Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:04 am
People: Myself and Phanover
Tide: Ebb, low, flow LW at 7ish
Weather: Windy in parts, calm in others, mild.
Rigs: 3 hook flappers for scratching, big single/pennell clip downs for bass.
Baits: Frozen lug, Squid, fresh Rag, Sandeel, Mack, Razor.
Results: Numerous coalies, 3 LSDs, 1 Bass, 1 Flounder.
On the advice of another forum member, myself and phanover packed the gear and headed east again for another bass bash. After a degree of uncertainty over whether or not we had the right spot, we eventually decided where we were was as good as any and tackled up. There was a nice surf running but there was a howling wind blowing from left to right across us all the same (Benone anyone.... :( ) No matter, having survived Benone, this was going to be a doddle. Tackled up 2 rods, The Triplex with 30lb braid direct to a 3 hook flapper (size 2s) for scratching in the suds with a mix of worm and fish baits and Penn PPT sidewinder with a 3/0 pennell rig attached with a huge Lug & Squid combo attached horsed out to around 60-70 yards or so, just beyond last line of breakers.
A fruitless hour passed with a savage rip current pulling 60z grippers along the sand....not a spot for wading me thinks...! It was decided that we should head for a more sheltered mark a stones throw away we know well. We tackled down and moved ourselves off anyway to find a total contrast at mark no. 2, very little in the way of surf with hills either side cutting the wind to a minimum. The tide was probably an hour or so into the flood at this stage, peak time for this mark had virtually passed us by. No matter, tackled up anyway and employed same tactics as before.
It wasnt long before the rig fishing in the suds started bouncing, with the sea being relatively calm, it was no surprise that the first fish of the night was an LSD. This was followed not long after by a double shot of LSDs.
Paul, employing a similar approach had more success, it wasnt long before he had beached a nice little bass of a couple of pounds on a mix of lug, squid and rag. He then began hauling in coalies on the flapper steadily.
After the doggies, I had about an hour of a couple of missed bites before I too got in touch with the coalies. Savage biting fish which nearly lifted the rod from the stand on more than one occasion.. :shock: You would nearly swear you had a bass hit until winding in to little or no resistance.
As time wore on and with the prospects of a bass becoming slighter with every passing minute, it was time to pack up and head for home. Last blood to Paul who wound in a nice flounder on his final cast.
A pleasant session all the same, this mark always seems to throw up a bass or two, albeit usually on the small side. Thoroughly enjoyable evening, wrapped up with KFC on the way home :D
Lot of discussion about disclosing/not disclosing marks, I have no problem providing them to regular forum users via PM. However, in the case of mark No. 1, this was provided to me in confidence so will have to remain that way.(no odds...we blanked there :D )
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:56 pm
Another little bit of info I would add to Petes report was that this was the first time I used Owner cutting edge hooks. Why was this worth a mention you might ask?
Well I used a pennel pulley arrangement with an owner 4/0 offset worm hook at the bottom and a 4/0 semi circle hook at the top. Both the bass and flounder were lip hooked and released without major fight (and stress) from the fish. Obviously good for catch and release. Also, the thing about this mark is that I've seen similar "knocks" in the past but no hook ups.
Granted they are expensive, but my initial impression is that these hooks substantially improve the hook up rate and I will give them first preference in my home made rigs from now on until I'm convinced otherwise. Only time will tell but first impressions are a big thumbs up to Owner hooks.
Paul
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:01 pm
To add to that, I used the Owner offset worm hooks at the trip to De Wall on friday, 3 cod hooked on them were lip hooked, the other cod I had on a B940 had it in his guts. I understand the principles with the circle and semi circle hooks alright but I am at a loss as to why the offset worm hooks result in more lip hooked fish. Can only comment on actual results and they are pretty clear so far.