A most enjoyable trip, for December

Nearly didn't go today, but I had a real urge to fish my 'new' spot despite being a daytime tide and open to a lot of people seeing where and how I was fishing. But I went and I'm so glad I did. This time though I was going to fish down the side of a groyne at the entrance to the small harbour - so I brought along with me my extendable landing net.

I made another small change which was to dispense with the lead weight and freeline. My plan was to fish literally under the rod tip, tight against the groyne, as last time the resistance between the rod tip and the angle created by the lead meant the bass couldn't run freely. I had a couple of dropped/aborted runs last time, and I'm sure that was the reason why.

So first cast in and things were really looking good. I started getting knocks straight away which I assumed were from crabs, and then the reel sang as a bass took line and the mackerel into the central channel. I picked up the rod and watched the braid cut through the surface and engaged the spool. The line slowly tightened to the rod tip and then the bass, I could see it, turned high in the water and dropped it.

Well that was encouraging, although it did look like it was a schoolie, so a second drop was placed straight away as the bait was still intact. I sat back on my chair which was placed well back from the waters edge and typed Rob a message that I had just missed one. Only minutes past and I heard the reel and watched the line tighten and the same (?) bass went on another run. This time I connected and despite using half a large mackerel I was a slightly disappointed to see a small bass breach the surface.

It tried its best but was soon scooped up in my landing net, unhooked and after a quick picture returned to fight another day. I would say around 1.5lb but it really shows the potential for this mark. I missed another run about two hours later and that was it for me. With hindsight I should have arrived earlier but work got in the way, and I can't wait to get out again - and in December as well. Its a funny old game.