Finally, some high pressure. And with it, no rain for a few days. Very steadily, the clarity returned, and setting off at the new time of 0700, we had all early flood. Two moves before we found the fish, and then, Max, Richard, Patrick and Mitch were away. Quality fish as well.
Indeed, two of my most regular regulars both beat their PB's. 4 fish over 64cm. Plenty of quality follow ups. Half a dozen smalls. Total bag for 3 hours fishing, on a small boat that doesnt scare the shit out of everything that lives on the reef, was thirty two bass landed. Maximum kill. Happy clients. Always, clients are happy. Smiles ARE guaranteed. Rather than bollockings.
1300, and it was time to go and meet Greg, skipper of Kraken, and prepare for our second joint Squid charter. With huge demand for squid trips, and with BIF1's size limiting which weather conditions are suitable, teaming up with the owner of an unsinkable catamaran designed for the seas of South Africa was the obvious choice. Especially as he affords me the respect and acknowledgement of my 40 plus years sleeping next to if not with, the fishes, and lets me lead the show. Already very well trained in boatmanship by another charter skipper, he is happy for our association as I am letting him into some of the thoughts that not many people get let into. It is my mission to see his results become the pride of the Brighton fleet, and we have plans to fish the wrecks this winter quite differently to how they have ever been fished before. Watch this space. Or follow "The Kraken Charters" on Facebook to watch the story unfold.
The squidding itself was never boring. But less frantic than it was a few weeks ago. Why? So, two species are here. Forbessi and vulgaris. All this years eggs as the inshore squid are. Their parents long ago retired offshore to die. We target the inshore squid as they are suitable for both food and bait. The vulgaris is a smaller squid, and doesnt grow so fast. Forbessi is a beast, and many are reaching beast size. A shame, as what do you do with a big thick squid? I have heard some talk of milk reducing the rubberiness. And maybe they will make good tuna baits for ballooning off the shingle. Who knows?
32 was the final squid tally, with much fun and ink involved.
Then off to the marina. In 2008, in an effort to see the walls better attended at a time few fished, I launched a bit of fun called THE ALL ENGLAND SQUID CHAMPIONSHIPS. The idea was to prevent squid being taken too seriously while at the same time highlighting this tasty food resource to anglers who were routinely blanking for everything else (pre plaice revival). It worked, and the competition grew each year. Even attracting the attention of a japanese film crew the year a thumbnail sized cuttle won it. Covid screwed things for a couple of years, then weather had a go. Then we needed an organiser coz I had long ago handed it over. Happily Frank Parker, a long time ambassador of the fishing on the marina stepped up, and did a fantastic job. I blanked and took an early bath but did manage to get a shot of Fin with his first ever squid. That smile is what this comp is all about and a huge thanks to Frank for dragging it out of the ashes.
OTHER BUSINESS
Phones been pinging all day with people showing me some barbed digs from Steve Green, skipper of Proteus, under the business name of BRIGAND CHARTERS. It does warm my heart so many people looking out for me. I am not sure why a retired fire officer with privileged access to the Police diving club vessel PROTEUS would want to sink a fellow skippers business. I suspect, as we have seen, those of you who started this journey with me, once before with another skipper, there is an element of envy involved.
A truly brave fireman. Fred Bishop, MBE
It is very unnecessary. If he wishes to match my results with squid, bass and cod, he simply needs a time machine, to create the space to spend as much time with them as I have. Go find his posts on his Facebook page (BRIGAND CHARTERS) and enjoy them. Notice his reference to schoolies. Look at the beasts he found in that post. And then scroll slowly up... At the end of the day, a big noisy catamaran loaded with clanking canopy's and poles needs depth to fish bass. The bigger, older bass in the edges think the net man is coming when it approaches the shallows, as it is big clanking catamarans that quite often are nets men. And so, your results are just schoolies. Fish that same ground in stealth mode, on a small mono hull with few stamping feet and the quality fish give themselves up readily. When you understand what they are doing. Thats why we have had 3 fish over 13lb, whereas Proteus still awaits its first double I believe. My results since I began are here for everyone to see. Proteus? The blank ones vanish for sure. The poor ones vanish for sure.
In 2005, maybe 2006, I teamed up with Ray Burns, skipper of Grey Viking, to investigate the possibility of night squidding. Interest was just getting going then. We took on a fuel only basis some very competent squid fishers, and discovered quickly fishing the inshore reefs afloat was a waste of time. All the places we were catching in the day, vacated. Why? They rise in the water as the sun sets, and then, once they have paid homage to the golden orb, they race into the edges, where ambushing whitebait becomes much easier on the back of the wave break. How do I know that? Because once we realised they were not out there, they had to be somewhere. And suddenly it dawned. All that whitebait that jumps out at night? Not always horse mackerel chasing it.
Proteus last squid trip had two of my customers onboard. A cheap seat at £40. For a lacklustre trip. Half the trip was in darkness. Where a green light was lowered. Great for the indian ocean. Great for horse mackerel. Very stressful for squid. 14 rods fished for 4 hours for 7 squid. I think it is things like this that are creating the envy. But what should I do? Downgrade my service to my customers to make another skipper feel superior? Nope. They get the full benefit of everything I know. Which is a real lot. The reason I have many dinner dates, but no partner, is that it would be a distraction. Only a single man can do the research and development I do. 22:34 as I write this. Off to catch a lot of squid single handed to stock up for this coming weeks onshore winds. The shore guide with the small boat, can take his customers to fish in any conditions. And does, And reports his catches. Including numbers and sizes so that my clients are not mislead. Which is why they keep coming back. And look out for me all the time. Heart warming. I would beg you forgive Steve his manopause. Perhaps something else is going on in his life that we are unaware of. Do we still ask god to forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us? I dont really care. Better he puts that energy into improving his results, and improving his transparency. But enough of the screenshots guys. My phone only has a terabyte of memory...
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