Fly fishing

Fly fishermen can get by with only one outfit when it comes to fishing the shoreline. A 9-10 foot rod for a 7-8 weight line will handle most conditions when combined with a saltwater resistant fly reel capable of holding the fly line plus some 100 yds. of backing.

When fishing secluded and shallow water areas without significant waves a floating WF line will do the trick. If on open shores with on-shore wind and larger waves an intermediate line that barely sinks below the surface is preferable. It will give a better contact when working the fly.

The leader should be 9 feet long when fishing an intermediate line - 12 feet when using a floating line. Tippet size should be 0.25 mm with larger flies and 0.20 mm when using smaller flies on calm days.

When fishing deeper waters from a boat, often times you need a full sinking line. This is especially so if you are fishing specifically for cod. In this case a 9-10 weight rod may prove a better choice.

Spin fishing

When spin fishing shallow waters close to the shoreline you can get by with the same equipment as used from land. But you should realise that shorter rods are much more convenient when casting from the ofte somewhat cramped conditions onboard a boat. You should also realise that the somewhat deeper water will necessitate heavier lures to reach the bottom.

The heavier outfit used for spinning from the shoreline will also be perfect for lighter surface trolling with medium sized spoons and wobblers. If you need to go deeper than that you need a somewhat heavier outfit and a couple of "paravanes" to take you lure down deeper. Or you may equip yourself or your boat with a "downrigger" and a specialised downrigger rod of 8-9 foot with a baitcasting reel. Line should be at least 200 yds. 0.30-0.40 mm monofilament.

When pilking for cod, coalfish and ling you will do well with a 6-7 foot lineclass 20-30 lbs. boat rod. The reel should be able to hold some 200 yds. 0.50-0.60 mm monofilament line. Modern superthin PE-lines like Berkley's FireLine may give you an edge when fishing the heaviest of currents since it will allow you to maintain the necessary bottom contact most of the time.

In your tackle box you should have an ample supply of silvery and red-yellow "pirks" in the 4-16 oz. range for pilking. But you should always use the lightest pirk that is able to reach bottom on a given day. The smaller lures are more lifelike in the water than the bigger ones and thus catch more fish.

A red-yellow rubber worm or two above your pirk will increase your chances of hooking up significantly.

Bait fishing

When bait fishing for flatfish in shallow water near land you may use the standard shoreline tackle to advantage. But you should realise that shorter rods are much more convenient in a boat - especially if you are not fishing alone.

When boat fishing in deep water where casting is out of the question and only vertical fishing will allow you to reach the bottom, special equipment is needed. Fixed spool reels are out of the question since very few models stand up to the rigors of this kind of fishing. Out here a large and robust baitcasting reel is the only solution - preferably equipped with a line guide for greater comfort.

When fishing for cod, ling, coalfish and turbot in the waters off East-Jutland, you will do well with a 6-7 foot lineclass 20-30 lbs. boat rod The multiplier reel should be able to hold some 200 yds. 0.50-0.60 mm monofilament line. Modern superthin PE-lines like Berkley's FireLine may give you an edge when fishing the heaviest of currents.

Guiding:

- Are you planning to visit East-Jutland, and are you uncertain as to how to approach the local fishing?

Then feel free to contact Steen Ulnits, fisheries biologist, 20+ book author, keen fisherman, TV producer, photographer and webmaster of this website, and book him for guiding. You can do this on an hourly or daily basis.

Apart from travelling the Globe and guiding trips to exotic parts of this Earth, Steen Ulnits has been fishing the waters of East Jutland for more than 30 years.

Thus you are in good hands - be it in freshwater or saltwater, flyfishing or spinning, walking, wading or boating!