Finally, after 5 cancelled trips in 2008, I managed to get out on the 1st charter of the year!
We had planned on fishing the 'Shambles' bank for plaice and perhaps an early turbot, but the weather once again turned against us and we decided to abandon the shambles and tucked in closer to shore. With a strong biting wind and a choppy sea, Silver Spray offered us a safe & stable platform to fish from, and Andy kept the tea and coffee coming at rgular intervals. The first baits hit the bottom and within minutes, up came the first obligatory dogfish, then another and another! Soon after a lovely spotted ray turned up, along with a three bearded rockling.
With the weather deteriorating Andy moved us onto one of his undulate ray marks. Unfortunately none showed up, but we were kept busy with a steady stream of species. Three quarters of the way through the session, while using whole squid bait, I was continuously having bream type bites - a bit early I thought but I quickly changed over, to see what they were. I did manage to winkle out a few pout and poor cod, and then one of the guy's on the boat brought in the 1st black bream of the season!
That was the only one of the trip! The weather had worsened again, Portland coastguards reported winds of force 8 - 9, so it was time to pack up for the day, and Andy guided Silver Spray back home through the thousands of white horses!
A very successful 'alternative' trip with the capture of the following species (not all by me!);
- dogfish
- spotted ray
- conger eel (to 30lb)
- smoothound (to approx 8 - 9 lb)
- black bream
- pouting
- poor cod
- three bearded rockling
The are number of fishable marks around Saundersfoot, including the harbour wall during high water. The town gets very busy during the summer, and during school holidays, so fishing is best attempted during nightime or early mornings.
Just a short session as I was passing Saundersfoot. A slow 2 hours, but some big dogs about to keep the rods nodding. Caught on mackerel strip.
