Bristol Channel Fishing 25/08/07 - Catch Report

Gilbo · #1 08-26-2007, 01:23 PM

I had the whole day available yesterday as Wife and Kids went to a wedding.

Planned to fish two marks, first over low water and second over high.

Up at 5.30am and headed North up to Lilstock. Arrived around 8.20 and walked out to the low water reefs. Its a bit of a walk and so kept everything as light as possible but still felt like I was carrying 100lb in my rucksack.

Set up two rods with pennel pully rigs size 3/0 with slightly heavier snoods. Baits a mixture with squid, crab, mackerel and worms.

First casts a bite which resulted in a small conger not much more than a 1lb.

A little while later a second fish that gave a good bite and clicked some line off. A solid bend and some good pulls back and in came another eel this time around 7lb.

Nothing else over the flood for a couple of hours and packed up around 12.30pm.

Walked back to car sunburnt and knackered and thinking of my plans for afternoon. Dont think I could do another longish walk and so scrapped plans of Bossington. Also the bright conditions and clearer water there may prove difficult.

Drew straws and opted for Blue Anchor. A place I have fished regularily and have never blanked at. Nothing to write home about but always something and often a biggish Ray, Eel may show.

Arrived at around 2pm and walked as far to the left as I could manage. Loads of bathers, sunbathers on the beach but up left towards the stakes seemed quiter.

Similar tactics here and thought of a biggish bass possible. There was a stiff breeze blowing onshore and the surf, sea looked fishable.

Two hours later and nothing, not a sniff. Thought I had made a big mistake going there. Some kids turned up and one managed a smallish green eel from about 10m.

Waited, smoked and watched the rods. The right hand one (baited with three large blow lug) dropped back and slack line fell to the floor. Picked up the rod and tightened into the fish which was now 30m to my left against the tide. Wound into it and what a scrap developed. Realised my drag was set solid as I wound in a lump of weed earlier. Slackeed it and saw the fish cover 40m of water in a few seconds!!!! A fin appeared and I knew it was a smoothie. Next my leader knot caught in the top ring so it was run up the beach and down again to grab the fish!

Result my best ever smoothie. It had coughed its stomach like some shark do when caught.

Tried to get it in a couple of carrier bags to weigh it. Will not hang a fish by the gills or mouth from the scales as this damages or can kill a fish. The bags kept ripping ad I just couldnt get more than the head and top 1/3 in. Gave up and returned it as quickly as I could. Swam off like a demon!!!

Have caught loads of them this year but nothing more than 7lb. Weighed a friends one which went 9lb and fitted in a bag easily. This was deffinitely in double figures so I am calling it 10lb.

All photos taken by myself as was on my own so couldnt get any with me holding the fish. Would have liked one of the smoothie as the trophy shot.

Got home at nearly 10pm after calling in chippy for Pie and Chips.

Knackered and pleased with the day, well worth the efforts.