Conger In Sunny Poole Bay

[Sinbad]

Hi all

 

Couldnt bear to be at work on such a settled and sunny day, so decided it just had to be done!! (stress management classes)

among others, fished along the harbour channel for a few herrings, but saw nothing on the fishfinder and nothing over the right side of the boat.

 

Then onto the usual Poole bay mark which had been good for the whiting last year. First drop down, a small blonde ray, followed by a 2lb bass - really shimmering in the sun. Then decided a move was required, as my arm was beginning to hurt hauling dog after dog in the tide.

 

Interestingly, loads of shoals of sprats - I guess - 6-10m down showing as a broad line on the fish finder, and triggering the fish alarm. some were even jumping clear of the water. Thought this must be a good sign, but the whiting fishing was patchy what with the dogfish.

 

Settled onto the next rockier mark, and was rewarded by a savage pull - Eel - this one roughing up the trace and breaking it off after just one determined run. OK, size 6/0 and a 50lb trace later, and another terrific pull. Got the Eel to the surface three times, then he just didnt like the sunshine, and went down to the bottom - nothing I could do to stop him. Now this really did make my arm hurt - but eventually got the fish to the side of the boat, and discovered he had broken the lower hook trace (hook in mouth) but had the upper hook in his dorsal fin, so I'd been towing him backwards, hence the struggle!

 

After boating him and sorting out the hooks, then returning the fish, I was into another eel within a few minutes, and this one also making short work of the trace after a wrenching run.

 

Highlights of the day:

Very grumpy Conger - 27lbs - my Pb (!)

Nice Plump Whiting - 2lb 6oz

 

All on Frozen Mackerel.

 

Hoping to return again with some heavier gear, who knows whats down there !

 

Paul

 

 

[great white]

Nice one Paul certainly better than working.

 

Charlie