Grace 14/5/17

drifter

Well-known member
We left Royal Quays at the top of the tide and made our way North on slack water which was as clean as I've seen it for many months. We all fished shads on a flowing trace and the benefit of the water clarity was immediately apparent. As the tide turned we had a very productive couple of hours off the Blyth radio mast when quite often we were all into fish at the same time. We probably landed between 50 to 60 Cod up to 5lb all taken on shads with the lighter colours doing the damage. By early afternoon the wind freshened and fishing became difficult so we headed home for a quick pint on the Zetland where we reflected on our best day for quite some time. Most of the fish were returned but we kept about a dozen to top up our freezers. fish2.jpg
 
I left Amble at 10.30am 2 hours before low tide and headed down to Hauxley. Conditions were ok, but the water was very coloured with viz no more than a foot this close inshore. I had three coalies and a couple of codling around 2lb. Was using frozen cooked prawns, and some black lug I had in the freezer on orange daylights. Chatting to another boat, he had the same experience and he went north.

I went south to Cresswell, where only 1 other boat was fishing. Viz was better here and I switched to black daylights. The fish came on the feed around 2 hours into the flood, all the way up to the high tide. I had a further 20 fish, mostly in the 2-4lb bracket, of which all but 4 went back. The drift was between 0.8-1.1 knots all day, with the flood tide giving a nice run over the banks, with fish coming in all depths, from 25 up to 80 feet. It was a bit bumpy, but not that bad.

It certainly felt good to be out again after more than a month of waiting. The fish were all in good condition and fought well in the tide. Stomach contents were mostly squat lobster and crab, with one having a small flattie.

Typical catch 14 May 2017_zpsihueywob.jpg Photo by ab_ssy | Photobucket

Looking towards Coquet Island 14 May 2017_zpswofxrsdv.jpg Photo by ab_ssy | Photobucket
 
thats a belting report My Alibi,you did well sticking with south:D prawn and black lug are decent baits,prawn all year,black lug early on---did you lose much gear at cresswell
 
great report lad's, well done. the radio mast is a survey m.e.p, after the survey's are complete it will be a future wind farm, good fishing.
 
I left Amble at 10.30am 2 hours before low tide and headed down to Hauxley. Conditions were ok, but the water was very coloured with viz no more than a foot this close inshore. I had three coalies and a couple of codling around 2lb. Was using frozen cooked prawns, and some black lug I had in the freezer on orange daylights. Chatting to another boat, he had the same experience and he went north.

I went south to Cresswell, where only 1 other boat was fishing. Viz was better here and I switched to black daylights. The fish came on the feed around 2 hours into the flood, all the way up to the high tide. I had a further 20 fish, mostly in the 2-4lb bracket, of which all but 4 went back. The drift was between 0.8-1.1 knots all day, with the flood tide giving a nice run over the banks, with fish coming in all depths, from 25 up to 80 feet. It was a bit bumpy, but not that bad.

It certainly felt good to be out again after more than a month of waiting. The fish were all in good condition and fought well in the tide. Stomach contents were mostly squat lobster and crab, with one having a small flattie.

Typical catch 14 May 2017_zpsihueywob.jpg Photo by ab_ssy | Photobucket

Looking towards Coquet Island 14 May 2017_zpswofxrsdv.jpg Photo by ab_ssy | Photobucket

Yes it was really good to be out and if we get a decent run of Westerlies we should see a lot more catch reports. Did you get any Wrasse? we get the occasional Wrasse but yesterday I had at least 5 good sized fish which we immediately returned. I know the Portuguese regard them as a delicacy but has anyone got an opinion on Wrasse being a viable fish for eating.
 
Unfortunately not - they give a good account of themselves.

I read somewhere that they are territorial fish, so defend their own spot. It'd be a shame if they were taken and then turned out to be inedible.

I've seen Moray eel and Barnacles on the menu in Portugal. Not sure I fancy them either, however much garlic butter they pour over them :eek:
 
Canny report Tony.

Same as you we found the fishing much improved taken fish of 7 out of 9 wrecks with 2 wrecks getting a fish a drop each for over 2hrs...best was just over 8lb mix of cod and ling.

4 solid days of fishing coming up this week if the weather stays the same.
 
Yes it was really good to be out and if we get a decent run of Westerlies we should see a lot more catch reports. Did you get any Wrasse? we get the occasional Wrasse but yesterday I had at least 5 good sized fish which we immediately returned. I know the Portuguese regard them as a delicacy but has anyone got an opinion on Wrasse being a viable fish for eating.

certainly very popular with most europeans---and russians absolutely love them---also good for fish stock i believe much too bonny a fish to eat--so not for this jock:D
 
Great reports lads something to smile about at last. Nice to hear of fish being returned to fight another day either too small or surplus to requirements, thanks for the read.
 
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