Winter League Champion Angler.....again!

[upnorth1]

Well guy's, fished my last winter league match yesterday and needed to weigh in as I was only 2pts ahead of my nearest rival!
I was defending my title, which I'd won last year, and the pressure was on,
Fished in calm, bright sunny conditions, and over low water, the odds were against me.
Decided that the only way I was gonna winkle any sort of fish out, was to go down to size 4 kamasan match hooks, on a portsmouth rig and fish it at pure distance!
We were under way at 11am and ahead was 4 gruelling hours in not so good conditions for fish. People around me were pennelled to the hilt, big baits, and hoping for a codling or stray bass. I knew the only way them sort of fish would show would be in darkness - and we were 5hrs away from any sort of dark!
Anyway, two small lug on each hook with a thumbnail of mackerel were swiftly zinged into the distance, where a very small splash in the distance, signalled my casting was on top form, and was giving myself every chance of a fish, any kind of fish would do! Tactics for the day would be to fish to the clock and not take any notice of the rod - 15mins a chuck - unless crabs were active, then I would knock it to 10.
Under the buddy, I was out of the way of everybody, it tends to put people off coming to you, makes them feel as if they're invading your space - thats how I wanted it, no interuptions, I needed to fish hard! There was a bit of commotion to my left, I tried to ignore it, but the crunch up and down the shingle got the better of me - my mate to my left, about 30yds away, victoriously held up a plaice of just over a pound! "god, how I could do with one of them right now!"....anyway, 3hrs had passed, the tide was on the turn, and was running out of time! "right, plain lead change the rig to a size 4 kamasan match hook pennel!" drastic measures were called for, and I thought this rig would give me a few extra yards. Out it went, this time I didn't even see it hit the water! By this time I had ELEVEN unread texts on my phone - nothing was going to phase me, and I didn't want to know how the other guy's were doing! My phone began to ring, looking at the name, it was my mate, who could in fact beat me today! Should I answer it? Ok! "How ya doing fish wise?" Told him I was blanking, and I was relieved to find out he was too! Gotta go, fish to catch! As I slipped the phone back into my pocket, I noticed the rod tip slowly twitch forward! I checked the time, it had been out there 20mins, and there was only 15 mins left! I'd left it out too long, what should I do? I'll watch it again, give it another chance to signal something, not something I would normally do, but I was desperate for a fish. The rod, this time signalled a rattle! Not a big bite, but I knew whatever it was stood no chance against a size 4 kamasan match hook!! Only 12 mins to go, get it in, and just hope! As my rig neared the beach, I felt a little resistance, and out popped to my delight, a dab of around 11oz!!! I've never felt so relieved in my life - TO SEE A DAB! Chucked my last baited rig really close, as there were only 10mins to go and hoped for a flounder! Match over I headed back to the weigh in. My two nearest rivals had blanked! I'd done it!
Retained my title for another year. Lots of handshaking later, I looked at the dab, in the bucket of water - ofcourse I'd kept it alive! Drove back to the beach, took it out of the bucket, gently crouched down in the water, and watched it swim off! Thanks mate I thought.......

[wellyfish]

well done paul and great write up , and a 11oz dab won the day , FANTASTIC

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Well done mate

I know youve fished your n-ts off for it and great read mate

Man I would have adopted the dab into my family

[upnorth1]

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

Man I would have adopted the dab into my family

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.....nice one Richard.....May sound stupid, but it was quite an emotional moment as I watched that dab swim off!!!!!!!

[maghouse]

Nice one UN1 - Congrats on you retaining your title ! - that dedication does pay off - I had a similar with a competition a while back - made a last cast with 5 mins to go & caught a pout - not earth shattering but enough !

Your ignoring the rod & bringing in every 15 mins is an interesting idea - never tried it - silly question but is it better than watching for bites in your opinion ?

[upnorth1]

Originally Posted by maghouse

Your ignoring the rod & bringing in every 15 mins is an interesting idea - never tried it - silly question but is it better than watching for bites in your opinion ?

When match fishing mate you want as many hook ups as possible....if constantly watching the rod and seeing the first bite register can lead you to try and be too eager...especially when multi-hooking, those two or three bites could in fact be other hooks being filled! try your best to sit on your hands, or do as I do and fish by the clock! Not only are you giving the fish a chance to 'get hooked', but also, you continuosly putting a fresh scent out to the fishing area every 10-15 mins, meaning what fish are there - STAY THERE!! Try it mate, I think your catch rate will vastly improve.
Unless.....you're fishing in cod conditions, and targetting cod or bass, when that initial pull down or slack liner must be attended immediately..tight lines.

[upnorth1]

Originally Posted by maghouse

- silly question but is it better than watching for bites in your opinion ?

By the way, it wasn't a silly question!

[tommy a]

Well done mate - ace report and good reading !

[BaggieRich]

Well done mate, good read there....

[Fisherdan]

congratuation, if i spelt that right.. well done!!!!