North East Fraisthorpe, my first flatfish

[AndyA]

The Mrs and I drove over to Fraisthorpe beach earlier today, it's a dog friendly beach and Holly (our Lab) loves being there.

Now, I only have a 9' spinning rod, but I fancied having a try at fishing for some flatfish and with Fraisthorpe being a sandy beach, this seemed like an ideal opportunity. I'd made up a couple of 2 hook flapper rigs, after watching some YouTube videos for guidance. I'd used some size 1 hooks and had some salted Mackerel cubes and strips to try as bait. The Mackerel was from a supermarket and reduced in price, the good lady had bought it and popped it in the freezer for me to use.

High tide was 11.58 and we arrived at 11am, by the time I'd managed to unhook the top hook from my woolly hat, it was around 11.15

This was when I realised that I didn't have the right tools for the job! I had stepped up to my biggest lead weight, a hefty 1.5oz there was no way on earth that I was going to be able to keep a tight line, but I really did have fun trying.

Just after high tide at midday I felt some resistance on ths line, even some movement. I'd just caught my first flatfish. I think it's a Plaice? Not much bigger than my hand, but that was the only fish from our 2 hour visit.

I came away happy, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and we now have an exhausted Labrador by our feet,

I need the right tools for the job

 

[Reevsey]

I may be wrong but i think that looks more like a flounder . Well done on catching your 1st flattie regardless of what it is

 

[AndyA]

I may be wrong but i think that looks more like a flounder . Well done on catching your 1st flattie regardless of what it is

Cheers Reevsey, I tried searching online for Plaice and Flounder and struggled.

 

[itchyknackersack]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://planetseafishing.com/features/a-simplified-guide-to-the-identification-of-common-flatfish/&ved=2ahUKEwj_hLPz2KOMAxW2g_0HHUc4DIIQFnoECGMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2s0R9JGZQTqp3K8cUBZ3nN

This might help you in the future AndyA if you take a closer look at your fish from eyes to gills it's smooth plaice have a few boney knobs tail is square too plaice have a rounded edge to tail
looks like you had a nice day for it well done

 

[AndyA]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://planetseafishing.com/features/a-simplified-guide-to-the-identification-of-common-flatfish/&ved=2ahUKEwj_hLPz2KOMAxW2g_0HHUc4DIIQFnoECGMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2s0R9JGZQTqp3K8cUBZ3nN

This might help you in the future AndyA if you take a closer look at your fish from eyes to gills it's smooth plaice have a few boney knobs tail is square too plaice have a rounded edge to tail
looks like you had a nice day for it well done

Thanks very much

 

[Trampster]

Well done Andy! Great report & photos. Holly Dog looks great too.

 

[Topwater]

You got out and caught Andy There's always stuff to learn, particularly at the start. I believe with fishing there's a lot more than one lifetimes knowledge involved and you only stop learning when your dead!
Keep at it and enjoy

 

[chesilpete]

Flounder.... well done!