Off work and hadn't been out fishing for ages. Wanted some clean, beach fishing and to try somewhere new. I knew it was due to rain this afternoon, so wanted to get out this morning. Ended up at Graham Sands, South Shields (between Trow Rock and Target Rock) fishing from low water upwards for nearly 3 hours. Nice onshore easterly wind and surf was rolling nicely.
Turned out to be a very nice little session. Nothing for the first hour, then a 39cm flounder (biggest flounder I've ever caught) on rag tipped with mackerel quickly followed by a 5cm plaice (smallest fish I've ever caught) on rag. Both flatties went back.
I didn't detect either of these bites due to the strong surf action on the rod tip. Half an hour later I did notice a very sharp bite though. Struck and knew I was into something decent. Lovely 2lb schoolie bass (42cm). Great to see it fighting in the shallow water. My first ever bass, so I was over the moon. Also landed another 34cm bass, but he went back to fight another day. Both bass taken on rag.
Packed up early as I'd run out of beach by then due to the incoming tide. There seems to be a change in slope on the beach whereby there is a steepish part then a flat shelf and once the tide is on the shelf it comes in very quickly. I didn't bring the chest waders as I thought it would be a bit hot and sweaty with them on today.
Thought I'd move around Trow Rock onto the South end of Big Beach, but there were too many holidaymakers so headed off home with bait left for another day.
Bass fillets for tea! Mmmm.
Will try and upload photos later.
Turned out to be a very nice little session. Nothing for the first hour, then a 39cm flounder (biggest flounder I've ever caught) on rag tipped with mackerel quickly followed by a 5cm plaice (smallest fish I've ever caught) on rag. Both flatties went back.
I didn't detect either of these bites due to the strong surf action on the rod tip. Half an hour later I did notice a very sharp bite though. Struck and knew I was into something decent. Lovely 2lb schoolie bass (42cm). Great to see it fighting in the shallow water. My first ever bass, so I was over the moon. Also landed another 34cm bass, but he went back to fight another day. Both bass taken on rag.
Packed up early as I'd run out of beach by then due to the incoming tide. There seems to be a change in slope on the beach whereby there is a steepish part then a flat shelf and once the tide is on the shelf it comes in very quickly. I didn't bring the chest waders as I thought it would be a bit hot and sweaty with them on today.
Thought I'd move around Trow Rock onto the South end of Big Beach, but there were too many holidaymakers so headed off home with bait left for another day.
Bass fillets for tea! Mmmm.
Will try and upload photos later.
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