I O W weekend 23-26 April

[pingu]

This is definitely a cup of coffee, sit back and read type report, on what has been a totally brilliant weekend

Last year I should have gone with the club to the Isle of Wight, but decided to have that stupid accident and had to miss it

So when I got a shout about 6 weeks ago did I fancy a weekend on the IOW on a cheaply sun deal I jumped at it

Si had sorted more peeler and sandeel than was ever going to be needed and we would get worm over there (but I did sneak a dozen lug into my gear as an extra
Friday 23rd
After a short sleep due to Muppets on forum and a few beers with Mrs. P the night before
Just before 5 Brian’s luxury transport arrives and we are off to Southampton
A good run and quick pop over on the ferry


And hop over the island to sandown we are there



Who luckily let us in early to dump gear, then a quick breakfast at Barnaby’s (this was then the everyday main meal of every day _clap)



Then straight off to the first mark
Will add map here to help


Going down to atherfield



A gloriously empty beach




We fished here over the low, but despite our best efforts it was a blank (and also pigging cold in the wind)
So it was off for a few supplies


Then off to our second mark
Norton wall at Yarmouth to fish over the high

Now this has to be the simplest fishing mark ever


We were all still struggling for a bite though until Brian gets a tiny wrasse
Then I saw something like a Pollock jump so I switched to a pop up with a bit of sandeel and bingo. Blank saved and points for a tiny Pollock


But despite staying till 10 there was nothing else, and the weed was picking up with the tide so we headed back to use up some of those supplies

[pingu]

Saturday
This was going to be the Big day so after another hearty breakfast it was off too Alum Bay
Hoping to catch a wrasse or maybe a bass over the rough stuff over the low and start of the flood
£4 to park all day then a yomp down the stars to the beach and right too the rocks

This has to be one of the most stunning places I have ever fished, not easy but the scenery is spectacular

,
Brian waiting

Si waiting


Unfortunately despite again our best efforts only Brian was rewarded with a tiny wrasse
I was struggling a bit on the rocks with the ankle but did better than I expected but Si and Brian decided as the evening session was a yomp again that I could go back up on the chairlift ,



And they would take rods up (as not allowed on the lift) Thanks Guys and an ice-cream was had to pay back the favour, them on the easy bottom set of stairs



The evening’s session was now to be the biggie and so it was that we met Sean from UK Hooks and some others who were on a comp to go down and fish Whale Chine hoping for a ray

I had been warned about the route and yes it is fun using ropes in some areas where the steps are gone completely


I must admit that this would be almost impososible in the wet
And down to yet another stunning Beach







Plenty of banter with these guys and good info as well, and finding out that a 18 person comp the night before had only seen 2 fish , so it wasn’t just us struggling
After getting ribbed a few times as I had the only Century rods on the beach against a barrage of Zziplex and my ability to lose gear on a clean beach

Fishing again was slow but at last Si had not only his first fish of the trip but his first ever Spotted Ray( Si is a ray fisherman and this and an undulate were the main targets)
,

we were all well chuffed, it weighed in at 4lb3oz and swam away strongly after
since found out a new club record well done Si

We were treated to a stunning sunset again


Then at last I get a bite on some of the very much dying lug and this leviathan of a Starry Smoothound came in


Pleased again not to blank also another 1.5 points

The only other fish of the eve came to me in a pout, again on the lugworm
So back home midnight and then finished off the supplies

[pingu]

Sunday

All being a little weary from the day before we decided just to try and scratch out something from Yalverton beach, just near the holiday park
We had heard of a few turbot and bass and either would have been good and points as well

So it was 1 rod 2 hook wishbone with sandeel and worm other 2 hook slapper and same baits
The water was receding fast and the wind again was howling





Eventually completely without any bite indication I have my first ever Turbot
And what a specimen it is

Classic big hands for a small fish pose
Midday and The wind was still howling and we were now wanting our breakfast
And just as we have started to pack up Brian gets his first Turbo (not quite specimen size though )


More supplies brought for the eve as we were getting a bit fished out now, and it was off for a quiet eve session on last wrasse hunt at Bembridge ledges
Another stunning venue



These ledges were soon flooded and so we went right

Where unfortunately fine wed and the light beat us and another blank unfortunately

But just the funniest night off Monty python quotes and other reminises in the van


unfortunately Today saw us clearing up and driving home, but it has just been the best trip, ok as Bananasteve would say “ there are no fish in the sea” oops, yes the fishing was tough
But stunning new venues, views and beaches, Great Company and new people from the island who couldn’t have helped more
A brilliant weekend, 4.5 points and somehow I also need to broach the idea of going back with a big club trip in September
even looking forward to getting back down whale chine ( but take waterproof trousers off before heading back up, tad too restrictive and sweaty )


Dave

[scottish_and_mental]

Thats a great pic mate !!
Im salivating just looking at that can of McEwans

[Gilbo]

Glad you had a good trip and weekend away.

Breakfast and Beer on tap - the fishing and scenery is an extra.

They look like cracking venues and at the right time of year would produce.

Great report and photos

[fishypaul]

what a superb weekend mate , well done on the species hunt

[geejayy]

great read dave, cracking weekend.

[Spahill]

Shame the fish didn't really show for you - but sounds like you had a great time. Good luck on the Autumn trip. You will have to practise those Jedi mind tricks on Mrs P.

[Greenheart]

Great read Dave & I just know you had great time. Unlucky on the fish though. I think most years the summer species would be in by now, but everythings a bit late this year. Well done on your first turbo...

[cuckoo]

Outstanding report dave glad you lads enjoyed yourselves with a few new species to boot