Still no "F" in Cod

[Neal]

A late Monday night call to Mike Fox gave me crew for yesterdays weather window

 

Like a couple of others we decided to see if the cod we around at the western end of the bay.

 

We went to my usual cod spot just south of the spoil grounds as a big tide would make life difficult too far offshore.

 

First a pout made an appearance followed by dogfish... then a good bite and following a long struggle a 14lb Blonde Ray came on board. However it had managed to knit 3 lines into an appalling mess - which took a good 30 minutes to clear and resulted in 40m of broken braid.

 

Mike then had a similar sized Blonde Ray - which was "released" just as it got to the back of the boat. (Mike - Imustuseathickerleaderforwintercodfishing!)

 

Decided to move offshore to a "cod Hole" - but only caught congers - brought 1 on-board to weigh - 28lb.

 

Then back in-shore to join AWOL and Wight Magic - but instead of fish we found a rope running left to right across the stern of the boat - with no sign of any buoys marking it's presence. Might be what Pirky hooked into?

 

So with Martin heading off and Dave packing up - we decided to move off as well.

 

Good day out - still can't catch a decent cod and it looks like the weather is going to keep everyone in Port for the next week or more.

 

Neal

 

 

 

 

 

[niggle]

Hard luck on the cod hunt,youll get one soon

Nige

[great white]

Hard luck with the Cod Neal

 

But at least you have more chance than we do sat ashore.

 

Charlie

[Mike Fox]

It was a great day out there, despite the lack of cod and whiting.

 

Was really surprised to see blonde rays at this time of the year, and the alleged cod hole seemed stuffed with conger. I hooked into a decent one for a few seconds, so I reckon I'll be back, and will try it again for next year's species comp.

 

Had a light rod down for whiting for much of the day....but not even one showed. Think the water might be a little warm ?

 

Thanks again Neal - as ever a great trip, even if the target species didn't make an appearance!

 

Mike

[Stuie]

No target species but certainly not a poor session with blondes and conger pulling your string. Good report too - well done.

 

[Coddy]

Hi Mike

 

Blonde's are around all year it is just that many aim for other species this time of year.

 

Good article here http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Sea-Angler/Sect...and-techniques/

 

Dave

[Neal]

 

I was aware that the Rays are caught in Winter - but I thought that they moved away from the inshore marks and moved to the deeper water - off-shore banks.

 

I have never caught them on the Spoil Grounds this late in the year.

 

I haven't heard of many whiting being around or Herring being caught this Year.

 

I am sure it will all change soon enough..........it always does.

 

Neal