20th March Bristol Channel

[jonnyswamp]

A small tide meant a trip over the other side to a mark near the Clevedon buoy which on a bigger tide can be unfishable

So an uneventful trip through the 7am lock, saw us skirt past the dredger on the wrach channel and with the bow pointed East, away we went

Nice smooth ride across a glass like sea, it doesn't happen very often so I had to take a photo

Anyway, anchor down by 7.45 and all rods out before 8

A gentle tap turned into a solid nod on Marks rod and his first cast produced what was to be the best fish of the day, at 5lb 2oz

As soon as the excitement died down and his fresh bait cast back out, one of his other rods started dancing

This resulted in another Codling, slightly smaller than the first, at around 4lb

Fish number 3 also fell to one of marks rods, around the same size as his 2nd

All 3 fish were caught within the first hour or so, with the remainder of the rods sat motionless

I may have seen a twitch on mine, but I put it down as another mirage

With no tide we upped anchor and repositioned ready for the ebb, top water was 10.45 and we didn't get any rip for the best part of an hour

Strap congers started to become a pest, but they disappeared as the tide run grew stronger, which coincided with the rays getting hungry

A steady stream of Thornbacks up to around 10lb gave some good sport in what was becoming a strong tide for it's height

This was the biggest Ray of the day

No more Codling, but a good day nonetheless

We all wanted to get back for the rugby so opted for the 2.15 lock back 

Anchor up and hammer down saw us make the lock in plenty of time with us being the first in and tied up

An Arvor 18 or 20 came in behind us and as he was approaching to tie up, he gave it full forward throttle (instead of reverse to pull his stern in) and nearly lost one of his crew off the bow

Luckily, not too much damage to his boat, just a knackered bow roller

He said his throttle stuck, it didn't, he did what all of us has done at some point, he fucked up

So no Cod for me today, but we're back out Tuesday or Wednesday (will check weather tomorrow and decide) to give a wreck a try that isn't marked on any chart

I very much doubt it's an unknown wreck, but it may hold a few fish 🤞

And the less said about the rugby, the better 😭

[Andy135]

Top report Nick! That's a session to be pleased with - plenty of fish and smooth sailing. Well done! 👍👍

Nice photos too 😉

[Andy135]

Didn't like to mention the rugby but seeing as you raised it... yep, quite a shame for the Welsh.

[Geoff]

Along with the cricket - but in that case for every year!!! Geoff.

[suzook12]

Good work, sounds like a good day out was had

 

[Jed Stone]

a good day , it looks like 😃