Rock on 2

[Portland Pirate]

After last weeks successful trip on to Portland, myself and Roger (Chesil Chucker) decided we would give it a go again last night. Initially I had wanted to go for Bull Huss, unfortunately tides were not right for that last night.

We fished the Cranes just round from the Bill and I snapped this picture just before the light went:



Roger set up a float rod with Mackerel strip and we both set up our heavier rods for the rocks.
It didn't take Roger long before he managed to hook a 3oz Pollock (claim for Pollock record as it is unclaimed. ridiculous I know).



I missed a few bites and lost the only set of gear for the evening (result)
After fishing for about an hour in a cold northern wind I noticed a better bite.
I struck and hooked into only my second ever shore caught conger.



As we were only fishing for 2 hours we started to wrap up at 8pm and just as I was about to wind in I had another knock. I struck into it and landed a lovely big fat shore rockling that weighed a 1lb.

Another good night fishing the Rock with unbelievable surroundings, plus two more species for the hunt. There were so many stars out last night it was amazing and seeing the lights from Portland lighthouse stretch into the darkness for miles I would recommend an evening session there to anyone, but don't go on your own. I think I have been missing out on some fantastic sport for years. Next week I think we will try for the Huss.

Portland Pirate

[MRG2000]

Nice fishing PP .......

[scottish_and_mental]

without getting into the fish i.d debate again im gonna stick my neck out and say that fish at the top is erm .. not a pollack - having caught a million pin whiting and lord knows how many pollack i can see immediatley that the lateral line is wrong for a pollack as is the lower jaw ( feel free to correct me )

[scottish_and_mental]

on another note , im well impressed with the eel and wouldnt mind giving the cranes section a go myself - i have a good idea of the area but is there a specific ledge/section to fish from bearing in mind swells and darkness ?
how snaggy is the area and is there patches of cleaner ground to aim for ?
cheers,

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

without getting into the fish i.d debate again im gonna stick my neck out and say that fish at the top is erm .. not a pollack - having caught a million pin whiting and lord knows how many pollack i can see immediatley that the lateral line is wrong for a pollack as is the lower jaw ( feel free to correct me )

You know what you are absolutely right. To be honest I didn't even look at the fish properly. My headlight was failing me and I just assumed that as we were fishing a known Pollock spot it was going to be a Pollock so I snapped it and the picture has come out clear. It is funny because when I was putting it on coppermine this morning, something registered as not being right. Now I know what it is. Roger did end up with quite a few proper Pollock but as I had already taken a picture so didn't bother. Anyway I will remove my claim for the Pollock until next week lol.

[scottish_and_mental]

I'm interested in you future Huss trip

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

on another note , im well impressed with the eel and wouldnt mind giving the cranes section a go myself - i have a good idea of the area but is there a specific ledge/section to fish from bearing in mind swells and darkness ?
how snaggy is the area and is there patches of cleaner ground to aim for ?
cheers,

I actually fish on the rocks next to the crane and not on any of the lower ledges. The only clear patch in that area is right under your feet and is a very small patch. It is very snaggy so expect tackle losses. You can only fish that area 2 to 2 hours either side of high water as the tide screams through too fast. Basically you can fish the west side of Portland Bill on the bottom of the tide and the East side at the top half of the tide.

If you want to come down sometime let me know and I am sure I can meet up with you and if I don't have time to fish I can at least take you to the spots and show you them.

Portland Pirate.

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

I'm interested in you future Huss trip

Oh dear! I just noticed you are a Celtic fan. I will have to withdraw and friendly offers of advice and help

I am hoping to go next week. It fishes best for Huss after a decent blow, but with the quality of fishing on the last two trips I am up for a go at anything. There are supposed to be some Coalfish around at the moment.

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by Portland Pirate

You know what you are absolutely right. To be honest I didn't even look at the fish properly. My headlight was failing me and I just assumed that as we were fishing a known Pollock spot it was going to be a Pollock so I snapped it and the picture has come out clear. It is funny because when I was putting it on coppermine this morning, something registered as not being right. Now I know what it is. Roger did end up with quite a few proper Pollock but as I had already taken a picture so didn't bother. Anyway I will remove my claim for the Pollock until next week lol.

I knew my fish ID had not gone to pot. I just got a text from Roger to say that he was sure I had taken a pic of a Pollock. I had just taken the wrong photo from coppermine and put it up there. So picture has been changed to the correct one.

[blackwater]

Well done, nice conger.