A week at Horseshoe bay Ventnor IOW 10-17 oct 2009

[10lber]

We arrived around 15.00 on saturday. The tide was already in and with all the unpacking to do i didnt bother with the rods until the later tide at 03.45.
We were staying at the Breakwaters flat which was 2 metres from the sea and my plan was to get as much fishing as possible in without upsetting the matrimonial bliss. I was here with my wife Sandra and my daughter Shannon and the duel purpose of this holiday was to see the sights and visit family too (im a caulkhead that flew the nest).

Anyway on to the report

The venue.
Horse shoe bay. A sandy bay nestlted amongst several sets of breakwaters and groins.Sandy beach with a smattering of rocks until 140yrd then larger more prominent rocks.
Expected species BASS FLOUNDER PLAICE SOLE POUTING WHITTING SNOTTY EELS AND CONGER
sat 10
tide 0345
Weather Force 3-4 wind. cloudless starry night. Warm
start time 0030
set up my first rod an Abu spinning pike rod that the top had snapped and turned into a 7ft 12lb class uptider with shimano 4500 biomaster reel. 4oz square torpedo tied to diawa tapered shock leader 16-65lb.Terminal tackle was a 3ft flowing paternoster tied to pennel 1/0 aberdeen and 3/0 uptide hooks to 18lb line.This gear was set up for the week.

Cast about 25yrds out (miscast)and went to set up my next rod.

My next rod was an Abu five star beachcaster with a cheap beachcasting Sangan PC600 fixed spool tied to same shock leader with 5oz breakaway and fished paternoster pennel style as above.
Before i could tie my lead link onto the rod the 1st rods bell went and as it was only a few yards out into the surf i assumed that it was the dreaded weed. contiued with set up of fivestar rod and cast 4" mackrel bait to the horizon (120yds for me).
Went to clear and cast my first rod again and was surprised that the weed turned into a 4lb Bass. WHAT A START 1 miscast 1 bass.This is going to be great!!!
Fished the rest of the incoming tide until 0345 for one 8" pouting.
Finish time 0400

Sunday11
high tide 1635
Weather HOT HOT HOT force 3-4 wind
start time 1500
The wind had changed direction and although looked very bassy with some nice surf ended up blanking due to weed that had been kindly picked up at Ventnor prom and dumped at Bonchurch by local council. Oh well there's always the beer. Lost 3 loads of tackle and gave up

finish time 1700 Too hot to fish this is mid oct for God's sake

Monday12
high tide 0500
Weather force 4-5 winds warm. some cloud.Better fishing conditions than yesterday
start time 0730

Got up too late and blanked again.

high tide 1820
Weather cloudy but warm. slight wind 2-3
start time 1400
Slightly better with three stong bites on the beachcaster and 2 bite throughs. Longshorman next door says there may be some strap conger amoung the rocks at 140yds. Blanked

Tues13
high tide 0700
Weather overcast force 3-4
start time 0930
Got up too late again and blanked.Note to self.Need to get up earlier and leave the beer alone
Got some ragworm from scotties in sandown for rest of week

wed 14
high tide 2100
weather Clear with some cloud. warm again but better wind force 4-5
start time 1900
After cooking a delicious meal for my family my brother in law and I went out with the rods.Several bites and missed opertunities. Then Ian had a 10" Pollock from about 70yrd on mackrel tied to an uptide rig about 2030.
after he took his family back home iHad several knocks which resulted in 1 small pout of 6"

thurs15
high tide 0945
weather overcast warm force 3-4
start time 0830
One bite through.BLANK

high tide2203
weather overcast force 4-5
start time 1900
Fairly good action on the flood tide kept busy til 2200 then dead.two bite throughs
2 pout of 6" and 1 snotty eel 18"

friday16
high tide 1034
weather cloudy warm force 3-4
start time 0915
Blanked again. this venue is only really any good at night.

high tide2250
weather clear with nippy wind 3-4
start time 2100
My last session before home tommorrow morning.Again kept busy throughout the flood with plenty of bites. One pollock 1 1/2lb two large pouting

Total session 10
total fish: 4lb bass, 6x pout, 2x pollock, one snotty eel

SUMMARY:
A good venue with plenty of fish to be had.Mackerel fillets fished on a flowing pennel rig seam to be the order of the day with only the eel taken on ragworm.This venue is only good on the flood and at night with all fish and bites coming in this period.



Cheers and good fishing to all.

[pingu]

great report and info on a venue

sounded a tough week, but a nice bass


dave

[10lber]

Thanx. would have posted a picture of bass but dunno how.Anyhow All fish were returned safe and well.
Forgot to mention other reports from fisherman that were in the vicinity.
I saw 3 bass walked by me and two anglers from newport had a couple of bass and a lobster. Unfortunately these bass were taken for the table together with the lobster even though they were all undersize.
Sad loss and a bad press for our sport.

Must keep fighting the good fight

[fishypaul]

great report mate,hope you enjoyed your week.

[cuckoo]

Brilliant report and great info on the venue well done on the bass and of course its release

[Spahill]

Great report - reminds me of my holidays, plenty of blanks... but your there & your fishing regardless!!!

[paddy2k7_red4life]

a very good report mate and some good info on the vennue

[10lber]

At long last ive managed to get the bassy picture on.

[scottish_and_mental]

better late than never lol.. cracking looking dinner, i mean fish
i hope its moved from there since you caught it in 2009
I got to the hot,hot hot part of the thread and realised perhaps it wasnt that current

[Bluesbro]

Nice bass you got there mate, 10 trips whilst on holliday with the missus is equally impressive