The Texas jig cast
A classic casting jig is undoubtedly one of the most versatile lures for shore fishing, whatever the destination. It casts easily over long distances and its weight allows you to fish all water layers. The bottom of the Irish coast is often covered with large forests of kelp, very strong seaweed which is difficult to break free of once hooked.
To avoid leaving a jig at the bottom of the water on every cast, the best option is to remove the triple and assists from the casting jig and replace it all with a single Texan hook. On the latter, place a soft lure of solid material to prevent the tip from getting stuck in the kelp. A strong strike is all that's needed to plant the hook in the fish's mouth. This technique works particularly well when fishing for large fish which feed mainly on sandeels.
The soft lure
If adding a soft lure to a casting jig is effective, you can imagine that a soft lure is also very interesting to use. However, it's important to choose lures with a Texan hook, capable of moving quickly down through the water. For example, these are the kind of lures used for denti fishing in the Mediterranean, or for sea bass fishing in the Atlantic.
Weights vary according to sea conditions, but the average is around 15 to 20 grams on a 7 to 12 centimetre lure. It's also possible to use texas rigs, consisting of a bullet lead and a texan hook, ideal for scraping close to the bottom in search of big old fish. Shads are very effective for deep-water fishing, while creatures and crayfish imitations are more suitable for scratching.
The popper
Although it may seem completely improbable, the popper is a very effective lure for fishing from the shore. Both large and small fish will not hesitate to attack prey on the surface, so why deprive yourself of this pleasure? The skies are frequently grey in Ireland, which is why highly visible colors like Fire Tiger work so well. The foam created at the surface by the surf also makes lures difficult to see from the bottom, so it's worth using very noisy lures with beads.
The size of the lure will enable you to select the individuals you're targeting, especially as places under 30 cm are extremely aggressive. Opt for 7 to 9 centimetre poppers and don't forget to crush the barbs on your hooks, as the number of bites is very important and it would be a shame to damage all the fish.
