He's alive!

'The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated!'

Not me, thankfully, but someone I hadn’t seen for years. And let me tell you, it was great to catch up again.

I’ve never been one for all that 'universe malarkey,' but lately I’ve started to wonder, maybe it’s an age thing? Today marked my first trip out after a year’s hiatus, and I decided on a simple day session to blow away the cobwebs.

When I arrived, I spotted someone fishing exactly where I’d planned to set up. I stood there for a moment in disbelief as after driving along the coast, he was probably the only other angler out that day! Still, it probably didn’t make much difference in the grand scheme of things.

After muttering a few words under my breath, I soon got set up with a slightly different rig: mackerel for bait, fishing close in as usual. I’ve been thinking about this new rig for a while, borrowing an idea from carp fishing, a stiff-link helicopter style.

Here’s the theory: we’re always told bass rigs need a free-running link (freeline being even better). But when I get those hit-and-run bites that fail to hook up, I’m convinced the rig gets compromised, losing its hooking potential. The stiff rig, 40lb fluoro in this case, should always fall back into an optimum position for a repeat attempt.

That’s the theory, anyway. Not tested yet, but it looks right, and I think it’ll improve hooking potential on any take, not just re-takes.

The session itself was thoroughly enjoyable, especially when I realised the other angler was someone I’ve mentioned in this blog before, the person who transformed my fishing years ago by showing me a mark and encouraging my results. Amazingly, he’d chosen the same venue, spot, and tide for his first proper trip of the year!

Just after high tide, I found myself fishing alone and eagerly grabbed the sandwich I’d been saving - I was starving. Needing a quick break, I stepped away for a moment, and when I turned back, a crow had taken full advantage of my lapse in concentration and stolen my sandwich. Despite chasing it and waving with one hand, it flew off triumphantly with its prize.

I carried on grumbling like the old man I am before deciding hunger had won the day, and packed up heading for home. A good trip though and wonderful to catch up with an old fishing friend.