jonnyswamp

Cracking forecast and good tide, be a fool not to go
The future sons in law mentioned a week or so ago that none of them had ever been boat fishing before (2 had never been sea fishing at all) so I said anytime you all want to go, we'll get something sorted, also I never asked you as I never thought they were interested
Jeez, we've been waiting years for you to ask us, they said in unison
So today was the day
Got the 8am lock out to a flat sea and sunshine, didn't want to punch the tide and head West (would've preferred Aberthaw area, but hey ho they were happy to be out) so settled into a mark out on the coral
Can usually guarantee fish here (except for 3 trips earlier in the hear when not even a bite was found on all 3 days)
Anchor down and set them all up with a downtide rod each, did a short baiting up and dropping off the back demonstration (the trotting back in the tide would be lesson 2)
I set up 3 uptiders and got them in the water, nominating 1 for myself and the other 2 being pool rods which would be taken in turn whenever a bite materialised
Bait was a 5lb box of Calamari and some frozen local caught mackerel from a few weeks ago
2 Metre  Jack was first in with a small dog, followed by a small Spotted Ray on his next drop, both on his own rod
To say he was buzzing would be the understatement of the year, 1 for actually catching a fish and 2 for beating the other 2 for the first fish, not necessarily in that order either
Next up was Owen with a small dog, also on his own rod 
After couple of missed bites, Justin got his first, a strap Conger that he thought was huge
I had a dog or 2 in between baiting up, netting and casting out (none of them fancied casting, as they were getting the odd nest just dropping down)
Mission accomplished as they'd all caught and had turned into excited 7 yr olds 🤣
It went a bit quiet and as the tide had eased a bit, I thought I'd try and get them on a some Blondes
Anchor up (from inside the cabin I might add, as my invention is still doing the business) and we moved up to the top end of a large sandbank a mile or so off Cardiff that usually produces some good Rays
Good move, as no sooner were the baits down, Jack was into what was obviously a nice Ray
It was indeed a Ray, but only around 8lb and it came in tail wrapped
This was the story for the rest of the morning/early afternoon, with the size of them getting steadily bigger
Ran out of bait and got the 2.45 inbound lock to make it home before 4 👍
Having 2 and 3 fish on at a time kept me busy and even my rod turned into a pool rod as they were just loving it
Watching them get the bug absolutely made my day and they're all good blokes as well, which is a massive bonus these days
Don't think I'll ever be short of crew now
A couple of pics of a great day
Owen with his first Shark
Justin, Jack and Owen with 3 decent doubles
Jack and Owen in sync
In amongst baiting up, casting, netting and making tea
I did manage a few
 

I actually had factor 50 on 🤣

Cracking forecast and good tide, be a fool not to go
The future sons in law mentioned a week or so ago that none of them had ever been boat fishing before (2 had never been sea fishing at all) so I said anytime you all want to go, we'll get something sorted, also I never asked you as I never thought they were interested
Jeez, we've been waiting years for you to ask us, they said in unison
So today was the day
Got the 8am lock out to a flat sea and sunshine, didn't want to punch the tide and head West (would've preferred Aberthaw area, but hey ho they were happy to be out) so settled into a mark out on the coral
Can usually guarantee fish here (except for 3 trips earlier in the hear when not even a bite was found on all 3 days)
Anchor down and set them all up with a downtide rod each, did a short baiting up and dropping off the back demonstration (the trotting back in the tide would be lesson 2)
I set up 3 uptiders and got them in the water, nominating 1 for myself and the other 2 being pool rods which would be taken in turn whenever a bite materialised
Bait was a 5lb box of Calamari and some frozen local caught mackerel from a few weeks ago
2 Metre  Jack was first in with a small dog, followed by a small Spotted Ray on his next drop, both on his own rod
To say he was buzzing would be the understatement of the year, 1 for actually catching a fish and 2 for beating the other 2 for the first fish, not necessarily in that order either
Next up was Owen with a small dog, also on his own rod 
After couple of missed bites, Justin got his first, a strap Conger that he thought was huge
I had a dog or 2 in between baiting up, netting and casting out (none of them fancied casting, as they were getting the odd nest just dropping down)
Mission accomplished as they'd all caught and had turned into excited 7 yr olds 🤣
It went a bit quiet and as the tide had eased a bit, I thought I'd try and get them on a some Blondes
Anchor up (from inside the cabin I might add, as my invention is still doing the business) and we moved up to the top end of a large sandbank a mile or so off Cardiff that usually produces some good Rays
Good move, as no sooner were the baits down, Jack was into what was obviously a nice Ray
It was indeed a Ray, but only around 8lb and it came in tail wrapped
This was the story for the rest of the morning/early afternoon, with the size of them getting steadily bigger
Ran out of bait and got the 2.45 inbound lock to make it home before 4 👍
Having 2 and 3 fish on at a time kept me busy and even my rod turned into a pool rod as they were just loving it
Watching them get the bug absolutely made my day and they're all good blokes as well, which is a massive bonus these days
Don't think I'll ever be short of crew now
A couple of pics of a great day
Owen with his first Shark
Justin, Jack and Owen with 3 decent doubles
Jack and Owen in sync
In amongst baiting up, casting, netting and making tea
I did manage a few
 

Cracking forecast and good tide, be a fool not to go
The future sons in law mentioned a week or so ago that none of them had ever been boat fishing before (2 had never been sea fishing at all) so I said anytime you all want to go, we'll get something sorted, also I never asked you as I never thought they were interested
Jeez, we've been waiting years for you to ask us, they said in unison
So today was the day
Got the 8am lock out to a flat sea and sunshine, didn't want to punch the tide and head West (would've preferred Aberthaw area, but hey ho they were happy to be out) so settled into a mark out on the coral
Can usually guarantee fish here (except for 3 trips earlier in the hear when not even a bite was found on all 3 days)
Anchor down and set them all up with a downtide rod each, did a short baiting up and dropping off the back demonstration (the trotting back in the tide would be lesson 2)
I set up 3 uptiders and got them in the water, nominating 1 for myself and the other 2 being pool rods which would be taken in turn whenever a bite materialised
Bait was a 5lb box of Calamari and some frozen local caught mackerel from a few weeks ago
2 Metre  Jack was first in with a small dog, followed by a small Spotted Ray on his next drop, both on his own rod
To say he was buzzing would be the understatement of the year, 1 for actually catching a fish and 2 for beating the other 2 for the first fish, not necessarily in that order either
Next up was Owen with a small dog, also on his own rod 
After couple of missed bites, Justin got his first, a strap Conger that he thought was huge
I had a dog or 2 in between baiting up, netting and casting out (none of them fancied casting, as they were getting the odd nest just dropping down)
Mission accomplished as they'd all caught and had turned into excited 7 yr olds 🤣
It went a bit quiet and as the tide had eased a bit, I thought I'd try and get them on a some Blondes
Anchor up (from inside the cabin I might add, as my invention is still doing the business) and we moved up to the top end of a large sandbank a mile or so off Cardiff that usually produces some good Rays
Good move, as no sooner were the baits down, Jack was into what was obviously a nice Ray
It was indeed a Ray, but only around 8lb and it came in tail wrapped
This was the story for the rest of the morning/early afternoon, with the size of them getting steadily bigger
Ran out of bait and got the 2.45 inbound lock to make it home before 4 👍
Having 2 and 3 fish on at a time kept me busy and even my rod turned into a pool rod as they were just loving it
Watching them get the bug absolutely made my day and they're all good blokes as well, which is a massive bonus these days
Don't think I'll ever be short of crew now
A couple of pics of a great day
Owen with his first Shark
Justin, Jack and Owen with 3 decent doubles
Jack and Owen in sync
In amongst baiting up, casting, netting and making tea
I did manage a few
 

If the weather holds, I will be going there on Sunday.
Usually the keepers vs returns works out at about 70 /30 for us, but we don't keep anything under 35cm
Those that use worm and small baits tend to get the smaller fish, we use large cocktail fish baits

Westher looking good for weekend 🙂 hopefully it holds for us all 

I was left doing duties helping out transport for old people I somehow ended up volunteering for 😐
While once again my daughter headed off in search of some more tuna for smoking. I bet the wind will blow its bum off when I get chance to head offshore. Hopefully some big tuna heading up the coast behind the first run of smaller ones. 

 


 

Southampton 👍

Christ, haven't smashed a mirror have you ?

The weather has improved so a solo trip to the wrecks with Bass as the target.
launched at 7ish into a flat sea and hauled my arse out to a wreck at 15 miles in 200ft that normally holds bass. 
There was already a rod line/ potter commercial on the wreck, but also very friendly which is good. Surprisingly it was at least a fish a drift, pout, coalfish, scad, pollock, and Bass.
I had a few bass and was playing ‘change the bucket’ to keep them alive to select the biggest and I kept 2 at 53 / 54cm.
Annoyingly, I hooked and lost (after a decent fight) what I suspect to be a largish bass, experience suggests 8lb plus, but the hook pulled. The fish were only taking small 115mm lures, so small 2/0 hooks.
spent 3 hours on the wreck, then I noticed the swell was increasing and shortening, so time to come back in. 
A very pleasant morning ………..and it was nice to see a coalfish, even though only 2lb ish
couple of pics
A 53cm Bass

A tiddler Pollock

Should have steamed over this side, they're having it off down Minehead way 🤣🤣

A look at the tides and weather Thursday swayed me towards a trip heading West towards Nash for a crack at some Bass
Just myself and Nipper onboard and was through the lock with hardly time to tie up as it coincided with high water
The forecast was chance of a bit of drizzle and 6/7 knot winds early on, dropping off in the afternoon
The sea started off choppy and by the time we got to Barry we were down to around 12 knots as the swells were getting worse
The wind was supposed to be N Westerly and light, they were closer to 20 and from the West, which wasn't pleasant and against the now ebbing tide
We got as far as Fontygary and gave up on Nash as it would've been pretty much unfishable
We tucked in out of the wind and drifted for a while, picking up half a dozen small Scad and a few Mackerel
After about half an hour or so, the wind buggered off and the sea flattened, so back to plan A
We tried in tight, out wide and every where inbetween, nothing, not even bait fish there
Made our way back up the coast, stopping for a drift here and there without much success, then saw a small Wilson type in close pulling up a string of mackerel
We picked up some Macks here for the bait freezer, then headed up to the Coral to anchor up for the last hour
Here we had 3 Blondes to 14lb and a shed load of dogs, Nipper had the Blondes and I had the dogs (pretty much the story of my teens) and got the 3.15 lock back in
So no luck with the Bass, have they followed the bat fish out to deeper waters ?
Coming back up past the Knap I spotted what may have been @daio web ?
I did give a toot of the horn, but only one trumpet works and it aint very loud
 

The further West we went, the fish became scarcer
Another waste of fuel 😪

A look at the tides and weather Thursday swayed me towards a trip heading West towards Nash for a crack at some Bass
Just myself and Nipper onboard and was through the lock with hardly time to tie up as it coincided with high water
The forecast was chance of a bit of drizzle and 6/7 knot winds early on, dropping off in the afternoon
The sea started off choppy and by the time we got to Barry we were down to around 12 knots as the swells were getting worse
The wind was supposed to be N Westerly and light, they were closer to 20 and from the West, which wasn't pleasant and against the now ebbing tide
We got as far as Fontygary and gave up on Nash as it would've been pretty much unfishable
We tucked in out of the wind and drifted for a while, picking up half a dozen small Scad and a few Mackerel
After about half an hour or so, the wind buggered off and the sea flattened, so back to plan A
We tried in tight, out wide and every where inbetween, nothing, not even bait fish there
Made our way back up the coast, stopping for a drift here and there without much success, then saw a small Wilson type in close pulling up a string of mackerel
We picked up some Macks here for the bait freezer, then headed up to the Coral to anchor up for the last hour
Here we had 3 Blondes to 14lb and a shed load of dogs, Nipper had the Blondes and I had the dogs (pretty much the story of my teens) and got the 3.15 lock back in
So no luck with the Bass, have they followed the bat fish out to deeper waters ?
Coming back up past the Knap I spotted what may have been @daio web ?
I did give a toot of the horn, but only one trumpet works and it aint very loud
 

Plenty of fish and Cod for tea, result !

A look at the tides and weather Thursday swayed me towards a trip heading West towards Nash for a crack at some Bass
Just myself and Nipper onboard and was through the lock with hardly time to tie up as it coincided with high water
The forecast was chance of a bit of drizzle and 6/7 knot winds early on, dropping off in the afternoon
The sea started off choppy and by the time we got to Barry we were down to around 12 knots as the swells were getting worse
The wind was supposed to be N Westerly and light, they were closer to 20 and from the West, which wasn't pleasant and against the now ebbing tide
We got as far as Fontygary and gave up on Nash as it would've been pretty much unfishable
We tucked in out of the wind and drifted for a while, picking up half a dozen small Scad and a few Mackerel
After about half an hour or so, the wind buggered off and the sea flattened, so back to plan A
We tried in tight, out wide and every where inbetween, nothing, not even bait fish there
Made our way back up the coast, stopping for a drift here and there without much success, then saw a small Wilson type in close pulling up a string of mackerel
We picked up some Macks here for the bait freezer, then headed up to the Coral to anchor up for the last hour
Here we had 3 Blondes to 14lb and a shed load of dogs, Nipper had the Blondes and I had the dogs (pretty much the story of my teens) and got the 3.15 lock back in
So no luck with the Bass, have they followed the bat fish out to deeper waters ?
Coming back up past the Knap I spotted what may have been @daio web ?
I did give a toot of the horn, but only one trumpet works and it aint very loud
 

A look at the tides and weather Thursday swayed me towards a trip heading West towards Nash for a crack at some Bass
Just myself and Nipper onboard and was through the lock with hardly time to tie up as it coincided with high water
The forecast was chance of a bit of drizzle and 6/7 knot winds early on, dropping off in the afternoon
The sea started off choppy and by the time we got to Barry we were down to around 12 knots as the swells were getting worse
The wind was supposed to be N Westerly and light, they were closer to 20 and from the West, which wasn't pleasant and against the now ebbing tide
We got as far as Fontygary and gave up on Nash as it would've been pretty much unfishable
We tucked in out of the wind and drifted for a while, picking up half a dozen small Scad and a few Mackerel
After about half an hour or so, the wind buggered off and the sea flattened, so back to plan A
We tried in tight, out wide and every where inbetween, nothing, not even bait fish there
Made our way back up the coast, stopping for a drift here and there without much success, then saw a small Wilson type in close pulling up a string of mackerel
We picked up some Macks here for the bait freezer, then headed up to the Coral to anchor up for the last hour
Here we had 3 Blondes to 14lb and a shed load of dogs, Nipper had the Blondes and I had the dogs (pretty much the story of my teens) and got the 3.15 lock back in
So no luck with the Bass, have they followed the bat fish out to deeper waters ?
Coming back up past the Knap I spotted what may have been @daio web ?
I did give a toot of the horn, but only one trumpet works and it aint very loud
 

All over the bay. We had 2 in the entrances then 2 at 5 miles out in 80ft water! It’s just they tend to concentrate in the tidal flow of the entrances! 

He bought Celtic Wikdcat (used to be in Neyland) 2 years ago…. He took a winter to fit new engines and then wanted to sell the cougar…. Which took a while as was asking quite a bit. He then dropped the price a few times 

Yeah is a rarity to look like that out there
glad you got out. Mind you better for sharking with a blow.
 
I’m not sure how long the ban is in got but I dread to think what not having it does to the population every spawning season nets everywhere… I know that’s rabbit hole of ‘each person got to make a living’ but purely from a conservation perspective.
if they can keep it an annual spawning season ban… well it just makes perfect sense.
 

Me and Jon C entered Brightlingsea Boat Comp on Sunday, the tide was awful, the sea conditions were terrible and the weather was crap but despite that Jon C won a £50 chandler voucher with best unusual catch which was an 8lb Stingray, we both enjoyed the 3 hour raffle after as well which meant we missed all the football but we made great use of Jon C’s Willy Wang Air horn abusing Bradwell beach goers as we passed them.

another good forecast saw us head out again - usual mark this time and 4 of us. 
Mackerel were hard to find across all 3 of portlands entrances - with only 2 in the bucket after an hour we went to the mark.
were were either fishing big baits for rays/huss/eels or small baits for Bream etc. 
I had a couple of lovely bull huss, and a small but lively tope. 


plenty of dogs and eels too. 
big baits were getting stripped by the bream so you knew when you had no bait left as the rattles stopped - on one occasion I was reeling in an empty hook and a mackerel took it on the way up - an empty hook perfectly set in its mouth! 
Tim also caught some mackerel pout and scad to top up the fresh bait
he was on the bream and must have had 20+ of varying sizes. 
he got in amongst the big fish too....

his sons had thornies, eels, bream and dogs  
fish for the day included
Bull huss, Thornbacks, bream, Tope, Mackerel, Scad, Pout, Conger, and dogs 

Did think about it, but the amount of boats heading down that way on the morning meant it would've been like the M25 at rush hour
Had the Foreland trip planned for a couple of weeks
In hindsight, Nash would've probably been more productive

Glad you’re getting it sorted, I’m a Simrad person (boats I buy come with Simrad) so sorry I wasn’t more use, hope you get it sorted in time for the cod season, we need all the help we can get after last year 😂