An unexpected evening

Another really quiet year for me again, and the few times I’ve been out, I’ve had nothing to report apart from a couple of nice sunsets. The truth is, my heart is still not really in it, and I haven’t really missed it. The few trips I have had coincided with good times on good marks at the right time of 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 less-than-ideal 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 9 pm, and I was up and fishing by 7. The wind was slightly stronger than expected, and with such a small tide, 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.

The first cast was only out for a few moments due to 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 has always shown promise but, I think, has never actually produced a fish.

Another gentle lob, and I was fishing again. The wind had an unexpected chill, so I pulled up my hoodie to keep it out 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 waited, engaged the spool and felt the braid pull tight. Everything went to plan, apart from me feeling the bait pull from the 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, it gave up or had taken the rest of the bait. I reeled in to find just the head left on my hook, so I 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 rekindled some of the old spark.

I’m off again tonight, but fishing a different mark, and tomorrow Rob is coming over to fish with me at this spot again - unless tonight throws up something decent, which I have a feeling it just might. If anything happens, I’ll update.