Coalfish

• Straight, pale lateral line
• Jaws roughly equal
• Dark green-black back, white belly
• No chin barbel

Shore fish often 20–40 cm. Bigger fish are more a boat mark.

Colour

Very dark back, silver-white belly, straight pale lateral line.

Fins

Three dorsals.

Mouth

Even jaws, no barbel.

Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.

• Feathers / sabikiWork them through the layers. Do not leave them on the bottom.Strong target
• Artificial luresMatch the baitfish. Work the lure; do not leave it on the sand like a lead.Strong target
• MackerelA thin strip on a small hook; a side on a Pennel; a whole fish on a running tope rig.Good target
• RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Good target

• Sabiki / mackerel feathersA string of small lures under a light lead, worked through a shoal. When mackerel are in, this is the rig.Beginner
• Lure setupA lure on a braid line, a fluoro leader, and a retrieve. No lead on the sand unless the jig head is the lead.Intermediate
• 2-hook flapperThe default UK beach rig. Two snoods above a lead, baits off the bottom, easy to tie, easy to fish.Beginner
• LRF / light lureA very light lure rod, a tiny jig head or creature, and a close hunt for wrasse, pollock, school bass and whatever lives in the first drop.Intermediate

Hooks: 6–1 for small fish; 1/0+ for bigger baits.