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Well, with only 1 more trip to go with Dave on Ali-Cat off once again I set off down the A19, and with the darker mornings setting in very quickly now, headlights were on for the full journey.
I took my lightweight waterproofs today after checking the forecast and on arrival, my initial thoughts were oops, I've got this choice wrong, a stiff cold breeze blowing across the Marina car park making all the weather vanes and ensigns on the boats and yachts' spin and flap like hell!
So off to the pontoon I went, and with 2 boats already tied off waiting for their passengers, to arrive and board, Famous and Ali-Cat were standing off idling in the Marina, a very busy morning indeed.
The guys eventually arrived, not in any haste, which allowed Famous and Ali-Cat to very quickly tie up, board and straight into the lock with the minimum of fuss.
Out over the bar into a glorious morning, all thoughts of a cold blustery day evaporated and during the trip, off came the jackets and on went the sun protection cream, a great day despite the forecast.
We travelled a short distance for Mackerel, but failed to take any at all, another short more but still no Mackerel.
As the Mackerel season is drawing to a close, lots on board had brought various frozen baits, where I just phone Dave the night before to place an order, saves running around as Dave keeps all manner of frozen Ammo baits, even more selection than my local tackle shop, so Squid was my back up for today, and off to rough ground did we go!
On the way out we came across 2 of these big boys, treading water, no anchor, we thought something BIG must be coming out of Tees port refinery, but on our return, there was now 3 of these tugs, still treading water without anchors??
Bait fishing did prove to be the best all round with very few falling for our artificial rubber friends.
With both boats talking to each other throughout the day for updates, it was a little surprising that under a mile away where Famous was drifting, they had filled a box with big Mackerel.
Everyone did, however manage Mackerel during the day to help replenish dwindling bait stocks and nothing beats fresh bait, I digress, fish came over the rails steadily through the day with some really nice sized Cod and Ling.
Ivan taking these 2 beauties, both on bait and both over the Magical 10lb.
I started off as normal with my old favourite, 6" stripy tiger sand eel and while fish were been caught on bait around, I persevered and took 3 Ling, 1 keeper and 2 successfully returned without rupturing their swim bladders.
I use an Accurate Boss Extreme 400 DPX2 Dawg reel which is 2 speed and I always engage 2nd gear for retrieving any hooked fish, it brings the fish up very slow and gives it a far better chance of being returned than if cranked from the depths.
I did change over to bait just before slack water and took a better Ling, weighing 9lb 9oz gutted at home, along with 3 cod with the best, again gutted at home weighing 7lb 2oz.
A mixture of fish came on board again, Pollock, just the 1 about 6lb, lots of Gurnard, and the annoying small Whiting capable of swallowing massive baits on a 8/0 hook, they defy nature.
A successful outing by Yorkie, fishing a flowing trace brought him a great bag including a nice double Cod.
He took a nice bag home of mixed Cod and Ling
So, a quick summery of fish caught today, approx 40 Cod with the best about 12lb and slightly more Ling with fish in the region of 15lb, I think an excellent return for 8 anglers.
So leaving Hartlepool to clean and fillet my fish, with a slightly burnt head but as always a big smile on my face, a great boat, a great skipper, good banter and the bonus of some tasty fish.
I decided a few weeks ago to purchase a vacuum packing machine, and it has been a excellent piece of kit, reducing the size of the fish parcels when loading up the freezer.
Its a simple thing to operate, line up the bag in the internal chamber, close the lid and press start, it engages the vacuum, and seals the bag in one action.
Last nights results ready for the freezer
So yet another great day on Ali-Cat, with Dave finding the fish once again, all my next year's trips have been booked, and I'm up to 25 trips for 2015, with spaces rapidly disappearing, be quick if any of you guys want places.
Well my last trip next Saturday, Dave's been talking of doing some up-tiding this Wednesday, weather permitting, could be interesting, until the next time boys and girls, tight lines.
I took my lightweight waterproofs today after checking the forecast and on arrival, my initial thoughts were oops, I've got this choice wrong, a stiff cold breeze blowing across the Marina car park making all the weather vanes and ensigns on the boats and yachts' spin and flap like hell!
So off to the pontoon I went, and with 2 boats already tied off waiting for their passengers, to arrive and board, Famous and Ali-Cat were standing off idling in the Marina, a very busy morning indeed.
The guys eventually arrived, not in any haste, which allowed Famous and Ali-Cat to very quickly tie up, board and straight into the lock with the minimum of fuss.
Out over the bar into a glorious morning, all thoughts of a cold blustery day evaporated and during the trip, off came the jackets and on went the sun protection cream, a great day despite the forecast.
We travelled a short distance for Mackerel, but failed to take any at all, another short more but still no Mackerel.
As the Mackerel season is drawing to a close, lots on board had brought various frozen baits, where I just phone Dave the night before to place an order, saves running around as Dave keeps all manner of frozen Ammo baits, even more selection than my local tackle shop, so Squid was my back up for today, and off to rough ground did we go!
On the way out we came across 2 of these big boys, treading water, no anchor, we thought something BIG must be coming out of Tees port refinery, but on our return, there was now 3 of these tugs, still treading water without anchors??
Bait fishing did prove to be the best all round with very few falling for our artificial rubber friends.
With both boats talking to each other throughout the day for updates, it was a little surprising that under a mile away where Famous was drifting, they had filled a box with big Mackerel.
Everyone did, however manage Mackerel during the day to help replenish dwindling bait stocks and nothing beats fresh bait, I digress, fish came over the rails steadily through the day with some really nice sized Cod and Ling.
Ivan taking these 2 beauties, both on bait and both over the Magical 10lb.
I started off as normal with my old favourite, 6" stripy tiger sand eel and while fish were been caught on bait around, I persevered and took 3 Ling, 1 keeper and 2 successfully returned without rupturing their swim bladders.
I use an Accurate Boss Extreme 400 DPX2 Dawg reel which is 2 speed and I always engage 2nd gear for retrieving any hooked fish, it brings the fish up very slow and gives it a far better chance of being returned than if cranked from the depths.
I did change over to bait just before slack water and took a better Ling, weighing 9lb 9oz gutted at home, along with 3 cod with the best, again gutted at home weighing 7lb 2oz.
A mixture of fish came on board again, Pollock, just the 1 about 6lb, lots of Gurnard, and the annoying small Whiting capable of swallowing massive baits on a 8/0 hook, they defy nature.
A successful outing by Yorkie, fishing a flowing trace brought him a great bag including a nice double Cod.
He took a nice bag home of mixed Cod and Ling
So, a quick summery of fish caught today, approx 40 Cod with the best about 12lb and slightly more Ling with fish in the region of 15lb, I think an excellent return for 8 anglers.
So leaving Hartlepool to clean and fillet my fish, with a slightly burnt head but as always a big smile on my face, a great boat, a great skipper, good banter and the bonus of some tasty fish.
I decided a few weeks ago to purchase a vacuum packing machine, and it has been a excellent piece of kit, reducing the size of the fish parcels when loading up the freezer.
Its a simple thing to operate, line up the bag in the internal chamber, close the lid and press start, it engages the vacuum, and seals the bag in one action.
Last nights results ready for the freezer
So yet another great day on Ali-Cat, with Dave finding the fish once again, all my next year's trips have been booked, and I'm up to 25 trips for 2015, with spaces rapidly disappearing, be quick if any of you guys want places.
Well my last trip next Saturday, Dave's been talking of doing some up-tiding this Wednesday, weather permitting, could be interesting, until the next time boys and girls, tight lines.
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