Duration: Me: 9.30 pm - 2.30 am
Tide: LW at 12.30 am
Weather: Clear, light southwesterly breeze
Bait: Rag, Lug
Rigs: 4/0 pennel pulley, two hook flapper (4/0 hooks)
Results: 2 bass, 2 flounder
Report: I got to the beach and set up by about 9.30 pm, just before dusk. Gazaaa had been there since about 8.00 pm seeking his first bass of the year. There was a nice surf initially but it progressively weakened through the night. The weed was not bad, there were a few clumps of kelp floating about but it was perfectly fishable. There was a very bright full moon, like fishing under a spotlight. I hardly needed my lamp.
Shortly after setting up, Gazaaa strolled over to talk to me, then there was a sharp jerk on one of the rods just as the light was fading. I struck, had the fish on for a few seconds and then lost it
It was quite for a while after that, then I got a 27 cm flounder which managed to cramb an entire 4/0 pennel baited with a big king rag into its mouth. At first I thought I would never get it out but then realized that the fish was not hooked at all - it has so much bait in its mouth that it couldn't release it when I started to retrieve
A bit later I felt a light tug on the same rod. I held it until I felt some more knocks - and struck. It was putting up a stronger fight although I wasn't sure if it was a dogfish or a bass until I hauled it out of the surf. It was a 44 cm bass
At some stage Gazaaa had a strong fish but lost it about 20 m from the shore.
I had a few small knocks after that, but those were probably just flounder. Then close to low tide I got a 22 cm flounder.
Gazza packed up at low tide, but I stuck it out for a bit longer (he had to be up at 6.00 am
The line on the other rod had gone slack. I thought the gripper had been pulled up as I was retrieving the first line. I began reeling in and suddenly felt some resistant on the line, then a good tug - I realized there was a fish on the end - it was a 47 cm bass
There wasn't much happening after that - I had one small knock - not sure if it was a fish or just weed hitting the line.
I packed up at about 2.30 am. All the fish were taken on rag. Shame Gazaaa didn't get his bass.
