Popular Post jonnyswamp Posted August 22 Popular Post Share Posted August 22 The owner of the resort also has a 12m cat he charters out to the better, further away marks where the small, self drive boats aren't allowed to go Its around 30 miles and apparently you aren't insured that far out, so charter is the only way and was highly recommended A late start at 12.30 due to offshore winds early on and after a near 2 hr steam, we're dropping onto a huge reef system that can be drifted for a few hrs at a time with the right winds A couple of winds up on my first drop produced this Deck hand Dave estimated at low 20's, who am I to argue This was the stamp of fish that we were all catching on pretty much every drop, fair play they go like a train when they take the lure After half a dozen of these, I sent a dead bait down, hoping for a big Cod or a Halibut After about an hour and 3 bait changes, all I had caught was a Torsk (bastard fish) because that's what you call them when you see they're not a Cod or Coalie, had a few decent tugs, but couldn't connect and watching the rest of the boys pulling in fish in the mid 20's I was getting a bit tetchy, so went back to lures In the mean time, Will had hooked and landed a Cod of 52lb, which unfortunately didn't go back, but would be given to some locals as is the case if they're too damaged and not wanted by the angler I haven't got a pic of him holding it, so this will have to do I had a couple of high teens and early 20lb Cod on a 9" lead headed lure (similar to a Sidewinder in design) so thought I'd try the biggest in the box and just target Cod This was what the Norway veterans called "cut baits" mine was an imitation Puffin around a foot long !!! Sent it down and they were hitting it as soon as it hit the bottom, plenty of the same size as earlier (huge for over here, just run of the mill over there) I was hit by another 20lb + (or so I thought) and when the lunges became a bit more severe and line was being stripped off my reel, I was hoping this was something a bit better It was, it was a 50 + 56lb 6oz and my PB ( a never to be beaten PB unless I go back out in 2026) Because all fish are pulled up slowly and allowed to expel air as soon as you can see them (farting them) about 5/10 meters down, the majority go back unharmed like torpedos, This one also went back, seemingly none the worse for seeing my ugly mug, which is nearly as satisfying as catching it Though, when I saw the size of it under the water, my arse was twitching a bit thinking that at any second i was going to loose it 2 drops later using the same method, I was hit by something bigger/stronger that I got up off the bottom by a few meters, only to watch my reel release a few more Played tug of war for a few minutes and started gaining, then watched my reel give out more line than I had initially reeled in So started the battle again and managed to get it, probably, 30m up after another 10 mins or so Then I just went light and the expletives were ringing out Whatever it was ( Cod or Halibut) was certainly a good fish Got the lure to the surface and could see that my line had wrapped around the gape of the hook, probably disgorging the fish it fought Ah well, there's always next time...... A pic of the lures we were using, with a 6" sidewinder for scale I also caught a small, 5/6 lber on the Puffin lure, greedy buggers A few other photos from the charter day and earlier Had this view from our lodge a few mornings To sum up my view, not as busy as I was told it would be, high water temps probably didn't help, the charter boat is a must if you go out there But still very good fishing compared to what we have here I will probably go back in 2026, 2025 fully booked Andy135, Saintly Fish, RogB and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDP Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 (edited) What depth are you fishing 30 miles out as your jig heads look quite small. Its not just the air in the swim bladder, Ive seen studies where small air bubbles cause brain haemorrhaging and a slow death in some released fish, do you know if these have been studied in regards to survival rates. Looks like an awesome trip. Love the fact he has a big aircon unit for the cab. Edited August 22 by JDP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daio web Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 great report and pics fish of a lifetime congrats mate 👍 jonnyswamp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyswamp Posted August 23 Author Share Posted August 23 10 hours ago, JDP said: What depth are you fishing 30 miles out as your jig heads look quite small. Its not just the air in the swim bladder, Ive seen studies where small air bubbles cause brain haemorrhaging and a slow death in some released fish, do you know if these have been studied in regards to survival rates. Looks like an awesome trip. Love the fact he has a big aircon unit for the cab. Around 40m depth, don't know about specific studies re survival rates JDP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 Awesome, I presume that you got sore arms from the fighting jonnyswamp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 Cracking fishing…. Will make a winter in Cardiff look a bit tame 🫣🫣😮😮 Love the plaice too a right lump 😍😍 Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyswamp Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 On 8/23/2024 at 11:33 AM, Odyssey said: Cracking fishing…. Will make a winter in Cardiff look a bit tame 🫣🫣😮😮 Love the plaice too a right lump 😍😍 I think it'll make most places look a bit tame now 😢 The Plaice was a middle of the road size for over there, the boys had some right lumps last year of just under 8lb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted August 25 Share Posted August 25 On 8/24/2024 at 1:26 PM, jonnyswamp said: I think it'll make most places look a bit tame now 😢 The Plaice was a middle of the road size for over there, the boys had some right lumps last year of just under 8lb Nice day out, crisp winter morning, sunshine, pot noodle in hand (I’d prefer a bacon sandwich) and the channel is still lovely 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike farrants Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 Wow - what an excellent trip! amazing fish! Andy135 and jonnyswamp 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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