Slinky Kate sat 3rd April 2010

[Norman]

Early (ish) start today at 6.00am but not the best of tides as it was due to top out at 6.50am forcing us to fish the ebb instead of the flood ...

It was cold ..., dark ..... , wet .... and a bit windy, still you got to be in it to win it as they say.....

Set off towards the piers in semi darkness with no other action from any boats as far as we could see ...

The Plan Was ....
stop off close to piers check the action on baited flowing traces .. done that , no action
Then, Off to St Marys to catch the first of the spring run codling ... done that ... no fish

when I say no fish I mean almost no fish Tony did pick up what we think was a poor cod (too scaley for a scotchie or whiting but visibly a cross between both - see pic), didn't have much time to investigate it as wanted to get it safely back, then I caught what I thought may just be a codling keeper but when I boated it turned out to be too small (we think) so again it went back safe and sound.

That was it for the day, although we tried everywhere (including a few inshore wrecks) several times around, it just wasn't to be a catching day.

Against us was the south wind combined with an ebbing tide making it almost impossible to hold bottom, add this to the fact that it was a fair sea running and so I deemed it unsafe to have cabin boys pulling anchors on the bow and there you have it a great day out (in a lot of sunshine I may add) but no fish suppers .......

As has been said many times its fishing not catching and today just heightens the enjoyment of the Good Catch days yet to come.

No regrets on "giving it a go" just maybe a little too early this year for the spring run, which, in itself may well have been delayed due to the adverse weather of late.

Good luck anyone else out there, maybe they're just around the corner.

Unfortunately we are "Locked in" the marina for at least next weekend and maybe the one after as well, but I`m sure it's safe to say that the spring run will "Certainly" be on by the next time we get out.

cheers

norm

(and a big Thanks to tony for his "Find")


tonys "poor cod ? "

[The Great Wallsendo]

Cheers as ever for the run out Norm'

Always enjoy the day irrespective of the catching...roll on the 25th

Pic of Norms babby cod

[Codfather]

Cheers for the report lads, like you say, got to be in it to win it.
At least you's didn't blank !

[willywetegg]

Bad luck lads, still plenty of time yet to get some practice before the season starts properly

Another couple of weeks and the fish diet will be resumed Norman, best of luck mate.

Jim.

[drifter]

Yup, tide and wind made for a poor day. Headed "Grace" north to as far as the yellow can and a few inshore wrecks close bye with nowt to report other than a few pouting. Dropped the anchor opposite the Spanish City and caught two reasonable cod just as Newcastle went a goal down. Listened to the rest of the half with not another bite so called it a day. I guess that's it until the lock gates are sorted.

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Well done on giving it a go chaps ,believe me I'd rather have joined you than work but you know how it is .

By the time the marina is open again the fish will be jumping on the hooks ( I hope ).

[oldessox]

Nice to see you getting out Norman , shame about the weather and the lack of fish but can't be long now till things improve.
Can someone explain to me about "wind over tide " etc , I know the wind causes the boat to drift faster as does the tide , but which combination makes for not being able to hold bottom? I'd have thought a southerly wind over an ebb tide would have the boat moving fast but the tackle still on the bottom whereas a northerly wind over an ebb tide would have the boat standing still (ish) but the tackle lifting up in the water.
Can't really get round it in my head

Ray

[KeithB]

Great stuff lads, I'm sure when the weather settles they'll be going daft for the crusties.

A poor days fishing is better than a good day at work, and nearly as good as a day on the drink and hitting the bookies at 55/1

[The Great Wallsendo]

Great stuff lads, I'm sure when the weather settles they'll be going daft for the crusties.

A poor days fishing is better than a good day at work, and nearly as good as a day on the drink and hitting the bookies at 55/1

good return on your punt?

[KeithB]

I take Bent to score first & 3-1 every game sadly I only had a quid on but better than a kick in the cream crackers!!!

Must get to the bookies in the morning though, 55/1 in the ground but 100/1 at Ladbrokes apparently

[big sid]

Cpt Norm & Cabinboy Tony , What Can I Say ?

BIG
WELL DONE
ON
GIVING
IT
A
GO

[Iva-Cod-on]

Welldone on getting out lads its hit and miss at the moment last time we were out the canman came up trumps over at st marys and we struggled but it was the other way around today like you say Norman its fishin not catchin just pleased they are startin to show I nearly gave you a shout but they were only there for about an hour or so before slack water so didn't want to waste your time on trailing to newbiggin for nowt lads

[Norman]

Ray, Wind over Tide ....
Complex equasion due to varying directions and strengths ...
In my opinion the worst condition is "wind over tide" which is, going in the same direction ie saturday the wind was blowing from south and tide on the ebb (drifting from south) which meant the boat moved across ground very fast and lines therefore get snagged easily because of dragging the bottom fast. Maybe "not holding the bottom is not the best phrase as this is usually when the tide alone is very ferrocious and you need more weight to keep on bottom irrespective of actual movement across ground.
Wind against tide is easier to deal with (especially over a wreck) as it can get to the point of "no drift" when they equalize in opposite directions, even though the tide may be heavy and the lines tend to run, at least you can allow for it and approach the wreck at the correct distance to get the leads into it (and stay there if there is no across ground movement) ... or alternatively put more weight on to counteract the tide.

Of course theres always the anchor which then leaves only the tide to affect the line no matter where the wind is blowing .... but to use the anchor you must KNOW you are over the fish whereas a drift covers more ground in a hope of finding the fish.

hope this helps lol I`m confused now.

norm

[northeast1]

Yer thats bang on Norman

At least you mad eit out, i am glad i never went out in the end but if you dont try you dont get. 2 more weeks and it should start, i been looking back of my records and old threads on here dating back to 2005 and some good catches close in end of April

[oldessox]

Cheers Norman , I think I get the jist of it , few more years practice and maybe I'll understand how it all works , it's fun finding out though

Ray