Goateeblank
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2020
- Messages
- 1,667
- Reaction score
- 5,745
- Points
- 115
- Location
- South Coast
- Favourite Fishing
- Shore
Been an odd year this one. Not fished as much as usual, fishing has been poor. Loads going on at home with my wife breaking her wrist badly (she has Parkinson's as well), my mam being ill and her bungalow turning black with mould! I also lost one of my closest mates who did not even get to draw his pension. Upshot has been much less fishing and reporting. Priorities change, that's life!
Boscombe Pier 26/11/24. Not far to drive, parking is free now for the season and easy access and fishing. This was just after one of the recent storms, so the hope was, that it had stirred things up a bit. Met Haddock, exchanged pleasantries, set up in the corner with 10ft flattie rods, and was straight into a small bass, caught on worm. Had 2 over the session.
It was a very pleasant day, blue skies and not much wind, so it was just good to be out. Next up was a tub gurnard on gar fish strip. Such a beautiful looking fish. The turquoise on the fins showing up a treat in the sun. It gave a good strong bite and for its size felt like a much better fish, probably using those big pectoral fins to good effect. Had 2 of these as well over the session.
The top of the tide came and went with no action, but again is was good to be out on the pier and we were pretty much the only ones fishing. Next up on the gar fish strips was a nice plaice. There does not seem to be many about compared to previous years, but it was sizeable.
Haddock had bought some sprats from Morrisons and I sent one out on a heavier rod. I was "rewarded" after a half hour with a small conger.
We had helped a couple of lads, who had not fished much before, and they caught a gurnard. They were over the moon with it and we felt good having helped them out with bait and advice. I left Haddock to it as it was due to get dark. I was quite happy with my days fishing. No new species, but 4 species caught and 6 fish in total. As l got near the end of the pier there were 2 guys tacking up one rod. "Any luck mate" one asks. I said yes and that l had caught 2 bass, 2 gurnard, a plaice and a conger and one replied. "l wish l hadn't fucking asked". What an odd attitude. They asked, I wasn't bragging just replying!
Before I left l had told the guy next to me that l was going in 30 mins and did he want my spot when l left. He moved in as l moved out and we had a chat. Just as l got home l got a message from Haddock to say that matey had caught a codling! Well done him, but obviously l wished l had stayed on and that it had been me!
03/12/24. Boscombe Pier.
A week later, and again after some bad weather returned for another session with week old worms from the previous session. Had a few of the usual suspects, bass, gurnard and whiting, and was given a few squid. I put a squid head on a 3 0 hook and sent it off the end of the pier. Had a super bite and plenty of bend in the rod and was expecting another conger. I got it up to the top and it wasn't spinning, it was surfing on the surface and l could see it was flat. It looked liftable and up it came onto the pier, my dream fish for the day, a nice turbot! I usually get a couple a year, but this year was cutting it a bit fine! They are always a very welcome species, and one for my hunts. I was absolutely made up with it.
I could have left after the turbot, but stayed on a bit longer with nothing new to report. As l was leaving the pier l was asked again by 2 guys if l'd had any luck. I told them what l had and they said well done!
I would like to get a cod, but the year is running out and there is always next year!
Good luck if you are out.
Boscombe Pier 26/11/24. Not far to drive, parking is free now for the season and easy access and fishing. This was just after one of the recent storms, so the hope was, that it had stirred things up a bit. Met Haddock, exchanged pleasantries, set up in the corner with 10ft flattie rods, and was straight into a small bass, caught on worm. Had 2 over the session.
It was a very pleasant day, blue skies and not much wind, so it was just good to be out. Next up was a tub gurnard on gar fish strip. Such a beautiful looking fish. The turquoise on the fins showing up a treat in the sun. It gave a good strong bite and for its size felt like a much better fish, probably using those big pectoral fins to good effect. Had 2 of these as well over the session.
The top of the tide came and went with no action, but again is was good to be out on the pier and we were pretty much the only ones fishing. Next up on the gar fish strips was a nice plaice. There does not seem to be many about compared to previous years, but it was sizeable.
Haddock had bought some sprats from Morrisons and I sent one out on a heavier rod. I was "rewarded" after a half hour with a small conger.
We had helped a couple of lads, who had not fished much before, and they caught a gurnard. They were over the moon with it and we felt good having helped them out with bait and advice. I left Haddock to it as it was due to get dark. I was quite happy with my days fishing. No new species, but 4 species caught and 6 fish in total. As l got near the end of the pier there were 2 guys tacking up one rod. "Any luck mate" one asks. I said yes and that l had caught 2 bass, 2 gurnard, a plaice and a conger and one replied. "l wish l hadn't fucking asked". What an odd attitude. They asked, I wasn't bragging just replying!
Before I left l had told the guy next to me that l was going in 30 mins and did he want my spot when l left. He moved in as l moved out and we had a chat. Just as l got home l got a message from Haddock to say that matey had caught a codling! Well done him, but obviously l wished l had stayed on and that it had been me!
03/12/24. Boscombe Pier.
A week later, and again after some bad weather returned for another session with week old worms from the previous session. Had a few of the usual suspects, bass, gurnard and whiting, and was given a few squid. I put a squid head on a 3 0 hook and sent it off the end of the pier. Had a super bite and plenty of bend in the rod and was expecting another conger. I got it up to the top and it wasn't spinning, it was surfing on the surface and l could see it was flat. It looked liftable and up it came onto the pier, my dream fish for the day, a nice turbot! I usually get a couple a year, but this year was cutting it a bit fine! They are always a very welcome species, and one for my hunts. I was absolutely made up with it.
I could have left after the turbot, but stayed on a bit longer with nothing new to report. As l was leaving the pier l was asked again by 2 guys if l'd had any luck. I told them what l had and they said well done!
I would like to get a cod, but the year is running out and there is always next year!
Good luck if you are out.
