Articles - Starting Out – Uptide fishing

Why Uptiding It Works

Uptide casting was developed in the shallow waters of the Thames Estuary where it was found that getting the bait away from the boat increased the catch rate.

Whether this was a result of getting away from the noise of a boat at anchor in shallow water, or the fact that the method means the bait is anchored firmly on the sea bed in strong tides, or simply because the method spreads bait evenly round the boat, will never be fully known. Experiments in equipment and rigs in those early days have produced what are now regarded as the standard uptide tackle.

Special Rods

Rods for uptiding are generally longer than normal boat rods used for downtiding as they are easier to cast. A rod of around 9ft 6in being about right for a smooth cast.

The rods are graded by the weight they will cast and a rod marked as a ‘2 to 6oz’ will be fine for shallow water, where the tides are not too strong. Where the water is a bit deeper and the tide stronger look for one marked ‘4 to 8oz’ or even ‘4 to 10oz’. What you do need is a rod that has a sensitive tip, so any wave movement of the boat doesn’t pull out the grip weight, but with plenty of strength further down for bringing in a weighty fish.

Integral Butt

The reel seating for uptiding should be higher up the rod than on a downtider to make the casting more comfortable. The Conoflex Integra was the very first rod to have an integral butt that could be extended for casting the bait out and pushed back in to resemble a typical boat rod for retrieving the fish. There are a few more rods of this kind on the market now, as well as plenty more purpose-built uptide rods, some of them at very reasonable prices.

Reels

When choosing a reel for uptiding you should select a well-made casting reel. The standard multiplier for uptiding was always the Abu 7000 but there are now many suitable smaller reels available that will do the job perfectly well. Smaller reels can be used because the weight is either uptide or level with the angler when it’s retrieved, and this method doesn’t require the heavy lead needed to get to the bottom out the back of the boat.

If you like using a fixed spool reel, uptiding is one method where it comes into its own. Casting from a difficult position on the boat or in a bumpy sea is far easier with a fixed spool as the line comes off the spool without the need for the control a multiplier requires. It can be better on retrieve as it picks up the bow in the line much faster than a multiplier giving quicker contact with the fish.

Mono or Braid

For the beginner, using a premium mono for the main line is the best option as it does the job perfectly well, is far more economical and above all - far safer. The stretch in the line can be a positive advantage as it irons out any errors made by the angler.

Generally when a bite is spotted using mono the fish will already be hooked and it’s just a matter of winding in the slack to make contact. Braid needs a specialist approach as a softer rod is advised, but it does allow you to fish in horrendously strong tides and allows a more direct line to the weight. However, missed fish through striking and winding in too early can be common when using braided main line.

Rigs

To anchor your bait uptide you will need to use a grapnel lead or a breakout lead. The rig should be kept as simple as possible and a three-foot trace is plenty long enough as the principle of uptiding is anchoring a bait firmly on the bottom where the fish can find it.

Grapnel weights of 6oz to 8oz will hold in most conditions and these can be fixed to a short running or fixed boom. Apart from that all you need is a bead, swivel and hook. Generally hooks should be between size 1/0 to 5/0 depending on the species you are targeting.

Uptiding - The Method

Where do you cast your lead when you want to commence fishing? This all depends on your position in the boat. Contrary to normal fishing off the stern the best place in the boat for uptiding is next to the cabin.

From here you can cast up towards the anchor at a 45 degree angle that will fix your lead away from all the others in the boat. As fish feed on the bottom by working their way downtide to conserve energy, the bait furthest uptide will be the first they will find. If, however, you are amidships you can still cast out from your position at the same angle, which will mean all the baits are spread evenly down the side of the boat.

If you wish to cast while at the back of the boat it sometimes pays to cast across the tide at a 90 degree angle or even cast downtide a bit to put your bait away from the others.

Uptiding - The Bite

When the weight has settled on the bottom and you have allowed out enough line to create a bow, put the rod down against the gunwale. Holding the rod while uptiding is not recommended as the bite indication is very different from downtide fishing. If it’s cod you are after the rod will give a nod then straighten out as the fish pulls the lead out and trundles off downtide.

You need to lift the rod and wind quickly to take up the slack before you will feel the weight of the fish. Smaller fish such as whiting will be unable to pull the weight free so you will get a few regular taps on the rod tip. If nothing more develops you will have to wind in to remove the small fish and re-bait.

Uptiding - Safety Rules

One rule when casting from the boat is to make sure your fellow anglers know what you are about to do. A shout of ‘Casting’ when you prepare to cast is considered the right thing to do and in some boats the rule is you always cast with the lead outside of the boat. Another safety point is to only fish with one hook and preferably on a short trace.

Before casting hang your baited hook on one of the grapnel wires as this will prevent it catching on anything or anyone during the cast. It will come free as it hits the water.

Read about downtide fishing by clicking here.

Read more sea fishing related features by clicking here.