It took a good 45mins before the wind dropped so I headed out to do some Mackerel fishing whilst Matty stayed on the beach for a bit of a snooze. I managed a few of the usual suspects (Mackerel, Gurnard, etc) then hooked a few very small 5″ fish, I wasn’t sure what they were as I hadn’t seen them before but did wonder if they were Weaver fish. Quickly unhooked with care just in case they were Weavers and back they went, a few minutes later I hooked another. This time I figured it would be best to use the forceps to avoid touching the fish, well, just when I did that the fish curled over and stung me. Yep, definitely a Weaver fish then!

I got onto the VHF radio to Matty to tell him I had been stung, he told me I was a daft sod (as expected) so I carried on fishing. Within minutes though my thumb felt like is was going to explode the pain was that bad, I got onto the VHF radio again and told Matty I don’t feel to grand and was going to try and paddle to shore. I probably only got about 50 yards and couldn’t go any further, my whole left arm was in agony and couldn’t lift anything let alone paddle anywhere. So again on to the radio telling Matty of the situation, I put out my drogue and waited for Matty to arrive. By the time Matty arrived (5mins later) my body was going into shock, I couldn’t stop shaking and struggled to speak.

Matty made the correct decision and called the Humber Coastguard straight away, they inturn called the Runswick lifeboat. It wasn’t long before they arrived alongside, dragged me aboard and quickly took me to shore where an ambulance was ready and waiting for me at the slipway. At that point as wasn’t 100% with it, the paramedics did their checks and took me straight to Whitby hospital. My hand was placed in red hot water and left to swell up for the next hour or so. Within a few hours the pain has subsided and I could move ok and just about talk properly.

Not a very nice experience but I’m sure the holiday makers on the beach enjoyed the show put on by the rescue, so a word of warning, avoid Weaver fish at all costs!!!

Don't touch that black dorsal fin whatever you do!!

Even made it onto the local rag's front page!

Andrew Field is a long standing customer of Baxter Angling and is also what I’d class as a good mate, Andy is a very nice chap that as well being a fishermen also enjoys making floats. Now Andy has been making floats for quite some time but it wasn’t until recently that I was lucky enough to obtain a few, I bought a boxset of floats as a present for a friend’s birthday and I was that impressed by them that I HAD to have some myself.

I don’t actually do that much float fishing myself (mainly off sea fishing) but when I do I now have to use Andy’s floats, they have what I call a Mr Crabtree look about them. Andy obviously takes a great deal of time and effort when creating what are basically works of art, some of the floats have a feather varnished on which I personally think is a fantastic feature to what are already excellent floats.

If you are after something to add a touch of class to your float fishing then these are the floats for you, I really can’t recommend them enough. If you would like to get in touch with Andy then pop onto his provisional website http://andymx2.spaces.live.com/ for more details

Marc arrived at my house after his 1.5hr drive, moved his gear over to my van and we were off. It wasn’t long before we were at our venue of choice, so waders on, bags/rods packed and off down the cliff we went.

The plan was to fish the last 4hrs of the flood and the first few hours of the ebb. Conditions looked pretty much spot on, crystal clear sea, overcast sky and the wind coming off our backs. Confidence was high! For the next 5 hours or so we chucked a range of lures and fished various areas but just couldn’t find the Bass, nothing was showing anywhere so we were left scratching our heads wondering what to do.

We had a welcome snack break to recharge the batteries and be fish the ebb refreshed in hope of a few of those elusive Bass. It wasn’t until 2 hours into the ebb where I connected with my first fish of the session, a nice little pristine schoolie took my Bomber A-Salt near the end of the retrieve. OK not a massive fish but most welcome after 5hrs of nothing, the wee fella was quickly unhooked and returned safely. It was a good confidence booster so Marc had high hopes of finding his first Yorkshire Bass.

First Bass of the day

We were pleased and relieved to of finally found a Bass so fingers crossed we’d find a few of the schoolie’s mates hunting in the same large gulley. 10mins after I had the little schoolie a good Salmon of maybe 12-15lb jumped out over the shallow scarr next the gulley we were fishing, hmm, wonder if we could tempt him with a few lures. We both cast around the area for a few minutes when I felt a hard knock, had I tempted the Salmon? Short answer, no! After a spirited fight a nice 3lb-4lb Bass appeared through the surf.

The bigger of the two Bass

Unhooked, quick photo and back it went to fight another day. We fished for a further few hours but couldn’t find anymore Bass and more disappointing was the fact Marc went home empty handed, he did hook into a fish but lost it. He tried to make himself feel better by claiming it probably wasn’t a Bass but a Billet, bless him for trying though

I met Ben at the slipway at 4.30am just in time for the sunrise, it’s not very often I’m up at that sort of time but it’s always nice to see the sun rise.

Sunrise at Runswick Bay

It wasn’t long before we were on the water hopeful we’d find a few fish, unfortunately the recent rough sea had left some colour in the water so jigging wasn’t going to work today. We decided it would be worth tying up to a lobster pot buoy and bait fishing for Cod but there was half a dozen pot boats all hauling their pots so that plan went out the window straight away! Plan B would be to go bait fishing in the bay in hope of a few flatfish, Whiting, etc.

Paddling out to the Cod grounds

Fishing wasn’t exactly hectic, we had tried a few areas during the first few hours but with no luck. We made a move a lot closer in where we found a few Whiting but that was it, no flatfish and just a handful of Whiting to show for our efforts and that early start! Oh well, can’t win them all I guess but at least we finally got out on the kayaks. Think I’ll stick with the lunchtime starts from now on

One of the few Whiting caught

The fishing was slow with nothing showing at all during the first 2 hours, however when the water reached a certain depth a few fish moved in. I had the first take of the session quite close in resulting in a nice little schollie of about 1.75lb, not to long after I hooked into a better fish from further out. It put up a spirited fight and a nice 3lber appeared through the surf, Bass really are beautiful fish and this one was in excellent condition. Quickly unhooked and slipped her back into the surf.

3lber taken on a Hawg Seekers Bassnatcher

We continued fishing and I hooked into two more fish but unfortunately they slipped the hook half way in but I was happy with the two I had caught earlier. Matty had a few fish as well to 2.5lb or so on a shallow crankbait but he didn’t land any until after high tide, he also lost a few as well so we both had a relatively productive session so the climb back up the cliff seemed just that little bit easier

Nice little Bass, result!

Paddling down Whitby harbour

There is a large section of sand on the east side of the harbour which is known for producing flatfish so I headed straight over there. Bait today would be stripes of Mackerel and Squid fished on a two hook flattie rig, one rod would be setup on ledger and the second I would try float fishing. Well for the first few hours the only things that showed interest in my bait were hordes of crabs, seemed like every 5mins or so I was reeling in another bl##dy crab!

The crab fishing was becoming tiresome so a move was made a little further up the harbour, picked a spot and dropped anchor. Cast out both rods and within in minutes the float was sailing away under the surface, struck and fish was on! A nice little Flounder came to the surface, it’s the first time I’ve caught a Flounder so I was rather pleased with myself

I continued fishing for another hour but nothing else appeared so decided to head back to the slipway, fortunately Phillipa arrived at the same time. We both had a nice day doing what we enjoy so smiles all round

A nice little Flounder from Whitby harbour

Flattie on the float

I arrived in Chester on the Sunday night after fishing the Filey Kayak Fishing Match (I came 13th out of 35 so not to bad), unloaded the gear, had a bite to eat and had an early night ready for the week’s fishing. Day one was a day lure fishing for Pike on the River Weaver, the fishing looked promising as I had a little 4lb jack first cast unfortunately that was the only fish of the day! Conditions seemed perfect but I guess you can’t win them all.

Day two/three was our first 36hr session for Carp, again we fished the Weaver. I’d forgotten just how much cr’p you carry when Carp fishing! It took a while but all the gear was unloaded, bivvy setup and ready to go. I for some reason had a need to watch a float so one rod was cast to the far bank for the Carp with the second Carp rod put to one side whilst I float fished for Tench/Bream on a lighter rod.

It wasn’t long before Mike had the first take of the session, a small drop back and he was into a decent fish. After a few trips into the nearside weed bed a nice common graced the net. A quick photo, weighed and the cuts from spawning treated with Klin-ik and see was returned safely. At 19lb 5oz it was a good start to the session so smiles all round

I managed a few Bream, Rudd and a nice little 3lb Tench on the float rod which passed the afternoon nicely, something very enjoyable about watching a float (well, it’s best when it slides under the surface!). With the sunlight fading both Carp rods were baited up and cast out for the night, it hadn’t even got dark before Mike had his second fish. Another hard fighting common appeared through the weed, slightly smaller than the first fish but welcome all the same. Quick photo and she was gently returned straight away.

A nice Weaver Common Carp for Mike

I had one or two line bites on the Carp rods but nothing was showing, it wasn’t until 2am when I had my first run on the inside margin rod. I must admit at first I thought it was a small Bream as nothing really happened at first, however the fish then realised it was hooked then proceeded to go mental! A series of short but strong runs made for an interesting fight but eventually she came to the surface and netted first time. She weighed in at just over 17lb but she had a huge paddle at the rear which would explain the strong fight!

My first Carp for quite some time, result!

Nothing much happened for the rest of the night with just the odd beep on the bite alarms, so in the morning both rods were rebaited and cast out. Mike had an absolute screamer at around 9am which resulted in a low double Mirror Carp, nothing massive but it was a good start to the day. It wasn’t long after I was into my next fish, this time it fell to the far bank rod. Another Common slid over the next at probably around 11lb, unhooked and returned straight away. Mike had his fourth fish shortly afterwards, this being a nice little 8-9lb Common.

It had been a few hours without any sign of fish so we decided to finish on a relative high and have a change of scenery. Gear was packed away, loaded in the van and headed back to Mike’s for freshening up and a cooked meal before heading out for an evenings Tench fishing.

Mike had told the next venue is a beauty, pretty much a classic Tench lake I was told so I was looking forward to fishing this Lake. A 1/2 mile walk through the overgrown woods brought us to a stunning little lake, full of lily pads and surrounded by Rhododendrons and overhanging trees. This is my kind of venue, none of this man made commercial rubbish, a proper lake!

A proper Tench lake!

Obviously when fishing for Tench next to lily pads the law states you must fish sweetcorn with a lift float, so that’s what we did. We both selected our swims, baited up and away we went. For some reason I seemed to struggle to preform the simplest of tasks without messing it up, if there was a tiniest twing sticking out anywhere I tangled on it, dropping split shot into the grass, etc. After an hour there was no sign of activity in my swim where as Mikes swim had every fish in the lake fizzing up the bottom! A change of swim was in order so I fitted on the far right of Mikes swim in a hope of poaching a few of his feeding fish Mike was the first to land a Tench, a nice plump 4lb 13oz was a great start to the session.

4lb 13oz Tench on the lift float, nice.

A few hours passed with still many fish sending up bubbles as they were feeding but we just couldn’t get a bite, we couldn’t understand why but just couldn’t tempt them. I decided to switch from corn to worm, it wasn’t long before I had a bite. The float lifted, I struck think there would be a nice Tench on the over end. Unfortunately one of the few resident Carp took a liking to my worm hookbait but didn’t take a liking to me on the other end, this resulted in my reel clutch screaming at me as this Carp tore off 30yds into the lily pads! With 5lb mono I didn’t stand a chance, line went solid so a pull for a snap was in order

Re-rigged, cast out and was ready to go. Again there were masses of bubbles but just couldn’t tempt a bite, it was’nt until the light was fading that I got my first proper Tench bite, a classic life float bite and the fish was on. Put up a good fight on the light gear and my first remotely decent Tench graced the net, I was well pleased as it is once in a blue moon I get to go Tench fishing so to catch one on the lift float made my day. She weighed in at 4lb 12oz so 1oz less than Mike, typical!

A nice Tench and a happy shiney face :)

Day four was to be made up with 4-5hrs Chub fishing on the River Dane followed by an evening Tench fishing again. The river Dane is a lovely little river, I’ve fished it a handful of times over the years and always enjoy returning, it’s the prefect venue for traveling light armed with a quivertip and a tin of luncheon meat. Last time I fished the River Dane I managed a Chub of 4lb 1oz which apparently is a decent fish for the Dane, keen to revisit my ‘big fish swim’ the gear was setup and ready to go in double quick time

I settled into my swim where as Mike started off 100yds up stream of me, baited up with meat and cast to my faourite overhanging tree. Mike appeared 10mins later, I did wonder why he had deiced to move on so quickly. Apparently the front legs on his chair weren’t folded out correctly so just when he was setup for fishing the legs gave way folding back over, this dropped the front of the chair down and acting as a slide sent him flying down the muddy slope to the waters edge. I can only wish I was there to witness such a sight, laughing would of been an understatement, I would of been wetting myself!

Mike made his way further down stream leaving me chuckling to myself thinking of his attempt to slide into the river. It had been a good 45mins without a touch so just when I was thinking a move maybe in order the rod wrapped round! A little fight later and a nice Chub of about 3.5lb or so was in the net, result!

A 3.5lb Chub taken on luncheon meat

I fished the same swim for a further 45mins with nothing doing so I headed down stream in search of another likely area, I found a nice lookig spot with a sharp bend in the river which looked like a potential Chub holding spot. Again I fish luncheon meat, cast out under the overhanging tree and played the waiting game. Fortunately the Chub didn’t want me to wait long and I was into another 3lb+ fish, I was felling very pleased with myself. A quick phone call from Mike telling me he had similar results was good news, ok we hadn’t landed loads of fish but it was great to be on the river again and see the rod wrap round a couple of times.

We made a move to the Tench lake (via the fish n chip shop of course!) hopefully of a repeat of the night before, unfortunately it didn’t work out that with the fish doin there very best to avoid us. We blkanked at the Tench late but it’s a beautiful place to fish so can’t really complain.

Day five/six, our second overnighter was planned with a return to the River Weaver in search of Carp again. We decided to fish the ‘old section’ of the river which is natural overgrown section of the weaver. This section of the Weaver is crammed full of features, reed beds and overhanging trees everywhere. We were feeling confident, swims were baited and rods cast out. It was just a matter of waiting for the fish to show up, unfortunately the fish felt we should wait a lot longer than we planned so for the next 36hours nothing happened. the only movement I saw was a few grass snakes making their way across the surface.

Blanking at the Weaver

Sunday was my last day at Chester, we had planned to have a morning’s fishing and I’d head home later in the afternoon but to be honest we were knackered after the week’s fishing so I spent the morning packing up and loading the van. Was finished by noon just in time to watch Formula 1, not a bad way to finish a great week’s fishing. Cheers Mike for the top week’s fishing, look forward to the next trip

]]> http://www.baxterangling.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=178 http://www.baxterangling.com/blog/?p=174 http://www.baxterangling.com/blog/?p=174#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:42:05 +0000 admin http://www.baxterangling.com/blog/?p=174 With my mate Ben landing a nice near 13lb Cod a while back the pressure was on to try and land a double as well (can’t let him have all the fun!), so another Cod fishing session was planned and away we went. A light breeze and clear sea meant conditions were looking good so out we paddled for 1.75miles to our favourite cod grounds. We made a few drifts but nothing much was showing so decided to move a little further out to the slightly deeper water, this proved to be a good decision as I managed a fish on each short drift with the average fish being around 5lb. I landed quite a few fish with the smaller Cod going back to fight another day, fishing had slowed down a little until I hooked into something bigger.

Soon as the fish was hooked it went mental! for the first minute or so (it felt like an hour!!) I couldn’t do a thing with it, if I got 2ft of line back it would just strip another 8ft off! It felt like a very good fish and was expecting a high double or a big ling only to find it to be maybe 10-11lb. Don’t get me wrong I was very pleased with a potential double figure Cod but after that fight I kind of expected something bigger A quick weigh on the beach and it just touched double figures at 10lb 1oz, my third double so I’m very happy with that

Taming the beast!

Arrived at the beach with a smug looking Ben waiting for me holding a nice fish that looked a good low double, zeroed the scales and ready to go. The fish took the scales round to 12lb 14oz, a new pb for Ben so he was very happy Unfortunately the little tinker beat my pb Cod by 6oz! It was definately his round at the pub afterwards!!

We both managed a few more Codling to 4lb before heading in as the wind had picked up to an uncomfortable level, a new pb isn’t bad for a few hours work though.

A lovely coloured 12lb 14oz Cod