishing
• Recreation

Informations

• Publié par: Read Books Ltd.
• Date de parution: 25 avril 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781447480914
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ROUND THE COAST
THE FISH
Bass - pollack - coalfish - mullet - mackerel - wrasse - flatfish - conger - garfish - scad - gurnard - tope - ling - whiting - pouting - red bream - dogfish - skate and ray - monkfish - shark
TIPS FOR THE BEGINNER

The long wait-Bass fishing at Whitesand Bay near Sennen Cove. This area is one of the best in Cornwall for Bass and also for Dabs .

On the sheltered side of Towan Head, Newquay-A scene typical of rock fishing around Cornwall .
INTRODUCTION
Cornwall is the most southerly and westerly of English counties. Together with the south-western part of Ireland, it receives the benefit of the North Atlantic Drift-a continuation of the mighty Gulf Stream. The warm winds and relatively warm waters this brings are responsible for Cornwall s mild winters and for the unusually high population of fish off its shores. The North Atlantic Drift also brings to Cornwall on occasion such unusual visitors as turtles, tropical squids, Portugese men-of-war and even flying fish. The seas off south-western Britain are extremely rich and of high salinity; it is this that accounts for the value of the offshore fishing grounds there. It is not commonly realised how much the sea does in fact vary from place to place; just as with the land areas of this globe, there are areas of great fertility and areas of non-productive desert in the oceans. The coastal waters off Cornwall abound with fish, providing what is probably the best shore fishing in all England. Not so many years ago, one-eighth of Cornwall s population was dependent upon its fishing industry, so we may infer how rich these fishing grounds were, and still are. This however does not mean that as a result fish are caught here that much more easily by the aspiring holiday angler-but it does mean that chances of good sport and of a good catch are that much greater.
In addition to its especially advantageous geographical position which results in this great variety and abundance of sea fish, Cornwall has a long and varied coastline which offers anglers every type of sport. In the county there are more than 250 miles of tideline if one includes all the inlets and tidal estuaries, ranging in character from steep rocky shores lined with massive curtains of bladder wrack; wide sandy beaches where the open seas of the Atlantic come rolling inshore in line after line of surf; estuaries such as the Helford River and the Fal with their innumerable creeks, where boat fishing is so good; and innumerable little coves and inlets all the way round from Looe to Bude abounding with good fishing spots. It is doubtful whether there is better fishing anywhere round the British Isles-Ireland excepted-than Cornwall. Offshore, in a boat, the fishing is even better and more varied.
One word of caution is needed to those who are not aware of the danger in shore fishing from exposed rocks and promontories. Exceptional ground swells may come surging in, unnoticed and quite unexpected, which can sweep a man off his feet and away to his death, even from rocks which have hitherto been bone dry. This can occur even in relatively calm conditions after a gale far out in the Atlantic. It has happened time and again, particularly on the more exposed north coast, and the danger is made worse on rocks which have been worn smooth by countless tides in the past. Unfortunately it is usually the case that the best rock stances are the most dangerous in this respect.
ROUND THE COAST
Between the one-time fishing-and smuggling-villages of Cawsand and Kingsand and along by Rame Head, the waters of Plymouth Sound meet the open sea. Pollack, wrasse, and conger are all taken, plus some mackerel and bass. Boat fishing offers the chance of dogfish as well, particularly off Penlee Point and Rame Head. Good rock positions are numerous, including Penlee, Eastern Gear and Queener Point.
Whitesand Bay is sandy, as its name implies, and is backed by low cliffs extending a long way westward from Rame Head. It is too exposed for boat fishing and, it may be added, is regarded as dangerous for swimmers. Surf fishing for bass is possible and there are a succession of rocks and little promontories (which are not always easily accessible however). Along this stretch of coast in east Cornwall quite a few places offer shore fishing-Downderry, Seaton, Portwrinkle, Millandreth, etc.-but the best base for the holidaying or touring angler is certainly Looe. This still remains a commercial fishing port and has also become famous as the chief centre in Cornwall for shark angling. Bass, mullet, flounders and the occasional pollack, etc., are caught in the harbour, the east quay being the best position during the busy summer season when the prime spot-the Banjo pier at the harbour entrance-is unfortunately barred to anglers. There are good tackle shops in the town and bait is easy to get locally, including lugworm which can be dug at low tide by the bridge. Off Hannafore rocks on the west side round from the harbour entrance there are some good places for pollack and wrasse, etc. Offshore there are useful marks for good mixed fishing, with the chance of pollack, bass, mackerel, conger, huss and many other species. Local boats for hire are plentiful.