Mike Fox Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 We stuck our noses out of Poole Harbour on Frisky Fox about 11 a.m. this morning, and was greeted by an Easterly 3-4, and a couple of knots of ebb tide. The Haven looked a bit bumpy, but we were soon through it, and wondered if the short chop and swell would settle. After some debate, we continued, and went round Old Harry Rocks, where the race had kicked up 4' waves and dragged the pot buoy markers under - we luckily missed a couple of submerged ones! Once approaching Swanage, the waves had settled into a more regular pattern of wind across tide, and it looked like it might be fishable. Dropped the hook on a spot we have off Ballard Down, and dragged it 100' or so before it settled, and we deployed the rods, getting doggies from the off. We tried with squid, rag, and mackerel chunks on 1/0 hooks to 20lb trace, trying for the rays we know are there. Unfortunately, 9 doggies later, and a bonus starry smoothhound on rag, we still had no evidence of ray, the wind had freshened to a steady F4 E-SE and white tops threatened a bumpy ride back after the tide turned to the flood, so we returned to Poole Harbour. What a contrast! Mirror like conditions, and the early flood bringing clean water into the harbour. Had a few small bass on rag (fishfinder showed them about 10' up - 5 winds and into fish!), a rattling bite that turned into a fin-perfect 4oz gilthead bream, a clonking wrasse that went 2lb 12oz that looked bigger, and a solitary Pollack of 12oz. We tried drifting for plaice and gurnard at a couple of our other marks in the harbour, but the lifting of the speed restrictions might have spooked them! Having had a powerboat hammer past us at over 40knots, I can say I certainly was shaken! A great day to be out, shame about the Easterlies and the swell, and the lack of something for the dinner table (not even any mackerel). Still, there's always tomorrow. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Still better than a good day in the office. I have to say I've had ballan wrasse and cuckoo wrasse but never clonking bass. You must share your secret! Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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