Sinbad Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Had a call from Alun.. indicating there might be a small window in the weather for Saturday! We were'nt at all sure on the friday night,with most of the usual weather sites giving a strong F4-5 westerly in the morning dropping off late afternoon. So decided to take a look at first light to confirm...... Needless to say I was up 6:30 and had taken one look at it and decided it was not blowing already, so had to be OK. A quick call from Alun saying the same thing, and we shot down to Poole for 0900hrs. The run out via the harbour and swash channel against the low sun was most welcoming, and it looked pretty flat as we made our way past Old Harry at 20Kts or so, and decided we would fish the spot on the slates and if it was too much swell, would venture into Ballard down. First spot wasnt too bad with the flood still hammering in, and a westerly breeze, allowed pretty easy fishing, just holding bottom with 3/4 lb of lead. Sheltering behind the cabin made a big difference, and even when the wind increased to about a F4, and the swell built up it was still fishable. Bites were hard to come by, and we stuck it out for a few hours, before deciding to try further inshore ( it was really getting quite lumpy where we were). I had one decent bite, and fish on, for 10 minutes whilst it kited in the tide, and then just as it broke surface 30m off theback of the boat, it came off. Looked like a good Blonde Ray Second spot, a bit further in and with the easing tide, saw single whiting - small ones at first followed by larger ones in the range 1/1/2 to 2/1/2 lb. Then for few hours it was all action wih a steady stream. Then my rod goes off, with a gentle pull, and I'm into a conger, but with this time, the 8/0 to 200lb nylon, so I was feeling more confident of getting it to the surface. Sure enough it fought all the way up, and at one stage was so far under the boat, I was waiting for the line to part against the keel band... then the fun part getting it into the net... which took a number of attempts, and into the boat. It went just 32lb on the scales but I was sure it looked heavier.... We fished on into HW, and the start of the ebb, with the increasing wind - but conditions were still OK. Even after the boat had swung and we were stern into the swell, it was remarkably stable, and the whiting still giving some great sport. In the end, Alun had the most success with over a dozen 2lb whiting, I'd had a Nice battle with a ray, got my Eel, caught a few whiting, pout and dogfish, and we were ready to head back in to the marina. Was very quiet on Ch6 all day - was anyone else out ?? Thanks again to Alun for suggesting the trip, and all the able crewing, plus prime mackerel for the bait. Lets hope the whiting hang around a bit longer still!!! Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DommyBoy Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Good report guys, the weather gods were obviously playing ball for once. Good to see plenty of whiting caught! Well done! Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Well done Paul! Thanks again for taking us out there; a good day, in part, down to your excellent boat.......she handles those conditions brilliantly and gives a great and comfortable fishing platform. Interesting ......... how the fishing action seemed more focused on the time rather than the spot .......... with the top of the tide and first of the ebb being best.......just like last week. I wonder how long the whiting will be around for?? Nearly all were absolutely bulging fat! [ and almost 'pout-shaped']. I thought this was them being full of roe and about to spawn ....... but no!, they were stuffed with food [ mainly half - digested sparts] and roes were in various stages of development, with just the odd 'full' one. Great sport on light gear......I'm now with Adam.......I like whiting fishing! I'll be back out as soon as this weather allows [ and I have enough frozen mackeral for several trips!] Alun. Oh Paul........whilst hauling up your big eel, you forgot about the January bass I slipped ino the fishbox........a bonus fish just on 3 lbs. [same size as the whiting!] to give some variety in this week's menu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Well done. Looked like a great days fishing ! Like Paul and Alun I saw an opportunity to get out on Saturday although I was not quite as adventurous and decided to restrict Warren to the harbour and try for some flounders. I was crewed by Phil, a club member I had not previously met, but he had replied to my advert for crew for what turned out to be the posponed club comp. As neither of us could make the rescheduled comp I owed him a trip out. We scraped the ice of Warren and left Cobbs about 0830 and anchored up in the approaches to Wareham river. Some good sized flounders were soon on board although there was a lull of about an hour and a half during the slack period of tide. As the tide began to run off a couple more were added to the bucket before we had to weigh anchor. Both of us had other agendas in the afternoon and needed to be back at Cobbs by 1400. I have to say that Phil scooped the majority of the catch (I always give the crew the lucky side of the boat) but it was great to get out. Thanks for crewing and for the company Phil and especially for the delightfully rich cakes you brought along. It was interesting to note that all the fish caught on this trip were caught using a ledger and none using a float. On a previous trip with Alun, all were caught using the float. Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Well done to all you bravehearts Dean and i have noticed this year that more flounder have come to ledgered baits over float. Other years float has outfished ledger by a mile. Just goes to show you must keep your options open Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Well done all those that got out, it seems you both had some target fish. I decided that the weather window looked too small, [not a good decision it seems] and had to listen to Dan moan all day . while topping up the brownie points with more jobs from Wendy's list. It would be good to know when the flounders and whiting usually depart. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just add water Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Sounds like you both had a good day I wish I was out there with you Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 and had to listen to Dan moan all day . He hasn't stopped yet either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Hi Paul The promise of taking him and a mate wrecking has slowed the moans, until the weather stops it again next weekend. Can you tel from the book when the whiting and Flounders stop being recorded? out of interest Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted January 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Pic of Eel - for interest! 39.8 lb minus 4.4 for the Icebox, plus 2lb ofr the guts that went over the side (thanks Alun) - I'm claiming 37 1/2 lb. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Nice fish Paul there are a few big ones out there amongst those whiting and pout. I thought you did not like the taste. I checked your boat this morning, all is well Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted January 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 Charlie I'm trying a few recipies.... latest one is red and green chilli soda batter, wok fried and with a sweet chilli dip. That should get rid of the taste I suppose I need the practice as well at landing a few, as I kept on geting bitten off on the last outing, so have gone up a level on the trace and hook. I lost my stainless 3" washer /lock over the side in the marina, so if the dredgers turn it up, I'd be grateful.... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Hi Paul I hope the recipes go well, but I tend to like the fact that most of us do not eat them so the majority are released. I will ask the dredgers but I would not hold out any hope on that one. As for the gear for the eels I tend to use heavy trace line even for cod traces just in case. 90lb minimum usually more like 125plus. I think my rigs for whiting are on 60lb line, this has dual purpose of strength and prevents tangles. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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