Slinky Kate Saturday 20th Aug 2011

[Norman]

After such good manic catches of cod this season it was well due a slump, and today (for myself on Slinky Kate) was just that sort of a day.
We all know and it's been said many a time that if it were easy every time then it wouldn't be called fishing but called catching ........ but that knowledge does not diminish the disapointment of standing for hours with barely a bite ..... (other than mackerel and whiting which I never count as part of the catch)

Still, it wasn't a total write off I did come back with 3 for the table, including the best a 9lb cod and also an 8lb ling.

I started with a hokkaied pirk but never ever reached the bottom with it due to blankets of mackerel stopping the drop and even at times bringing it part way up ... often rather small joey mackerel.
I suppose the good side was that I never lost the pirk as I soon gave up and opted for shads.

I think today was probably the best day (if there is such a thing) to have a slump in catch rate as I was out alone, had a lie in and late start with the knowledge I was returning early to listen to Newcastle beat Sunderland in the derby game.

There was a time when I gave up on shads and opted for mackerel baited muppets which instantly hit into the 9lb cod with another in quick succession with the ling on the next drift ..... I thought they had turned on ..... but no that was the flash of the day.

oh well it adds that bit of anticipation back in for next time and the knowledge that there's no given right to catch , only to fish .....

Pics of the day, limited I'm afraid to scenery as I was alone ..... and a bit bumpy to stand the camera on a ledge (must take small tripod on these solo occasions)

Day breaking at about 7.00am .. leaving marina (notice the empty background which is the river Tyne - see later pics)




Trip along river finding the Arcadia a P&O cruise ship entering




Beautiful Sky and Sea, just the sort to bring on the catch expectations ..





Best of the day a 9lb Cod .........





Then, after getting back in and heading to the berth ... wow look at the background to the marina now . The Arcadia ..... It looks like an enormous block of luxury Holiday Flats have been built whilst I was out





oh and it was worth being back in time to hear the game and the final score of Sunderland 0 - Newcastle United 1

No worries, just bring on the next fishing trip I'm up for it already

cheers

norm

[codseeker]

nice solo outing norman where was the cabin boy and cracking pics as usual

[dave craig]

Nice one Norman, the fishing definitely seems to have all but come to a stand still. I was out two weeks ago and got one cod! Better hope for next weekend.

[Blanked again]

Great report as ever Norm and a lovely afternoon

[oldessox]

I had a similar day on Thursday Norman , biteless hours interspersed with a mad half hour that produced 6 fish which with one bigger one later on in the day was it. I could have filled the boat with mackerel or coley , but like you say , that's not what I'm out there for . It had me wondering why? The fish must still be there when 6 can be caught on 6 drifts , so why do they suddenly just switch off for the rest of the day
I think maybe they are gorged on all the small fish that are about this time of year , but who knows
One thing is certain though , it won't put me off trying to catch them

I've been on the Arcadia , been on quite a few cruise ships , the wife loves that kind of holiday , the first time we ever went we arrived at the port and got transferred through to board the ship , we walked through onto the dock and I stood there thinking , "where is the ship?" ......... It was ten yards in front of me , it was so big it didn't look anything like a ship , it was just this white wall rising up from the other side of the dock , we were on what was then the biggest cruise ship in the world at 150 odd thousand tons , even in a force 9 it's no worse than walking round the metro centre after a couple of bevvies , it had a shopping mall down the centre with a road and a car parked at the side and flats overlooking the shops , they really are amazing things I see they now go to 225,000 tons , might have to have a go on that one

[jonny_s]

Well done Norman

Just goes to show how good this season has been for some when the word ' slump ' can be used on a day catching a 9 pounder

[Norman]

Well done Norman

Just goes to show how good this season has been for some when the word ' slump ' can be used on a day catching a 9 pounder

You know jonny, your so right ...... a 9lbr is a cracking fish anytime
still, I wasn't deterred by the lack of number as it just makes it better the next time out
(I hear bert got into a 15lbr today ... nice one)

norm

[Topfly]

Aye Norman Shady also had a quiet day with 5 cod and 1 Ling. Here's a pic of Berts fish.

[jonny_s]

Aye Norman Shady also had a quiet day with 5 cod and 1 Ling. Here's a pic of Berts fish.

Thats a lovely fish not the slightest bit jealous

[The Great Wallsendo]

well done Skip' - still a canny fish for a few hours out

Cabin Boy taking a breather this week to catch up on some personal admin' and other things - due to the fact he's been working away for the last 2 weeks and has another 4 weeks ahead

weather permitting (and of course skipper permitting ) I'll be back at it ASAP

[The Jester]

Great reort and pics Norm, Well done on the 9lb'er , think we would all settle for one of them every trip , how was the solo trip, it's not many times you go out alone and what was the drift like it was a bit gusty at times today .

[mick dunn]

well done Norman-we were out at Seahouses today and loads of mackeral.
Mick.

[canman]

Welcome to my world Norm of fishing alone. Start and finish when it suits you. The pics are a tad more difficult, but a mini tripod and some blue tac helps a lot.
Excellent report, and congrats on the 9lber. Just sitting over the bbq and heard the horn blowing from what I guessed was a cruise ship, and your report confirms it.
Was thinking of going off tomorrow, but the wind looks lighter on Monday, so might hang back till then. Retirement, decisions, decisions.

[lingking]

well done norman on the niner hard going all round today i think

[Kev1n]

Well done Norman finding even a few fish on such a hard day. We cannot win them all.