Goateeblank
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2020
- Messages
- 1,667
- Reaction score
- 5,747
- Points
- 115
- Location
- South Coast
- Favourite Fishing
- Shore
After a pretty unproductive all nighter last weekend after the big stuff, which included a long trek there, and a weary trek back! It was back to Weymouth Stone Pier on 1st Feb, for an easy fish, and to see what else could be had there.

I was using different tactics this time, mainly concentrating on one lrf rod and around the shallow rocky water. As usual there were lots of wrasse to be had, but this time more ballan than corkwing. The one in the picture was a stunner. It always amazes me how the ballan's can be so many different colours.

Not much else doing, but pleased with a favourite of mine a tompot blenny. He looks a bit shocked!

Back to more wrasse.

I was chatting with a lady I know from Boscombe, when the 5ft LRF rod bend double and I mean double! I was on for a good old scrap with what ever it was, l was fighting to keep the fish out of the weed, with a rod with very little back bone, light line and a size 8 hook! I had to be pretty careful, but got it near to the wall. Next problem lifting it. The lady (who's speciality is catching squid) offered to hold the rod, while I hand balled the fish up. I did not hold out much hope of getting it up on the pier. It helped that the fish went quiet once clear of the water, and it was soon in my hands. Definitely a PB for me and measured at around 394mm (15 1/2 inch). I tried to weigh it, but the cold had killed my electric scales. A cracking fat wrasse!


Really pleased with the fish, and after reading reports and being inspired by @DamionFryer, I had decided that l wanted a decent wrasse this year. Done that! Anyone hazard a guess at the likely weight?

The rest of the day was much of the same, with no new fish for my hunt. We (me and Haddock) bailed out and made our way into the harbour where very quickly I had the black goby I needed and expected from the spot we fished. That done, it was time to leave.

If I can get a new species each session, I am happy. The bonus was my target wrasse, and early in the year!
Good luck if you are out.

I was using different tactics this time, mainly concentrating on one lrf rod and around the shallow rocky water. As usual there were lots of wrasse to be had, but this time more ballan than corkwing. The one in the picture was a stunner. It always amazes me how the ballan's can be so many different colours.

Not much else doing, but pleased with a favourite of mine a tompot blenny. He looks a bit shocked!

Back to more wrasse.

I was chatting with a lady I know from Boscombe, when the 5ft LRF rod bend double and I mean double! I was on for a good old scrap with what ever it was, l was fighting to keep the fish out of the weed, with a rod with very little back bone, light line and a size 8 hook! I had to be pretty careful, but got it near to the wall. Next problem lifting it. The lady (who's speciality is catching squid) offered to hold the rod, while I hand balled the fish up. I did not hold out much hope of getting it up on the pier. It helped that the fish went quiet once clear of the water, and it was soon in my hands. Definitely a PB for me and measured at around 394mm (15 1/2 inch). I tried to weigh it, but the cold had killed my electric scales. A cracking fat wrasse!


Really pleased with the fish, and after reading reports and being inspired by @DamionFryer, I had decided that l wanted a decent wrasse this year. Done that! Anyone hazard a guess at the likely weight?

The rest of the day was much of the same, with no new fish for my hunt. We (me and Haddock) bailed out and made our way into the harbour where very quickly I had the black goby I needed and expected from the spot we fished. That done, it was time to leave.

If I can get a new species each session, I am happy. The bonus was my target wrasse, and early in the year!
Good luck if you are out.