An unexpected evening

Another really quiet year for me again, and the few times I have been out I've had nothing to report apart from a couple of nice sunsets. The truth is my heart is still really not in it and I've not really missed it. The few trips I have had have coincided with good times on good marks at the right time of the year and I haven't had a touch. Not the sort of trips you need to help get your mojo back.

So last night I decided on the spur of the moment to fish a poor tide in not the best conditions just to see if anything was around. Earlier I removed two packets of really small mackerel from the freezer before putting one back, as it would be a waste if I didn't end up using it. 

High tide was around 9pm and I was up and fishing by 7. Wind was slightly stronger than expected and as the tide was such a small one, breakers were streaming across the shallow beach following the passing of any boat. A whole joey was sent out with a gentle underarm swing and I assumed my standing position holding the rod with the butt on my hip.

First cast was only out for a few moments due to attracting weed which thankfully never made another appearance for the rest of the night. I've fished this spot a number of times over the years but something made me want to fish roughly 15 yards to my left. So after clearing the weed I walked along to my new spot which over the years has always showed promise but I don't think has ever produced fish. 

Another gentle lob and I was again fishing. The wind had an unexpected chill, so I pulled up my hoodie to keep away the wind when I received a decent knock. It wasn't from a small bass, you can just tell, and then the braid started to peel from the bait runner as the bass went on a slow determined run. I was in shock, but kept myself together and resisted the urge to engage the spool too soon, I engaged the spool and waited for the line to tighten. Everything went to plan apart from the me feeling the bait pull from my hook.

I stood there in disbelief, it all happened so quickly after arriving I was in shock. I waited for the bass to hopefully return, which it did, but after a couple of aborted runs gave up or had taken the remaining of the bait. I reeled in to find just the head left on my hook, so quickly rebaited and sent another one out to the same spot. I swear this time it was taken on the drop, I couldn't believe it, but sadly the run never fully developed and it also felt like it may have been from a smaller bass.

I was now down to just three really small mackerel, and I had only been there for 20 minutes! What followed next was an hour of tugs and pulls from small bass, maybe dogfish, and eels all having a go at my bait. I ended up with two bass, the best around 4lb and an eel that wasn't welcomed at all. A good unexpected night that certainly has rekindled some of the old spark.

I'm off again tonight but a fishing a different mark, and tomorrow Rob is coming over to fish with me on this mark again unless tonight throws up something decent which I have a feeling just might. If anything happens I will update no doubt.