I’ve been out more often these last few weeks than I have all year, though the truth is there’s been little worth writing about. As I mentioned in my last post the cod fishing up here has taken a long time to get going this season, with only pockets of fish available on the first stormy tides then seemingly gone again as soon as the seas drop.
I’ve fished the same mark exclusively this year with very little success. The wind and swell turned south easterly on Tuesday and I got a message from Tony asking if I fancied venturing further into dark Northumberland for a change the following evening. Frankly I needed little convincing. It’s been handy having Tony to motivate me to get out cod fishing a bit more as I never used to bother much – and since he’s been good enough to share a few new marks with me it’s made it all the more interesting.
So after an hour and a half drive and a canny trudge from the car I rocked up at the mark at about 6pm – and promptly slipped and fell on my ar*e while making my way over the rocks to where Tony was already fishing. Right….I need to order those bloody wader studs!
Feeling suitably sheepish and clumsy, I eventually got set up and (equally clumsily) chucked out a whole cart wing all of 40 yards….and a bit further to the right than I’d intended. Sod it – it’s staying there.
Just as well really as while we were chatting away 20 minutes later I noticed the rod give a good thump and soon I’m connected with a fish. I’ve struggled for anything over 2.5lb this season but straight away I can tell this one has a bit more about it. Soon, Rig, lead and a nice plump Codling are extracted relatively hassle free through the tangles of kelp and boulders. Not the biggest fish in the world but at 3lb9oz it’s beaten the blank, and since every other fish so far this season has gone back I don’t feel too guilty about this one coming home for tea.
Second chuck I follow this up with another nice codling approaching 3lb – Tony’s magic wings are certainly worth their weight tonight.
Tony also manages a couple of pan size fish before we move onto the main skeer as the tide drops. Given the good start we’re hopeful of a few nice fish tonight, but the gods are only semi-obliging as we’re plagued by shoals of smaller codling. Most fish are legal size and we’re getting them most chucks, but all are returned in the hope of something more substantial.
Sadly though as we approach low water at midnight things go quiet and with work looming in the morning we decide to call it an evening.
So in summary probably the most activity I’ve had in a single session so far this winter, and a couple of nice fish for the fryer. Could have been better, could have been worse!