Where to fish around Torbay and beyond, Charter Boat details, launching and fishing Tips.

In this section Ted Tuckerman explains where the best fishing marks are around Torbay, what fish you can expect, the baits, the techniques and, rigs to use to get the best from your visit; these are the better marks, there are others, some not as easy to access that I am sure you will discover as you fish and meet other anglers.

To make your visit to Torbay more enjoyable and to get the most out of the fishing a list of the local charter boats together with their contact numbers and websites addresses heads the page   followed by  a list of slipways where trailed boats can be launched, including cost. Please note, boats cannot be launched from beaches in Torbay.

Charter Boats

Anne Clare of Torquay
Owner Skipper Kevin Tait
phone Kevin Tate for available dates.

Tel: 01803 315125 or 07989 527180

www.deepsea.co.uk/boats/dalora/index.htm

Our Jo-el

Owner skipper Smon Pedley

Tel: 01803 551504
simonpedley@tiscali.co.uk

www.ourjoe-l.co.uk

Charlotte Louisse

Owner skipper  Ashley Lane

Tel:  01803 521986

Silver Sea  

Owner skipper Jeff Wills Tel: 01803 556907

Tuonela

Owner skipper Peter Bingle. 

Booking Office Paignton Harbour.  Tel: 01803 666350  

Mobile 07715 735842

Brixham

Sea Spray 111

Owner skipper Bill Ford  Tel: 01803 855453

Web site  www.seaspray111.co.uk

Dartmouth

Gemini

Owner Skipper Dave Harrison

Tel: 01803 851766

Web site: www.geminifishing.co.uk

Saltwind of Dart 

Owner skipper Lloyd Saunders

Tel: 0183 557551
Mobile: 07831 315477

Samuel Irvine 

Owner Skipper Ian Noble

Tel: 01803 834598
Mobile 0778 0970803 
Web site  www.dartmouthcharters.co.uk

Bassillica . 

Owner Amanda Barrington. 
Skipper Jim O’Donnel
Tel: 07866806585    
Web site:  www.bassillicacharters.co.uk
Email address:  BrrngtA@aol.com

Africa Queen 

Owner Skippers Alan and Hilary  Hemsley
Tel: 07989 527180  
Web site: www.theafricanqueen.co.uk

Outlaw 

owner skipper Jim Davies 
Tel: 07860 651359
Web site www.deepsea.co.uk  under charter boats

Teignmouth

Atlantis 2 

Owner skipper Dave Shimmell 
Tel; 01626 778759

Launching Slipways.

Torquay

On Beacon Quay, next to Haldon Pier, (about 150 yards from our harbour side tackle shop, Quay Stores). A new wide slipway opened in 2006, it has a gentle slope and can be used on all states of the tide, except when an easterly winds creates too much surge; there is ample turning space and trailers can be left on Haldon pier, a chain along the wall allows trailers to be locked to it, helpful if it is being left for several days.  For the benefit of those staying several days, pontoons are available for mooring, the first night is included in your launching fee.

Cars must be taken to the car park.

To reach the slipway you need to pass through a barrier, a conveniently placed bell push will soon have the duty harbourmaster opening the barrier; automatic on the way out. 

The only time when there will be a problem is after hours, 7am to 9pm  May to September and 8am to 5pm October to April.  Outside those times you will need to phone a number clearly displayed by the bell push and, as the harbourmaster, Capt Kevin Mowatt, told me, “If I was laying on a beach the other side of the world, I would simply key in a few numbers and the barrier opens”. That telephone number is: 01803 550405.

It is worth noting that you can pre book if you know you will be arriving outside working hours on the above number.

So to that all important item, where to park the car and trailer.   The trailer park is alongside the slipway, on Haldon Pier; your car unfortunately will need to be taken to the car park.  The adjacent park is expensive, two that are cheaper are off Torwood Street, a private one fifty yards up the hill on the left from the clock tower and the other known as the Terrace, one hundred yards on, turn left at the traffic lights; 3 to 4 minutes to walk back from the first, about twice that from the other.

Alternatively there is on street parking without restrictions about 6 to 8 minutes walk.   Turn right as you leave Beacon Quay, drive up the hill past the Imperial Hotel, follow the road round to the left, the road levels out, there is usually plenty of space, or in the road on the right leading to Daddyhole Plain.

So what will it cost to launch:

Day Charges
Up to 4 metres (13ft)                                              £6
Over  4 metres up to 5.5 metres (14ft to 18ft)         £7   
Over 5.5 metres upp to 7 metres  (19ft to 23ft)       £8
Over 7 metres (23ft)                                               £1.24 per mtr per day

Weekly Charges
Up to 4 metres (13ft)                                               £30
Over  4 metres up to 5.5 metres (14ft to 18ft)          £35 
Over 5.5 metres upp to 7 metres  (19ft to 23ft)        £40
An annual pass                                                       £26.78 per mtr

The above prices include VAT.

Paignton

This slipway is in the harbour, as you drive down from the entrance it is on the left this is restricted, the harbour empties of water at low tide, trailers must be parked where designated and there is a multi story car park in Cliff Road, immediately on your left as you drive out of the harbour.  There is unrestricted on road parking by following this road around and, in side roads off it.

Launching Fees are the same as listed above for Torquay

Brixham

This slipway is at the start of the Breakwater and the entrance to the Marina, it is wide, the biggest in south Devon, with ample room to manoeuvre but does become crowded at sometime.  Trailers can be left there, cars in the car park adjacent or, the Marina car park, back out of the slip road, turn left, entrance fifty yards on right, footway entrance at the bottom of the slip road.  Harbour official on duty.

Launching fees the same as listed above for Torquay

The Top Fishing Marks Around Torbay.

TORQUAY

Hopes Nose.  The top shore mark on the Torquay side of the Bay; it is off Marine Drive.  To get to it, drive along Meadfoot road from the Town direction, just past the end car park is a sharp right turn on to Marine Drive; carry on right to the top where it bends to the left and is level and straight, you will see  it below.  Park on the road or, in the road opposite.  The walk down is steep in places, probably not suitable if you have breathing or heart problems. 

Hopes Nose is an old quarry that ceased work in the late 1800’s. It is a large area that has a sea bed from sand through to big rocks.  The variety of fish taken there over a year covers most of the species taken locally, included are; bass, plaice, dabs, mackerel, garfish, mullet, (not so many as in the past when the sewer out fall was open) red mullet, small black bream, LSD, bull huss, smooth hounds, conger, whiting and cod. (Don’t expect the full range on every trip)

When you reach the quarry floor, to the left, facing Teignmouth, this variously called the flats or the pier, is sand. Rock ledge is low to the water, this area suitable for float fishing for mackerel and garfish, on the bottom for flat fish, dabs and whiting in the winter.   The point usually referred to as mackerel corner is where most of the feathering for mackerel takes place.  Along the front, “the high ground” is where plaice and dabs are targeted in the spring and late summer.   Long casts needed, and there is a ridge that needs to be negotiated, so wind fast (if you can).  Good bass fishing along the front early morning and late evening with live bait or lures.  The gullies further around where the outfall was, wrasse, bream, red mullet, also mackerel and garfish, mullet still caught along here.  Conger and dogfish at night.

The top baits are peeler crab and lugworm for the plaice and dabs, for general fishing, lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab, squid and mackerel.  When float fishing, rule of thumb is shallow for garfish, and deep for mackerel. All baits available from our harbour side shop, Quay Stores.

Sandy Point.  This is a mark of its own but, is part of Hopes Nose, it is around to the right, the furthest point back towards Meadfoot, a footpath runs along the cliff edge from where the sewer was. It is a very rocky area, a prime spot for specimen sized wrasse, conger and bull huss taken at night.  Mackerel and garfish on float and spinners.  Hard back and peeler crab for the wrasse, mackerel, squid and cuttlefish for the conger and bull huss.

To walk there from the road, walk down to the first flat area where the path divides, go to the right and follow the path down to the bottom.   Fishing is on either rocky outcrops, the right hand being the favourite.

A rig for the big wrasse is to have a a single hook rig, the snood about 12 to 14 inches above the weight that should be on rotten “bottom”  The wrasse experts will tell you to have heavy trace 20lb+ and strong hooks 3/0 or 4/0, big wrasse are powerful.  Hard back and peeler crab the favoured baits.  Leave the area tidy.

Thatcher Gut

Thatcher gut is a bass mark, also caught there are quality wrasse.  best time to fish is on the rising tide.  For bass, live sandeel and lures are the preferred baits; for the big wrasse, hard back or peeler crab are best.  Access is off Marine drive, as you drive up from the Meadfoot end, after passing the traffic lights you will come to a park on the seaward side.  Park and walk down to the left hand corner, follow the path onto the cliff.  To the left is a "path" down to the rocks.  Not to difficult.

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Meadfoot

This area offers a lot of choice at different times. The beach cannot be fished during the day in the summer months; the slipway allows casting out on to rocks, an area where bass are frequently taken from around July to November, a good surf the better time.  Lures including plugs are popular here and so is live bait.  Risk your tackle for a few wrasse.

At the end of the beach is another car park, similar fishing for bass in that area on a rising tide.

Thunder Hole is a popular spot, walk along the prom where the beach huts are, at the end is a low “cliff” walk up over and you go down into an old quarry known as Thunder Hole.  Fishing is slightly impaired because you will be standing on narrow ridges, but safe.  Casting is on to sand, a few flat fish taken here, and it has been known for the odd sole to be caught.  Mackerel and garfish mostly the target fish.   LSD and wrasse also caught so too are a few conger at night at the rocky ends.

Haldon Pier  This pier is accessed from Beacon quay, just along from our harbour shop, Quay Stores where bait can be bought daily. Like Princess Pier casting into the harbour and fishing in the entrance is not allowed.    The best fishing is from the end section either on the bottom or float fishing.   Bass can sometimes be caught from this pier early morning or late evening about midway along, climb down on to the rocks on the seaward side.  Conger can be caught after dark fishing on the outside or close into the wall from the inside towards the end of the Pier by the shelter.

Princess Pier  This is a popular pier, access is next to the Princess theatre; fishing is not permitted from the first wooden section, fishing allowed only from the long stone arm.  Take note casting into the harbour with weights is forbidden as is fishing in the harbour entrance, it is marked. Read notices.

Target fish is mackerel and garfish, with the better fishing normally early morning on a rising tide and the same in the evening.  Float fishing is best; fishing with feathers is not easy with so many people walking on the pier so best not to do so.  Casting out on to sand with worm baits does yield the odd fish.

Please leave the pier tidy and DO NOT cut up bait on the seats and be aware of people, especially children walking and running  behind you when casting.

Torquay Harbour  Mullet fishing in Torquay harbour yields thick lipped above 5lb on a regular basis; there is also a good head of golden mullet in the harbour some above the current British record.  With restrictions on fishing call into our harbour side shop, Quay Stores for the latest up date on catches and where you can fish.  Baits are topped by mackerel fished on a size 4 hook, maggots also good plus bread.  Ground baiting is essential, mashed mackerel mixed with bread or bran.

Babbacombe Pier  A popular pier with local and visiting anglers.  Access is down a very steep winding road to Babbacombe Beach car park, easy access from the car park to the pier.  Float fishing for mackerel and garfish.  LSD and some other bottom fish caught casting in the evenings.  The nearby rocks sometimes yield conger at night. Café and toilets available .  This is a small pier and does become crowded at times.

BRIXHAM

Brixham Harbour Fishing is prohibited from the enclosed harbours the fish quays and the Marina, please read the notices.

Brixham Breakwater This half mile long, Victoria Breakwater protects Brixham from the easterly winds.  From it through the year can be caught, mullet, bass, conger, plaice, dabs, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad, small black bream, wrasse, LSD’s and conger.  Parking on the Breakwater car park is expensive, the Marina multi storey park is slightly cheaper, entrance to that is about fifty yards past the entrance to the Breakwater; there is direct foot access from this car park to the breakwater.

The outside of the breakwater is popular along its length for mackerel and garfish during the summer, scad also taken with some close to the pound; the mackerel hot spot is right at the end by the light house but you do have to contend with and, be aware of boats, some come close in as they enter and leave harbour.  Flat fish are sometimes taken casting out to sea from the middle section.  There can be a conflict between scuba divers who work the outside and, also pots are frequently laid along its length so it is necessary to cast around them.

On stormy days when there is a nice surf on Breakwater beach bass can be caught early morning and evening.

Baits, all the popular ones can be used; ragworm and lugworm on the bottom for flats and wrasse, peeler crab for wrasse and almost all the bottom feeders, live prawn for bass and pollack, mackerel as strip for mackerel, garfish and scad, fillets and flapper for conger, sandeel for bass, squid as strip and for tipping baits, whole for conger. Hardback crab popular for the bigger wrasse; mackerel flesh, bread and maggots for mullet, plus of course plenty of ground bait.

Fishcombe    Located beyond Quarry Car Park. Park in the pay and display car park and walk left to Battery Gardens, about thirty steps to climb, fishing is from a flat rock. This is a deep water mark and popular with anglers float fish for mackerel, garfish  and pollack, mullet also caught, bait with small square pieces of mackerel flesh, bread or maggot; other species caught on occasions through the summer are wrasse, red mullet and small black bream.  Baits; mackerel and garfish strip, sandeel, ragworm, lugworm and lures.  

Berryhead Quarry Not as easy to access as the breakwater but, worth the walk.  Shares with Hopes Nose, the title of top fishing mark in Torbay. The quarry stopped working about thirty years ago, the quay is still there with deep water in front of it. Access is from Berry Head car park where the visitor centre is and where guillemots can be viewed via a video link to the nesting colony; cars must be parked here. For disabled anglers it is possible to obtain a permit and a key to the gate to drive down.  The office is found at the end of a short road to the left at the entrance to the car park. To reach the quarry walk towards the Fort, at the entrance bear to the left, along this track you will find a “five bar” iron gate, walk down to the quarry from here. It is steep and might not be suitable for anglers with medical problems.

Fishing is varied from casting over clean sand from the old quay to standing on rocky platforms close to the water casting over sand and rough ground, the quarry offers the full range of fishing opportunities for all abilities, including fishing for the wily mullet.

Mackerel and garfish dominate the summer fishing; this is one of the few venues where garfish are caught to 2lb most years, spinning for mackerel can be rewarding and a lot of fun. A rule of thumb when float fishing is to fish deep for mackerel and shallow for garfish, as shallow as three to four feet at times. Adjust the float depth frequently to find the depth they are feeding at and, don’t forget to adjust to allow for the rise or fall of the tide, as much as 16 feet, 5 metres when fishing close to the bottom.  

Mullet fishing is popular, fish of specimen size frequently taken; you will need to ground bait heavily for the best results. A mash of minced mackerel with a little bran to bind it, feed little and often after getting the fish to your swim. Bass, LSD, a few dabs, the occasional plaice and bream also feature.  Winter fishing sees cod arrive; usually 3lb to 6lb in weight with the occasionally bigger fish taken, whiting and pout are frequently caught above specimen weight.

A range of baits can be used, peeler crab a top one for many of the species especially the cod; rag, lugworm, mackerel and squid will also attract fish, with mullet tempted with the usually mullet baits of mackerel flesh, bread and maggot.

Fishable here in most winds except North to North East.

St Marys Bay This popular bay is only fishable evenings and mornings during the summer season. Here are also steps to reach the beach so might not be suitable for those with medical condition; fishing is from either end on the beach.  Bass are caught here plus the other summer species.  To get there from Bolten Street turn right at the first set of lights coming from the town, at the Rugby club turn right, it is well sign posted.

Sharkham Point  This is the site of an off shore sewer out fall, now only “clean” water discharged.  To get there drive along Caster Road, past the Brixham SAC club, at Tree junction turn right, through Sharkham new housing estate to a free car park. It is a long walk from here. Float fishing for mackerel and garfish popular, also pollack occasionally.  Bottom fishing is for conger; bull huss and LSD’s plus quality wrasse, some bass also taken. 

Peeler crab and hardback crab for wrasse, calamari and mackerel for both conger and dogfish, sandeel and prawn for bass plus ragworm although it can attract small pollack and wrasse.

Rough ground so “rotten bottom” recommended.

These then were the best of the marks within the Torbay boundary, some I have omitted because they are either not easy to access or find, I am sure you will be told about those from other anglers.

Outside the Torbay area are other well known and popular fishing venues that offer a pleasant day fishing for the family, a few of the best follow.

PAIGNTON

Paignton Harbour dries out so little fishing from there; out to the end of the car park when boat traffic allows and early morning, float fish for mackerel and garfish, some mullet fishing.

Goodrington  Follow the road out of Paignton to Brixham, the entrance to the beach is clearly signed, it is a waterspout centre with giant Flumes; the turning is at a major traffic light system, on the right is a Leisure Centre and car park. Turn left and find a parking space in car park or down by the sea.  The beach is not for fishing during the summer, to the left is Goodringtom Promenade under red cliffs, dry at low water for most of its length, but a very pleasant place to float fish on a rising tide in the morning late afternoon, mackerel and garfish the target fish. Casting in the autumn and winter tempts a few fish.

Away from Torbay

DARTMOUTH

The Promenade fishes well at times, but not in the summer, too many people.  Casting out on to  the muddy bottom of the River Dart will results in flounder, thornback ray, bass, whiting and pout.  Peeler crab, rag and lug worm all proven baits.

At Dartmoth Castle fish off the rocks for mackerel and garfish.

Slapton Sands and Beesands 

These two beaches are popular marks, a few major competitions held  on these beaches in the autumn and winter months.  In the summer cast a float  for mackerel and garfish, also spin for them.  Over low tide, the best time along both beaches when flat fish are taken.  In the colder months whiting and cod are caught, also pollack and LSD’s.   Both beaches will sometimes yield quality plaice in the spring.

Peeler crab the preferred bait followed by lug and ragworm.  Tipping bait with thin strips of squid with beads above the hook will improve catches.

TEIGNMOUTH

On the Point at Back Beach fishing into the river as it pours out of the Teign, float fish for mackerel and garfish, mullet also taken in this area.  

The River Teign is renowned for its flounder fishing through the winter, unfortunately through over fishing by commercial boats when the are at sea to spawn the stock has dwindled and catches are not as they were.   Back Beach among the boats is still popular, Polly Steps, the slipway really, the car park side of the Docks, Coombe Cellars, Charlies Beach and Red Rock are all marks worth fishing.  Peeler crab is more or less the only bait although fish are taken on lugworm.  The current British Shore Record is held by Barry Sokell, weighing 5.7.0 it was caught at the boat yard (Gasworks), foot access here only.

Coarse Fishing

There is a good choice of freshwater fishing in the area including the Newton Abbot Fishing Association waters, mostly in redundant china clay pits. Close to Torquay there are two excellent private fisheries each with outstanding carp fishing.  Both are on the main road out of Paignton to Totnes, about 5 miles from our Torquay harbour side shop that has a selection of tackle as well as all the baits  to view our range, click here

Town Parks Fishery

 Town Parks Fishery is on the right as you drive from Paignton, about a mile past Collaton St Mary, look for the  new wide turn in with an ornate stone wall and pillars entrance. The fishery is being further developed to include chalet and restaurant, a multi million pound up grade that will includes a new 70 peg match pond;  the fishery is used by the EA for one of their  annual SW Open days to encourage youngsters to the sport.

There are two lakes with clean comfortable pegs, on site facilities include refreshment delivered to your peg, range of baits, night fish permitted..  Bottom lake has big carp, common, mirror and ghost and catfish to 20lb+.  The top lake is mixed and includes a wide variety of fish including roach to 2lb, big bream and perch as well as carp to almost ten pounds.  Full detail on their web site:  www.townparks.net

Newbarn Farm Fishery is on the left as you drive from Paignton.  This well established fishery has six lakes and ponds, fish stocked include carp to around 25lb including mirror, common and ghost, there are also quality roach, tench, rudd and perch.  Facilities include shop for bait. Night fishing allowed. Farm cottages to rent.  Full detail on their web site:  www.newbarnfarm.com

Newton Abbot Fishing Association Waters.  Day tickets are available for these waters that hold carp to 30lb, tench in to double figures and the same for bream.  Also waiting for your baits are all the other species you would expect including pike.   Details from our Torquay harbour side shop, Quay Stores.

Tips for Fishing

Ted will regularly add tips on tackle and bait, including every day items that can be used for fishing, and save you money.
It matters not how long you have fished, there is always something that can be learnt from other anglers; following are tips that I have picked up over the years that might help you.

If you have a tip you would like to pass on, send it to us via our email address and it will be posted with your name.

Rocket Cocktail Bait.  Sandeel and ragworm. A top bait for small eyed ray, dogfish and bass. This bait is claimed to be a match winner.  To bait the hook, cut a sandeel as a flapper bait, one of average size is about right; Slip the hook down through the mouth and slid it up the trace; thread on the ragworm to above the eye of the hook, now slide the eel down to the rag and lay the flappers each side of the rag and tie with bait elastic.  Hook size according to fish caught, 2/0 or 3/0 suggested.

Add some spice to your lure.   When using jellies or eels  slip on an luminous bead ahead of the lure and fix with power gum stop knot; two can be used but not normally necessary, experiment with bead size to find which suits your area best.

Weak Link for casting.  Weak link attachment that might be easier than the one you use now.   Take piece of 16 or 18 gauge stainless steel wire not more than two inches long.  With long nose pliers form a closed ring one end, make sure it is closed tight; with the pliers bend up the last quarter of an inch or so of the other end to make a hook at about 45/50 degree angle. Tie a short length of nylon to the ring that is also attached to the rig, the other end of the nylon, it should be about 50% BS of the main line, tie to the weight.  When cast, and it hits the water the weight  drops off the clip and you are fishing with a weak link. 

Peeler Crab Bait  When preparing a peeler crab for bait for flat fish, remove the lungs, those "finger" along each side of the body.  It does appear to improve the catch rate, why I do not know, because a dead crab found by a flounder or flat fish in the water will be intact.

Ground bait from the shore.    When fishing a rock mark, getting ground bait down to attract fish does  improve the catch rate.  One method is to push minced fish into crevices of the rock at low tide, if you can keep it frozen, it will take longer to disperse.

Protecting alloy spools.   Washing reels after each fishing trip is a good idea, but not 100% effective for protection.  To help preserve the spool, when it is new, and before loading the line, coat the spool with several coats of quality car polish. make sure it is dry and set before loading the line.

This tip from the USA
Ted --Thanks for many great tips, including some unusual ones.  

Re metal ferrules, your use of "nose grease" has always been a standard.  In addition, I was once a field tester for the company that made many metal-ferrule rods until they lost fashion.  At that plant, everyone carried a stick of paraffin, which they had determined to be the best possible lubricant for metal ferrules.  I still make and use lots of metal-ferrule rods, and my experience with paraffin continues to be excellent.

When a ferrule shows much use of the paraffin, I clean with alcohol and reapply.  I have never lost a ferrule to corrosion or usage.

Cheap Box for Lures.  An angler I met while fishing gave me this tip for carrying small lures.  Use old video boxes or buy a new one,cost is nominal. 

Cut a piece of sticky back Ethafoam, obtainable from your tackle shop, cut it to the size of the box and press it firmly into place, do both sides.  Small lures can then be attached by sticking the hook into the foam.  When you open, choosing the right lure is easy.

Changing Line on a reel, end to end.  Reversing line on a reel  involves the use of three reels, and they are not all ways conveniently empty, but there is a simpler method,  do it from the boat while steaming.  Tie the end of the line firmly to a cleat or similar on one side of the stern, leaving about ten feet of loose end, you will need this to thread through the eyes.  Stand on the other side of the boat, pull line from the reel so there is a loop between rod tip and tied end, dip the rod let the loop catch the water and the line will pull from the reel;  the pressure will keep the loop open; when it reaches the end, cut and let it go, (make sure the other end is firmly attached to the baot).  Before untying the front end from the cleat, thread the loose end through the rod eyes and tie firmly to the reel.  Untie, and reel in the line. Do this in open water, not where there are mooring or pot buoys.

Threading a Boom.   Have you become frustrated trying to thread braid through a boom?  Try pushing the end into the tube as far as it will go, and then sucking it through from the other end; make sure there is sufficient slack in the braid to do it; will also work when line is stuck in the tube of a float.

Beads for Flounder  Beads slipped on above the hook when flounder fishing does improve the catch rate.  Colour is a matter of choice, mine is red and yellow, others prefer green, white and black. Whatever combination used, they work.

Weight Break Away  A simple method for attaching a weight for fishing over rocks for an easy break out is to use a paper clip, they easily straighten out.

Uptiding   When fishing with a long trace, hang the hook off one of the weight spikes, it will fall off on contact with the water.

Rotten Bottom.  Ways to save gear over rocks are many.  One I saw used  on a wreck trip was good and simple.  The weight was tied to a sliding swivel by a length of thin garden wire, the flat variety. It seemed to work well. Use just a few turns and it could pull undone, or leave a few inches dangling so it can be broken seemed to be the methods  in use.

Tangled Traces.   We all suffer from tangled traces from time to time, even when they are in a small packet they still come out tangled.  One way to alleviate this is to use either kitchen roll or toilet roll tubes. Push the point of the hook in to the card board and wind the trace around it, pushing the point of each hook into the board, it should not affect the point, but if it does a few swipes with a hook sharpener puts the point back. The one done side, it is bulky, but in a large tackle box it is not a problem.

Send Ted your favourite tip via our email.