Saturday 22nd July 2006
Hi all,
Saturday 22nd saw an overcast start as we steamed out of Portishead at 6am heading for a reef system that would hopefully hold the Smoothhound that have been somewhat elusive in our area as of late.
After an hour following the ebbing tide the anchor went down as we settled down with peeler bait on the uptiders and squid on the downtiders. After what seemed like days without a bite I struck into a Thornback ray of about 12lb which was returned quickly and then the wait began again.
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It seemed as though this was going to be another of those days where we struggled so we upped anchor and headed for a mark that had produced Conger consistently last summer in the middle of the channel near Steep Holm. We were fishing in 35 meters but the tide was slacking so the depth wasn't a problem, just the lack of fish!
We did pick up quite a few doggies but something didn't feel quite right with the lack of Conger and Ray. After an hour of dogs the decision was made to head to a mark that I had only fished in the winter for Cod as it was near by and I knew that the ground was mixed so the chance of any fish was as good as anywhere.
As Carlotta settled in the tide run the baits went out again and bingo!
The first fish was a conger of about 15lb then the Smoothhounds came to our peeler.
Steve and Nick boated fish of 10-12lb then it was my turn with another fish of a similar size.
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Nick lost a monster on the stern that looked to be approaching 20lb, as it rolled in the water, I'm sure that it was Smoothhound and not a Tope.
By now we were running out of crab as the conger had been snaffling it down too and after another three fish we were out.
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We fished on with squid with more Conger coming aboard untill 2pm when we headed for port with 6 Smoothhound and 5 conger returned, plus 2 Thornbacks put back and a pack of dogs released.
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Not a bad session after all as it had looked pretty dodgy to kick off with.
I will have another report soon as a trip after the Bass is on the cards for midweek. Cheers Simon