Anglers Afloat Tournament...21/07/07

First of all, thanks for setting up a tournament once again Starvin’, a cracking excuse to get out, and even my wife was agreeable to me spending the whole day going fishing instead of taking care of my family responsibilities. I was even excused my husbandry responsibilities on my return at 11:30 last night! Yes, I shall do the washing up this morning.

I set my alarm for 6am. This is a time I remember from years ago, a most uncivilised time frequented by drunks emerging from hedgerows and horrifying creatures of the night returning to bed. As it was I woke up shortly beforehand and surprisingly managed to get out of bed – without waking my wife up too! I switched the alarm off, although it went off while I was drinking coffee and reading about Neil’s fantastic success – I was going to be hard-pressed to top that.

I’d had a think about what I might be able to catch: my predatory Pike and Perch, the usual Roach and Rudd, Eels, Ruffe and Gudgeon, a Chub or Tench might make a welcome appearance (I’ve caught neither) maybe a Bream and possibly a wild Carp. Perhaps a Dace or Bleak might appear but I don’t think they make much of an appearance here – Trout and salmon certainly don’t! There was also the possibility (though very remote) of getting some Minnows and Bullheads, but I didn’t find any. So there were some possibilities to do well, but some were in the realms of fantasy. I could see seven that were possible.

I was armed with my two spinning rods and reels but had added a box of coarse tackle bought especially – legers, floats, swimfeeders, split shot, microscopic hooks and some 3lb line to use as a leader. Not ideally suited for general coarse fishing but it would be fun and I really do not need anymore rods.

So, around 6:15 I left the house in sunshine armed with a tub of maggots and my Prowler and headed for Geldeston, a nice launch point with cracking amounts and varieties of fish and a d**ned fine pub to boot. I had to be home by 11:30 so this launch would see me out for around 4 hours. Nearly there it occurred to me that the access gate on the dirt track would likely be closed, so I diverted to the River Waveney at Ellingham – again an easy launch point and a very pleasant stretch of river. It ad started to drizzle in the last few miles but this stopped by the time I was unloaded and on the bank – I had cloudy blue skies and sunshine all day with a bit of wind but nothing too bad (So glad Richi chose the date this time!!) Neither of these places are open to motorised boat traffic, so the water is clear, weedy and teeming with fish.

Unloaded and all tackled up I launched. Fishfinder was U/S through the batteries having died – not needed anyway, just curious as to the depth here.



I paddled for around 15 minutes to a mark which I had previously spotted (last summer) a huge shoal of big Bream. Being a tree overhanging the waters edge made it interesting anyway as these are favoured spots of Perch and Pike – using them as ambush points – and other fish as cover from those, herons and other predators. I’d got nothing on the troll, and with the amounts of weed about only ¼ of the length could be trolled anyway.



Sticking 3 red maggots onto a size 18 hook I cast about 2ft out from the tree. The float bobbed almost straight away and then went under – I struck and was into something very good – certainly a few pounds worth. Maybe 10 seconds in and the hooklength snapped – size 18 hooks have very light line tied as hooklengths. I tried again, same thing happened and I loosened the clutch right off. Maybe 30 seconds or so and the hook came free. nuts! What they were I do not know – in that water either chub, Bream or Carp. I cast out again and had my first boated fish: my first Chub, a juvenile:



I caught a dozen more, similar size, and missed loads of bites then dropped the float down to raise the bait in the water. Immediately the float hit the water it bobbed and went under. I was now into the Rudd. Similar in size to the Chub I caught a bunch of these with a few more Chub thrown in. Still not picking up anything different I decided to move for the last hour of this session.



Trolling the weedless stretches with a Shakespeare Big S (blue Mackerel Pattern) saw no takes. Stopping amongst lilies to reel in until the next clear stretch I saw a massive swirl as a pike lunged – and missed. Reeling in some more the myopic fish managed to miss it again! It seemed to be in the 6-8lb region. A few casts produced nothing except one follow at which a smaller fish – maybe 4lb – made a run and veered away at the last minute – I saw it clearly and I suspect he saw me too! A change of lures – first to a Perch Pattern of the Big S and subsequently a Rapala Surface Popper in Perch Pattern. No more action.



About five more minutes of paddling saw me by another tree under which I cast the maggots with a size 18 hook. Immediately I had a run from another large fish which was on for a good minute before again snapping my hook link, disappearing once again unseen. I was bloody livid by this time! On went a size 8 and a bunch of maggots and I repeated the success of reeling in loads of small Chub and Rudd.

I paddled back with no hits on the lure rod and set off home to make a picnic and go to the zoo with my wife and girls (we only have the one car you see). Two species caught, 1 missed.

Manoeuvring the situation effectively I deposited them and saw them through the gates before heading back to get my rods and maggots (in the fridge) and hit the River Hundred, which runs through marshes along the bottom edge of the zoo. It was here I’d fished in the winter competition and caught the 10lb Pike that had taken 3rd place in the AA vs. KFDU competition. I figured luck might come my way again in the two hours before fetching the girls back.

I launched from a bridge straddling the main A12 into a river covered by lilies. Apart from a few small areas there wasn’t a lot of clear water so I headed downriver to where I knew I’d find some trees – hoping that the water would be clearer here. It was.



Down went the float rod and maggots and up came a stripy little Perch. Another tiddler and another species.



I pulled out a couple more and moved further down to the corner my pike had come from. Here, on the bend, there were a few clear patches and I dropped down onto immediate bites. Another Perch came up followed by a handful of juvenile Roach.



Time ran out after a pleasant time here and I went to fetch the girls. 2 more species bringing me up to 4. Instead of meeting where agreed, however, I had to go and find them. Following the sound of the jungle drums (a typically Suffolk thing) I found them watching the Zulu dancing and had to remain for half an hour. Not a problem as it’s a good show. It also gave me the opportunity to nick loads of delicious cherries off the trees by the place they use!

Herein lay another bit of smart manoeuvring. The family were off to a friend’s house for coffee and cake (they’d taken the daughter with them to the zoo) and I managed to get dropped off at Oulton Broad for a couple of hours more fishing. I really cannot believe my luck this weekend!! Anyway, I launched and went looking for the Pike – this being my usual spot and being one that usually produces. Not today though and I gave up trolling, after snapping a rod while trying to lift a lure out of a snag (got it in the end though)



I then stuck some maggots on for some more species whilst chucking a lure out now and again. Just a few small juvenile Roach (and a possible Dace but I’m not convinced so won’t claim it) came to my hand before my wife called to say she was back to pick me up. I didn’t blank, but neither did I add to the species list. It was then time to go back, have dinner and get the kids ready for bed.



Back out for my fourth launch, and back to the River Waveney – this time at Beccles. This has a stretch that often produces a Pike on the troll but this time resulted in a Dory. Not the fish but the boat. Anyway, I anchored up in a bay a mile down from the launch point by a bridge where I used to fish as a teenager. I’d seen a decent fish jump there too and the water was high which is ideal for lure chucking here.

I cast the Blue Mackerel Shakespeare Big S and wound it in. Maybe five turns after starting and it was hit.



It’s easy to forget the power of river Pike against those from the Broad – and this one fought a hell of a lot more than its size would suggest. I didn’t weigh it, didn’t even lift it right out of the water, unhooking over the side. Around the 4-5lb mark and in beautiful condition I had tempted species number 5!



While changing over to a pair of leger rigs on the rods (quite a current at this point) I got asked to go and take a photo of a chap and his son with a 16lb Carp fresh out of the river that day (they’d had Tench as well). As I couldn’t get out and run around (half hour of daylight left and I had fish to catch!) I passed him my camera. He failed to take a picture and totally ballsed up all the settings on the camera so much so I could neither focus, take a photo nor adjust anything. Battery out, in again and then camera reset to default settings. Anyway, sorted that out, got given some sweetcorn (left mine in the car) and went back to my spot and dropped anchor again and sat back to wait.

And wait.

And wait.

I moved upriver. Legering sweetcorn on one rod and red maggots on the other I sat in the dark. And waited. The spinning rods can’t take a quivertip so I had to hold the line or just reel in now and again – no chance of striking shy bites.

Reeling in the sweetcorn I felt some weight on the end but it didn’t feel like a fish. That’s because it wasn’t – I’d got myself a Turkish Longclaw Crayfish.



It spent the night in a bucket and my kids were playing with it this morning. They like them you see. I like them too but this one is being saved for my mates’ pond – enclosed and unable to escape it may help keep down the population of his pond. If not, I’ll eat it another day.

Down went the bait again, replaced this time with maggots, and I waited some more. The trouble with fishing on a river at night with legers for small fish is the compulsion to smoke far too often. It was just after one of these that I reeled in species number six!



A fighting-fit and bloody slimy eel was banging away on the end of the line, tying itself up like a bootlace and slithering around all over the place. Not a bad eel at all, but as is their wont the hook was right down. Instead of knocking it on the head to take home for Pike bait or pulling the hook – and its stomach – out I cut the line as close to its mouth as possible, in the hope that the tiny size 18 hook will rot away in due course and allow it another chance.

Anchors up and time to come home. Four launches, 2 rivers, 1 Broad, a bunch of hooks lost, and six species. A bloody marvellous day out and a reminder how much fun fishing for small coarse fish can be. I'll do it again regularly I think.

Going Potty...30/06/07

A couple of nights ago I went out and dropped a couple of nets inside the harbour baited with heads and bones from the fishmonger and weighted down with a couple of decent stones. Last night I went out to haul them up and have a look:





Hoisted aboard, they fit nicely across the lap on a yak, and access to the catch is easy.



First out was this fella. A one-armed bandit, he was too small at 60mm carapace length to keep so after being admired went back in.



His cellmate, a velvet swimmer, got a well-deserved CRABSBO before following him back in the water.



Star prize went to this guy, who amazed me at being able to get in



Some blatant gratuitous prawn now, I would have expected a lot more of these and would have had a pint or two on the seaward side of the harbour wall, these being the length of my finger:



I only had eight in total that were decent size so only a small snack – but boiled up with salt they tasted absolutely spot-on, firmer and sweeter than any you’ll buy anywhere. I’m out drop-netting on Sunday subject to conditions.



Next net yielded another lobster, again undersized but with both claws his time. Another pair of pics because I just find them so beautiful:





I also had edible and shore crabs, all of which went back due to being undersized or in small quantity (shore crab are cooked up for a smashing bisque and are a delicacy in France where my wife is from. I haven’t tried it yet but will do sometime if I get a decent haul of them).

A sealouse also made an appearance. Weird looking things. Reminds me of my ex.



Last catch, on the rod on the way in, was another shore crab. He just didn’t want to let go! Roll on the fish taking a bite though, still no joy there.



A good night out again. If the wind drops I’ll check again tonight, perhaps dinner will be awaiting?

Me. Just went out again and I'd got another lobster, undersized and missing a claw again, edible, shore and swimmer crabs, a few more prawns and a little baby squid. Ah, all these species.







Popped the lobster back and he went off - sank about a foot then flicked his tail up to his belly and shot off backwards. the squid got back in, squirted a couple of puffs of ink and was gone. Couldn't get the edibles out as they were holding on for dear life and I didn't want to hurt them unnecesarily but shook out the others.

Lovely still night, no real wind to speak of, gentle shore break and 2ft swell, current not doing a lot. I wanted to stay out for a while longer really but with no fish biting here at the moment (and it's not just me apparently) I came back in. Might try for the mullet next week, they're around.

Two more types of critter today - snake pipefish and spider crab.



Had 3 lobsters in the nets yesterday, all fairly small. I left them in and this afternoon there was only one - either someone nabbed them or they have found a way out.

Start of the 2007 Season...16/06/07

Today marked the beginning of the 2007 Coarse Fishing Season, and children duly deposited at my parents I took the opportunity of heading out on the kayak with a friend in my wife’s yak (his first time kayak angling) for a spot of piking.

The original plan had been to paddle from the nearby Broad up the connecting dyke onto the river, and up to an old pub that serves superb beer – an all-day 15 mile troll. Sadly this wasn’t to be as I was feeling a bit rough from a bout of short-term flu so instead we stuck to the broad itself and a short excursion up the dyke.

Launching at about 9:30 we paddled around the bottom edge before heading up towards the top end where the dyke leads out to the river. About a quarter of the way up I was reminded of the thrill of a run when my starboard reel began to screech out against the ratchet. This line carried a Shakespeare Big S lure in blue mackerel pattern which has proved time and again to work well on this water.



In came Jack Pike, no doubt annoyed at not having a square meal!



The wind was pretty strong and I drifted into the moorings at the side, crossing my other line and making a right balls-up of things. While the pike was in closer it further complicated matters by getting the lure across his mouth, putting hooks in both sides of his mouth and limiting the room I would have to remove them. Still, I got it sorted out, weighed it in at 4lb 2oz and had a quick photo taken by my mate



All done, I placed it back in the water alongside the yak and held it until it was recovered from its ordeal and swam off under its own steam. First fish of the new season and a nice fight.

Having sorted my tackle out again I carried on trolling for the next 3 hours but apart from catching a lost keepnet (that weighed a ton) off the bottom, an overhanging tree or two, some reeds and a cruiser I had no more runs. Nor did my mate sadly. A cracking mornings yakking though, and great to be back after my favourite fish.

An hour's yakking this evening...26/05/07

Well, it's been a week of yak excitement for me. First I went out yakking up the river with the missis and she finally realised frenzies weren't up to it and the P15 was the dogs nuts. Then I got the sail, then I did some pimping and added some bits to the yak, then I went out and had the lifeboat launch to check I was okay. Followed this by managing to get a second P15 (hurrah!) at long last, with a new C-Tug and paddle. Then I pimped that slightly (test ride tomorrow upriver dependant on weather) and then I launched at last with some bait for a brief session.

Lessons learned, like a good boy tonight, after getting the kids in bed and story read, I phoned up the coastguard and gave my paddle plan, estimated time back and position etc. Then grabbed the yak and trundled down to the beach. Had checked magic seaweed for wind direction, swell height and spacing, checked the tide times and weather forecast (only because I can, not because it mattered, I knew it wasn't rough tonight. Not as rough as the women here anyway and it's a safer way to spend a saturday night in Lowestoft fishing from a yak than cuddling up to them!).

So, 3 minutes walk from the house and I was at the waters edge at 21:20. Yak off the C-Tug, wheels off and into the front hatch. Rods strapped down, PFD on, mobile wrapped up in a plastic bag and into the sea I jolly well wandered. Surf was only a couple of feet and quite regular and well spaced. Held it for a minute to watch it, then hopped in and paddled out, finder on, until I was in about 4 metres or so, around 300-400 yards out. Swell was a bit bigger here, between 3-4 feet, but regular and not breaking etc. Wind was not too bad and water temperature was 13 degrees. Not that that matters but I do like to waffle a bit after all. A few beeps on the finder, but not as many as the other night. Chucked out a 2/0 with some mackerel strips on it, a single hook rig with a 4oz breakaway, after dropping anchor.
So, I lit up a f*g and sat and watched the rod tip, rod in hand. Second rod wasn't put out as I didn't feel it would be worth while and I didn't want to get a tangle (not used to this sea fishing lark yet).

Beep! A pretty little fish icon on the finder!

Beep! another one!

Beep! Two!

Brilliant - better than what was on telly tonight. And that was all the excitement I had fish-wise anyhow so worth a mention.

Blanked.

Turned around, paddled in pretty easily, following wind and current, and for the first time ever I was catching the surf just right and riding the waves for a short distance each time, so much so I surfed right up to the beach - without any tippiness or water in my lap either.

Put everything in order, trundled off home and called the coastguard to say I was back, had a natter and came up to post this boring and not-worth-posting fishing report.

Good fun though, a very pleasant hour out on the sea. Better luck next time eh?

Lifeboat Out...23/05/07

This evening I went for a paddle a few hundred yards out from the south beach on my sea kayak for a short while to do a spot of fishing and to wind down for the day, during which time I tried out the sail I have just fitted. I was close to the harbour mouth when I saw the Lowestoft Lifeboat come through and assumed that they were carrying out a training exercise – but it was nothing of the sort. A well-meaning and conscientious member of the public had been concerned that I was in distress (presumably through the sail being mistaken for a distress flag) and had placed a call to them to report what could have been an incident.

I would like to publicly thank the RNLI for their sterling efforts in ensuring that no harm had in fact come to me and the speed of their response which, in a distress situation could have been vital to my well-being. I would also like to publicly thank the concerned member of the public who reported what they thought might have been someone in difficulties as they could have saved my life had they been correct. It is incredibly comforting for someone who uses the water frequently to know that people care enough and that others are ready to place other people’s welfare before their own home life. I would also like to apologise for wasting their time!

They were very friendly and courteous, as was the castguard chap who popped down to get my particulars when I came ashore - even if they did probably think I was a twatt for going fishing in a yak. Made sure I had a PFD but surprisingly didn't ask about other safety stuff. Decided I will get a VHF and the course now - if anything it'll save them some fuel maybe if soeone thinks I'm in trouble and I'm not.

Just a pity they had to waste their time for nothing

The Jack yak Goes Sot Yot

Well, I'm pretty much set up for the summer now. I've got a house 300 metres from the beach, I've got a C-Tug trolley to take my prowler 15 there, College finishes on thursday and the photography business is ticking over while leaving me plenty of time to get myself wet. The prawns are here, the crabs are here, the lobsters are here and the bass should arrive soon. I'm sorted.

And the Jack yak is all tarted up and pimped to the gills. Until recently the only modifications from standard were the rear toggle moved to the rudder attachment point, fitting of scupper stoppers (for flat-calm and rivers) and a few bits of shock cord tied on as leashes. Not now. Oh no. Not now.

First up was the Humminbird 215 portable. The lead to the transducer is currently coming out of the hatch as I ahve yet to get around to drilling a hole for it. It's a big hole. Thoughts so far? A good bit of kit, easy to use and obvious to read. More bulky than a non portable unit obviously but not too bulky to annoy me. in fact, aesthetics aside it's no bother at all. except it doesn't find enough fish.

Then came the Fladen rod holders. Choice of three mounts included. Solid, well made and well thought out. That's the bait rods catered for - trolling will still be from the rear flushmounts.

Next was the Lidl sale. Everything was carabinered or bow shackled. Seat attachments were replaced with stainless carabiners, a simple anchor trolley was made up and a double bowline/grab rope/tow line/mooring line was also added. Had to use them up you see.

And then, today, la creme de menthe. A Pacific Action 1.5 sail. Now, I am no DIY'er. The destructions scared the hell out of me. the bits confused me. etc etc. Besides, it wasn't designed for a Prowler 15 - but what the hell, where there's a will there's a way.

First off, I didn't want to attach it to the carry toggle - I wanted that free and that's also were my long bit of string is attached. A quick trip to the Chandlers and I had a stainless thing to attach it to, with a small bow shackle added to allow the clip to be the right way around:



Then, with the shockords at the front attached, I placed some climaflex pipe lagging around the bottoms of the sliding mount (the indentations and ridges on the P15 left little in the way of contact points) and then measured and drilled the holes for the side loops, attached the straps and bingo:



Then, I brought down the lines at the rear, saw where they came too, drilled and screwed in some more of the chandlers stainless things and popped some carabiners on (although i'll probably put the supplied clips on to use the locking cam cleats). These fit under the rod holders so aren't an additional encumbrence and are in easy reach.



I tried it out a few times in the garden and was happy that it functioned. Spent an hour on the beach with the kids, noted an inshore wind and flattish sea and so this evening I decided to go and have a brief play and make sure everything worked okay and handled all right:











It worked fantastically well. Nothing was in the way, nothing was an annoyance, the paddle arc wasn't affected, the sail popped up with ease, moved into position with ease and broke down again with ease. The only problem was that the wind had dropped to nothing and so I don't know what it's like to be under sail yet! Maybe tomorrow I'll have an update on that score for you.

regarding the sail: for the ease of fitment, 9/10. For the quality of build, 9/10. For the ease of opening and breaking, 10/10. I'm confident to try it in a reasonable blow now.

Just leaves the thigh straps and rudder now.....

Porpoises at Lowestoft...20/04/07

Well, i'm back online and back posting. Been out on the yak a lot.

There I was on saturday, 300 metres out from the beach in my kayak and I saw something. I thought - is that what I think it is? saw it again, and thought - I think that is what I think it is. Then I saw it once more and thought - Bloody hell! It is what I think it is. I kept seeing it as I followed it and tried to anticipate it's movements as it came in and out of the water.

Black top, grey flanks, and about 4 ft long - it came up the last time just off my bow and went under the water again about 3 feet to my left.

A beautiful little harbour orpoise. Lovely eh? I was quite overcome.

The new house is wonderful and the 300m walk to the beach has seen me out in the kayak most days of the last fortnight - sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes an hour. Beautiful sandy stretches and the weather has been fantastic. Have bought a waterproof compact (Olympus 720 SW) so might get a snap of the porpoise next time I see it - if I get that lucky again. Bought a C-Tug, so the yak is easy to take down there too. Had a god sized crab from my one of my nets the other day, and half a dozen that were sizeable but a tad small went back. Am off to check them again this afternoon. Water is still cold and the prawns aren't in yet - had 3 in the net, so another month and I'll be happy.

PB on Yak...20/01/07

Today began grimly, as is usual for an Anglers Afloat Tournament!. I woke up to drizzle and grey skies, the wind howling at 30mph+, and considered going back to sleep. Instead I got myself and the kids ready, sorted out my tackle and went to drop them at my parents while I fetched my yak.

Arriving at my launching point alongside the main A12 I made a complete pigs ear of things - line running around the rod instead of through the rings, line running under a loop of line on the reel, etc etc. Things started really well! They got better when I immediately snagged once I was in. The chosen river (first time I fished it) was too narrow to work two rods in this wind. I of course had brought 3 so as to do some deadbaiting and spinning as well.

Nice morning though.



So, I went down to one rod, and float-trolled a joey mackerel on it for a mile or two. Nothing, not a sniff. Fed up with it, I decided to change and on my spinning rod I fitted a Rapala Super Shad Rap - a redhead. Hadn't taken a fish on it yet, loveley and clean it was -not through want of trying though!

A couple of hundred yards further along and I got a good take. I could feel so much more with the lighter rod and the banging of the fish on the end while it tried to throw the lure (which was right across its mouth) felt massive.

I fought it for a minute or two before it broke surface



As oi thought, it was a d**ned good fish - maybe the one? A good 5 minutes later and it was ready to come out having made 3 or 4 good, strong runs. This was a solid fish. Into the net it came





That's it. the net is staying home. The pike was still lively and decided to roll while on my lap - getting the net wrapped around his snout, caught in his teeth and more worryingly snagging the trebles in the mesh. Fortunately it's not a tight mesh so with a bit of fiddling (during which time I suspect I lost my pliers) I managed to free the hooks, free the teeth, and in short order my hand was up between it's gill rakers and I unhooked the lure from its mouth.



I could have fit my fist in its mouth - but I wouldn't be so bloody stupid!



Well, out comes the measure and......









.....








.....










.







Keep trying, weighing in at 10lb it measured only 76 cm. d**n! But, mustn't grumble, it was a d**ned fine fight, a very good fish and MY YAK PB!

Sorted. Back she went, and stayed a longside for a few seconds on the surface trying to decide whether or not to come aboard again and give me a hiding.



Having a celebratory smoke and drink, I popped out the mackerel again while I sat by the bank. After ten minutes I'd had enough and went onwards. Reeling in the mackerel, i just lifted it to swing in and a pike - similar size - made a lunge at it. A couple of deep gashes from where it made contact in the flesh of it - but missing the hooks totally! And I thought it was game on! Oh well, it bode well for the rest of the day.

That's the thing with optimism. I spent another 4 hours going down the end of the river and back up again for no result. I enjoyed the paddle of course, and have a windtan. I also annoyed some swans.



And ran the gauntlet of a duck shoot.

Getting out as the sun set, I packed up and came home. A good day, all in all, just a pity I didn't beat them Aussies.

Batting Opened, 49 for 2!...30/12/06

Well, I got afloat for the Anglers Afloat Winter Tournament - later than expected as after deciding last night to probably cancel, this morning was a glorious day, but windy. Great thought I, except my little girl was ill, so I cancelled anyway. Lunchtime came and she felt better, and wanted to go to her grandparents. So, at 1:30pm I launched at my alternate spot (not enough hours of light to head for my usual stamping ground).

the water was low, very low. No-one on the kwas catching, the boats I saw weren't catching - and nor the bloody hell was I!

Resigned to a blank, I crept wide past another boat moored mid-stream and had my first run, on a blue mackerel Shakespeare Big S. The run stopped and the lasiest pike I ever caught sidled up to the boat. I'd say around 3lb in weight, he measured up at a stunning (!) 49cm from fork to tip of the snout. Not the smallest pike I ever caught but certainly not a big one. But hey, I don't mind what size they are, I just like to catch them.



Things didn't really improve, and more paddling got me nowhere. With it getting late I was heading up past a second moored boat, and stopped to have a chat. Trying to light a cigarette was proving difficult so I modified the flame on my lighter and nearly took my ****ing face off, much to everyones amusement. Anyway, had a good natter and lapped up the 'I like your style' and 'do you catch from that?' and 'must be s truggle with a large pike' comments, and we wished each other luck etc. I headed back up to the starting point, then down again and a couple of hundred metres from them I had my second fish on! This back-breaking tackle-wrenching stomach-churning hard-fighting leviathan of the depths dwarfed my redhead Shakespeare Big S (just) and took almost 3 seconds to fight to a standstill. I'd say he was around 16oz, as it sounds better than a pound tops, and if I'd had a measuring device graduated in millimetres i'd have gone for it. 250-300mm tops, but as runner-up I placed him back quickly instead. Not that i'm complaining, mind, a run is a run and a fish is a fish.



So, thanks River Waveney, thanks Mr and Miss Esox Lucius, and thanks Starvinmarvin for the excuse to get out. And get soaked towards the end of my afternoons fishing!

England, 49 for 2!

Pre-Christmas Jack Yakking...20/12/06

Well, finally after weeks of torment I got out on the yak today. Due to it being half a degree below freezing and as foggy as a really, really foggy thing I went for the pike rather than the cod - going to sea would be really dumb.

Paddled around for a while with no luck, fishing gold shiner and red headed Super Shad Raps. Eventually, though, after an hour the gold had a take - and a nice fight from a half decent fish.





Hooks out and he gave me a smile:



3lb 9oz, and back in he went.

Then, nothing for another hour and a half. Getting fed up with the raps getting fouled with weed (after trying some other lures here and there) I stuck on a couple of Shakespeare Big S plugs - one blue mackerel and one redhead.

A minute went by and then:



A beauty, great fight too, 5lb 3oz. Really solid and chunky looking fish. It took the lure in one gulp and I had to do some fiddling to get it out - it was a back of the throat job, swallowed. A couple of minutes of twisting and pushing (including going in through the gill rakers for the rear hook, which I hate doing for fear of damgae) and I sorted it out, and esox went back in none the worse for wear.



As you can see it was now getting dark and I was heading in. Strung the lures out again and a few minutes later I got another hit, which I didn't photograph due to the light levels having dropped considerably. I didn't get the scales out either as I hadn't used the net to boat him but estimate a 2.5lb'er.

Then, back to my launch point with no further takes. My new Mukluk Chota Light's didn't let in any water, but next time I'll put on thicker socks as they weren't really very warm. My Mustad Bib and Brace kept me warm and dry, my fleece and jacket made me overly hot and I'm chomping at the bit for the next session - cold weather wasn't an issue.

Cracking afternoon, thanks pike!