With me for the first of two forays today, with the third being binned due to winds and lumpy seas forecast, was Mark, Dan and Ian. Despite a fairly fresh breeze the sea state remained quite flat, exactly what my new weather app WINDFINDER PRO predicted. We did get some roll as the wind swung to the NW and increased but this roll is more annoying than technique interrupting.
With the new flood being the main event I elected to stay in shallow and out of the main run of the tide, which with wind behind us saw us racing through at 1.5 knots. Actually too fast for what we do. The idea was to target the larger fish from the deep craggy rocks, that in the morning gloom were almost certainly hunting the soft spider crabs. And the technique paid off.
The first half hour was great, with five good bass in the food box from a maximum of six to be taken. But the last one took a good hour more to find as the bites slowed. Some huge mackerel top ups, and the final tally was eleven fish landed. Just four of those were under the 42cm. The guys had fish for their bbq at a fraction of the cost of what it would be to purchase from a retailer, and I had the satisfaction of having to use the net more often than not. Win win.
2nd sailing, and Chris, Chris, Ian and Ian were taken for a ride around a suddenly much bumpier bay, where the now dying tide meant it was hard even to lure fish, with the boat moving around at random. We endured 2 hours of it, but then the wind swung SW and freshened. and we abandoned at the cost of fuel. Just one table fish landed, and that was Ian, not really fished before, but hopefully got the bug and will return, as opposed to other Ian, who got the bug many years ago and has returned ever since.
A couple of sailing days lost to wind now, to the benefit of members of my shore fishing whatsapp group, as activities now arranged where a stiff onshore wind enhances the chances. If you would like to be a part of the Fishyrob community, (Fishyrob was my brand name when I started shore guiding in 2005) simply text your name, and the word SHORE, to 07970 112774
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