Westward, Dancing Ledge.

[Swainiac]

Had an invite from Terry B, Plaicemat, to join him for a day out, whilst the weather is holding. The plan was to arrive early doors at baiter, and be in the water by 0600hrs, then head west to Dancing Ledge. All good plans are maleable, however, so we decided on a lie in, not together I hasten to add! Arriving at Baiter at 0750 hrs, still able to cram Percy into the TS parking space close by, I'd unloaded my kit at the slip ready for Terry, who arrived shortly afterwards. The launch went smoothly, and we were soon underway, out of the Swash, armed with 100 "fresh" rag, a box of squid, feathers set up for squeaking out a few mackeral for bait and the BBQ, easing around the untidy water off Old Harry, then on past Ballard to Dancing Ledge, setting anchor on our intended mark. We were soon joined by Josh Simmonds, on "Revolution", who hovered about looking for something.....perhaps we were on it??

 

Mackeral proved very scarce, but I'd heard that much from the 48hr comp, so we were happy with the few we managed, so half a fillet, slipped down on a size 5/0 was my choice of larger bait, intended for a Ray or two. Second light rod, my new Grauvell telescopic, coupled with the new larger fixed spool, and a two hook paternostrt style rig, tied with two way beads, and size 4 circles, was my terminal choice.

 

First fish on for me, after a cracking bite on the light gear, came up as a Ballan to the top hook, and a Cuckoo on the bottom, former going larger than the latter, both under a pound. Then a bite on the mackeral, turned out to be a small Spotted Ray, not a weigher, but still good to see a target species caught.

 

Terry turned in wrasse, small pout and poor cod, but still no bream. I squeaked out a poor cod, and mini pollock double shot, and was pleased with the way that these new rigs were working, allowing decent underarm flick casting of considerable distance from the boat, taking the baits to the bottom without tangles. Even remaining untangled after double hook ups from the dreaded Spin Fish, Pout.

 

We decided on a move east, back toward Ballard, if that didnt work for bream, then maybe across to the patch. We steamed east, stopping along the way to look at some interesting ridges, which may hold mackeral, but they remained elusive, with me only managing one at a time. Finding our mark off Ballard down, we settled with me feeling far more confident with a fresh fillet of mackeral on the hook, and very soon, a cracking bite, producing another small Spotty. We both took small bream, but bites on the small baits were slow to say the least. With a couple of fresh mackeral left in the bait box, we decided on sitting it out for a while, untill 1800hrs, which paid off. Terry had a decent bite, producing a spider crab. With bites on the light gear very slow, I stripped down the rod, and stowed it away, concentrating on the ray. A bait change, some ground bait in the form of a frame chopped into small segments, produced another bite, with me hooking into a better fish. This one actually took line, so I was hoping on a better sized ray, and soon it was in the net, a fish of around 8lbs. We waited for a few more minutes, then decided on calling it a day. All in all a very pleasant day afloat on "Stingray" with target species taken, albeit smaller fish.

 

Thanks for a cracking day Terry, hope we can do it again soon.

 

On cleaning the fish at home, I decided that it was actually a Small Eyed Ray, not a Blonde as we thought, so not a bad fish after all. The day was generally slow, but we took Mackeral, LSD, Poor Cod, Pout, Ballan and Cuckoo Wrasse, Bream, Spotted and Small Eyed Ray and a small Pollack.

 

Rich

[plaicemat]

Unfortunately, not the repeat red letter day that I was hoping for. My plan was to get back on the bream before they did their breeding thing and cleared off. Too late! The beggars have either already gone or were not playing in the neap tides. It wan't a question of slow, we didn't have a single one at Dancing Ledge The other species caught were, of course, welcome, but I do like a plan to come together. Added to all this, the engine seemed to be playing up. When I tried to start it, turning the switch produced absolutely nothing. Kept trying and eventually it fired up. This is a little disconcerting to say the least; who wants to be round at Dancing Ledge, with no-one else in sight, and an engine that will not start. Fortunately, each time it started after a few attempts and we got back o/k. I anticipated an expensive electrical bill (not my forte) trying to find a dry joint or loose connection. Hoorah! I must have caught the kill cord at some stage and virtually switched it off and having replaced it, all is well. I'm surprised it started at all under the circumstances, but I'm grateful it did.

 

Unless someone can put me straight, I think that must be the end of the concentrated bream action and I must find a new target. Now, who's going to come out and teach me how to catch bass consistenly rather than the odd lucky one?

 

Terry B.

[Swainiac]

Terry, fancy Weymouth next week????

 

Rich

[Gnasher]

nice report rich. I read a report in the anglers mail, a mid 40 stinger was caught your way on peeler(maybe out of leap), so i would of thought you would be out looking for them soon.

[Swainiac]

Dan....................how do you know I havent already been having an evening soiree in search of the club record fish?? By the look of the beach shingle in the pic, that fish was taken from a west solent shore mark, possibly Park Shore or Sowley. The beaches that way are made up of finer shingle/smashed up shells, but the beaches farther east, towards Lepe/Calshot are arge gravel, 30/40 mm size and upwards.

 

I fancy trying for them on small bream livebaits, as that is what takes them in other warmer climes, I've had them in Florida on small Pinfish, not unlike a tiny Bream, but my reckoning is that fish taken on peeler wasnt the target fish, but larger Bass, as the time is about right for the bigger Bass to be congregating around the mouth of Beaulieu River area, and nearby. I'll call my Uncle and maybe get out one evening with him next week, before the tides pick up too much, as the weed in the Solent has been horrendous. I guess its about right for Smoothies that way now too, althougfh I havent heard of any huge fish being taken yet.

 

Rich

[Paul J]

Mackerel are still not showing, went looking last night a around Christchurch to no avail.

 

Saw a couple of Bass roll on the surface but they didn't want the rapalas i threw at them.

 

All we need is some live baits and the silver bars should make an appearance

 

PJ

[plaicemat]

Rich, regarding next week, I'll have to get back to you as the weekly schedule is not yet finalised.

 

Terry B.