alun j. Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Lovely sunny day today, and not too cold [yet??]. Variation in the forecasts [what's new??], but most giving NW dropping and going W later in day [ wrong!] Rich had Warren all ready and off down the harbour we went in pursuit of Barfleur and into the [warming] sunshine. All calm in the Swash, so out to previously succesful whiting mark, East of Ballard\Swanage. Only a little tide running, so light leads deployed and only mins. sees us into first fish........and bang - on Target species........only trouble......about a pound too small! Fish every drop [ despite that little red trawler right up our warp!].... but getting smaller and smaller. Loads went back unscathed but 11 o'clock and not a keeper [ trawler had done two more circuits......out towards the Needles and back over the Dolphins......inshore to the Patch.....and back to us ]. Despite the breeze, we felt the need to move........so ventured further out..but kept the same gulls in attendance [ the same oiled bird we saw on Mon.]. Bingo!! Amongst the small whiting , we , at last, found a few better fish. The wind picked up a bit and a few white horses were dancing.......but with the small tide...we sat in them fairly comfortably ......but this was new territory for Rich and Warren...but he seemed to be enjoying the whiting hauling and escape from the office!!?? As mentioned earlier this week....... many bites were finnicky and hard to hit. Lift and drop of bait often helped but many fish slipped off. One that didn't, turned out to be a much better fish!! This was no whiting........and the hard pull was familiar as Mr Spikey!!...Yes , another bass!; not huge......but a fat 3 + lber! that topped my day. Thanks again Rich for a most enjoyable day in the sun. Despite the rolling about, a succesful haul with some more plump whiting........and proof of what grand little boats the Orkneys are! If I get out on Sat., I reckon it probably will be the last of the winter's whiting...and the start of the seasonal lay-up Alun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 The bass-man strikes again! Well Done Alun for getting out. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 What a pleasant change it was to be able to go out and target something other than flounders. The weather for Wednesday looked OK ,I swopped my working hours around and arranged to take Warren out with Alun as crew to try and catch some Whiting. I say Alun was "crew" is a bit of an understatement. As my Garmin unit was back at the factory being repaired under warrenty he brought along his portable GPS. which needless to say put us straight onto the fish. Besides the GPS Alun also brought along his anchor retrieval kit as the prospect of hauling an anchor some 80 feet from the depths did not appeal to him at all. I was later able to have first hand experience at anchor retrieval albeit in waters rougher than I would have liked. Looks like something else I am going to have to scource during the close season. Watching Alun "working" his fishing gear only goes to prove that you only get out what you put in. I am, slowly beginning to realize that sitting back eating sandwiches and drinking coffee and admiring the view all the time does not result in catching many fish. On top of all this I even had my catch gutted before we had got back to the quay and a cookery lesson on how to prepare and cook them. I have to say that the sea was probably the choppiest I have ever fished in and I found it difficult at first. It was certainly the roughest Warren has experienced (and so far from home as well) but the way the Orkney coped with the conditions has really increased my confidence in the boat. I must admit when I left for work this morning I felt a bit second hand. I was still swaying, my knees hurt from trying to keep upright ,and oh yes my arms ached. Obviously not used to hauling that many fish up in a day perhaps! There are several things on Warren that need modifying and I guess that now is the time to set about doing them. I am looking forward to the start of next season already. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Nice one guys That is probably the very best way to learn Rich It sounds like you were getting so much information passed over it would have been worth the trip without the fish Bon apetite Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 A good days work chaps PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Rich One of the joys of living in a highly populated area, with 1000's of people /sq mile - and you go 4 miles offshore, and the population reduces to 2 people / sq mile !! Hope you get used to 'outside' very quickly and enjoy many more peaceful and productive sessions... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.