I will pitch in.
I started going out on these LRF sessions in January. Keith, Kev, Paul B, Tom P, Liam and Squid had been doing it a little while by then, but were still learning, and I am sure if you asked them, the methods and lures used by them now differ from then, even only two months down the line.
When I started, it was frustrating to say the least. I didnt have the right rod to start, but Liam H loaned me his Infeet, which though not strictly LRF, was more sensitive. Even then, I didnt detect bites, I fished too big, I fished too fast. This happened a few times, and was frustrating as I didnt even think I was getting any bites, let alone land any fish.
I got my lighter rod through (Rhino Prodder according to Keith, at 3-12g), bought a reel to balance, and loaded 8lb braid on. I also bought a selection of appropiate jigheads from 2g through to 10g, along with 1.5 inch baits, paddletails, worms etc. Now I had the gear, to catch some fish became the objective. I was going along to these sessions in the evenings, at various harbours around the island, and was seeing more and more fish caught by the "experienced" LRFers, so through painstaking guidance from K&K, Squid and Paul, I finally detected the first bites. Could only feel these by casting out with light light gear, holding rod up high and staying in contact. Even then it was only a tap, far too quick for me too hit. Now I was tuned in, I knew what to expect and I caught one, then another, then another and so on.
Now if I was doing all of this on my own, I'd have probably quit by now and waited for the Bass to come in. But as there is a group of us sharing our findings, we are able to try different techniques, to find the 'pattern' for the night. The significance of this pattern is immense, and is the difference to between catching a few and blanking in cold water. Now when we go out, we have a much better understanding of the sizes of lure, the weights to use, the rigs to use and the technique in which to fish them. We have a better idea of where to start from. Take lure sizes for instance, when I started, most of us considered 3inch baits as really small. Now if someone puts a monster like that on, they get mocked relentlessly (in a good way, that one of the good things about these trips, the friendly banter, like Keith falling over a lot, Tom Phillips hogging spots, Jamo breaking rods for a hobby etc).
So I think though it must be hard for you to start out with, by using some of the stuff we are discovering as we go (we learn something new every night), you will be able to break your duck very soon, and from there you'll progress really quick. Its true that the marks may be completely different, but getting the basics in place first means you can make location specific tweaks as you go.
So without going into massive specifics, to get a bite and get you started, I'd recommend a Carolina Rig as Keith suggested. I use a size 8 hook, to 8lb Fluoro (yes I know Keith, tow rope), with either one or two swan shot about 12-18 inches away from the hook. Lure wise, you cannot go small enough. Tiny X-Layers produce for me sometimes, but I now find myself cutting them in half to create baits around the 1-2 inch range. Some nights, paddletails work, some nights straight tails work, some nights curlytails work. It is a case of revolving through these until you find what they want on the night. Stay in contact on the drop, you cannot retrieve slow enough, try lots of pauses, if no joy, I have had good success with a slow straight retrieve. Sometimes Pollack are up in the water, so use a lighter head for a slower fall.
All these are just suggestions, but in my very limited experience thus far, its what I have found has worked.
Of course, in six months time, we will have developed a whole new range of techniques specific for other species. As I write, Bream, Bass, Snipe, Mackerel, Scad, Triggers, Shad and others bits and pieces are swimming their way to these shores, and these will no doubt need slightly different approaches. I am confident of doing well though, as I believe once you have got the basics sorted - <balanced light outfit + capability to react and adapt on the night to what the fishies want + ability to detect and react to bites> - its a much smaller step to more success.
Anyway, I have babbled plenty, so stick with it, it will definately come good for you, and I can guarantee once you have broken the duck, it'll get much easier. Good luck!
