Duncan F (bathclaret) Posted September 5, 2013 Report Posted September 5, 2013 One of the problems with running a campsite is that we're completely grounded for the school holiday weeks, just when others are enjoying the summer bass season. Now that the kids are all back to school I got my fishing permit stamped for a day out yesterday, before the weather deteriorates at the weekend. Trouble is, everybody else is back at work! I tried to post a buddy request the day before, but sadly picked the one time when the PBSBAC forum was down :-(Definite plan - catch bass. TIming, tide and weather all spot on. A mate of mine ha reported good bass coming off the Lyme Bay wrecks, so the objective was to try to improve my 4lb PB with a decent fish and, who knows, maybe a double. Off on my own then. Early start and down to West Bay - too early in fact (still pitch black. Launched OK about 05:45, lifejacket and kill-cord fastened and on the first wreck by 06:30. Sonar looks promising. Feathers down while checking the drift pattern and had a couple of nice mackerel for livelies in no time. Lined-up for the first drift - OK here we go... Half way over the rod tip goes down, felt the weight, checked - no not the wreck - fish on! 5 minutes later I see a huge great silver shape emerging- BASS! Grabbed the net and then the leader - looks too big to fit in! Heart pumping as all the stories about double figure bass being lost at the side of the boat flash through my mind... I needn't have worried. One deft scoop and my silver quarry was in the boat. Nicely hooked in the scissors with a 4/0 circle hook. Quick tap on the head and on to the scales at 12lb 4oz. Mission accomplished first drop! Within 1/2hr I had company from a commercial bass boat (Cheetah cat) so I knew I'd chosen the wreck well, but perhaps the additional engine noise spooked our quarry - they had 2 smaller fish, but no more for me. Did a tour of another 1/2 doz wrecks without much success over the slack, just one dropped fish, but when the tide picked up again I hit another beauty - much more fight - charging all over the place and taking line every time it did. Massive excitement - how big can this be? Eventually it broke surface and was also safely scooped into the net. A lovely fat fish weighing just over 7lb. I wasn't disappointed in the slightest by that, it just shows that individual fish have different fighting qualities -the bigger one obviously just swam up towards the boat. That was all for the silver bars, but I finished off with a couple of nice reef pollack and bream on the way home. A good day out then (quite cold in the morning mist) and a specimen bass after many years trying. Inspired by Rob's exploits, sharking the target for next year then??Seriously if anybody does fancy trips out West (usually at short notice!) mid-week, please PM me. Duncan Kingfisher 126, pegleg and niggle 3 Quote
Stuie Posted September 5, 2013 Report Posted September 5, 2013 Great report & picture too - well done Duncan. Quote
Jim Posted September 5, 2013 Report Posted September 5, 2013 What a Belter ! ( as they say up north ) Very well done Duncan. Jim Quote
great white Posted September 5, 2013 Report Posted September 5, 2013 Great fishing Well done Duncan. Quote
Adam F Posted September 5, 2013 Report Posted September 5, 2013 Fish of a lifetime. Very well done! Quote
jay kay Posted September 6, 2013 Report Posted September 6, 2013 Cracking fish, good on you. Jon Quote
NickM Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Sounds incredible! Especially to someone who's never caught a Bass of any size!! Quote
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