True Blue. Poole 14th March 2010

[JustMark]

I got a call last week from Drew saying there was a place on True Blue from Poole.

This boat/skipper has a very good reputation so even though I have no source of income right now I jumped at it. (FFS don't tell the wife)

Arriving on the dock at just before dawn everyone was optimistic. Some guys I have met on the last couple of trips and others for the first time.

Fantastic boat though. Drew likes the big cats huh?

We steamed out 35 miles or so to the first mark.

Setting up for the first drift I immediately regretted not bringing my 'proper' camera. 1 because the weather was 'kin perfect. Bright sun, gentle breeze and very little swell. 2 because my little backup camera, a Pentax Optio e75 failed on the first shot... again. I've had this camera less than 5 months and it's been back in the shop more times than I have!

Anyway, enough of that.

I was fishing with a very nice lure I bought from the Seaton Tackle shop £1.30 for three lures. The guy next to me was Rob from the Blandford boys fishing with a rhubarb and custard Sidewinder. (£5.99 for 3 lures, best price I have found)

Every drift he got a fish. One or two others on the boat got a bite every three drifts or so.

He was so embarrassed at his success that he gave me a copy of his setup. As in, a rhubarb and custard sidewinder, identical 8oz lead and I matched his 9ft trace with my own amnesia line.

I matched his retrieve rate, jig timing and everything. As did everyone else. But no-one else on the boat caught. Rob continued a fish a drift.

I am now going to include a pic of the Seaton tackle shop because I don't have a shot from the day (It's called stock photography. You see it every time you open a paper or log on to the internet)



I then switched to the 10 pence lures I had been sent from China. Imediately hooked a 4lb Pollock. Not a monster, but I didn't blank huh?

At slack water the skipper anchored up.

4 congers to 25lb came up, sadly none of them to me. Then Rob again hooked up. He eventually brought up a Ling of 18lb. (Which is now in my freezer. Thanks Rob)

I had switched to my conger rig consisting of a 20-50lb Abu Commadore rod, Daiwa 600H reel and 50lb braid, hoping for something decent. I baited it with a big mackeral complete with guts that has been sitting in the freezer since last year.

I hooked into something substantial. The rod was bent in two, and I was winding like mad. Letting the rod do the work. Heavy play for the next ten minutes. All of a sudden the rod went dead and I had that sickening feeling that whatever it was had escaped and was now laughing at me and thanking me for the free meal.

On winding in, I found that for the second trip in a row, the 'Mustad' hooks I bought on Ebay had snapped, leaving just the shank.

Oh well. There's always next time. As soon as I find another job that is

[Fishing Forum Admin]

great read mate

[BaggieRich]

Sounds like a good day Mark, even if you didn't land the lunker.

When your lucks in, your luck in. Nothing you can do about it sometimes!

[mithrandir]

Sounds like a fun day. Glad it all went OK. Shame about the hook break, might be time to chuck the rest in the bin!

[Spahill]

Great read Mark.
I used to know a Rob... except his name was Steve & he could catch fish in a bubble bath. The most annoying thing is that they are all REALLY nice people with it.

Having watched a few episodes of fake Britain (daytime tv) you could have picked up some fakes... I used to swear by 'Mustad' for big conger hooks, or posibly their standards have dropped. Send whats left of the pack direct to Mustad & see what they say, but I would definately stop using that batch/pack.

All the best.
Paul.

[MartynG]

Sounds like a good day was had :) I know Steve and "True Blue" well, they're an excellent combination of boat and skipper - and as for Rob Choules I've only been able to outfish him once and that was on a Plaice trip, otherwise he is a catching machine...

[Drew]

Hi all,

As Mark has mentioned, perfect conditions, an excellent skipper on good form, a dream boat, what could be better? Catching fish.

Well I tried all sorts of lures, I have a box of every lure you can think off, all the colours of the rainbow, could I hook a fish? NO. I changed lures - length of trace - fast retrieve - slow retrieve - fast and slow retrieve, not even a bight all day. During slack water I sat and had my lunch, saving myself for the second bight of the cherry, guess what, right first time, another blanking session.

Most important factor, I enjoyed myself. It was great to be out again in excellent company, meeting old friends who were guesting for the day, and chatting with the regulars. Although it was a long and tiring day it was enjoyable.

I am looking forwards to another trip at the end of the month and to catch a few for the pot.

Regards

Drew

PS

Hi Martyn,

Welcome to the Forum.

I think we may have met before? Andy G - Ralph - TJ - Imran (Mule) are also members.

Looking forwards to meeting up and fishing with you again.

Regards

Drew

[pingu]

sounds like a good trip there all
unlucky on the lost lump mark

dave