Swinging the lead , ESAA style

[pingu]

well just had a cracking day
been looking forward to this casting day for a while and its been a blast

rich picked me up about 10 and we headed over to the farmers field near Killertin just north of exeter

weather was fantastic and as we drove in there was already a good amount of club members there


the field had a slope to it and we were casting from top right corner down to bottom left( if i was lucky to get direction right)

all greetings done and it was onto the casting, I was pretty eager and stepped up to the mark ( resplendant in forum shirt for all too see) and blasted one down the field, way way way left


so although was over 125yrds a good amount the angle made it difficult to tell so I just claimed 130 as seemed fair
rich then stepped up and sent the lead into the distance


then off on the long hike to recover embedded lead, think it was 85 yrds first cast ( breaking in and learning new rods)



couldnt get the hang of that bit as seemed odd winding whilst walking forward
heres a few others from club doing the walk


Steve moore nearest eventually came 3rd with 195yrds, Si in white came 2nd with 202 yrds( first to bereak the magic 200 today
here they are in distance



I had a second cast and huge crackoff, which resulted in plenty of abuse from other people( this happened to everyone that managed this particular skill ) so this lead to getting other reel out and then off again to the hockey


again 130 , at least consistant and plenty of abuse from the crowd as the reel made a terrible noise all through the cast


I did manage a 3rd attempt and went up from a 4oz to 5oz weight took brakes well off and nailed it 160+ yards ( was 1/2 way between 150 and 175 markers, I was well chuffed)

eventual winner( although not really a comp but were all competative really) was Rob from exmouth tackle shop who hasnt cast properly for 20 years and sent a lead an impressive 220 yrds


left at 2ish as family stuff for both of us

It was a top morning, great weather , learnt loads, great banter and crack with the club and impressive casting display from si nige and rob

thanks to the moore brothers for sorting field and si and others for marking it out in the frost early in morning

dave

[Devon Born & Dorset Bred]

Sounds like a great morning! Bad luck with the Crack off!
Not sure about the hockey? (oche) maybe?

[Twiddler]

Sounds like you had a cracking day (oops lol)...great report/pics Dave.

I would have earned a wooden spoon for my casting if I would have been there lol

[Greenheart]

Interestng way to spend a day & great weather too. Think my casting could do with some professional coaching too.

[BaggieRich]

One of the most depressing yet enjoyable days I've had in a long time.

I knew I wasn't the bigest caster in the world, but to have it confirmed on a casting field is upsetting to say the least. Managed two cast around the 90yard mark (Overhead thump) one at 115 yards (Gentle OTG) and a crack off which I retrieved at 75!!!!! yards when I put some real effort in to an OTG.

How upsetting???

My excuse is that I pulled the rod off the rest and slightly chipped a ring right at the start of the day, so I wasn't putting any real effort in so as not to kill anyone. First bit of power applied and I called it a day.

Like Dave said, many thanks to those who organised the event. Can't wait for the next one.

Oh and well done to the Pooh-bar on being the first to break the 200 yard mark, and to Rob for his (yet unverifed ) 220 yard effort. That's a mighty long way fellas.

[BaggieRich]

Oh... I'd also like to warn those that were there that I'll have the relevant bits of kit by the end of the week, so the videos of your spledid crack offs should be available soon!

[Twiddler]

I can't wait to see that clip

[Greenheart]

Never mind Rich. They always say the biggest Bass are just behind the third wave & that most people cast over em. I suppose it depends upon how far apart the waves are though!!!

[BaggieRich]

Oh don't worry mate, I'll be back. If there's one thing that tends to focus my attitude on learning, then it's being soundly spanked in public.

I'll take that spanking this time, but watch out fellas, cause the only way to go from down here is up (And out, so I learned today!)

[fishypaul]

sounds a great day out guys,can't wait to see the video