jack Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Out from Cobbs onto a totally flat.lead coloured sea,with matching sky.No wind no waves,lots of good bait. Was this to be our big "Cod Day ?". Was it bu****** !. Nevertheless first drop down on an offshore reef,produced a take the like of which I had not felt in the last 15 years.Something grabbed my 3 squid bait and made off with it.Huge head shakes followed and Andy said "cod for sure" It resisted my initial attempts to get it off the bottom and I convinced myself this was destined to be the biggest cod caught this year.The fish and I continued our Up and Down battle,continually stripping line against a drag,set dangerously close to snap-off point.My arms were killing me and I had to have several rests to waggle my arm and fingers. In the meantime Andy got me a chair and a butt pad.After some 15 mins or more and the obvious realisation that no Cod gave this sort of scrap,the THING appeared behind the boat. A Conger,but what a conger,it was still head shaking and spinning at the boatside and we both knew it was unlikely we would get this aboard.We wanted to weigh it, but where not prepared to use the gaff,it would not go into our large landing net,so Andy went out onto the bathing platform to drag it aboard,With its head on the step it gave a huge headshake and the lead running leader parted at the knot. [ I bought this item ready-made,never again !] The beast stayed on the surface laughing at us for a few seconds then slid away.I was dissapointed but happy too.I didnt like to say to Andy ,how much I thought it weighed but he said." that ruddy thing was over 50 lbs. My thoughts exactly,having been on many commercial wrecking trips in the past.Later in the session Andy released an eel over 30lbs. believe me,the first one could have eaten it.I didnt know such large specimins could be found on reefs. It was so good ,I dont even care if you believe us or not ..We were there,and had the thrill of it.. GOT TO GET A BIGGER BOAT.!!!... jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 My sympathies, Jack. Like you say, nice to see it, but would've loved to have weighted it. Describing it lying on the surface laughing at us brings back memories of the big conger I lost at the boat at Burnham. It just layed on the surface eyeing us up before disappearing back into the murk. I'm pretty sure it would've broke the Bristol Channel record. Things are looking up for Pal-O-Mine, though. Even hooking into one of these beasts is a thrill, and also means you are anchoring the right marks. BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 (edited) no sympathy Jack, just a big well done mate. For me, I mainly fish for sport, not the table, so a few conger that really pull back would be better than bagging whiting all day. At least you come home knowing you rearly had a decent battle, and nearly had your arms pulled off by a proper beast, and won!!! Edited December 28, 2006 by Gnasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Nice one Jack A favorite of mine and the boys is having a good eel giving you stick two good ones to the boat shows you were in the right place. We used to get some good ones when out codding. Frank had one the other week well over 50lb from a reef but did not have scales that could weigh over the 50, and the Club record of 62lb was also from a reef it must be ready to be beaten soon. I will try and find the photo of Dan holding one of 55 so you can guess at the size of yours, he was only 11 when he caught it so you may have to allow for that. well done mate another good specimen Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Nice one Jack, Well done mate PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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