Gemini 2 Forum Boat meet Report.

[kiwimarty]

It was the crack of dawn as Gemini 2 slipped out of Dartmouth with six bleary eyed but eager fishermen onboard. It was a beautiful morning with only a little cloud cover and whist the weather forecast was for a SE breeze the fear we might not sail, expressed the night before, had well passed.

Once clear of the mouth of the Dart, the engine revs picked up as Dave Harrison our skipper applied full throttle and we were on our way to the mid channel wrecks.

We spent the voyage out discussing rigs, tactics, and strange as it may seem, various forum peoples sleeping habits from the night before!! It seems that some of them like to snore, loudly! All I can say is, thank God none of you had to share a room with me. I snore like someone driving the pigs home so all I can say is, you were all very lucky.

Brett had very kindly arranged lead weights for me to use and my fantastic booms came courtesy of Richard, whist as being a newbie to wreak fishing (only done twice before), rod and reel was supplied by Dave the skipper. Thanks for the use of the gear guys as all the tackle I used was top notch, quality stuff.

The rigs were simple enough. Attached to long booms were long flowing traces approx 8-12 feet long (I was using 25lb amnesia) and attached to those were Storm Shads (both sizes) Fire tails, something called Grubs (guys will fill you in) and various eels etc. We were using 8-10oz of lead and we were fishing a depth of 200-220 feet of water with a drift speed of 1.5-1.8 knots. The drift speed did peak at 2knots which Dave described as a little too fast.

As Dave positioned us beside the wreak we lowered our leads. I was told to drop at a gentle progressive speed until my lead hit the bottom, then I was to reel my shad at quite a fast pace, for about 30 turns of the handle (im really good at counting now) and then lower the rig back down to the bottom again and to keep repeating this.

The first drift continued and as I looked down the boat I saw a tell tail arch in someone’s rod…..yep…..it was Paul Lingham. Up came the first fish and so the scene was set……or so I thought!

Well I fished and I fished. All the time I was watching what everyone was doing but for some reason the fish never came to me. I changed lures quicker than I can change my pants……but nothing. Others were catching all around me (violins) but nothing came my way (more violins). Paul came over and checked what I was using and how I was using it. A couple of moments later he came back up to me and said,” try this, I only have one left but give it a go”. It was a simple Storm Shad the same, all but colour, that I was using. I dropped it down, started to wind in and THUMP. After 2 hours I was finally in. The fears of blanking were all but gone. I had a bite and I was for sure not gonna let this one go. I slowly tightened the drag, pumped the rod and ten minutes or so later my first Pollack broke the surface…….YES!

After my next Pollack, the rod went double. Hell I thought, im into the wreak. I called over to Dave the skipper who grabbed hold of the rod to show me how to deal with the situation. “It’s a fish he said” handing the rod back to me. He explained that if it was the wreak the line would be screaming off the reel. We I worked it and I worked it…..jeeeeez this was a tough one I thought. With the fish safely aboard the boat Dave now disappears and emerges from the wheelhouse. “Hold it up” he said “that’s a fish of a lifetime”. “Really” I said, “yep, that’s a Coalfish, I only have about three of those bought aboard a year and that’s one of them”!! Although it was weighed onboard the boat at 12lb it has been confirmed at Paignton SAA tonight as being 10lb 14oz. To say im made up is an understatement.

My Coalfish



This was topped with a personal best Pollack of 16lb as well and although this stayed the largest fish for a while……yes you’ve guessed it…….little Paul Lingham heaves aboard a PB not only for him but also the boat for this season a whacking Pollack weighing in at an incredible 21lb. Paul you are one fisherman mate that’s for sure!!

My Pollack (soon)


Paul’s PB Pollack.



All in all, 38 fish were caught across 3 species of fish. Pollack, Pout, oh and yeah a Coallllfishhhh! I can honestly say I had a great time aboard Dave Harrison’s Gemini 2 and im sure the rest of the guys would agree. The tea and advice flowed from Dave who was such a helpful skipper and to Paul, who on several occasions, went round the boat making sure all was well.

Some more Pictures (coming soon)

John Marshall, Andy, Brett, Paul, and Richard. It was a pleasure to meet and fish with you all.

Till the next time guys.

Kiwi.

[devondave]

i think the advice and walking around the boat to offer a hand must be by now inbred into paul.
i know if i go out on a trip even a mackeral trip i have to walk round unhooking fish for others. once you have done a job when put back in that situation you just cant stand and watch someone struggle you have too roll up your sleeves and help.

i go collecting glasses in pubs now!! lol i can sit in a pub and watch a dirty unattended table sit there! its got to be clean and ready for the next customer.

anyway back on topic well done everyone congrats paul (its the biggest pollock ive heard of this season never mind on that particular boat)


and congrats kiwi i can remember as a kid catching coalies (small ones on the pier) dont get them down here that often anymore.

next time you do a trip like that from nearby i must get my finger out and come out with you all

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Awesome fish
Awesome report

Dead jealous

Well done to you all, looks like a great day was had!

[pingu]

nice one guys, looked a great day
well done all

[fishypaul]

very well done,all of you,great report kiwi,a good read

[wellyfish]

nice one paul!! 21lb eh biggest caught so for and a personnel best,i bet your still grinning....well done

[Hooker]

Yea thanks guys im grinning

It was a great day and thanks to the guys that came.

[FlyingFox]

Well done chaps

sounds like a great day and what a rite up...cheers Kiwi nice job mate!

Love that pollack Paul....great result ....well done!!

Ollie.

[marto]

Great report Kiwi.

Well done guys

[bigfish]

well done chaps