Finally....I'm off the mark!!!

Hello All.

Well after being trying to get my first bass on lures for this year since the first week in January I finally got it last Saturday.
Having spent just about EVERY weekend along with a week in February, 2 weeks at Easter and a week in May religiously casting and cranking hard lures, twitching soft plastics in all manner of weather, losing a rod and reel to a cliff fall my quarrel and hatred with the sea finally ended just before 11am on Saturday.

For weeks I had been watching fishermen all around me happily landing beautiful bars of silver all the time wondering what I had to do to get my own. After each and every fruitless expedition I had been questioning techniques, marks, lures etc but as others around were doing the exact same thing as me I finally came to the conclusion that the sea just hated me for some reason! It threw mere offerings of some pollock and a wrasse to ease my hunger but it just wasnt enough...I wanted silver.Finally that hatred has somehow been lost and forgotten!

The weekend began as every other had for the past 6 months. Finish work, race home, grab bags(already packed from previous night) into car, point it South Easterly, engage warp 9,eat a sandwich/drink the tea in the car whilst steering with the knees, arrive Wexford, throw bags in, promise herself I wouldnt be late, rod and gear into car and hit the rocks or beach. Then the fishing would begin in earnest and I would attack the sea with every lure within my bag and adding to my artillery through various purchases when what I had wasnt doing it for me. But always the same result screamed at me on the long drive back home each Sunday evening....Mission failed.

Having fished Friday night with Barry and Danny and Pat from here in an area not known for blanking (until I arrived) again watching around me as others were catching. Then after having the 99 dialed on the phone with my finger hovering over the third 9 after the flight of steps we had to climb so began another long drive back to where I was staying...alone with my thoughts and failings!!
Waking on Saturday to a bright sunny morning I headed for a mark that I fish quite regularly. It was beautifully warm with just a gentle breeze to keep me cool. After generously donating another couple of Xlayers to the sea I decided upon the Feed Shallow in shiny white(no.14 I think). I could see the lure being retrieved from my vantage point on my rock..all the time willing it to be attacked by a hungry elusive bass. 10/15 minutes of this I was following the lure in and about to lift it...I spied a dark shape dash from the rock I was perched and wallop my lure. It happened so quickly I must admit to being taken by surprise...I leaned back with the rod and felt a heavy thumping on it. FISH ON and off out to sea!!!

The fish gave a great account of itself and refused to join me upon my rock but after a few minutes of gentle persuasion he gave in. I had him on the rock beside me. Now I'd love to be able to sit here and tell you that I calmly congratulated myself in a respectful manner...but I'd be lying. I am just grateful that there were no children within earshot!!! What was said is between me, the fish and the unfortunate birds that happened by. I nervously fumbled for my phone took the picture and released my long awaited prize back to the sea to return to me some day as a double figured fish.
Then it was time to sit down, light my smoke and relive the 5 minute adventure that had taken 6 months to create. I was a happy man.
A quick call to Danny and Barry was made to let them know that the sea hated me no more. I fished for another hour after without return but I didnt care. I had done what I had come there to do. The walk and drive back to the house was different from those of before-I was sporting an ear to ear grin that only a 5lbish bass can provide.

I returned that evening to another location which was flat calm and screaming for my Patchinko. 45 mins odd into the session and I was into another one of equal size and power. As it worked out I was to lose this fish in the ensuing fight but I really didnt care......

For finally I'm off the mark!!

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Great report and well done on the bass a fine fish to get you off the mark

You've some patience!! Well done and great report

warp 9 ......nothing to do with my text message

Brilliant Report !

And a well deserved fish too ...the south westerlys are finally here roll on the weekend

Well done on the bass,,,that was a great report

great reading, well done

Well done son first of many this year i hope things are bound to improve in the coming few weeks....

Well done on your Bass, that's some amount of fishing you put in, perseverance wins the day.

well done

You deserve your silver bar for sheer dedication. Your report made a really brilliant read. Well done and heres to many more silver bars for you.

Your commitment is to be admired. Great report and congrats.

Admiring pricing policy

Brilliant report really enthralling.
and of course what a beautiful 'silver bar'

excellent report man and itdoes prove the saying HE WHO DARES WINS

Congratulations on getting your fine bass, your report was really great to read. I can tell that your really enthusiastic and passionate about your fishing which is great. Hopefully that is the first lure caught bass of many now for you, good luck.

Well done man, patience is the key but now that you are off the mark here's to many more

brilliant report pal.. well done on your bass.. may it be the first of many

Congrats on your first bass and excellent report!!

That really was a great read, a good honest report, that brought a grin to my face when reading it!
Well done man, your persistance has paid off

Thanks for all the positive comments everyone.

well done lad great read, and a Bass well deserved