Clevedon - Forum Meet

[maghouse]

Well, what can I say ....

We came We saw We didnt catch any fish

Quite a let down really, for what promised to be quite good, very little fish there - I had HUGE conger (in-joke) 1 small Whiting and TJ had a small pout ....

Fished 1000 - 2000 HW0630 LW 1330 HW 1830 approx - HUGE 11m tide

I arrived at around 1000 - TJnorton had been there for a few hours kipping in his van ! We kitted up and walked along the coast path thinking how on earth we get down to the shore as it was miles below us ..... but found a path down the hill and ended up on some rock ledges - we knew it was a fishing spot by the TONS of rubbish strewn everywhere - all fishing rubbish - I picked up a couple of carrier bags and we filled them up in about 100 yards ..... dirty lazy b&*&^%^ds

Anyway - found the sea about a mile below us so ventured down onto the rocks - glad I used to go rock climbing as you needed it to get down - quite treacherous underfoot & razor sharp rocks !

So set up and first casts out and patiently waited, really chocolate brown coloured water so big smelly baits were the order of the day.

Really slow going, the water retreated off the rocks and onto a sandy bottom for about 50 yards so we followed it to the edge.

Turned around to see TJ beside himself with grief, sobbing uncontrollably on the beach - what ever is the matter I caringly asked - TJ showed me the remnants of his rod - clean snap in the middle of the top section ..... really gutted for him ... only a 4oz lead and no power casts but snapped clean in two ....
We battled on, I had a bite and reeled in a HUGE conger .....
Had a small Whiting as well.

Greenheart turned up to join us on the beach ...

Then the tide turned, the water started to race in, I had heard of the tide run here so retreated back to the bottom of the rocks, Ian climbed up the rocks ! did he know something we didnt .... he did .... the tide raced in so we called it quits for afternoon tea and watched the tide race in - within an hour the rocks were all but covered !

We knew where the gullies etc were so ready to cast into the tackle graveyard this was to become but not too concerned as I had already found 3 or 4 brand new Gemini weights, brand new shock leader & 2 or 3 new rigs - changed hooks and used those (tight wad southerner me !)

The water poured in and we retreated right up to the grass bank some 40' up and it was a spectacular sight watching this water pour in, and come up to our feet. It was dark by now and TJ had a little pout ....

Baggierich came down to say hello .... but could not fish as he was on a promise - priorities mate

Then the rain came, the swell picked up and with it crashing spray which was coming over us - made it all good fun .....

Then it was all over, water started to recede but still no more fish ... so called it quits ...

Tide was amazing, just how high it comes and the power of it, fall in and you've had it I reckon ....

Cheers to TJ & Greenheart (and the Ginger wine ) for keeping me company.

Few pics ...



View towards Clevedon Pier - water would reach the top of the pier



View the other way ... (not rubbish but TJ's bait !)



View back up the rocks - ended up by the grass bank with water lapping our feet !



TJ on the sand



Rods towards Cardiff !



TJ in his "why my rod" pose



MONSTER CONGER



Greenheart high up on the rocks



Water pouring in .... would reach my tripod in about 30 mins so had to go higher !

No more pics - got too dark, shame really as the HW was quite a sight !

[the boss]

unluckly lads, good effort though!

[Twiddler]

Sounds like it was tough going, well done on the effort though

[cuckoo]

Unlucky all , looks like a good social though

lee.

[devondave]

awww i was hoping for lots of fishes!!

oh well great effort shame the fish didnt play ball!!

tj i am sure i have a rod you can borrow for the time being if needs be just pm me

[BaggieRich]

Unlucky about the fishing guys. No one can say you didn't put the effort in though.

Sorry I couldn't fish, like you say Rob, I need to sort my priorities out. (I did have a good time mind. ) I'll make more of an effort to be there for the next one.

Shame about your rod TJ. Let us know how you get on with the replacement mate.

[tjnorton]

There is not much more to add to that report, I will be ringing shakespear on monday to see if i can get a new tip for my rod.

I was shocked at how much the tide rises in the channel, i will have tot try and fish there more often this year tho.

It was good to put names to faces and i think that i will have to try and get accros the coast to meet up with rob for some flattie fishing.

Tj

[Greenheart]

Nice report Rob. Just a pity the cod did'nt make an appearance. Condidtions initially looked ideal & we tried a good selection of top cod baits. Fresh Lug, Squid, Ragworm & Peeler Crab. Robs pictures don't really show how rough it got later on, so i'm posting a couple of photo's that I took later....

When we started, we had a good view of the Severn Bridges, but in this pic, it's totally obscured by the rain & mist. I took shelter from the wind & rain behind a large rock & felt quite comfortable. However I failed to notice that the rock that I was sitting on had been undermined by the sea & there was a small crack in the rock that I was sitting astride. A large wave came in & the small crack turned into a high pressure blowhole... About a hundred gallons of water shot up from underneath me & then came down on my head... Fortunately I was wearing my waterproof thermal suit... Unfortunately I did not have the hood up, so the hood filled with water & the remainder went straight down my neck...
However it was nice meeting Tjnorton for the first time (Hope you get the rod sorted mate) & seeing Rob again. Fairweather fisherman Baggie Rich, showed up just in time to help drink my Ginger wine & then legged it when things got rough. He was muttering something about being on a promise... All in all though, another cracking little forum meet & i'm looking forward to the next one.

[tonybolton]

unlucky on the fishing front chaps, but i reckon it's a mark everyone should fish once, just to see the tide race in and up!

[fishypaul]

great report rob,shame the cod were not out to play,

love the conger mate