Bass on a cold January night - 26th January 2012

[RockHunter]

People: Me

Duration: 5.30 - 8.30 pm

Tide: HW at 7.30 pm

Weather: Clear, very cold, moderate westerly wind

Bait: Crab

Rigs: 4/0 pennel pulleys

Results: 2 bass, 3 Coalfish, 1 Codling




Report:I thought I would try fishing over high tide on the beach that I fished Tuesday night. I got there at about 5.15 pm and set up two rods both with 4/0 pennel pulleys baited with fresh crab. There was a good surf, much better than the previous night but it was very cold with a bitter westerly wind. My hands were numb after handling the wet crabs and it took a while to thaw my fingers out.

About 15 minutes later, just as the light was beginning to go, I had a sudden sharp pull on one of the rods, I grabbed it and struck into a reasonably strong fish which I reckoned had to be a bass. After a few minutes I hauled it out of the surf. Sure enough it was a 47 cm bass.
Just after recasting the first rod I spotted a slight knock on the other. This didn't feel to be a large fish and came in without much of a fight. It was a small coalfish. Just as I was rebaiting I noticed some subtle taps on the other rod. I picked it up and waited but couldn't feel anything. However, just as I was placing the rod back on the stand the tip buckled over. I grabbed it again and felt a very strong fish, but it came off after a few seconds.

After that it got very quite for a long time, apart from another coalfish and a very small codling. It was a clear night just illuminated by a narrow cresent moon and a multitude of stars but too cold to be sitting out admiring the universe and watching motionless rod tips. So at 8 pm, half an hour after high tide, I decided to pack up, reached for the first rod but found that the line had gone slack. I hadn't noticed a bite earlier. I reeled in a lot of slack line before feeling some resistance, then felt a strong tug as the fish began to fight. It put up a good struggle as I got it in close and eventually I could see a glint of silver splashing about in the foamy surf. I eased it in a little further and on to the gravel. It was a better bass, with a length of 57 cm and a weight of 4 lbs.

I fished on for another half an hour, had another coalfish before before packing up, and heading home to thaw out in front of the fire. It was a reasonable session for late January, with two bass, three coalfish and a codling.

[JOHN1]

very good session frank ,well done

great looking Blog, when i have a bit of time i will have a good read of it

[beachbuddy]

Nice chubby fish Frank,hope the feeling is back in the hands.A nice gentleman gave me some hand pocket warmers the other night and they made a big differance to my hands but sadly not the fishing

[Creep]

Bass magnet

[thecatcher]

sum man for the bass

[eyesreilly]

Good man Frank, you're off to a flying start and whetting our appetites . Nicely written report

[paul skelly]

And it starts again
Nice one Frank lovely fish

[Deleted User 3488]

Another chunky Bass,,Things are looking up for the Bass fishing

[Danny M.]

Nice fishing Frank.

[tight lines]

another great session frank 2 fine bass well done

[Mus]

great fishing well done

[declan65]

Nice fishing Frank , you are off to a great start.

[oli]

niceone,Frank,sounds like we have early start for bassing

[roger de dodger]

only two

[RockHunter]

Thanks guys,

Nice chubby fish Frank,hope the feeling is back in the hands.A nice gentleman gave me some hand pocket warmers the other night and they made a big differance to my hands but sadly not the fishing

Thanks Mike, I saw those hand warmers in a shop before Christmas, I was kicking myself on Thursday night for not buying some.

[mitch]

Class fishing frank will have to start planning a trip soon

[sparkey+1]

Fair play Frank some fine fish there

[tomgrey]

Well done frank, good to be getting a few bass in january. I was away from the fishing for most of 2011 so hopefully i'll be back in the water soon and sticking up a few posts in 2012. I need of some new gear first to give a boost to get out again. Haven't hit a beach since my waders leaked. They be first on the list I reackon. Got two sets of those hand warmers b4 christmas. They are the business indeed. I had to pack up one or two nights because of frozen useless hands, no more i say....

Well done again, great blog too.