alun j. Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Who said this was a poor time of the year for fishing here?? Thanks to Tom, for an excellent day out on Illusion today, that resulted in two PBs for me ....... and some aching arms !! The day started well ....... with beautiful Spring sunshine and a flat sea......and barely a soul about. Following talk at last night's club meet, we converged on the idea of trying some banks south of Durlston Head, if the sea allowed, as the smallish tides might offer a chance of ray, late cod or possible conger [if less lucky!!]. Targets were soon met and exceeded!! Within 30 mins of pulling tight on the anchor warp, my rod was nodding and stiffened into the familiar [it has been this winter!!] thump of cod...... which went on to give a good account of itself in the swift tide until it came to Tom's deft netting and on to the scales which showed 11 lbs. 8. ... a good fat fish, stuffed with hermit crab. Next drop and straight into a bite....... missed !!...... but with a chunk bitten out the middle of the sqiud between the two pennel hooks!...very uncodlike [conger?? I thought........but no !!]. The culprit soon came back, this time hooked, but clearly didn't feel like cod or conger........ Near the surface it looked like a small tope\ smoothhound....... but as netter Smith swooped in, the shout went out "spurdog". I've not caught many of these streamlined beauties before [ so any sizeable one would be a PB ]; this one went 11 Lbs 5 on the scale before being slipped back. As Tom was telling me tales of how these used to be pests, with packs of them snapping up all baits [dogfish style !!], the other rod starts bouncing and another [slightly bigger one] was soon aboard and weighed in at 13 lbs. [another pb for me]. Not sure how big these sleek things check in at, a text to Charlie gets a reply that 12 lbs = 100 % .......shame we didn't get the camera out. By now the tide is fading away.... as does the action ..... save a few pout and small doggies. After an early lunch and a swing about, it's only as the tide picks up that action resumes.......... a few plucks and then I hook into something that wants to stay on the bottom......I'm calling ray, Tom thinks cod as it's staying right under the boat. In fact, it's under the boat 'cause the boat is dragging........ Tom says.. due to the fish!! Solid pressure from the Solid C eventually wins and the fish gradually starts coming up........ then back down......then up again.........taking some time to bring the big flat kite of a blonde to the surface. Tom just squeezes her into the net and she goes 23 on the scales [ a good fish, not quite my best!] Tom says we've moved 50 + metres......but that's OK as we are now right on top of the bank. After a few more little dogs to me and a small cod for Tom, the tide is increasing and leads are stepped up. Toms says....boats is on the move again..... and I reply that's 'cause I'm into another big fish !! ; this feels bigger than the previous one, it feels like I've caught Dorset......... only the boat is moving and this is straight down and occasionally pulls me over!! It takes at least 10 mins of full strain on the 30 lb braid to persuade the girl to move... and slowly she comes up. On the surface, netter Smith works out [after two or three goes], she is too wide for his net !! Within a trice, he reappears with a small hand gaff and cleanly lifts her out. Weighed and photo 'd , she slips back in and swims off seamingly OK whilst my arms recover. The photo shows she was quite a struggle to lift [with tired arms!]; my second [or was it third] pb of the day, this blonde went 27 lbs [min. steady weight] ........ and was too good to follow. The tide was getting stronger and the boat was dragging.......so we called an early [ish] finish after a quick clear-up. Who said early March was no good ??...... we had a cracking day...... Thanks again Tom. Alun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Here's the first ray ....... 23 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 ....and the bigger one....... a pb, at 27 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Cracking fishing Alun. Saw the catch report logged and was waiting to read the report. Wasn't disappointed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Excellent day Alun and well done on the PB's Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Well done to you both, a cracking day from the sounds of it. Superb fish! Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugazi Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Great report considering the time of year Well Done Gordon H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Nice fishing AL and a rare photo of you fully dressed PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Well done Alun. Great fish and a great report. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mw Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Good to see the fish are still there to be caught well done alun nice to read some fishing reports for a change mark w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Nice fishing guys well done Three specimens and two personal bests Glad to get the updates on text, especially as I had told Graham at the meeting that there should be some blondes about. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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