Rob Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Well as mentioned in me species hunt list, we have managed a "Blue" on JoJo again this year. With an unsuccessful attempt earlier in the year (too early really, but you need to take the opportunity when you can!!). Lack of maccy was probably the main issue in July. So myself and Nick had waited patiently and picked early October. And we were planning to head west, very West but not quite the lizard!! Thursday we arrived and setup base camp (very camp as per my purple, butterfly covered tent borrowed from my kids!). Thursday was stunning, sunny and no wind, but timing is everything and we didn't have it, Friday & Sat our fishing days were forecast windy, really windy! We found a great slipway (which was free) and parking / trailer parking reasonable / secure and organised!!! (Poole could learn a lot!!) We launched knowing to expect, there was a fresh f4>f5 blowing S/Sw and with the tide, it produced a big sea with some huge swells in amongst it. We had quite a journey ahead and seemed to be the only ones mad enough to be out, except for some large cargo vessels! We pushed on at 7 to 8knts, on and off the throttle constantly for an hours and a half, once the destination was reached the drift was not too bad. The rogue was deployed to keep us beem on and we bobbed about like a cork. Groundbait/chum etc deployed and rods in. We had bought some "fresh" discounted macs from asda (un gutted) for emergency hook baits, we didn't need to. We picked up a constant stream of macs, ones and twos, and once the baits were deployed we hit shoals and had 6 at a time, these made up more chum. 4 hrs of slopping bout and a few false runs, thinking they were big mackerel attacking the baits. We turned to catching one of the 8 garfish that were following us as a pack! Shame we didn't throw the fly rods in!!!! Then, a dropped run on the deepest and furthest rod! I wound it tit to find the bait looked fairly untouched, but put fresh on, some extra weight to the trace and trotted it back. Now the term "screaming reels" is used a lot , that is what we had. Not a minute later and off it goes like a train! I tighten the drag and we are "fish on", it went down, really far down, staying deep and hanging in the tide, with our wind assisted drift, we were moving quite a bit faster than the tide. This made brining the fish to the boat more difficult. After 10 mins we saw colour, and she was a beauty, not big but great to see and well deserved. She sat in the tide by the boat just holding station and then took one last run, straight down, awesome. We thought we could get her onboard, and so we did, Nick at the bitey end and me at the flappy one. Gently we lifted her in, for unhooking (nicely exposed circle hook of ease of removal), a measure and a photo or two. She was slender and long, as they all are. Touching just over 6ft, but lean and mean!!! Estimated weight calculates at about 55lb, not big by any imagination but hard earnt in unfavourable conditions. We fished for another hour with nothing, then headed back in to reach land by dark, we had a hour (just made it with a following sea). Then up the harbour in the dark and to the slip. Great day, shattered, enthusiastic, but with the forecast of f8 today, even though over the land with little fetch, after yesterday that didn't sound appealing!!! Next year! Rob Peter, sparky, Mal Thomas and 14 others 17 Quote
alun j. Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Well done Rob !........that's determination for you ! Rob 1 Quote
Mike Fox Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Brilliant Rob!!! Porbeagle off the Purbecks next? Mike Rob 1 Quote
Kingfisher 126 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Well worth the effort, great report and a couple of happy chaps!! Rob 1 Quote
fisherman1055 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Very brave getting it in the boat, even more brave getting it out! Well done guys Tony Rob 1 Quote
Stuie Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Great seamanship and top dangling Rob - excellent report and pics too. Rob 1 Quote
Jim Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Very good Rob & Nick. Lucky it wasn't a big one in that little boat ! Very nice though. Something to tell stories about when you get to MY age , Oh yes . . . . Nice tent . :lol: Jim Rob 1 Quote
Matt Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Nice one, just proves u put in the effort and the rewards come Rob 1 Quote
Paul J Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Beautiful Fish Rob Must be a lucky tent Rob 1 Quote
Leicester Fisheagle Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Great stuff. A fish of dream. Allan. Rob 1 Quote
great white Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Great stuff Rob Well done for all that effort and the fish. Rob 1 Quote
Jeff smith Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Well done Rob-great stuff. Nice Veedub BTW. Rob 1 Quote
Rob Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Posted October 5, 2014 On 10/5/2014 at 8:04 PM, Jeff smith said: Well done Rob-great stuff. Nice Veedub BTW. Thanks Jeff, not my dub, but mine was the purple butterfly tent (well that was borrowed for my kids!!!). Quote
Oli Posted October 6, 2014 Report Posted October 6, 2014 Nice Rob, beautiful fish (not so sure about the tent). Quote
Rob Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Posted October 8, 2014 This is the initial cut, I am working away and don't have all the footage:"http://youtu.be/KJhBYkqnQYQ" I think the first 30seconds give an idea of how rough it was!!! Paul D, niggle and Ark 3 Quote
Mike Fox Posted October 8, 2014 Report Posted October 8, 2014 Brilliant Rob!!!! The grin on your face said it all. I want one now.... Mike Quote
Stuie Posted October 8, 2014 Report Posted October 8, 2014 I like the specimen hunter's hat too. Does it sport the club logo Rob? Quote
Rob Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Posted October 8, 2014 On 10/8/2014 at 3:28 PM, Stuie said: I like the specimen hunter's hat too. Does it sport the club logo Rob? No Stuie! But you see the club sticker on JoJo's windscreen 3:30 for example!!! R Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.