Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:29 pm
People: BiL and me
Time: 10pm - 1am, LW 10.15pm
Rigs: 5/0-8/0 pulley rotters
Baits: Mack, squid
Results: 1 strap conger
After weeks of unabated stinking wind, we spotted some respite and planned a first dedicated conger trip. I haven't ever really targeted them and need one for my list.
The Bartons my BiL had bought were the oiliest mack I've ever seen which got my optimism up from the start. Those were cut and whipped on with some very pungent dirty squid.
Got 2 rods out each, 1 in close and 1 at medium dist.
The night was fine; warm, clear and still but with a very gentle swell on the sea. BiL had definite attention almost straight away but all very tentative. Eventually, after about 15 mins, the fish hooked itself and began to take line. Up came a modest strap of I'd guess 2 lbs. Not big by any means, but success at the first attempt.
While that was going on, my rod was knocking equally tentatively. However, it was clear that it had lodged firmly on the bottom. Left it for about 15 mins. to see if the culprit might hook himself and take the weight clear but no such luck.
A couple of other knocks but no more fish. I think I've learnt a fair bit about this mark / conger tackle already from this one session. I'll go an hour earlier next time and ditch the boat rod and multiplier approach - not for me. The fish seemed to be there in the first hour of slack but not the second so maybe arriving an hour earlier would've doubled out chances. Who knows but plenty of food for thought.
Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:16 pm
Well done on your Conger, bang on low water seems to be one of the times when they become active.