On Wednesday evening, after an extended run of North winds and rough seas the wind suddenly turned Westerly and the sea quickly settled down.
Thursday morning was a definite "window of opportunity" so John and I left Royal Quays at 6.45 before heading North to the ground off St Mary's.
Given all the recent rain and snow, we were pleasantly surprised at the water clarity so we elected to fish the shad tipped off with prawn and/or squid.
It was slack water but an offshore breeze provided just enough movement for the flowing trace and wasn't long before we were landing and returning many smallish Cod. When the tide eventually turned and began to pull, we started to land a better stamp of fish and we kept about half a dozen to replenish my nearly empty freezer.
Most of the fish were just lip hooked which meant they went back ok but there were a couple of decent fish lost at the boat with John (Mr Impatient) losing a decent 6 or 7 pounder by trying to lift it in without the aid of the net or gaff.
It's been a long winter but the fish are now here, the boat season is ready to take off if the weather gods would just stop sending these Northerlies.
Thursday morning was a definite "window of opportunity" so John and I left Royal Quays at 6.45 before heading North to the ground off St Mary's.
Given all the recent rain and snow, we were pleasantly surprised at the water clarity so we elected to fish the shad tipped off with prawn and/or squid.
It was slack water but an offshore breeze provided just enough movement for the flowing trace and wasn't long before we were landing and returning many smallish Cod. When the tide eventually turned and began to pull, we started to land a better stamp of fish and we kept about half a dozen to replenish my nearly empty freezer.
Most of the fish were just lip hooked which meant they went back ok but there were a couple of decent fish lost at the boat with John (Mr Impatient) losing a decent 6 or 7 pounder by trying to lift it in without the aid of the net or gaff.
It's been a long winter but the fish are now here, the boat season is ready to take off if the weather gods would just stop sending these Northerlies.
