Post by overrun on Feb 13, 2011 10:38:57 GMT
Bit of a mini-meet and a good turn-out, unsurprising given the recent reports. Did wonder what to expect from the tides which usually are quite strong at BA, particularly the ebb. The plan was to use the last part of the flood to ferry east and north of the charter's usual spot off Watchet, fish across HW and make for the mark on the reef if the ebb became too strong.
Headed out early with Dave, Steve and Mark, not sure where Nick was
but hopefully Stuart could operate the GPS ;D . Andy and Shaun launching later to fish over the reef. Lovely sunny day with little wind and a small swell. Copped a breaking wave in the chest on the launch , which apart from a refreshing face wash, also dislodged the Fish Finder plug slightly, problems later.
Measured the tide speed at the reef, less than 1 knot with 2.5 hours to HW. Easy paddle out of around 2 miles, we anchored ourselves over relatively clean ground to the north of the many private boats.
Mark picked-up fish from the off, Thornbacks and Codling. Dave, Steve and myself watched in anticipation. Tide dribbled away to nothing, after an hour voices behind, in the distance Nick and Stu approaching from the west.
Stu set-up alongside, while Nick set-off in search of rough ground further north, after dispensing bait to me and Dave. Shrewd move, as pretty soon we could hear him into something, didn't need the radio, which was just as well as mine had died anyway, doh!
Held my ground for while longer, would need to reset the anchor over the tide change anyway, so move then. Stu hooked into a nice Conger, quite a fight on a tiny rod. Steve then hooked a real lunker, 30lb plus, by the time I got to him it was dragging the Kayak around, had the anchor warp in it's mouth and proving a little feisty! Camera readied and it bit through the trace, gone, doh!
Back at anchor, there was a bleep and my Fish Finder sprang into life spontaneously, followed by another and off. The cycle repeated, until a good kick
left it on and refusing to switch-off.
Dave headed across to Nick, short while later the rest of us followed, caught my one and only fish of the day, small Thornback:
Nick still banging out Eels and Thornies behind me, bitten off a few times too.
HW and a squall came through, wind rose from 0 to +20mph in minutes, Hinkley point beckoned, didn't last, within 30 minutes we were back to a pleasant day. The ebb feeble, even this far out, we moved back towards the reef. I actually went right into the reef although the others parked 800 yards further off. Didn't stay long, as out in the evening and needed to be on the road by 16:00.
Enjoyed the day, and great to see all again, plenty caught including large Eels, Thornback to 10lb and Codling to 4lb, no monsters as during last week. Thanks to Nick for the bait, Andy and Shaun for helping with the unloading and loading, back again soon.
Cheers
James
Headed out early with Dave, Steve and Mark, not sure where Nick was
but hopefully Stuart could operate the GPS ;D . Andy and Shaun launching later to fish over the reef. Lovely sunny day with little wind and a small swell. Copped a breaking wave in the chest on the launch , which apart from a refreshing face wash, also dislodged the Fish Finder plug slightly, problems later.Measured the tide speed at the reef, less than 1 knot with 2.5 hours to HW. Easy paddle out of around 2 miles, we anchored ourselves over relatively clean ground to the north of the many private boats.
Mark picked-up fish from the off, Thornbacks and Codling. Dave, Steve and myself watched in anticipation. Tide dribbled away to nothing, after an hour voices behind, in the distance Nick and Stu approaching from the west.
Stu set-up alongside, while Nick set-off in search of rough ground further north, after dispensing bait to me and Dave. Shrewd move, as pretty soon we could hear him into something, didn't need the radio, which was just as well as mine had died anyway, doh!
Held my ground for while longer, would need to reset the anchor over the tide change anyway, so move then. Stu hooked into a nice Conger, quite a fight on a tiny rod. Steve then hooked a real lunker, 30lb plus, by the time I got to him it was dragging the Kayak around, had the anchor warp in it's mouth and proving a little feisty! Camera readied and it bit through the trace, gone, doh!
Back at anchor, there was a bleep and my Fish Finder sprang into life spontaneously, followed by another and off. The cycle repeated, until a good kick
left it on and refusing to switch-off.Dave headed across to Nick, short while later the rest of us followed, caught my one and only fish of the day, small Thornback:
Nick still banging out Eels and Thornies behind me, bitten off a few times too.
HW and a squall came through, wind rose from 0 to +20mph in minutes, Hinkley point beckoned, didn't last, within 30 minutes we were back to a pleasant day. The ebb feeble, even this far out, we moved back towards the reef. I actually went right into the reef although the others parked 800 yards further off. Didn't stay long, as out in the evening and needed to be on the road by 16:00.
Enjoyed the day, and great to see all again, plenty caught including large Eels, Thornback to 10lb and Codling to 4lb, no monsters as during last week. Thanks to Nick for the bait, Andy and Shaun for helping with the unloading and loading, back again soon.
Cheers
James
