Severn Beach, Thurs 9th

[bulletproof]

Got up at 5.30am this morning for a trip down to Severn Beach with a thought in mind that this very cold spell would encourage the codling. Got there much later than planned because for some inexplicable reason (probably a heady cocktail of childish excitement, tiredness, a hangover and 'the dark') I forgot to take the M48 exit off the M4 (heading north). Feelings soon turned to shear terror and a cold sweat when I realised I was heading for the 2nd Severn bridge with about 38 pence in my pocket. Idiot.

Managed to avoid the 'point of no return' by escaping onto the M49 only to find myself even more lost and seeing only signs for Avonmouth. To cut a long story short, I doubled back up the M5 and managed to get on the A403 to Severn Beach.

Sea conditions were moderate with an on-shore north westerly that just about let you know it was there. And cold. VERY cold. Thought I'd give some new 2-hook clip down rigs a go with a mixture of squid and lug.

Fished for about an hour and a half on the flood and slightly less on the ebb before a complete lack of action and the stinging cold made up my mind for me.

Yet another blank on the BC.

I still havent fully got my head round that M5/M4/M48 tangle (well, to me it's a tangle) and being a bit of a ludite when it comes to techo gadgets I refuse to buy a sat nav.

Hopefuly will have more luck in West Cornwall this weekend.

[scottish_and_mental]

its amazing how places look totally different in the dark ! atleast you made it in the end fella !
Best of luck for the weekend mate, have a bash with rag or small hardbacks while your down there as a record breaking ballan wrasse isnt out of the question !
Steve

[bulletproof]

Hello there S&M,

I might go A38/Thornbury/Aust next time as you cant really go wrong and it's nicer drive.

By hardbacks assume you mean crab?

I've also read that whole prawns in the shell work well in places...

I have good feelings about this weekend in Cornwall.

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by bulletproof

Hello there S&M,

I might go A38/Thornbury/Aust next time as you cant really go wrong and it's nicer drive.

By hardbacks assume you mean crab?

I've also read that whole prawns in the shell work well in places...

I have good feelings about this weekend in Cornwall.

Fished Aust but never done Severn beach. deffo on my to do list tho .
if you can rummage a few hardbacks from out the rock pools as well as any shrimps then they are both great live baits . this is the same with those ' shell on ' prawns - they need to be live and are great fished under a float
If the worst you do is spend a fishless week down in Cornwall then imo its still a result

i would go armed with half pound of rag,a whole frozen mackerel,some squid and anything yo ucan forage ie limpets/crab/mussels etc as they are all good in the winter ..
Looking forward to your report next week so get the camera packed and good luck

[bulletproof]

Thanks S&M,

Silly question but with a hardback crab then do they need to be de-shelled down to the soft flesh or can they be presented whole on the hook with some elasticated cotton for preservation? Also, can they be harvested in summer and frozen for the winter or do they have to be fresh?

My bro has already grabbed me some limpet earlier in the week (I read somewhere that 'ripe' limpet is very attractive to bass ).

Would love to catch something for the table at the weekend. Like you say, to be stood by the sea is a pleasure in itself sometimes.

My old man, who swears by lug worm, laughed down the phone when I mentioned limpet.

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by bulletproof

Thanks S&M,

Silly question but with a hardback crab then do they need to be de-shelled down to the soft flesh or can they be presented whole on the hook with some elasticated cotton for preservation? Also, can they be harvested in summer and frozen for the winter or do they have to be fresh?

My bro has already grabbed me some limpet earlier in the week (I read somewhere that 'ripe' limpet is very attractive to bass ).

Would love to catch something for the table at the weekend. Like you say, to be stood by the sea is a pleasure in itself sometimes.

My old man, who swears by lug worm, laughed down the phone when I mentioned limpet.

you wont be able to de shell and use a shore crab and they deffo dont take to freezing .. they gotta be live
with hardbacks you want little crabs - about the size of a 50p coin..simply hook once right through the body and let the bugger down into the rocks - the wrasse will come bearing there big gnashers and completely whack the thing . you gotta be prepared to wind like mad as they will head straight for the kelp or nearest crevice ! totally same with half a rag - keep the rig as simple as you can, blood loop some 25lb mono and attach a lead and a hook ..you will know if your in the right areas as you should get interest EVERY single time you put a bait down ! there should be pollack about too so a rag and squid cocktail sent out or as you say a nice cocktail of limpet and say mackerel should find a nice fish or two .. try after dark for the best results with bass taking either big bunches of rag , whole squid or mackerel fillet/head and guts ..

[bulletproof]

I will try all your recommendation S&M and let you know how I got on when I'm back on Monday. Itching to get out there now.

[mutley]

RE hard crabs, look for the velvet swimmers, the ones with red eyes and furry back legs, if you prise up the triangle underneath you can pull the top shell off and you have the best wrasse bait possible. Probable best to pull the pincers off first they are known locally as devil crabs for a reason

[geejayy]

its a mystery to me what the hell the fish are looking for that far up the channel , i've searched at low water and found only mud ,rocks and more mud, no worm casts , no crabs in fact no sign of anything.
but i know there's fish there from time to time, the question is why, then i may stand a chance of catching another .
so far i've narrowed it down to- 'fish only when the tide is in'

[bulletproof]

I know what you mean geejay. When I first rocked up at Severn Beach I thought it was a cruel joke but within 20 mins I had my first ever codling.

There must be something out there that attracts them. Perhaps it's the cocktail of salt water and the fresh water from the Severn that thrown up morsals for them? But what?

Also must be a scent thing as the water's thick as soup.