Upstaged by a 9 year old (again)!

[Saintly Fish]

The alarm was set for 05.00, and in true excited school boy fashion I was up at 04.56. Coffee and mini weetabix then time to wake the boy. We had a date with @Andy135and his son Thomas. At half past silly o’clock Leo and I were on the boat getting things organised. 07.10 the others arrived and off we set...

The weather was perfect, NNW 6mph breeze onto a flat calm solent. As we prepared to turn to starboard and west to the mark, we were greeted by nearly a super moon. Well at the least a great sunrise..

The destination was West Lepe bouy and the quarry was cod. Yes I know... hopeful to the last.

The session started well with Andy into a ........... wait for it........ can you guess......??

Yep a dog fish. I think a couple were had by the boys who quickly claimed to be “in the lead”. Catch up time. 
Well that didn’t happen🙄....

Leo proceeded to go and catch the fish of the day.... At first we thought he was snagged to the bottom, but after I gave it some constant leverage the thing moved. Back the rod goes to Leo to wind it up the rest of the way. And what a job he did...

Expert rodmanship soon saw Andy spring into action with the net,

 
 

He had done it, a superb 15lb undulate ray was his reward. And how chuffed was he..

His first ever ray and his biggest fish to date. Good lad. 
Next catch was up to Andy, and what a complete surprise this one was, you can make your own judgements on wether this was skill or not. (IM SAYING NOT). 

This was a first to see for all of us. An Anemone had swallowed Andys lead weight whole. No wonder that was the end to the fishing. If the anemones prefer lead to fish baits, what chance did we have of catching fish? 
None was about right. I think we had another couple of dogs, a couple of whiting and a pout.

Still you can’t have it all, a cracking days weather 

And the chance to catch up on your social media!

Thanks for the company Andy and Thomas, my ears have just stopped ringing. Next time though quiet=fish.

 

[GPSguru]

Well done Leo  .............. cracking fish ............👍

Looks like you guys had a great day ..................🎣

 

[Saintly Fish]

2 minutes ago, GPSguru said:

Well done Leo  .............. cracking fish ............👍

Looks like you guys had a great day ..................🎣

 

Well Leo did. It’s all I’ve heard since getting home. 😩

[GPSguru]

1 minute ago, Saintly Fish said:

Well Leo did. It’s all I’ve heard since getting home. 😩

 

Yes, but it is those sort of days at a young age that makes them a fisherman for life, and something that they will always remember ............. also dad is the hero 😉

[Saintly Fish]

4 minutes ago, GPSguru said:

 

Yes, but it is those sort of days at a young age that makes them a fisherman for life, and something that they will always remember ............. also dad is the hero 😉

Absolutely Ian, he’s already asking for the next trip! 
Now he needs to learn to tackle up and put his own bait on! 
I love it that he’s so into it, fishing buddy for life. 

[Saintly Fish]

4 minutes ago, JonC said:

Well done, taking someone out fishing and them catching is every bit as rewarding as catching your own fish. 

I’ll take you out one day Jon. Not like the other one who just promises. 

[GPSguru]

4 minutes ago, Saintly Fish said:

fishing buddy for life

True, so very true ............... just like my crew ........ Grandson Kyle who is 14, but has been coming out on the boat since he was a toddler, started fishing properly at about 5, and could confidently helm the boat at 10 ................. When we are out, I would trust him with my life .........

[suzook12]

Well done Leo. Sounds like a good day was had

[Andy135]

Top day out Neil, and well done to Leo for that very nice ray indeed. 🎣🎣

Definitely agree though that the next trip out is for the dads only. Honestly I don't know how they manage to be so loud and excitable for so long! 🤣👍

[Saintly Fish]

5 minutes ago, Andy135 said:

Top day out Neil, and well done to Leo for that very nice ray indeed. 🎣🎣

Definitely agree though that the next trip out is for the dads only. Honestly I don't know how they manage to be so loud and excitable for so long! 🤣👍

Yes, at times deafening. 🤫 

[jonnyswamp]

Excellent report and a stunning looking fish for the boy, top marks to him for bringing it in 🦾

[Saintly Fish]

3 minutes ago, jonnyswamp said:

Excellent report and a stunning looking fish for the boy, top marks to him for bringing it in 🦾

Cheers, I had to help brake the bottom suction, but once the fish was off the floor it was all his own work. I just stood there like a proud dad and watched. 

[Maverick]

Those are just the best days, well done Leo great fish skills

[Andy135]

1 hour ago, Saintly Fish said:

Next catch was up to Andy, and what a complete surprise this one was, you can make your own judgements on wether this was skill or not. (IM SAYING NOT). 

I'll have you know I aimed for that anemone! 🤣

#pureskill

[Andy135]

Some more pics from today.