Catch Report "Grace" 20/8/17

[drifter]

With the forecast for very strong Westerlies we had written off the weekend but eventually decided to give it a go on Sunday with no great expectations. We left Royal Quays at 7am and headed North to the ground off Whitley Bay where we tucked in close to the shore. As expected, the drift was quick but first drop immediately produced a clean 6lb Cod for Albie before John and I had even wet a line. The wind was gradually easing off and several more decent Cod were landed before we headed to the ground off Blyth and Cambois. The tide was dropping off as we reached our favourite mark off Cambois but we still managed a few decent keepers and the wind was now easing off to an almost perfect speed for shadding off Alcan. When the tide turned we started picking up fish at every drop with red and white sandeel type lures doing the business although we found a lot of the Cod off Alcan were undersize. It was nice to see a couple of old friends out and about and judging by the cheering and clapping from Rodbender I guess they were also enjoying the sport. We reached our self imposed quota of five fish each just after lunch and returned nearly all of our fish during the afternoon session before heading back for a welcome pint on the Zetland.

 

[My Alibi]

Well done for taking the gamble and getting out.

I saw the same forecast, but for me, getting out of the marina at Amble meant a later start, which worked in my favour. Probably the calmest day of the season, with a nice drift of 0.7-1.00 knot. Great water clarity too.

It was a day for experimenting. Different lures on different reefs, working my way along to end up on the good old steady fresh mackerel and frozen prawn off Cresswell (Good advice from Ben at Amble marina).

It was often a codling a drop. Most were undersized, but there were some bigger ones around too. Took a couple of nice wrasse too. Some coalies about on the reefs too, but nothing of a size. Sometimes makes you wonder about taking up LRF in these kinds of conditions.

Heading up to Dumfries & Galloway soon. Have a couple of sessions booked with Ian Burrett of Onyermarks, so fingers crossed. I trailed my own boat up there 2 years back but spent a lot of time trying to get on the right marks. I figured this time, it's a lot easier letting Ian do it. If the weather gods play ball!

 

[Charlton]

Well done for taking the gamble and getting out.

I saw the same forecast, but for me, getting out of the marina at Amble meant a later start, which worked in my favour. Probably the calmest day of the season, with a nice drift of 0.7-1.00 knot. Great water clarity too.

It was a day for experimenting. Different lures on different reefs, working my way along to end up on the good old steady fresh mackerel and frozen prawn off Cresswell (Good advice from Ben at Amble marina).

It was often a codling a drop. Most were undersized, but there were some bigger ones around too. Took a couple of nice wrasse too. Some coalies about on the reefs too, but nothing of a size. Sometimes makes you wonder about taking up LRF in these kinds of conditions.

Heading up to Dumfries & Galloway soon. Have a couple of sessions booked with Ian Burrett of Onyermarks, so fingers crossed. I trailed my own boat up there 2 years back but spent a lot of time trying to get on the right marks. I figured this time, it's a lot easier letting Ian do it. If the weather gods play ball!

Let me ow how you get on and if you get anything decent get some photos, sure Ian will put you on some tope and big pollock

 

[jonman]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: thanks Tony. great report, lots of undersize codling but some good cod 6lb to 7lb and a lovely 8-9lb Pollock all on the shad and yes few cheers and claps from Rodbender. down to good fishing, seeing good friends again and more likely the fact that RodBender is back in action.

 

[Kev1n]

Nice one Tony, that's a good haul of fish. I noticed one of the Tyne charter boats near StMary's can on Sunday afternoon and thought the wrecks must be quiet. Water clarity has been spot on for the lure fishing, we'll have to see what happens with the slight seas forecast mid week.

 

[drifter]

Nice one Tony, that's a good haul of fish. I noticed one of the Tyne charter boats near StMary's can on Sunday afternoon and thought the wrecks must be quiet. Water clarity has been spot on for the lure fishing, we'll have to see what happens with the slight seas forecast mid week.

Hi Kev, we started the session by fishing your favourite spot close in just off Whitley Bay. We took a good fish first drop and found that most of the action took place in that depth and area. When we drifted further out and into deeper water the bites became less frequent. We should have fished the same swim on our way home but there were a couple of Yaks right on the hot spot.

 

[My Alibi]

Let me ow how you get on and if you get anything decent get some photos, sure Ian will put you on some tope and big pollock

Will do Alan.

Ian knows his onions alright. I first started using Ian some 12 years ago. Back then, Malcolm was our skipper mostly, and it was partly the fun that I had with him that got me into this boating lark. Looking at Ian's facebook page this week, they've just had a monster 80lb tope. Even half that size would suit me right now!

Fingers crossed!