Bass on a cold January night - 26th January 2012

People: Me

Duration: 5.30 - 8.30 pm

Tide: HW at 7.30 pm

Weather: Clear, very cold, moderate westerly wind

Bait: Crab

Rigs: 4/0 pennel pulleys

Results: 2 bass, 3 Coalfish, 1 Codling




Report:I thought I would try fishing over high tide on the beach that I fished Tuesday night. I got there at about 5.15 pm and set up two rods both with 4/0 pennel pulleys baited with fresh crab. There was a good surf, much better than the previous night but it was very cold with a bitter westerly wind. My hands were numb after handling the wet crabs and it took a while to thaw my fingers out.

About 15 minutes later, just as the light was beginning to go, I had a sudden sharp pull on one of the rods, I grabbed it and struck into a reasonably strong fish which I reckoned had to be a bass. After a few minutes I hauled it out of the surf. Sure enough it was a 47 cm bass.
Just after recasting the first rod I spotted a slight knock on the other. This didn't feel to be a large fish and came in without much of a fight. It was a small coalfish. Just as I was rebaiting I noticed some subtle taps on the other rod. I picked it up and waited but couldn't feel anything. However, just as I was placing the rod back on the stand the tip buckled over. I grabbed it again and felt a very strong fish, but it came off after a few seconds.

After that it got very quite for a long time, apart from another coalfish and a very small codling. It was a clear night just illuminated by a narrow cresent moon and a multitude of stars but too cold to be sitting out admiring the universe and watching motionless rod tips. So at 8 pm, half an hour after high tide, I decided to pack up, reached for the first rod but found that the line had gone slack. I hadn't noticed a bite earlier. I reeled in a lot of slack line before feeling some resistance, then felt a strong tug as the fish began to fight. It put up a good struggle as I got it in close and eventually I could see a glint of silver splashing about in the foamy surf. I eased it in a little further and on to the gravel. It was a better bass, with a length of 57 cm and a weight of 4 lbs.

I fished on for another half an hour, had another coalfish before before packing up, and heading home to thaw out in front of the fire. It was a reasonable session for late January, with two bass, three coalfish and a codling.

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very good session frank ,well done

great looking Blog, when i have a bit of time i will have a good read of it

Nice chubby fish Frank,hope the feeling is back in the hands.A nice gentleman gave me some hand pocket warmers the other night and they made a big differance to my hands but sadly not the fishing

Bass magnet

sum man for the bass

Good man Frank, you're off to a flying start and whetting our appetites . Nicely written report

And it starts again
Nice one Frank lovely fish

Another chunky Bass,,Things are looking up for the Bass fishing

Nice fishing Frank.

another great session frank 2 fine bass well done

great fishing well done

Nice fishing Frank , you are off to a great start.

niceone,Frank,sounds like we have early start for bassing

only two

Thanks guys,

Nice chubby fish Frank,hope the feeling is back in the hands.A nice gentleman gave me some hand pocket warmers the other night and they made a big differance to my hands but sadly not the fishing

Thanks Mike, I saw those hand warmers in a shop before Christmas, I was kicking myself on Thursday night for not buying some.

Class fishing frank will have to start planning a trip soon

Fair play Frank some fine fish there

Well done frank, good to be getting a few bass in january. I was away from the fishing for most of 2011 so hopefully i'll be back in the water soon and sticking up a few posts in 2012. I need of some new gear first to give a boost to get out again. Haven't hit a beach since my waders leaked. They be first on the list I reackon. Got two sets of those hand warmers b4 christmas. They are the business indeed. I had to pack up one or two nights because of frozen useless hands, no more i say....

Well done again, great blog too.