jonnyswamp

What a difference a couple of days make !
With Kyle at college, the crew for the day was my wife. TBH she is pretty damn good at the plaice and Mackerel, also it was to be her first trip of the year as she doesn't do winter fishing, or non sunny fishing, or temps below 15c fishing 🤣 , however, she does love to fish.
We launched at 8:30am and the sea was reasonably flat
I had to keep the speed down to an 'amble' as the wife likes to take in the scenery, and to be fair the journey along the south hams coastline is very scenic, so I 'ambled' along at a steady 25kts. On the banks there was a little wind over tide and being mid springs the drift was quite quick at about 1.8 to 2.1 kts. we did 4 very long drifts and only had 2 small plaice, which were returned to grow bigger. I am fairly sure that the May Bloom is to blame, as the sea claity was worse than poor, and on the steam down to the banks I noted large slicks of brown scum, which of course is dead algae. Also, we had no takers on the mackerel tinsels (apart from a small Gurnard), and as both Mackerel and Plaice are sight feeders the water clarity was not doing us any favours.
At about 12:30 I put plan B into action, and set about dropping the anchor on the outer edge of the banks. Soon the boat had settled,  we sent down the big fish baits, and we needed 10oz of lead to hold bottom. Quite quickly the wife had a bite and hooked into a fish that didn't want to move, but with some effort she got it moving in the water column, however, disaster struck when the reel seat broke loose from the blank (Tronix Aphex 12-20), and it is not the first time it has happened on Aphex's. So, I lent a hand in carefully keeping tension on the braid with a gloved hand whilst she did her best to keep the reel seat from turning on the rod. Eventually a decent Blond surfaced and was quickly netted, going a respectable 14lb. The Aphex will go in the bin and be replaced with a Kenzaki super braid.
Then we had a succession of dogs (5), and just before slack water I hooked into another ray. This time it was a juvenile blond at 7.5lb, but if you didn't know, it looked just like a spotty !
All too soon it was time to get back, as we had other stuff to do late in the afternoon, but a gentle steam back saw us safely on the slip at 3:30pm.
A pleasant day in the sunshine and the fish tally wasn't too bad, with 2 plaice, one Grey Gurnard, 5 dogs, and 2 blonds.
 
A 14lb Blond

 
A 7.5lb Juvenile Blond, with the markings of a spotty including the wing eye's

 

Watching the forecast all week this Sunday has had a gap but I wasn’t convinced it would hold I thought it would be one of those 
blow outs that happen on the morning of the trips. When you’re already out there. Well thankfully the forecast didn’t do that and it was exactly as it said.
so the intention was to try a inshore trip for a bit of sport for my dad and I. coming through the harbour the place was filled with the nursery bass birds everywhere bass flopping. 


headed out 
A quick drift for bream and found two very quick on strips of cuttle then couldn’t get back on them . 

brought hardback crabs to try and guarantee some hound action so felt pressed to get the anchor down.
down it goes and the tide was pulling pretty hard. Eventually it eased and then it wasn’t long before the hound rod arched over we had 2 and a few dogs on fish bait rod.

Baited for tope. After a while we wanted to go back breaming so we did but couldn’t find them again. The tide went dead and I did manage a nice Ballan over the reef on a dexter.

then we came back in to another anchor mark then out baits down for the last couple hours but slow too with a couple more dogs 

a nice day on the water 
oh and we caught a one Mackerel 
 

 

Gorgeous weather meant was too good to miss out on a trip…
Fished inshore in hope of a tope, sadly not be but plenty of pollack, gurnard, wrasse, launce about 🙂 
Nice to feel some warmth, summer is finally coming 🙂 
Locks were carnage… some rather interesting manoeuvres going on both on way and way out so Em sat on the bow and watched how not to do it….
 
Sunday was spent making chum… off on hols in 2 weeks and when I’m back it’s time to get on the sharks! Be nice if to get hear those ratchets going again 😁

Sunday was a decent weather window and the forecast looked almost right, so Kyle and I made an early start off the slipway, launching at 07:15.
We were treated to a flat sea, so a steady 28 - 30kt cruise soon ate up the miles, and we were on the skerries banks before 08:00. The visibility was only about 3 miles but plenty good enough.
The Skerries were like glass when we got there, so plan A was put in to action, and we drifted for Plaice. Luck was on our side and by 11:00am we had 6 very decent Plaice in the coolbox.  Whilst drifting, I also tried for Mackerel, we only got one, but were also rewarded with 6 king size launce. Also, a small Grey Gurnard made an appearance.
Slack was due to start at 11:30am, so plan B was put into action. I found a decent point on the outer edge of the banks, where I dropped anchor and the boat swung around so we were fishing the sloping edge bank into 90ft.
As we were looking for Rays,  big fish baits were the order of the day, on wide gape 3/0 hooks as sometimes large plaice will show up.
We immediately starting catching dogs, but at about 12:30 Kyle lifted into a decent fish, and after a decent fight in the tide a Blond ray was netted that went a tad over 17lb. More dogs and then at about 1:30 I was rewarded with a Huss that went 10lb 1oz (we will call it 10lb). Earlier after Kyle had the ray, I got bitten clean off at the hook(50lb mono trace) which was annoying.
All too soon it was time to head back, as I need to be on the slip for 3:00pm
Apart from the 8 dogs (Kyle 5, me 3) it was a very rewarding day.
 
The stamp of the Plaice

 
17lb Blond

 
10lb Huss

 
Bloody nuisance fish !

Yes, peeler is reputed to be the best bait for the big plaice, but we have had a good number of 3lb + fish on prawn and launce.
I always use black Green beads and a flounder spoon, Kyle doesn't use any and we both catch about the same 😉
 

It was a lovely afternoon by the sea. Good company, boys being boys and dads blanking as usual. What could be better? 
 
 
 
oh yeah, fish 🤷🏻‍♂️..
 

 

 

 

Running ledger. I tend to fish for one at a time as you also sometimes get small eyed, and Turbot.

No mate, Ive got them on my plotter and laptop

No work booked in this week due to being on a training course from Tues to Fri, so kept Mon free just in case......
Didn't make any plans, so didn't ask anyone else, just got up Mon morning and decided to go
Grabbed some dirty squid from the bait freezer, bought some rag on the way down (along with some food) and got to the boat around 10am hoping to get the 10.30 lock out
Had to wait a few extra minutes in the lock for another boat to  join us and was out the other side not long after, ready to make the short steam to a mark wide of the Coral
With only an hour or so before low slack, I decided on anchoring in a position that would sit me over a hole on the flood, expecting the fishing until the turn of the tide to be dire as this ground looked to be featureless. I decided this as, being on my own, I didn't want the faff of retrieving and resetting the anchor too many times
2 downtide rods out baited with just Squid, then 2 uptiders with Rag/squid heads on each
Not expecting much yet, I put the kettle on
The last uptider to be cast out starting rattling, I wound into it and pulled it in hoping it was a small codling
It wasn't, it was a small strap Conger that broke the surface. So I left it in the tide while I poured my cup of tea (the effing kettle was going like a 70's factory hooter and making sauna of the cabin) then T barred it off to enjoy my cuppa and a rocky bar (chocolate type not caramel)
Next to go was one of the downtiders with another strap, this one a bit better at around 12/14lb. Didn't have chance to Tbar this one, as soon as he/she saw me, it/they turned into a Tasmanian devil and snapped me off. Happily though, both my hooks were left on the swim platform
Not long after I had a small Thornie on the other uptider, quickly followed by a very sizeable dog (though on reflection it may have been a Huss pup)
Pretty much bang on low water the last virgin rod (2nd downtider) made a couple of nods, on bringing this in I was expecting another small strap due to the state of the tide and was pleasantly surprised to see the head of a Codling appear through coffee coloured water
He went 4 and a quarter lb and put a bit of a smile on my face
It also had another baited hook in it's mouth, which looked like a fairly fresh peeler crab that must have come from one of the 3 other boats that were all quite close (I was first out of the locks and everyone followed me to my mark, obviously aware that I know of the guru ghillie that is Jonc and that some of his wisdom has rubbed off on me)
A celebratory cup of tea and another Rocky bar kept me busy until the tide turned and I was now over the honey hole
Now I'll see some action !!!
Loaded all the traces with the various baits and sent them all out and waited
Retrieved, rebaited, cast out and waited
Rinse and repeat x 4
And waited again until 2.45 when I reeled in the untouched baits again, pulled anchor and got the 3.15pm lock back in
What an anticlimax after a good start, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we can't always expect an Aussie jon day
 

Aah OK, I'll go for Willow Warbler then

Nice one @Odyssey, I've sent you a PM regarding some possible bookings for our club, both reef and sharking
👍

For business…..
Some you may have guessed that I’m now open for bookings as a charter boat 🙂 
Im a fully fledged skipper with commercial endorsements. You’ve all seen the boat, coded for 8 but recommend 6. Open for all types of fishing 🙂 
Website is now live: 
www.odysseyseaadventures.com or find us on Facebook 🙂 

Good read that was, shame it died off but at least you got something for your efforts, nice 👌 

No work booked in this week due to being on a training course from Tues to Fri, so kept Mon free just in case......
Didn't make any plans, so didn't ask anyone else, just got up Mon morning and decided to go
Grabbed some dirty squid from the bait freezer, bought some rag on the way down (along with some food) and got to the boat around 10am hoping to get the 10.30 lock out
Had to wait a few extra minutes in the lock for another boat to  join us and was out the other side not long after, ready to make the short steam to a mark wide of the Coral
With only an hour or so before low slack, I decided on anchoring in a position that would sit me over a hole on the flood, expecting the fishing until the turn of the tide to be dire as this ground looked to be featureless. I decided this as, being on my own, I didn't want the faff of retrieving and resetting the anchor too many times
2 downtide rods out baited with just Squid, then 2 uptiders with Rag/squid heads on each
Not expecting much yet, I put the kettle on
The last uptider to be cast out starting rattling, I wound into it and pulled it in hoping it was a small codling
It wasn't, it was a small strap Conger that broke the surface. So I left it in the tide while I poured my cup of tea (the effing kettle was going like a 70's factory hooter and making sauna of the cabin) then T barred it off to enjoy my cuppa and a rocky bar (chocolate type not caramel)
Next to go was one of the downtiders with another strap, this one a bit better at around 12/14lb. Didn't have chance to Tbar this one, as soon as he/she saw me, it/they turned into a Tasmanian devil and snapped me off. Happily though, both my hooks were left on the swim platform
Not long after I had a small Thornie on the other uptider, quickly followed by a very sizeable dog (though on reflection it may have been a Huss pup)
Pretty much bang on low water the last virgin rod (2nd downtider) made a couple of nods, on bringing this in I was expecting another small strap due to the state of the tide and was pleasantly surprised to see the head of a Codling appear through coffee coloured water
He went 4 and a quarter lb and put a bit of a smile on my face
It also had another baited hook in it's mouth, which looked like a fairly fresh peeler crab that must have come from one of the 3 other boats that were all quite close (I was first out of the locks and everyone followed me to my mark, obviously aware that I know of the guru ghillie that is Jonc and that some of his wisdom has rubbed off on me)
A celebratory cup of tea and another Rocky bar kept me busy until the tide turned and I was now over the honey hole
Now I'll see some action !!!
Loaded all the traces with the various baits and sent them all out and waited
Retrieved, rebaited, cast out and waited
Rinse and repeat x 4
And waited again until 2.45 when I reeled in the untouched baits again, pulled anchor and got the 3.15pm lock back in
What an anticlimax after a good start, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we can't always expect an Aussie jon day
 

Nice one Mike, cracking day and report
Those cuckoo's are beautiful fair play

Yes luke, I've got a similar portfolio 
All taken just off penarth peir

The app is designed for marine applications, so I guess the error is a mix of the time interval of requested info from your phone sat receiver, and how it interprets the information.
The app is probably thinking ‘fuck, this is a fast boat’ !

Only down the blue oyster club. 

No work booked in this week due to being on a training course from Tues to Fri, so kept Mon free just in case......
Didn't make any plans, so didn't ask anyone else, just got up Mon morning and decided to go
Grabbed some dirty squid from the bait freezer, bought some rag on the way down (along with some food) and got to the boat around 10am hoping to get the 10.30 lock out
Had to wait a few extra minutes in the lock for another boat to  join us and was out the other side not long after, ready to make the short steam to a mark wide of the Coral
With only an hour or so before low slack, I decided on anchoring in a position that would sit me over a hole on the flood, expecting the fishing until the turn of the tide to be dire as this ground looked to be featureless. I decided this as, being on my own, I didn't want the faff of retrieving and resetting the anchor too many times
2 downtide rods out baited with just Squid, then 2 uptiders with Rag/squid heads on each
Not expecting much yet, I put the kettle on
The last uptider to be cast out starting rattling, I wound into it and pulled it in hoping it was a small codling
It wasn't, it was a small strap Conger that broke the surface. So I left it in the tide while I poured my cup of tea (the effing kettle was going like a 70's factory hooter and making sauna of the cabin) then T barred it off to enjoy my cuppa and a rocky bar (chocolate type not caramel)
Next to go was one of the downtiders with another strap, this one a bit better at around 12/14lb. Didn't have chance to Tbar this one, as soon as he/she saw me, it/they turned into a Tasmanian devil and snapped me off. Happily though, both my hooks were left on the swim platform
Not long after I had a small Thornie on the other uptider, quickly followed by a very sizeable dog (though on reflection it may have been a Huss pup)
Pretty much bang on low water the last virgin rod (2nd downtider) made a couple of nods, on bringing this in I was expecting another small strap due to the state of the tide and was pleasantly surprised to see the head of a Codling appear through coffee coloured water
He went 4 and a quarter lb and put a bit of a smile on my face
It also had another baited hook in it's mouth, which looked like a fairly fresh peeler crab that must have come from one of the 3 other boats that were all quite close (I was first out of the locks and everyone followed me to my mark, obviously aware that I know of the guru ghillie that is Jonc and that some of his wisdom has rubbed off on me)
A celebratory cup of tea and another Rocky bar kept me busy until the tide turned and I was now over the honey hole
Now I'll see some action !!!
Loaded all the traces with the various baits and sent them all out and waited
Retrieved, rebaited, cast out and waited
Rinse and repeat x 4
And waited again until 2.45 when I reeled in the untouched baits again, pulled anchor and got the 3.15pm lock back in
What an anticlimax after a good start, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we can't always expect an Aussie jon day
 

I know, but surely sharsies!!!

No work booked in this week due to being on a training course from Tues to Fri, so kept Mon free just in case......
Didn't make any plans, so didn't ask anyone else, just got up Mon morning and decided to go
Grabbed some dirty squid from the bait freezer, bought some rag on the way down (along with some food) and got to the boat around 10am hoping to get the 10.30 lock out
Had to wait a few extra minutes in the lock for another boat to  join us and was out the other side not long after, ready to make the short steam to a mark wide of the Coral
With only an hour or so before low slack, I decided on anchoring in a position that would sit me over a hole on the flood, expecting the fishing until the turn of the tide to be dire as this ground looked to be featureless. I decided this as, being on my own, I didn't want the faff of retrieving and resetting the anchor too many times
2 downtide rods out baited with just Squid, then 2 uptiders with Rag/squid heads on each
Not expecting much yet, I put the kettle on
The last uptider to be cast out starting rattling, I wound into it and pulled it in hoping it was a small codling
It wasn't, it was a small strap Conger that broke the surface. So I left it in the tide while I poured my cup of tea (the effing kettle was going like a 70's factory hooter and making sauna of the cabin) then T barred it off to enjoy my cuppa and a rocky bar (chocolate type not caramel)
Next to go was one of the downtiders with another strap, this one a bit better at around 12/14lb. Didn't have chance to Tbar this one, as soon as he/she saw me, it/they turned into a Tasmanian devil and snapped me off. Happily though, both my hooks were left on the swim platform
Not long after I had a small Thornie on the other uptider, quickly followed by a very sizeable dog (though on reflection it may have been a Huss pup)
Pretty much bang on low water the last virgin rod (2nd downtider) made a couple of nods, on bringing this in I was expecting another small strap due to the state of the tide and was pleasantly surprised to see the head of a Codling appear through coffee coloured water
He went 4 and a quarter lb and put a bit of a smile on my face
It also had another baited hook in it's mouth, which looked like a fairly fresh peeler crab that must have come from one of the 3 other boats that were all quite close (I was first out of the locks and everyone followed me to my mark, obviously aware that I know of the guru ghillie that is Jonc and that some of his wisdom has rubbed off on me)
A celebratory cup of tea and another Rocky bar kept me busy until the tide turned and I was now over the honey hole
Now I'll see some action !!!
Loaded all the traces with the various baits and sent them all out and waited
Retrieved, rebaited, cast out and waited
Rinse and repeat x 4
And waited again until 2.45 when I reeled in the untouched baits again, pulled anchor and got the 3.15pm lock back in
What an anticlimax after a good start, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we can't always expect an Aussie jon day
 

up the usk mate

I know, but surely sharsies!!!

great report again jonny boy  i have been working on my boat going back in tomorrow mornig  hopefully last of the big tides up our club until the end of august  so dont want to be stuck on the slipway until then hope to have some catch reports soon