Deal Pier Yesterday 14/11/2004

[john-boy]

After some serious deliberation of wether to lug all my gear for the beach down to Deal last night, or go "light" for Deal Pier, the charms of my angling nursery won me over, and I installed myself in the 1919 cabin on the end of Deal Pier at about 3.30 pm yesterday.

There was one chap to my right (Ollie) who had just caught a Codling of about 1.5 lbs that he'd released, so things looked promising. Tide was about 3hrs after high water, and there was bound to be a good ebb, as it had been a nice big spring, and as an added bonus, the water had a good colour too.

After this promising start, however, followed about 2 hrs of very little action, and the prospect of blanking crossed my mind . About 6 o'clock, however, I got a shout from an Italian chap at the other corner of the bottom deck "Have you gotta a netta - Big Cod" .. blimey, thought I, and duly fetched the net, with visions of a 4-5lb codling to retrieve. When I got there however, this was lying on the surface:



Crikey - biggest Cod I've ever seen caught on Deal Pier at 7.25kg (a shade over 15lbs) - would you believe - first time he'd ever fished, caught on a small strip of squid, Size 1-ish hook and cast no more than about 20 yards. No, I'm not jealous. Bloke didn't speak a word of English, but seemed happy enough (surprise, surprise).

Happily, however, upon returning to my own rod, I was informed it was "knocking" and pulled in my own Codling of about 2lbs - very nice too.

The chap fishing with me also got another about 2-2.5lbs, which is also pictured below:



After this the cod died away, but in the remaining 2 hrs, I had a doggie, about 3 whiting, some grandaddy pouts and a dab .. so all in all, not a bad night. Not too mention a lovely evening. Shame I can't go again today, really.

All fish were taken on rolled yellows and squid strips.

Cheers,
JB.

[pingu]

looked like a good night, well done

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Whoa nice cod to be caught from a pier!

[stan]

Nice to know theres some cod about now John maybe get some up this way soon

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great pics and write thanks alot

[Old Smoothound]

Top man that Italian.... obviously Cod goes with Pasta??
Size 1 hook.... well blow me down with a fevver!

Nice piccies JB and sounds like you had a good night anyway.

We haven't seen very many big doubles out of the Channel yet.... but there is still time!

[wellyfish]

nice cod reminds me of phills son on his first trip,squid,fowl cast,20 yards bass.....some people, excellant pictures...

[Stickyboy]

Wer-her-hey, the Kent Coast is coming alive!
Nice one John Boy, but why is it the one wiv the camera is never in the photos?

[devondave]

if any of you had of bumped into that guy in a shop and heard his story of a 15lb cod on a size 1 hook and a bit of squid from the local pier i can just imagine the thoughts running through your minds.
why is it some ppl have all the luck?

[Norfolkboy]

Great cod!! Nice report and pics to JB, great stuff!

Sounds a good night