Slapton 'The Sequel'

[rob]

Well! I’m back on Slapton beach, I did call in at Blackpool Sands but it was still busy so here I am again…good ol’ Slappertown beach.
Set up & fishing at 6:30pm, high water is at 10:00 so will fish the tide up. Conditions are much the same as Friday so I’m expecting a few more Bass to show. It’s now dusk (9:00pm) & I’ve not had a bite. Suddenly one of the rod tips dips about 6inches quite slowly, that’s odd, I wonder what caused that. Might be a ray, no don’t be stupid….Slapton’s not known for rays, I was mulling through my head what could’ve caused it (weed; plastic bag etc.) when it does it again. Right that’s it, pick up rod, wind down slowly, feel heavy weight – lean into ‘unknown heavy weight’ & start pumping the line in. Feels like a bloody great lump of weed, thank god for Penn 525’s this would destroy an Abu 6500, it doesn’t feel like any fish. Slow pumping & winding brings ‘unknown heavy weight’ to surf line. What the ****’s that? It’s moving, spider crab…a great big spider crab, no it wasn’t big it was ‘MAHOOSIVE’ (Pingu – hope you don’t mind me borrowing your word, it seemed appropriate for this beast). This thing must have been about 6inches across its shell with great long dangly legs, all sort of hairy & knobbly & red in colour (I really must learn how to add pictures to my posts). Anyway I removed my size 1 hook from its leg and returned the beast to the sea. After that bit of excitement I decided on a change of plan….off come the small hook flapper rigs & on go pennel rigs loaded up with rag + Mackie on one and the other with sandeel + Mackie (dogfish love it) and lobbed ‘em out shortish.
Nothing happened for the next hour so packed up at 10:30 & returned to chalet.
I blame the lack of fish on that spider crab…it probably scared all the fish & other crabs away……it’s easy to recognise, it’s got LOVE & HATE tattooed on its legs & MOTHER tattooed across its back????????

Cheers all….roll on the 8th September...more fishing

[baitmaster]

unlucky on the fish front but a good read any way .

tightlines

kevin

[pingu]

just got to love those crabs
pm about pikkies on way

[fishypaul]

well done rob, will catch next time out

[steve devon]

They have gotta be the most anoyin thing when fishin
steal all my hooks normaly!