Post by richi on Oct 24, 2009 14:02:36 GMT
I had planned to guide a few guys on a Needles trip this weekend but according to XC weather by Wednesday it looked a no-goer.They had given a bit of a weather window for Friday night,,,,predicting dry and winds around 10mph.Finished reasonably early and was at Keyhaven before 5pm despite heavy traffic through the New Forest.
It looked great arriving at the launch,rigged up and phoned Solent (always wonder what they think when I ring in the plan and say "this is Extreme 1" :crazy: )told him of my plans and he informed me that the wind would get up later.Replied :"that'll be handy,I'll have the wind and tide with me on the return journey."The Coastguard wished me tight lines and I wished him a peaceful watch and was on my way.
Paddling out through Keyhaven and there were a group of guys who had just got off a charter boat,,,,,there faces seemed to say 'I wish we could go out at night' :arg:
Out onto the Solent and it had a little chop(I hate flat water paddling anyway
)
Hurst lighthouse was looking great in the sunset
Tide was pumping through,one thing that was unusual was the amount of shipping on the west wight side.Obviuosly because of the south easter they were bringing them in through the Solent on the lee side.
Made good speed to the Needles with the help of the ebb reaching 8.4 mph for a short burst just outside Hurst narrows.
There was still a little bit of light to make the navigation through the bridge slightly easier,even though it doesn't look like it in the photo :saint:
Out of the lee behind the Needles I was battling an east to west tide flow and the wind was full in my face.This bit was hard going,I was struggling to keep at 3mph,the only benefit was that it would assist my return.
Made it out to the Spoil Grounds after 2 1/2 hours of effort and anchored up in 92ft.
As usual caught doggie first,but was confident that I would get something bigger.
After sitting at anchor for about an hour it started to rain and with the wind it was coming in sideways :cheers: cheers xc weather
Just coming towards the right time of the tide for the cod to start and got a great bite 8-)struck and fish on :catch: This was heavy but it didn't feel like a Cod.
Got the fish to the surface and was nonetheless pleased at the sight
A Big Beautiful Huss,much lighter than any I'd caught before,almost had the colour of a spotted ray.
Stayed a while longer and doggies was all that was to be had.Anchored up an hour earlier than planned,happy with having caught a probable PB Huss and conditions were not too comfortable sat at anchor
The paddle back was great,I was part surfing,part paddling all the way back to the Needles hitting much higher speeds than I usually attain in that area.
There were a few choppy bits coming back,notably the trap at Hurst which took me back to white water days :crazy:
Got back to the launch around 1am,16.6 miles paddled and great fun had despite the continuous rain
Hopefully Congers again next week :crazy: ;D
It looked great arriving at the launch,rigged up and phoned Solent (always wonder what they think when I ring in the plan and say "this is Extreme 1" :crazy: )told him of my plans and he informed me that the wind would get up later.Replied :"that'll be handy,I'll have the wind and tide with me on the return journey."The Coastguard wished me tight lines and I wished him a peaceful watch and was on my way.
Paddling out through Keyhaven and there were a group of guys who had just got off a charter boat,,,,,there faces seemed to say 'I wish we could go out at night' :arg:
Out onto the Solent and it had a little chop(I hate flat water paddling anyway
)Hurst lighthouse was looking great in the sunset
Tide was pumping through,one thing that was unusual was the amount of shipping on the west wight side.Obviuosly because of the south easter they were bringing them in through the Solent on the lee side.
Made good speed to the Needles with the help of the ebb reaching 8.4 mph for a short burst just outside Hurst narrows.
There was still a little bit of light to make the navigation through the bridge slightly easier,even though it doesn't look like it in the photo :saint:
Out of the lee behind the Needles I was battling an east to west tide flow and the wind was full in my face.This bit was hard going,I was struggling to keep at 3mph,the only benefit was that it would assist my return.
Made it out to the Spoil Grounds after 2 1/2 hours of effort and anchored up in 92ft.
As usual caught doggie first,but was confident that I would get something bigger.
After sitting at anchor for about an hour it started to rain and with the wind it was coming in sideways :cheers: cheers xc weather
Just coming towards the right time of the tide for the cod to start and got a great bite 8-)struck and fish on :catch: This was heavy but it didn't feel like a Cod.
Got the fish to the surface and was nonetheless pleased at the sight
A Big Beautiful Huss,much lighter than any I'd caught before,almost had the colour of a spotted ray.
Stayed a while longer and doggies was all that was to be had.Anchored up an hour earlier than planned,happy with having caught a probable PB Huss and conditions were not too comfortable sat at anchor
The paddle back was great,I was part surfing,part paddling all the way back to the Needles hitting much higher speeds than I usually attain in that area.
There were a few choppy bits coming back,notably the trap at Hurst which took me back to white water days :crazy:
Got back to the launch around 1am,16.6 miles paddled and great fun had despite the continuous rain
Hopefully Congers again next week :crazy: ;D
