Plaicehunter

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

A couple of recent bass on topwaters: 53cm on a Patchinko 140 and a 55cm on a Spittin' Wire.
Fine fat fish carefully returned. 

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

In my local estuary, if I get a decent fish it's usually the only one of the day. So when my Patchinko 125 disappeared in an explosion of spray on the third cast this morning, I wasn't expecting much further action. The fish fought hard but my main concern was floating weed building up on the line. It was scary trying to remove it with one hand while keeping tension on the fish because I fish barbless and allowing slack in the line often results in the hooks falling out. However, all went well and a lovely plump fish of 58cm came safely aboard.
My next bass on the Patch was about half a pound, and as the flood tide increased there were no further takes. In this situation, fishing over maybe four feet of water, the answer proved to be a Hound Glide in Cotton Candy, which showed up well in the slightly stained water. I'd hardly moved the lure a yard on the first cast when the rod crashed round and the reel screamed and screamed. The bass then kited round in the tide and spent the next few minutes thudding away under the boat. When it surfaced alongside I saw it was hooked on one prong of the middle treble but the de-barbed Decoy held and with relief I guided the fish into my big net. 
It's surprising how much difference 9cm in length makes to the bulk of a fish. This one was much bigger than the first at 67cm and probably around 7.5lb, lovely chunky specimen. After recovering in a tub of seawater, a quick snap and measure and it was back over the side and swimming away strongly.
Seven more bass completed the session, though they were very modest schoolies.
I've now had 14 fish of 40cm or more from this general area this season in amongst many schoolies and a few blanks.
Strangely enough, three of them taped out at 67cm, and you have to wonder....

Recently I visited the Green Boat Show in my home city of Plymouth.
Although I don't own a green boat (!) I wanted to look at an electric outboard before finally committing to buying one.
The ePropulsion 1.0 Spirit Plus is not a trolling motor, though you could use it for trolling. It has the power equivalent of a 3.5hp petrol outboard. Because I don't use my current four-stroke 5hp auxiliary as much as I should, it is often difficult to start, which discourages me from using it - a real vicious circle. As an auxiliary which won't start in an emergency isn't much use, I'm going electric, which should be ultra-reliable. It will also enable me to move my boat around quietly in the shallow waters I often fish.
The integral battery is easily removable and floats if dropped in the oggin, so I will be taking it home to recharge. I had thought of getting a solar panel and leaving it in the boat, but figure an electric outboard without the £800 battery is less tempting to thieves!
I'm excited about my new engine, which should arrive from the USA in the next week or two. Once it is on the boat and I've given it a good trial I will review it here.  

I researched both the German-made Torquedo and the US-made ePropulsion. Several things decided me: the ePropulsion has a higher capacity battery and the battery unit floats if you drop it in water. Since my battery will be going ashore after each trip, using my rubber dinghy, there is a chance it will get a dunking at some point. Also, the ePropulsion has a single stainless steel power connector, while the Torquedo has two connectors made of plastic. There's not much difference in price, so I went for the motor with the better spec.
It hasn't arrived yet, but I will post a full report when I have given it a good test.

Recently I visited the Green Boat Show in my home city of Plymouth.
Although I don't own a green boat (!) I wanted to look at an electric outboard before finally committing to buying one.
The ePropulsion 1.0 Spirit Plus is not a trolling motor, though you could use it for trolling. It has the power equivalent of a 3.5hp petrol outboard. Because I don't use my current four-stroke 5hp auxiliary as much as I should, it is often difficult to start, which discourages me from using it - a real vicious circle. As an auxiliary which won't start in an emergency isn't much use, I'm going electric, which should be ultra-reliable. It will also enable me to move my boat around quietly in the shallow waters I often fish.
The integral battery is easily removable and floats if dropped in the oggin, so I will be taking it home to recharge. I had thought of getting a solar panel and leaving it in the boat, but figure an electric outboard without the £800 battery is less tempting to thieves!
I'm excited about my new engine, which should arrive from the USA in the next week or two. Once it is on the boat and I've given it a good trial I will review it here.  

Recently I visited the Green Boat Show in my home city of Plymouth.
Although I don't own a green boat (!) I wanted to look at an electric outboard before finally committing to buying one.
The ePropulsion 1.0 Spirit Plus is not a trolling motor, though you could use it for trolling. It has the power equivalent of a 3.5hp petrol outboard. Because I don't use my current four-stroke 5hp auxiliary as much as I should, it is often difficult to start, which discourages me from using it - a real vicious circle. As an auxiliary which won't start in an emergency isn't much use, I'm going electric, which should be ultra-reliable. It will also enable me to move my boat around quietly in the shallow waters I often fish.
The integral battery is easily removable and floats if dropped in the oggin, so I will be taking it home to recharge. I had thought of getting a solar panel and leaving it in the boat, but figure an electric outboard without the £800 battery is less tempting to thieves!
I'm excited about my new engine, which should arrive from the USA in the next week or two. Once it is on the boat and I've given it a good trial I will review it here.  

Recently I visited the Green Boat Show in my home city of Plymouth.
Although I don't own a green boat (!) I wanted to look at an electric outboard before finally committing to buying one.
The ePropulsion 1.0 Spirit Plus is not a trolling motor, though you could use it for trolling. It has the power equivalent of a 3.5hp petrol outboard. Because I don't use my current four-stroke 5hp auxiliary as much as I should, it is often difficult to start, which discourages me from using it - a real vicious circle. As an auxiliary which won't start in an emergency isn't much use, I'm going electric, which should be ultra-reliable. It will also enable me to move my boat around quietly in the shallow waters I often fish.
The integral battery is easily removable and floats if dropped in the oggin, so I will be taking it home to recharge. I had thought of getting a solar panel and leaving it in the boat, but figure an electric outboard without the £800 battery is less tempting to thieves!
I'm excited about my new engine, which should arrive from the USA in the next week or two. Once it is on the boat and I've given it a good trial I will review it here.  

Having been fishing on Tuesday...and Wednesday...and yesterday...and today, and with the forecast being wet and windy tomorrow, I'm having a day off to sort out my gear and write up my diary. Before I retired it seemed the good weather always happens during the week while I was working. Having put in my 50 years I can strongly recommend retirement! PH

Apologies for the duplicated report. I got a bit excited!
I weighed the fish in a wet sling but only on a spring balance with 8oz gradations. It was somewhere between 10.5lb and 11lb. I think later in the year and in peak condition it would have gone nearly 13lb. It had a massive frame and the tail was a real paddle. PH

My boat is pretty stable, but there was plenty of rock and roll this morning on my local estuary, with a vicious wind battering against the flooding tide.
After two hours, one move and many lure changes, I finally felt a bump on my Megabass Flatbacker. The fish didn't stick, and a schoolie hooked a few casts later came unstuck, but it was vaguely encouraging.
Suddenly the lure stopped with a bang and a heavy fish tore off downtide with the reel wailing.
My main concern was the bass coming off, as I fish barbless, but I convinced myself that if I kept a tight line it would be OK.
Eventually the fish stopped and I began to work it back amid several more runs.
Then it surfaced in a mighty swirl, there was a lot of head-shaking, a tail like a shovel waved me goodbye and it tore off again.
All the time I was talking to the fish, telling it I wasn't going to hurt it and that I would put it back.
Eventually it surfaced and I saw for the first time how big it was. At least if it fell off now I would know what I'd lost!
Fortunately it didn't come off, I didn't bungle the netting and one of  the biggest bass I've ever seen was heaved aboard.
The lure fell out in the net and I transferred the fish into a big garden bin of sea water I keep on board. Only the front half fitted in, but at least it could breathe while I sorted out the equipment.
My new red metre ruler was unfolded and the fish measured at a mighty 80cm, nose to tail-tip. It eclipsed my previous one, a fish of 8lb 6oz caught last year not far away.
I desperately wanted the bass to swim away strongly and it did, none the worse for its brief encounter with me.
A new personal best and a fabulous fish which I'll never forget!
 

Having been fishing on Tuesday...and Wednesday...and yesterday...and today, and with the forecast being wet and windy tomorrow, I'm having a day off to sort out my gear and write up my diary. Before I retired it seemed the good weather always happens during the week while I was working. Having put in my 50 years I can strongly recommend retirement! PH