All sailings cancelled, although I did offer the last sailing the option of sailing, to try the mud weights, with shore as a backup, but that came across as flakey as it is. I don't like to do R&D with customers usually. Its just... I'm so sure its going to work. Which is why I arranged with Dean, who was game yesterday, to come back and have another try. And working with a single client on board, especially one as capable as Dean, is a real pleasure, as far less to keep an eye on, in the way of lures being swung around etc. So, it seemed only appropriate, to make it a no stress day. Meeting Dean at Cafe Zio, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and excellent coffee. Sailing time was, when we were finished. Actually, in my head, hot time would be just before low. And although Dean did not know it yet, this was not going to be a three hour session. This was going to be a until we were both bored session, especially with so much to play with regarding drifts.
We headed out on perfectly flat seas, with a screaming NE wind just as forecast. Brighton faces SSW, so a NE wind, is straight off the land. And with BIF1's pedigree for very shallow water fishing, thanks to her small footprint and quiet when required single engine, this means the very tight reefs, that I often wade to with clients from the shore, are the best place to be. But... The wind howling has always meant shot across these very narrow reefs in nano seconds, and zero control of the lure. Much better to be fishing from the shore. Or... It dawned on me just the other day.. From a stationary boat...
This all stemmed from being blown away by ace guide, Mark Privett, currently working portuguese waters, both coastal and inland (www.fishingportugal.com) and his little tinny running a minn Kota electric outboard off the bow, which can act as an instant anchor, or allow you to control the drift, regardless of wind and tide. Amazing, game changing tech. But as I learn about those, in the meantime, I had to resort to more manual, and considerably cheaper, alternatives. Mud weights.
And it worked a treat. Fishing topwaters over the ever shallowing reefs, from a stationary boat, Dean and I managed 14 fish between us, before the tide perhaps got too shallow for the fish to feel safe, as we move onto bigger tides. Quality fish. We took one for the table, as it hoofed the Axia Canine and gilled itself, bleeding out even before it was unhooked. A smaller fish also did the same, such is their intent on smashing surface victims. Sadly, it was returned to be devoured by spider crabs, as undersized fish cannot be landed even in the event of their mortality. Apart from that sad moment though, a lot of fun. Lots of missed takes. Deans first captures on surface lures, and by the end he had it mastered. And the option of sailing on a stiff NE wind, such as we have had the past few days. Game changing session.
I still have some spaces on Saturday, Im guessing due to that infernal game where a bunch of grown men chase an inflated pigs bladder up and down a patch of grass. If like me you prefer to continue to gain intimate knowledge of bass, on what is sometimes a great forecast (been jumping around a bit) then sms to 07970 112774 for either one space on 0600 sailing, or 3 spaces on 1430 sailing.
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