One Sunny Day At Littlehampton

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

What's going on? CV's posting on the "Saltwater Forum"

Well, having planned to fish for barbel on Sunday, I was sidetracked by a text message from the boss (the one that pays me each month - not the one that spends it!). That resulted in me arriving in Littlehampton at just after 8am and then heading South. The more experienced among you will realise that "South of Littlehampton" tends to be a bit on the wet side! Good job I was on board this little number then ...35 feet of luxury paddling boat:



Everything and everybody were soon on board and we made our way out past the marina exit. Not only was this a well appointed vessel, it had a bit of power in the shape of two turbo charged, super charged diesels that quickly notched up 30 knots! Martin (the boss and owner of the brewery) loves his toys:!



It's the sort of thing I could get really used to:



Anyway, before we hit the French coast, we stopped for a couple of drifts to find some mackeral. The last time I "feathered" for mackeral was about 40 years ago and with monstrous hooks tarted up in bright plumage! Although the method was the same, the rig was a little more understated in the shape of much smaller "shrimp and tinsel" type lures. Very enjoyable as we had loads of mackeral, some of which were well over a 1lb and perhaps nudging 2lbs. They came up mainly in single and doubles but the occassional "full house" livened up the social proceedings very well! Quite a few pout also fell to the same method:



Obviously these were my first mackeral/pout this century and probably PBs but Twiddles has already added these to "The Hunt" so no more new points there then. I also had another species on the same method which I didn't really recognise. I'm told they were small bass but the pectoral fins don't look right to me...... Can someone enlighten me? Sorry for the crap picture!:



One big advantage we had was local boatman John came along for the ride with us. His hand held GPS contained all his "marks" and together with his local knowledge and the array of electronic wizardry in the cabin, meant we were soon exploring a few wrecks. A couple of drifts as well as a spell at anchor saw several different species come aboard. The boss probably had the highlight with a near 10lb cod but the 18lb/20lb conger which fell to John was up there as well. A couple of pollack showed up but all I could catch was pout although some were well over 2lbs...they certainly like big strips of mackeral!:



I did contact a much bigger fish as we were anchored over a wreck. With a big mackeral "flapper" on the hook, after a few taps, the rod hooped over and for a minute or so I felt the lunges of a decent fish. It all then went very solid and the consensus was that it was a conger that had regained the safety of the wreck!

I did manage a couple of other species while drifting.. a red gurnard and a "spotted/great white/puppy dog".... whatever it is.... I reckon there's a couple of more points to add to our "hunt" total :





All too soon (and well suntanned after a glorious day on a very "slight" sea) it was time to return. We did stop off and try for some bass but they didn't oblige although yet more mackeral came aboard.

A superb day, something very different for me, and very enjoyable. The on board barbecue with fresh mackeral was pretty good as well!

[Twiddler]

.....well, what can I say, I'm speechless (and that doesn't happen very often)....now now, looks like Neil is turning the corner and is getting really in to his sea fishing.......on a rather posh boat too uuuuhhhhhh.

Very well done Partner, I am pleasantly surprised. I can't help you with the ID of the species though, first one is definitely not a bass but I have never seen nor caught one like that before.

I might as well give up on the species hunt and let you do all the work .....I can sit back and enjoy the ginger wine instead

[Lewis 77]

From the picture it look as if your mystery fish could be a scad (Horsemackerel). Did it seem to have quite big eyes for the size of fish ? Sometimes they also make a funny noise when you handle them. Also they look quite boney and are a quite sharp to touch.

Did it look like this fish in this link ...

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/p...emackerel.html

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

I reckon thats it Lewis..a Scad. Definately "sharp" to the touch and a huge eye. It's pectoral fins are very much of the mackeral family. I'm confident it's not a chequer bass or schoolie, I've caught a few of those many years ago.

Thanks.

Potentially more points for the team

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

This trip has been "in the planning" for the last couple of months or so but wind conditions and work pressures (for the boss!) have conspired to produce a few last minute cancellations. As it was, I got a text late Saturday night and it was "all systems go" for Sunday!

Excellent day out and very enjoyable.

[Lewis 77]

Originally Posted by Catfish Virgin (Still!)

I reckon thats it Lewis..a Scad. Definately "sharp" to the touch and a huge eye. It's pectoral fins are very much of the mackeral family. I'm confident it's not a chequer bass or schoolie, I've caught a few of those many years ago.

Thanks.

Potentially more points for the team

Your other fish is a Lesser Spotted Dogfish (LSD). Sounds like you had a good days fishing

Few more species points for you

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Looked a crack fun days fishing

[pingu]

nice one neil
sea looks like smooth enough even for me

dave

[EX Londoner]

OOOh Littlehampton use to live there 35 years back spent many hours fishing off west Beach and the long jetty for Bass in the surf, no size restriction then.

That strange fish to me on first sight it looked like a flying fish, use to get them landing on the deck when I lived in malta and fished the Med.

[geejayy]

well done neil, nice mix of fish.
i'd say the mystery one is def' a scad, contarary to common belief, very tasty, like mackerel but a stronger flavor.