Out of the blue came a text from the grandson, aka The Apprentice; “Are you free on Saturday?” This could only be a suggestion to go fishing as he has recently resurrected his interest, albeit mainly for pike. Conditions looked good for a trip down memory lane to the sea for a bit of beach fishing. Fishing gear, including clothing, for two was assembled and loaded, ok, thrown, into the car and I headed off “Into the West” picking up the Apprentice en route.
After a quick pit-stop for grub and coffee, we were soon driving along the coast; I was concerned that the sea was too calm but when parking at the mark I could see surprisingly big waves breaking about 150 yards out, closer in a nice surf was rolling in. We were soon suited and booted and on our way to the beach. I helped the Apprentice get his rods assembled, even baited his hooks for him, and watched him lob a couple of baits about 30 yds out. With his second rod also fishing, I set up my own and as I walked to the water’s edge to cast, I saw him reel in a small flounder. After casting, I helped him unhook the fish and re-bait, this time with prawn. Even as he was walking to the water to cast, he spied his second rod nodding gently, flounder number 2! His bite detecting ability has definitely improved. I left him to it and returned to my rod with my no. 2 rod ready to fire out to long range. I now had both rods settled nicely in the tripod, all I needed was a bite; and there it was! But even as I was reeling in my 20cm flounder, the Apprentice hauled in a double of flounder. 4-1, I would be playing catch-up all afternoon. The Apprentice rubbed my nose in it with a 30cm flounder, best fish of the day, and a nice little turbot putting him in the lead with best fish, most fish and most species. Although I was getting an odd fish at range, most were coming from fairly close in.
When I got into the car this morning, it was only 4oc, now on the beach, sheltered from any breeze, it was mild enough for us both to shed our coats. Things went quiet for a while providing an opportunity for soup and a sandwich. By now a strong left to right tow had developed so we switched one rod each to grip leads while still allowing the close in rods to sweep round. Another couple of fish came ashore and I was slowly whittling away at the “goal difference” but it seemed the main feeding time was over, and I was still a fish down! It was now past low tide, early into the flood and the rain started; light at first but then heavier. Since the Apprentice has a “social life” he needed to be home soon to wash off the smell of all those fish he had caught so we packed up. What joy, I reeled in my second rod to find my best fish of the day hanging on. At 29cm it was only the second best fish of the day but more importantly, it was the Equaliser! Apprentice 7, Johnwest 7.
I always thought this beach fished best 3 hrs either side of low tide but today the fish were feeding best around mid-tide. Indeed I recall leaving this beach halfway through the flood a couple of years ago and passing two anglers who I know are very knowledgeable local men, they were just arriving to fish over high water as I was leaving. Food for thought, perhaps my own apprenticeship isn’t quite finished?
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