Chindelly
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2021
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 256
- Points
- 53
- Location
- Hampshire
- Favourite Fishing
- Shore
The fishing mark on Hayling Island at the south eastern end is a beach leading to a deep tidal channel. Through here the vastness of Chichester Harbour is filled and emptied daily. It is really only fishable from low water up. When the tide ebbs away the water rips through.
I had done a couple of sessions here in May already, after a spring bass. It seems it is still a little early. Currently the sea bed is carpeted with dog fish. On both sessions I caught one almost every cast. The doggies greedily snaffling squid and mackerel baits with gusto. No sooner did the bait settle on the sea bed and the dogs were on it.
My favourite rig for this mark is a two hook flapper with size 3/0 octopus hooks tied to fairly short snoods. These hooks are a good size to fit a nice sized bait on and seem to hook fairly consistently in the corner of the fish's mouth.
This session was no different and I was up to 7 dogfish and counting. I wearily cast out again, set the drag and awaited the next dog fish. After about 10 minutes the rod tip twitched and then pulled down far more vigorously than previously. Could it be? I picked up the rod and slowly tightened the line. The rod tip bounced back and forth and I connected with the fish. The rod slammed right over and the fish took line. This was no dog fish! A lively tussle ensued and I loosened the drag a little to make it easier for the fish to take line. It put a fair bend in the rod as we fought back and forth. This was more like it! I slowly got him in and beached the fine chap.
What a fantastic catch! The biggest smooth hound I have caught from the shore. I didn't weigh him, just unhook, quick photo then sent him on his way. Easily a double figure fish. Sometimes you have to go the dogs and just fish through them.
I had done a couple of sessions here in May already, after a spring bass. It seems it is still a little early. Currently the sea bed is carpeted with dog fish. On both sessions I caught one almost every cast. The doggies greedily snaffling squid and mackerel baits with gusto. No sooner did the bait settle on the sea bed and the dogs were on it.
My favourite rig for this mark is a two hook flapper with size 3/0 octopus hooks tied to fairly short snoods. These hooks are a good size to fit a nice sized bait on and seem to hook fairly consistently in the corner of the fish's mouth.
This session was no different and I was up to 7 dogfish and counting. I wearily cast out again, set the drag and awaited the next dog fish. After about 10 minutes the rod tip twitched and then pulled down far more vigorously than previously. Could it be? I picked up the rod and slowly tightened the line. The rod tip bounced back and forth and I connected with the fish. The rod slammed right over and the fish took line. This was no dog fish! A lively tussle ensued and I loosened the drag a little to make it easier for the fish to take line. It put a fair bend in the rod as we fought back and forth. This was more like it! I slowly got him in and beached the fine chap.
What a fantastic catch! The biggest smooth hound I have caught from the shore. I didn't weigh him, just unhook, quick photo then sent him on his way. Easily a double figure fish. Sometimes you have to go the dogs and just fish through them.
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