Trying to connect to nature

I normally count to seven, which in reality is probably more like ten as its a very slow count, before engaging the spool for most of my bass runs. I was fishing a very narrow spot that if you have been following this fool, will know has a set of boulders to one side and line shredding feature on the other.

The problem I have is if I make my usual seven count the bass will have reached the feature and upon tightening the line I will eventually lose the fish. So after a good heavy knock (you must hold the rod here) I felt a smooth lumpy run start. It took a little while before it decided to run, which is often the sign of a better bass, and I counted to five which was as far as I dared but as the braid drew tight - instead of that lovely curve in the rod feel connecting to nature, I felt the line go slack.

When its a good run, with all the signs of a better bass, its almost as bad as losing a fish after a good battle. I was gutted. The bait and hook point were both ok, so it was quickly sent back out again, roughly two yards out, and I waited for the return. It never happened, and the combination of wind, tide and tiredness pushed me off my mark.

Rob on the Island has recently caught a bass of around 4lb from the shore, so they appear to be coming back to the beaches again which is wonderful news, and bodes well for the rest of the year hopefully. Now I'm debating whether to drag myself out again tonight, but its a late one. I'll update if I do.