Had a wrecking trip out of Weymouth cancelled for today and the forecast for Cardiff wasn't too bad, so decided to give it a go
The other 3 on the wrecking trip had made plans to go to work by the time I decided I'd take my boat out
So just myself for company today
Picked up some black lug and rag on way to Cardiff and caught the 9.30 lock out
Headed straight to the Cardiff North buoy and had the anchor down in the last of the flood tide before 10
Not a lot of tide, but plenty of dogs to start with a couple of straps to well into double figures
The wind held me side on until nearly an hour into the ebb and was getting steadily stronger and a bit uncomfortable
After a few more dogs and straps (and a classic slack liner that I had on for all of 5 secs, then lost) I pulled the pin and headed for a bit of calmer water just off Penarth
Dropped in 1/2 mile or so behind a couple of charters in around 35/40ft water without the swell of out wide, but with a bit of wind in the face
Threw a whole squid off the back on a downtider and while I was baiting up the uptider with blacks and rag, the downtider starts bouncing
Struck into it and on the way up could see the tell tale sign of a conger, spiralling line and coming up a fair bit off the back of the boat
Had a bit of a shock when this little fella broke the coffee coloured surface
3lb 8oz on the dot and very welcome
Stayed here until 2.45 with barely another bite, not even a dog over the gunnels
So with the rain worsening, I caught the 3.15 lock back in
The fish was full of prawn/shrimp when gutted
A short trip, but worthwhile
Dropped the fish into my Uncles on the way home, may have only been small but it was well appreciated