Rough as rats

Ventured out last night to fish a venue that is my favourite storm beach. Winds were forecasted to be around 20mph following this mornings 45mph storm. Well they got that wrong as I was amazed at the strength of the wind as I parked up. Later, when I looked at a weather station site it showed the wind was a constant 37 gusting to over 40.

Conditions looked amazing, and not surprisingly nobody was out apart from a couple of hardy dog walkers. Walking to my spot I noted the weed in the water and hoped it wouldn't be too bad. The waves were really rolling in and I couldn't wait to get my half a mackerel out. First cast, out went the mackerel and a four ounce gripper and immediately the line was festooned with weed.

I reeled in to find it was the stuff that clings to your line and blocks the end tip ring, so I had to walk back up the beach to enable all the line to be out of the water before clearing the weed. Second cast, a little further out in the hope I may cast past the worse, and almost immediately I receive a knock, soon followed by a determined run. Blimey.

Using circles is not always the best option in rough weather and weed, and sure enough the extra drag of the weed and the freespool not set light enough meant the bass dropped the bait. Really encouraging though, and confirmed how great the conditions were. I kept the bait out for as long as I dared before repeating the earlier process.

To avoid me moaning, the rest of the night continued in the same vain (without any interest from bass) until the arrival of my first braid wind knot meant I packed up early in a huff. As I type this the rain (not forecasted) is hammering down, but won't stop me venturing back out tonight.