Christmas cheer

'What are you doing?'

'I'm putting it back,' I replied.

'That's a keeper that is'

'I know,' and tried to turn my back, 'I don't keep them.'

I don't know where these dog walkers come from but as soon as you catch they appear. This one wasn't too happy as he walked away.

Twenty minutes earlier I was moaning to myself about the state of my squid - it was a pulpy yellow mush. It looked ok when I removed it from the freezer, so I can only assume it had been refrozen many times and somehow escaped freezer burn. So I sat back and thought to myself well at least it's not raining anymore so just enjoy this December chance.

The rod bounced in the rest to what I thought was a combination of a large wave and a helping of weed dumping on the line, but as I was scanning the shoreline the rod kept bouncing. Picking up the rod the bass shot off to my right, and fought well amongst the waves until I was able to beach it in front of my dog walking friend.

Roughly 2.5lb I quickly unhooked and released her. Another fresh squid was soon back out, but not before another dog appeared who barked and howled next to me for a good 5 minutes while its owner watched from afar...

Half hour later, and this time I was holding the rod, the bait was picked up in a strong and determined fashion, the type you feel you couldn't miss, and I didn't! A better fight with the all the hallmarks of a better fish and I was soon unhooking a great conditioned bass of nearly 24" (about 5 3/4lb).

This one was returned without any interrogation.


Merry Christmas everyone

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