Lines

Lines: Either cheap mill ends, or top quality lines that have a no quibble replacement guarantee. Specialist 'saltwater taper' lines are designed for tropical style fishing, and are not much use around our coasts. Eventually you will need the full range, but start with a weight forward sinker or sink tip, and a floater or intermediate. If you'll be fishing shallow water at the foot of the cliffs you'll need a roll-castable double taper floater. Shooting heads are rare but I sometimes use a lead-cored shooting head when I need to get deep in a fast current.

Leaders: I usually use a short tapered leader with a length of 6lb - 8lb point. Really big lures are fished on a leader that comes straight off a spool of 15lb mono. Mullet fishing requires an ordinary trout leader with a 4lb point.

Backing: I'm starting to go over to the modern superbraids for backing, a greater length can be used without having to switch to a bigger reel. It's important to play fish off the reel if superbraids are used though, it can cut wet fingers to the bone if you're not careful. Shooting line has to be mono or conventional braid, superbraids are too prone to tangling for this job.