BigMac Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Our vans met at the roundabout in christchurch, 2 minutes from the boat, a full half hour before our pre-arranged start time. Two full grown men unable to sleep with excitment and anticipation of another mornings bassing, mind you it has been a full 5 days since we last went!!! We slipped the mooring just as the birds were starting their dawn chorus and by the time we were exiting the run, the first golden glow of the sun was peeking above the Island to the east. The mackerel co-operated again and 10 minutes saw enough bait in the well for us to make a start on the proper fishing. Straight over to the "willow tree" (always the "best" swim on a river), on with the good old float rig, set at 9m, and a joey lightly hooked through the nose. As my stop knot reaches the float, it just keeps going and the first bass of the day is hooked at 5.15. A couple of minutes later and Rupe scoops up a lovely 5lber. Second drift, its Rupe's turn and a really spirited 8lber is in the boat, 3rd drift produces a ballistic 7 1/2lber to me and a fish of 6lb to Rupe. All four fish, so far, took the bait in exactly the same place and as the floats pass over it for the 4th time Rupe's hooked up to another 7lber and as I turn it out of the net onto the deck, my float sails away and a good fish at the other end takes 10 yards of line off me. Well, I fish 25lb braid on a baitrunner on a pound and three quarter barbel rod and if a fish takes line at range, I know its a good 'un. The fish comes to boat quite quickly but then spends 4 or 5 minutes just 5 metres below it, refusing to be lifted any higher in the water. My arms are killing me as Rupe, eventually, manages to net the fish on the other side of the boat, he turns with a big grin, offers a hand shake and then swings in the landing net with a huge bass in it. Its head is like a bull terrier and it has length to go with it, but its belly is completely empty. Into the sling and on the scales she goes exactly 13lb With a belly in the autumn she could well go 16 or 17lb quite easy. Hope we cross paths again!!!! The action continued in the same vein with the same stamp of fish for the next 2 hours and when we needed to refill the bait tank at 7.55 we have landed 14 bass between 5lb and 13lb with 3 other 8's and 2 9's. Awesome!!! We picked up some more bait and headed east to check out a couple of areas we had both thought should produce fish. By 11, we,ve discovered lots of interesting things on the bottom but unfortunately no takers for a live mackerel and the pull of the "willow tree" dragged us back for the last hour before we leave for home (and earning of brownie points so we can do the same tomorrow). Not only that, but isn't it today that England fly back from Germany? 5 or 6 drifts produces another 3 fish, two 4's and a 6, and with that we decide to call it a day. A fantastic mornings fishing that we reckon is our best mornings fishing ever!!! I just need to tell everyone what a blinding geezer Rupert is. We have always considered captures on the boat to be a team effort between both of us. When people ask us what we've caught, we always tell them the cumulative boat score sheet before adding who might of caught what. Over the course of a year, Rupe and me catch almost the same amount of fish each and our pbs steadily increase and we have more fun as our experience developes. However the bass dont know this and Rupert is still waiting patiently for his first double, despite catching millions of em. I know its only pounds and ounces but with both of us coming from a fresh water specimen hunting background they're quite important to us and I wish the bass would realise this and give Rupe a lunker. A personal best in the best of company. What more could a man want? Cheers mate, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Absolutely stonking Al! You and Rupert certainly make an amazing team. I can only hope that I get to join you again soon. Well done, an absolute fish of a lifetime! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swainiac Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Boys Boys Boys.......for goodness sakes leave some out there till I get back from Florida!!!! Absolutely cracking result, good team effort, and another Pb, with another fish well over the 100% Al, are you measuring these fish before release?? It would be intersting what the table says a fish that weighs in at 13lb converts to. Well done guys, good mornings work. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted July 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 32" long, girth of 17" Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Fantastic fish Al, I heard that Gordon had a good bass today as well. Looking to go out on Sunday once I have dragged my son out of bed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 cracking fish al wish i could catch fish like dat now just need an invite sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Hint, hint ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady jane Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 big mac, we were just outside you when you made your 8--00 0 clock run for more bait, that is one fast boat that looks the dogs --------- when on the plane. well done on a cracking fish cheers andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Great day boys and some wonderful fish Please submit the catch report forms as usual, as the bass trophy has gone to smaller fish than 13lb many times. Well done the team sound like its all down to teamwork when you go out. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Removed Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 fantastic fishing - well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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