A few days in the Isle of Man

Vagabond · #1 10-05-2007, 10:16 AM

Species Hunt 2007 No 58 and 59

A few days spent with rellies in the Isle of Man seemed to offer a chance of several more species for this year’s hunt, but a strong SE wind put an end to hopes of going out in son-in-law’s boat for gurnards and flatties.

…and just to rub it in, the day we arrived (too late to catch the tide) and the day we left (too early for the tide) were flat calm! So we were confined to the shore.

Here is a picture of Laxey Harbour from the North pier.

…and here is the result of my first cast (using a Mepps spinner) into the habour – a breakfast-sized saithe (aka coalfish) got quite a few of them from various marks.

Kept persevering with the Mepps, all round the harbour, until at last I got the fish I was after – sea trout (aka phinnock)

They don’t usually grow very big here – but there were plenty of them – once I had found the first one I followed it with half a dozen more (all returned). Alas, the other option – small salmon – did not show up. (BTW the name Laxey is derived from the Norse “Laxa” which means “salmon”)

So all too soon it was time to go, without the chance of a boat trip. Brought home a huge box of Manx Kippers though (do they count?)

Got home, and looked at the forum. The Rusty Nuts had caught some smelt.

Its gotta be a first. One and a half points off the net for a “smelt” (We caught one at Brighton last month) I had thought it didn’t count (being from the East coast “smelt” meant a different fish altogether for me – we called the fish below atherines or sand smelt)

But its all grist for the mill……

Norfolkboy · #2 10-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Well done Dave, looks a nice mark.

Twiddler · #3 10-05-2007, 01:49 PM

Well done Dave

and MORE points

.....can you give it a rest please to give us weekend anglers a chance to catch up even a wee bit

Vagabond · #4 10-05-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twiddler

Well done Dave

and MORE points

.....can you give it a rest please to give us weekend anglers a chance to catch up even a wee bit

LOL ...but we gave you all three months start whilst we were in India this spring

...and I will let you into a secret ...we will be off to OZ in November for some barramundi fishing,

and won't return until 2008.

Fishing Forum Admin · #5 10-05-2007, 05:06 PM

Great report again and nice to see some fish

cuckoo · #6 10-05-2007, 06:28 PM

Great report dave, looks like a lovely place there mate ,well done on the species , good luck in oz !!!!!

lee.

Twiddler · #7 10-05-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagabond

LOL ...but we gave you all three months start whilst we were in India this spring

...and I will let you into a secret ...we will be off to OZ in November for some barramundi fishing,

and won't return until 2008.

You got some space left in your suitcase

I don't eat a lot and I am house trained too

pingu · #8 10-05-2007, 07:28 PM

another top report there
looks a lovely spot well done

dave

barbelblanker · #9 12-01-2007, 10:05 PM

Vagabond you continue to impress.
Nice report and piccys too!
Thank you

StigBlack · #10 12-22-2008, 08:30 PM

Nice to see one of 'haunts' on there. Caught a strap Conger, Ballan Wrasse, Pollack and Mackerel off that very harbour wall. Not a bad spot at all as there's always a depth of water on the far side and a mixture of sand, rocks and weed. Some of the boys I fish with have taken Gurnard as well.

Nice photos Dave, keep it up!!

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