Mike Fox Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 After a few hectic weeks at work, we had half-term off to spend aboard Frisky Fox, and with me being on call for work for the first 3 days, a Channel crossing was out. After the blusterous Saturday start, we motor-sailed on the Sunday over to Newtown Creek in the Solent for a few days well-deserved R&R, taking 100 ragworm with us, plus the ship's parrot (well, George's budgie) for company. Well, the first couple of days in this National Trust reserve with 6,000 screaming seabirds only produced small bass on our light bream gear - about 20 or so, all returned, with the larger ones all ignoring us, and even the flounder there didn't want to play. Still, it kept us amused while the pubs were closed. We then went up to Cowes for a night (and stocking up on bait), before going to the Medina entrance (just East of club waters I believe) where the gulls were harrassing shoals of whitebait. We geared up with bar spinners, Carol took the helm while George and I cast over the wheeling birds at the swirls beneath, hoping for some decent schoolies. Unfortunately, the tiny bass hit the spinners hard, with fish after fish coming in at 10 inches or less - some almost the same size as the spinners. Even a change of lure only produced a solitary mackerel. We picked up a buoy to try for something larger - but still no joy. After much debate over a relaxing lunch and glass or two, we decided to return to Newtown, and chill out there. It proved a good decision, as that afternoon the first of the big bites started. Five times, we were smashed up - all of us hooking into good fish, some fish staying attached for a line-searing few minutes before parting the 6lb trace. Even the Harbourmaster was impressed at our ability to lose them. There was nothing else for it...up the trace size to the heaviest on board - that being 20lb, and upped the hooks from No 4 fine wire to 4/0, and also upped the bait sizes - hoping for some decent bass at long last. Well, we got it wrong, it wasn't bass but smoothhound! George proved it first with a PB of 6lb 2oz on his ultra-light spinning rod after a 5 minutes tussle, then Carol got a 4lb fish. George followed with the third fish of 6lb exactly. I couldn't even get bites. The tide slackened off, and so did the smoothhound- but 8 potential fish in 3 hours showed promise. A late 2lb+ bass was some consolation for me for persevering. Next day I was up at 6 a.m., with rod set up and fishing, after a very quiet night aboard. By 9 a.m. it was clear they weren't around, so went ashore with George collecting shore crabs for bait, including a handful of peelers and softbacks. Again nothing, and interest turned once more to food and drink. That afternoon, feeling mellow and relaxed, the gear went over again on turn of tide, and then I took my first smoothhound of 5.5lb, after a screaming run on my spinning rod which took over 40 yards of line. It was followed up with another within the hour of 5lb, but that proved to be the last of the day. OK - smoothies to 6lb may be small stuff compared to some of the recent catches reported, but we were all elated, all catching PBs, and we all lost bigger fish. The break ended up watching the start of the Round the World Yacht race, then the slow drift of the Round the Island Race, and watching the Old Gaffers racing from Yarmouth. We ended with a few hours fishing on Sunday, catching mackerel, wrasse, bream, pout and poor cod over Southbourne Rough - wondering why it was so quiet and no charter boats! No chance of registering, fishing or weighing in for the 48 hour comp, but our 7 day break afloat proved quiet, relaxing and entertaining. Mike, Carol and George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Sounds brilliant to me PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 well penned mike, sounds like you had some enjoyable fishing. The smoothies do pull back a bit, i remember my first a couple of years back, convinced i had a double figure fish, up popped a smoothie of about 5lb. well done mate, and a few bevvys to make the trip even sweeter. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 Well done mate, smoothhound on 20lb trace, not easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted June 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 George's smoothound: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 nice photo nice to see he is supporting it properly sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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