Codling are the new dogfish in the Bristol Channel

[MRG2000]

After a pleasant ,freezing cold ,blizzard hit evening at Knab Rock with John (I wish i was David Bailey) Lazyhooker .Got out of bed at 6 am to head of into the murkey Bristol Channel aboard Whitewater. Aim being bag a couple of species for the hunt ,flat calm conditions ,and bright sunshine made for cracking day .Fished worm baits on long pennels ,uptide . steady stream of small codling all day ,even 2 at a time on the pennels ,i think they`re bidding to oust dogfish as the most prolific fish off penarth .Finished with a couple of dozen in the end.No other species ,so no points .

[BaggieRich]

Unlucky Mike.

[lazy hooker]

pull your finger out will you!!!!

forget cod...get some rays and straps

[fullcreel]

Well done for getting out. Would love to catch a codling, tried and failed at Chesil, just lost leads/rigs.

[MRG2000]

Originally Posted by lazy hooker

pull your finger out will you!!!!

forget cod...get some rays and straps

Mackerel flapper was danglin over the back for over an hour !....nay straps at home ...

[Fishing Forum Admin]

nice to hear about the small cod mate as they will only get bigger

[pingu]

nice one, can you send a few our way if you have too many

dave

[MRG2000]

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

nice to hear about the small cod mate as they will only get bigger

It was the same last year ,so we thought this year would be a cracker with all the 2yr old codling reaching a 2-3lb size.....instead theres just loads more "fishfingers",something odd going on me thinks (trawlers !)

[BaggieRich]

Originally Posted by MRG2000

It was the same last year ,so we thought this year would be a cracker with all the 2yr old codling reaching a 2-3lb size.....instead theres just loads more "fishfingers",something odd going on me thinks (trawlers !)

You thinking the fish you're seeing this year might be too small for a trawl net Mike? I was wondering what happened to all the small codling from last year.

[MRG2000]

Originally Posted by BaggieRich

You thinking the fish you're seeing this year might be too small for a trawl net Mike? I was wondering what happened to all the small codling from last year.

Just seems strange the "fishfingers" are around in massive numbers,as they were last year ,but very few sizeable fish. we had 40+ up to 10oz on the saturday ,and they had a few dozen more on sunday (with 3 keepers )....if the small ones are there ,makes no sense that last years shouldnt be back and around 2-3 lb ....but it just aint the case ,there going (or being taken) somewhere before they arrive in the Bristol channel