Long time coming - Rodney 15/04

[BaggieRich]

What with Ping off in the smoke this week, I decided that I’d continue my experimenting with braid and pop down to Rodney bay to do some touch ledgering with my spinning rod. With the tide at 22:35, the plan was to stay mobile and try and cover the beach from Straight point back to Rodney before the tide cut me off.

As I climbed into my waders at the top of the cliff, I knew pretty much straight away that my plan was out of the window. The tide was already a good way in and I’d never be able to get down to the far end of the beach and back, so I decided to stay this side of the point and just have a play with my unfamiliar setup.

I had a 10-30gr spinning rod, a fixed spool loaded with 30lb braid, a 1oz bomb on a running ledger and a 2 foot length of 12lb amnesia with a 3/0 “big mouth” pennel setup with whole crab at the business end.

I arrived at the beach just before 8pm was pleased to see that conditions were just about perfect. A lovely surf was rolling in and the sky was nicely overcast, so I setup, cast out and set about trying to feel the difference between tidal pulls and real bites.

This proved quite difficult to begin with and I spent some time wildly striking at none existent bites before I had a real knock which, I have to say, changed everything. A couple of sharp tugs were followed by a concerted pull which nearly yanked the rod from my hand and from that point on there would be no confusing a bite with wave action ever again! Unfortunately, whatever it was that gave me my “eureka” moment didn’t stay connected and I was left with a mangled bit of crab and my heart pounding away like Billy-oh.

The next few casts produced a real feeling of anticipation. I’d finally found out what a bite on braid felt like, the sun was just starting to set creating the half light that Bass supposedly love and now I knew for a fact there were fish in the area. Perfect then, for catching….. Flounder??

A couple of small taps were followed by nothing at all, so I’d decided to reel in to examine the bait when I discovered a fairly solid weight. A mostly none existent fight followed and I pulled this onto the beach.



A nice fish of about 1.5lb, certainly better than I’d caught all winter, but oddly I was left feeling a little disappointed. I was here for one reason and one reason only, so back he went (Strongly after taking a 3/0 hook!) and I got back to the task in hand.

I had a four or five bites over the next couple of hours. All of them at high speed, with a couple of big tugs followed by a rapid strike and then nothing. To be honest I was starting to get a little despondent, when eventually, I managed to get one to stick.

I had just cast out a particularly large fresh crab, when again I felt the sharp couple of tugs, only this time the tugs kept coming…. I lifted the rod and felt every single head shake of the fish, which was clearly not happy at being hooked. Bearing in mind I’ve only ever had mackerel and very small pike on this spinning rod, I can only describe the ensuing fight as awesome. The fish kited about left and right before I managed to pull it in with a wave… Mission accomplished.



Not the biggest Bass I’ve ever caught (50cm which = about 3lb), but my first on braid, my first on a spinning rod, and my first by touch ledgering. Well chuffed.

Not long after, a couple of flashes of lightening made up my mind that discretion is the better part valour, so I packed up and set off back to the car with a smug grin and a massive sense of satisfaction. Somehow, I think I’ll probably be back quite soon…

Lessons learnt
***********

1. Braid is cool.
2. Bass fishing with a light spinning rod and braid is just about the most fun you can have whilst wearing PVC waders. Yes, even including that…..
3. I think the spinning rod is a little too through actioned…. Maybe a carp rod next time would help with hook ups….???

[pingu]

cracking report their my good man
know how much you have wanted that

wait till i get my new gear tommorrow and i may give that a bash as well

dave

[fishypaul]

very well done baggie,what braid do you use mate ?

[BaggieRich]

Originally Posted by fishypaul

very well done baggie,what braid do you use mate ?

30lb whiplash mate. Under filled and checking the spool before every cast I've not had any problems with wind knots yet. Love the stuff.

I have a mate who reckons 30lb is over the top for spinning, but to be honest I only really want it for the lack of stretch not the diameter so it's perfect.

[Greenheart]

Great read Rich & well done on the fish. I've been meaning to try braid myself for sea fishing but have concerns about the lack of strech (Shock absorbtion) when casting & wind knots, especially considering the price of the stuff. At least with mono, if you get a birdsnest, you can just strip the line off the reel & reload with a couple of quids worth of new stuff. I shall probably just try it for light estuary fishing.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

cracking read mate well done

[Norfolkboy]

Well done Rich

[Spahill]

Well done Baggie
Have been using braid on the carp rods for nearly a year now without any wind knots, line still appears to be bedding down, was up to the lip when I started but now it's a fair way below & I haven't snapped up.
Will see you in Seaton for the smutts later in the year.

[cuckoo]

Great report rich and a couple of cracking fish

[geejayy]

nice 1 Rich