Beach Fishing For Flatfish - Dab Rigs, Tips & Tactics

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Beach Fishing For Flatfish - Dab Rigs, Tips & Tactics
Traditionally the months of January and February are normally very quiet months for the sea angler.
The increase in Sprat population normally pulls all the larger fish into the deeper water and way out of range for the shore anglers and the bigger specimens can become pre-occupied feeding on this little silver fish, which provides an easy, nutritional meal.
A small Lugworm bait presented on the bottom rarely stands a chance and many beaches can be almost devoid of fish, especially Codling. However despite all this, there's one fish you can normally rely on to feed and one fish that is actually at it's biggest and most abundant in this 'quiet period' and that is the humble Dab.
So with all these things in mind we travelled to an old haunt, a favourite bit of beach from many seasons gone and a place where we'd previously enjoyed success catching Dabs and other Flatfish, that beach was Kessingland in Suffolk.
Arriving just before high water, armed with a 100 blow Lugworm and a mixture of different rigs, we were soon set up and ready to get the first baits in the water…
To find out how the session unfolded and what rigs, tips and tactics we used to target these plentiful little Flatfish then be sure to watch the latest episode from the waters edge.
As always we hope you find the video both informative and entertaining and of course feel free to leave us any questions, comments or feedback.

[@DaiHGowerWales]

Excellent explanatory how to do it video. Well done. Thank you.

[@KitsFishing]

I liked your video. It was easy to watch and relaxing and you put the fish back so I'm gonna subscribe thanks

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it!

[@petepidgley3250]

Another very nice video Chris, and well filmed again Steve, worth the wait as always, looking forward to the next one now. Tight lines mate

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi PETE PIDGLEY thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them, glad you enjoyed it! :-) Fingers crossed we should be back out again soon. Hoping for a half tidy Spring run of Codling this year!

[@81pressy]

Another cracking shore fishing video, always enjoy these. Keep up the good work mate!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers 81pressy thanks for the kind words. :-)

[@mark2035]

Thanks Chris for this video. Returning to it years after it was uploaded it is still very relevant. Are you still making videos ?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Mark, thanks for the kind comments. 😊 I should be back on the beach again soon hopefully, just spent lots of time the other side of the camera over the past year. Hope you've been catching a few. 🎣

[@gebsrus]

Thanks for sharing again Chris. I've learnt so much over the last year or so and although I haven't been able to get out there as much as I'd like, I'm sure going to make up for it this year! I'm going to hit every beach in Wales and put all of your hints and tips to the test. Here's to catching plenty! Thanks again Chris and tight lines....

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers Paul Burgess glad you have enjoyed the videos and found some bits useful! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback too, it's much appreciated! Fingers crossed you manage to get amongst a few and that 2015 is nice and fish filled for you!! Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@Bevii3]

Nice video as usual thanks for bringing all fisherman entertainment whilst not on the bank :) keep up the good work

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thnaks ***** glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated! :-)

[@neiletherington9439]

I subscribe to your channel and really enjoy the videos on pole and feeder fishing, I don't intend to start sea fishing but watched the latest on beach fishing for dabs, very informative and provided me with an insight to this side of fishing, we're all fisherman when said and done and I'll keep watching your videos on all aspects of fishing, thoroughly enjoyed it thanks.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks Neil Etherington glad you enjoy the video's. Thanks for taking the time to comment too, it's always nice to hear some feedback, especially when it's positive. Much appreciated. Hope your fishing is going well and that your catching a few! Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@unicorn_jesus6930]

nice vid chris I found it very useful . recently I have just fished a massive estuary in northern ireland with earth worms. I caught 3 flounders and 7 dabs.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for the kind comments Kyle, glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad to hear you've been catching a few too! Cheers Chris

[@palmer3977]

I always have trouble unhooking dabs even lost a couple because of it, I normally put fish back alive & that little tool looks superb, should help me put more back alive.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi palmer3977 it is quite a neat little trick I guess, when I used it on the deeper hooked fish in this video it worked a treat! Next time we are out, I hope to do a slightly more detailed/close up piece on it :-) Hope your catching a few, cheers Chris.

[@ruckusflow]

Great videos these, very informative, always worth the wait for the quality of them, well done guys, keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi ruckusflow glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the kind comments! :-) We'll have lots more to come throughout this year, it's just getting the time to get out and do it! Thanks again and good luck with your fishing :-)

[@steviebates2903]

Hi Chris, yes mate please do let me know if you decide to come this way and hopefully I can point you in to some good places to fish?! good luck to you also when you get a chance to go out next 👍 my next trip now is this Sunday 31st for the world dab championships at Dungeness, going to have to brave the wind and rain lol. tight lines mate and maybe catch you during the year 👍

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Tight lines to you too +Stephen Bates hope the Dab champs went well! Did you manage a few? Yeah no worries at all, we'll be sure to drop you a message! :-) Cheers Chris.

[@jdg4m1ngcodandothers6]

Im 13 and i love fishing, ur my idol fisher, great video

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers JD G4M1NG COD AND OTHERS and thank you for the kind comment, it means a lot. Glad you are enjoying the videos :-) Hope your fishing is going well and that you have been catching a few. Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@SaltWaterPassions]

Hello very nice video with good tips and tactics...keep up the good work and tight lines ;-)

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers Salt Water Passions glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind comments.

[@azmax1021]

Great fishing Collin..almost the same techniques as us in Singapore...its a shame that we could not get the juicy lugworm here..anyway great show..looking forward for more of ur expeditions...thumbs up...

[@vikki19070]

Enjoy your videos and lots of helpful tips. Thanks for posting !

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi vikki19070 thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them, glad you enjoy the videos and our channel! Hope your fishing is going well. Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@AndrewsSneakySpaghetti]

You caught a dab. Not bad!

[@davidharvey5672]

Cheers for thayt Chris. Tescos always seem to have sprats and they usually have fresh mussels too. Never had so much as a bite on sprats myself but mussels seem to help.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks David Harvey glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind comments. I know, I was totally surprised when I couldn't get any!!! And even more surprised when the fish monger almost didn't seem to know what they were! Perhaps he was an apprentice! ;-) Thanks again.

[@davidharvey5672]

From The Waters Edge TV Haha, if he was an apprentice he's got a long way to go. Where did you park at Kessingland? I saw the beach car park the other day but looks too far for my knees to the fishing.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Haha, thats what I thought!!! :-) I parked just outside the holiday camp. I used to drive and park inside it, however one night in the middle of winter, they locked me in, so I learnt my lesson and park just outside it now.

[@steviebates2903]

Hi Chris, you have some great videos 👍 I have watched most I can find on here and have subscribed to your channel. I'm hoping to go dab fishing sometime this week if the weather allows it, if you ever find yourself down on the Romney Marsh in Kent there is some great fishing here, rays have been caught all winter so far plenty Mr whiting and some nice codling and bass also have been caught. if you ever find yourself this way or want to know where's good to try for a new episode let me know! 😉 keep up the good work cheers Steve

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi +Stephen Bates thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them :-) I know what you mean about the weather... we're just waiting for this latest storm front to ease and then hopefully we should be back out on the beach. Glad you're fishing is going well and that you've been catching a few! :-) There's tonnes of interesting fishing your way, so you evener know, I've always been tempted by a trip! I'll drop you a line :-) Thanks again, tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@isleofwightdave2286]

Another great sea fishing vid Chris. They are always a good watch. I have to say I`m quite surprised by your hook size. We would normally go for a size 4 or size 2 at a max. Saying that, I know a guy who had a 2 pounder on a 2/0 hook and whole squid! That was from a boat though. Looking forward to your next upload & I hope you get in some good sessions during the spring run. Have a good one!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers IOW Dave glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for taking the time to post the kind comments. I'm not going to lie, I'm not 100% sure what hooks they were, they were just ready in my box so that's what I used! Haha. I wouldn't go any smaller than a size 2, but thats just me :-) Fingers crossed for a decent Spring run too and that we manage to get out and catch a few! Hope you do too, good luck and tight lines, cheers Chris. :-) Keep us updated on your Cod fishing, it's always good to hear.

[@eddietwang]

Great vid,In my neck of the woods manky bait works better.The worm tail ends full of sand worked a treat.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for the kind comments mate, glad you enjoyed it. I've heard that older 'manky' worms can often work really well for Dabs too! I'll have to try it this autumn/winter. :-)

[@iwantosavemoney]

big poles for small fish this reminds me of going to the damn and fishing with 13' rods so we could reach the catfish and the sand bass where running lol not what we where fishing for and they where all about half pound or so but we did catch a lot of them.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Ah good stuff iwantosavemoney hope your fishing is going well! :-)

[@AtaurRahman-vg4rg]

Great video

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for watching mate! 😊

[@chema5253]

Very good video as usual,thank you very much

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers chema5253 no worries at all, glad you enjoyed it. :-)

[@simonb2430]

Mint video Chris & Steve, love your cod quest but this one has me wanting to try for the smaller,different species..tight lines. PS the beard may slow your casting down lol :)

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Simon Bohin thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them, glad you enjoyed the video too. :-) Haha... I know what you mean about the beard! It has been 'trimmed' since then though! I'll definetely be more 'streamlined' in the next video!!! Haha. Thanks again, hope you've been catching a few! Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@dhealy925]

A good video. That's my kind of fishing. Thanks for the video.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thnaks Dennis Healy glad you enjoyed it, it is a nice style of fishing and something that I haven't done enough of in the last 2-3 years! Was a really enjoyable session. :-)

[@beowulf5982]

Its a thumbs up from me:) always look forward to your videos, thx for sharing bro.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks Beowulf 59 we should have lots more coming this year! :-)

[@colinbiggs244sniper]

Once again thanks,really enjoyed it.

[@jamesmcmahon576]

really enjoyed that, love a flattie bash myself, excellent bait presentation, specimen is hard to get,, one of these days :)

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks james mcmahon glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the kind comments. Fingers crossed we should be back out again soon, looking for a few bigger ones! ;-)

[@jamesmcmahon576]

Best of luck with the hunt ;-), trying hard for a specimen dab myself

[@johncady8]

excellent enjoyable,informative vid thanks

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks john wrasse glad you enjoyed the video and cheers as always for taking the time to comment. :-)

[@markwilliams8702]

Great video. Some lovely dabs caught, beautiful fish. Are they worth eating or do they need to be over a certain size to make it worthwhile ? Nice work fellas.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers mark williams glad you enjoyed the video :-) A lot of people like to eat Dabs, they have a very nice tasting sweet meat. I believe the mimimum size limit is around 21cm, however if you pop a search in on Google it should say. Hope that helps! Cheers Chris.

[@bobnarley9279]

There are no limits and they are delicious at any size. There is also no limit on the size of them dabs.

[@julianhughes9644]

Great vid again chris , where do u get your lug from mate cause the lug were getting from suffolk tackle shops r 1/2 the size very poor bait once again great video mate ........

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Julian Hughes thanks for the kind comments, glad you enjoyed the video! :-) Hope you've been getting amongst a few!!! Those worms and all my worms come from the Angling Direct in Norwich.

[@julianhughes9644]

Cheers Chris , might bump into on the town beach at Aldeburgh during the spring for a chat mate , thou we fish clacton pier a lot always welcome to wet a line with us mate .....jules

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks Julian! I'm desperate to catch a Thornback from the shore on video and I've heard you get a few down your way (Clacton Pier) so I might have to head down there when the weathers/conditions are right and give it a go! :-) Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@southcoastweightloss7336]

Nice vid :). Any tips on striking bites, I.e when is the right time strike when don't you need to? Like with flatfish do you let them hook themselfs.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

chris mardlin Yeah normally I'd let flatfish hook themselevs, especially when using 2 or 3 hook rigs, it might give the chance of more than one fish! With bigger fish - Cod and Bass etc I'd strike pretty much straight away. :-)

[@joonlee354]

I thought Dabs were left eyed fishes and both of the dabs you caught looks like right eyed... Are those not Pacific sanddabs?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I'm not too sure mate, we just know them as Dabs!

[@julianhughes9644]

Hi Chris , I'm off to florida in a couple of weeks after some tarpon and snook get back beginning of April which will be perfect for the rays if you fancy wetting a line , if your on facebook send us a friend request mate we could sort something out be great mate , all you need to take for bait for rays is bluey and squid ......jules

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks Julian Hughes good luck in Florida, sounds glorious!!!! Hope you manage a few fish! :-) Ray trip sounds good mate, love to get some on camera! Perhaps drop us a message on Facebook or something! Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@muddnyreye]

I was wondering what type of wind shelter is that? I've been looking for one. Does it collapse like a tent?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi muddnyreye it's an old John Holden beach buddy. They are now produced by Sundridge/Daiwa. If you have a look at some of our other sea fishing video's there's a link in the video description to a 'tackle box' this shows all the items we use. Hope that helps! :-) And yes it does collapse down, it sorta folds into itself. Tight lines.

[@jimjamftw]

Do you know if dabs travel as far south as the isle of wight? Would like to have a bash at them. Great vid :)

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi +Jimmy Goodall glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for taking the time to comment! To be fair Dabs are normally found up and down the county! If you want to target them try and find a nice sandy beach and fish small hooks and worm baits. If there are flatfish there you should catch them :-) Hope that helps, cheers Chris.

[@surfcastinggalicianacho6186]

exelent video man! good job :D nice

[@jameschilderley7040]

Nice video

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Cheers James Childerley :-)

[@JohnWilliams-ge7eh]

spot on enjoyed video thanks 😀

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks John! :-)

[@desgoulding7154]

GOOD VIDEO MATE THANKS FOR SHARING REGARDS FROM OZ

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks +des goulding pretty mega to hear from you all the way over in Oz too! Hope your fishing is going well. :-)

[@desgoulding7154]

HEY MATE, I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO DO BEACH FISHING I AM WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HAD A MOTOR BIKE SMASH IT GETS ME OUT AND IS RELAXING. MY DAUGHTER AND THE GRAND KIDS ARE AT EASTBOURNE DOWN SOUTH TAKE CARE MATE CAN YOU AS IF YOU CAN USE ANY THING LIKE CORN, CHICKEN, (SAUAGE HOT DOG) FOR BEACH AS I HAVE SEEN SOME AMERICAN VIDEO

[@rivercityinvestor]

Which one of your rigs come with the impact lead that releases the hooks once the hit the water?

[@arcanekrusader]

Caught a few! How do you work it with your casting? Do you cast up tide and let a bow of line out?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi arcanekrusader yeah we did have a few, was a nice session! Yeah we cast uptide and let a decent bow of line out, this helps the lead grip in better. It's not so important on small tides, but almost essential on the bigger tides.

[@Pavol_P]

It Would Be Awesome If The Old Man He Was Talking About Was Graem Pullen! Because He Uses His Own Wire Booms!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Haha, it wasn't, but I do like watching Graeme and TA Fishing. :-)

[@badash2482]

Ohhhhhh, THAT kind of Dab Rig.

[@barrywilliams2008]

I'm going on the weekend I was thinking of putting about a 1oz weight on the top of the rig by the swivel opposite side of the gripper weight hoping that it will keep the whole trace on the floor but the bait flapping around lower to the sea bed have you tryed this by any chance

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Barry I haven't tried it, but am sure something like it would work. :-) Sounds interesting! You'll have to let us know how you get on! Tight lines, cheers Chris.

[@marcobrazil8956]

size 1 hook for dabs? We use size 6 here in Holland. A lot smaller!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Yeah! I probably could have used smaller to be honest, a 2 or 4.

[@airriflepestcontrol2006]

am shore. I seen you in Woking last year at jewsons.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

We live in Norfolk, don't think I've ever been to Woking!

[@airriflepestcontrol2006]

+From The Waters Edge TV must be look like!!! lol.

[@MatthewMckenzie7]

Where did you get that nifty little unhooking tool? Or did you make it?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Matthew, I just made it from an old baiting needle.

[@sansaberi1]

Hi where did you go what's the beach called???

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

It's a place called Kessingland, in Suffolk. :-)

[@C1dagoat491]

Can you still catch pouting In the uk now

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi Christopher Lemonides yeah you can do, they can turn up at anytime, normally mixed in with the Whiting.

[@bobnarley9279]

Does this work in Monterey bay California?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I guess so +Bob Narley If you have flatfish in California then it should do :-)

[@danielcunningham2394]

I don't get it, where are the beach buzzards? Do you mean you guys can leave the bait unattended for more than a second? No gulls hooked on a spare rig? You lucky ducks!

[@carlyxoxlol9650]

Can u actually answer this question 4 me? -I live in Boston, and when I go to a warm bay beach, I swim and see flat-ish fish in the water………are they posioness? -WTF ARE THE WHITE LINES ON THE SHELLS?! (Spefic: the white lines look like worms, they are on rocks, and clams……STILL A KID IM SCARED O_O ) -cri- plz reply…

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I'm not sure, do you know what species they are?

[@unicorn_jesus6930]

sounds a bit like a wever and yes, they are poisonus. wevers often bury themselves in the sand. you should go to the hospital if u r stung

[@carlyxoxlol9650]

+Kyle Cooper T_T I'll just play in the sand…

[@carlyxoxlol9650]

+Kyle Cooper ohh wait nvm, I just searched it up and it's not a wever, the fish at the beach is gray (brown idk etc.) flat, and it moves very fast.

[@carlyxoxlol9650]

Is it perhaps a flounder fish?

[@DavidL_-sj4jl]

can you catch dab during summer?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Yes David, you can catch them all year round from certain beaches.

[@bobnarley9279]

Thx

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

No worries +Bob Narley

[@bobnarley9279]

I like how you reply to people's comments unlike most KZbinrs.

[@Noname-qk9or]

where abouts were you fishing?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Kessingland on the Suffolk coast +JJCWhitey56

[@Noname-qk9or]

Nice. Cheers! Might go there soon. Never caught a dab before so that'll be something new. How many Dabs did you catch again?

[@jwilson1944]

I live there 😀

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Nice one +J Wilson it's a cracking bit of beach!

[@fossyfossfoss]

please get your rings fixed the liners missing !! my ocd cant take it !! lol

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Haha, I need to! I'll try and get them sorted for you before our next beach fishing video! ;-) Cheers Chris.

[@fossyfossfoss]

where in norfolk are you im in bury st edmunds and new to sea fishing , been a heavy match angler for years looking to come into the sport HELP !!

[@t4bby_bee894]

mr dab

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Haha!

[@marinasturmane5261]

**Dabs**

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Haha.

[@brunettacrittenden7410]

I hate the dab

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Really! Haha.

[@katylepetsos7512]

Dab fish are some of the dumbest looking things I’ve ever seen 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hahahaha! Ahhh Poor Dabs.. :-D

[@azmax1021]

Great fishing Collin..almost the same techniques as us in Singapore...its a shame that we could not get the juicy lugworm here..anyway great show..looking forward for more of ur expeditions...thumbs up...

[@azmax1021]

Great fishing Collin..almost the same techniques as us in Singapore...its a shame that we could not get the juicy lugworm here..anyway great show..looking forward for more of ur expeditions...thumbs up...

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi +Az Max thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them! It's pretty amazing you are watching all the way over in Singapore!!! I guess thats the power of the internet! Haha... I'm sure you have some good baits available though :-) Thanks once again, hope your fishing is going well. Tight lines, cheers Chris. (Collins)

[@azmax1021]

Great fishing Collin..almost the same techniques as us in Singapore...its a shame that we could not get the juicy lugworm here..anyway great show..looking forward for more of ur expeditions...thumbs up...

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hi +Az Max thanks for the kind comments and for taking the time to post them! It's pretty amazing you are watching all the way over in Singapore!!! I guess thats the power of the internet! Haha... I'm sure you have some good baits available though :-) Thanks once again, hope your fishing is going well. Tight lines, cheers Chris. (Collins)