Drifting for turbot on the Shambles Bank

[@williamoneill5498]

Those mackerel strips were much bigger than I would have expected, so the wait is to give time to get it down. What size hook do you recommend and long shank? I haven't tried for Turbot but you have encouraged me to have a go. Great video thats for making it.

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Hi William, thanks for your kind words. Yes, the mackerel strips tend to be half of a fillet of mackerel or perhaps a third, depending on the size of the mackerel. Even a small turbot can manage that - they do have very big mouths when they open them to eat. A size 4/0 - 6/0 long-shanked hook is what I generally use (mostly 5/0 in my case). Because I don't whip the end of the mackerel strip to the top of the hook, I suspect shorter shanks should work too. One word of warning though, if you're planning a trip to the Shambles, check with the skipper how it's fishing beforehand, and be prepared to do something else instead if it's no good. Spring and autumn tend to be the best times, with summer very hit and miss. I have spent many, many blank hours drifting the Shambles over the years.

[@williamoneill5498]

@@Afoolandhistackle Thanks for the reply. I plan having a go in SW Ireland, there are some big sandy beached here where they come inshore mostly late summer. Also might have a go off shore too. I have been distracted with other species, so never got around to Turbot. I will be following your tips carefully. Kind regards.

[@davidprocter1585]

Lovely Ray. New territory for me!

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Thanks. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to stop it, till Lyle chased it.

[@richardlongmuir8348]

Might try pumping the fish rather than just winding it

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Lyle, the skipper, is most insistent that you never pump flatfish. If you mean with the ray, then yes, but despite Lyle insisting it was 100% a blonde ray, I was still hoping it might possibly be a monster turbot, so didn’t pump, just to be on the safe side.

[@richardlongmuir8348]

Never knew that,everydays a school day👍

[@Afoolandhistackle]

@@richardlongmuir8348 Every day definitely is.

[@adriancoates9832]

nice video, i thought there would have been far more turbot being caught being on the shambles and larger fish than that, shambles used to be the place to go for turbot being huge in numbers and size but i guess its nearly all gone bit like the skerries plaice, theres still plenty plaice in the shkerries but they are all tiny now, shame really i was hoping to try the shambles but i think i will stick with the wrecks

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Hi Adrian. Thanks for that. The Shambles has been pretty hard for turbot for pretty much as long as I've fished it - over 20 years now. There are good days and half decent periods, as well as some bigger fish, but generally, the turbot are small and few. There is a lot of other excellent inshore fishing around Weymouth though, so you might find something other than wrecking or turbot that you like doing.

[@adriancoates9832]

@@Afoolandhistackle thanks for reply back, i have a boat in axmouth/seaton river, i will probally try the black bream fishing next week or even tommorrow at the west tennants reefs but i dont know if they are here yet, i know they are here the southampton area but in lyme bay i am not sure, no one has reported any yet.

[@Elconbrioso]

Wish I was there

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Yeah, fishing out of Weymouth is great. I'm off to do a bit more turbot fishing out of Brighton tomorrow, so with any luck there'll be a new video to add to this one soon!

[@neilbes1]

Minimum size for Turbot is 30cm in SIFCA area dont know where u got 42 cm from unless its a boat rule

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Yeah, it’s the boat minimum size. They’re trying to do something about the stocks, though really there should be a slot size like they do in the States.

[@neilbes1]

I'm a commercial fisherman and have always thought 30 cm was to small for Turbot and Brill, likewise plaice and sole size is also to small. Good fishing to u.

[@Afoolandhistackle]

@@neilbes1 I agree. If we all did a bit more to save stocks, there’d be more fish for all of us. Good fishing to you too.

[@Afoolandhistackle]

You can find out about our club here: www.reallywrecked.com And about Lyle's catches and availability here: deepsea.co.uk/england/south-west/weymouth/supanova-ii

[@lewisbenson5301]

I know im randomly asking but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any help you can give me

[@elijahterrence9726]

@Lewis Benson instablaster ;)

[@lewisbenson5301]

@Elijah Terrence i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@lewisbenson5301]

@Elijah Terrence it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my ass !

[@elijahterrence9726]

@Lewis Benson Glad I could help :D

[@grahamporter5415]

Best not to bother!

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Hi Graham, yes, it's true, drifting for turbot on the Shambles can be a thankless task, but sometimes something good happens...