'Sometimes you just have to make yourself go' - Mike Ladle
Last night nearly didn't happen either. By the time I was due to leave, I was already thinking about bed. These days, setting off for a fishing trip at the time I'd normally be asleep takes some convincing. What changed my mind was a combination of good tides, a favourable moon, decent weather forecasts and reports of plenty of bass being caught locally. When I arrived, I was surprised to find a stiff south-westerly blowing and a lot less warmth than expected. I'd also forgotten one of fishing's golden rules - always take more layers than you think you'll need. I started fishing about four and a half hours before high water and soon had my first run. Unfortunately, I was a bit ring-rusty and tightened up too soon, missing the fish. The next couple of hours were quiet until the wind eased, the temperature lifted and the sea settled. Then I experienced a completely different type of bite. Holding the rod, I could feel a decent bass mouthing the bait for 20 or 30 secon...
