South West Late report - whiting from Devon, one with a guest🤢

[Flipper]

So went out with my boys to try and get some whiting for their beloved fish cake recipe. Pretty much as soon as the light went it was all go. The usual vanguard of smaller ones, then later on as the tide built we had a few up to 1lb 4oz. We stepped up from size 1 hooks to 2/0 and 3/0 to try and be more selective in targeting the bigger whiting, such was the volume of the shoals out there. The fixed pat with hook below the lead seemed to catch more and bigger fish compared to the running ledger and urfe rigs.

One of the bigger ones actually coughed up a smaller fresh whiting, proving predatory they are. Most of the fish came to lug and sandeel. We also had pout, blennies and small pollack.

However, the weirdest thing was catching a small whiting with a guest attached! The lamprey left a nasty mark on the whiting, but it swam off quickly so hopefully no lasting damage. Boys wanted to keep the Lamprey for pike bait, but, it was returned to grow a bit too.

Not sure if you can target the lampreys on Isome John, but, they are around

 

[Flipper]

 

[John Mitchell]

So went out with my boys to try and get some whiting for their beloved fish cake recipe. Pretty much as soon as the light went it was all go. The usual vanguard of smaller ones, then later on as the tide built we had a few up to 1lb 4oz. We stepped up from size 1 hooks to 2/0 and 3/0 to try and be more selective in targeting the bigger whiting, such was the volume of the shoals out there. The fixed pat with hook below the lead seemed to catch more and bigger fish compared to the running ledger and urfe rigs.

One of the bigger ones actually coughed up a smaller fresh whiting, proving predatory they are. Most of the fish came to lug and sandeel. We also had pout, blennies and small pollack.

However, the weirdest thing was catching a small whiting with a guest attached! The lamprey left a nasty mark on the whiting, but it swam off quickly so hopefully no lasting damage. Boys wanted to keep the Lamprey for pike bait, but, it was returned to grow a bit too.

Not sure if you can target the lampreys on Isome John, but, they are around
View attachment 37462

I wonder if I could claim it as a spieces catch

 

[Goateeblank]

I find the parasites on fish a bit "icky" somehow. I don't like touching the ones we see on wrasse. Never seen a lamprey, so that is interesting in itself. whiting are nice to eat. Getting out with your boys is a definite winner, nice one.

 

[Trampster]

I wonder if I could claim it as a spieces catch

According to Wiki John, Lamprey are a species of Fish, so I don't see why not?

"There are about 38 known extant species of lampreys"

Lamprey - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Trampster]

Great report & photos Flipper. That Whiting looks a reasonable size?

 

[The Third Earl]

Henry 1 st is reputed to have died due to eating a “Surfeit of Lampreys “

Rather him than me , they are horrible things. A few of the rivers I fish have them , oooogly buggers with a mouth resembling a dustbin with teeth all around the outside.

Dave

 

[Trampster]

Henry 1 st is reputed to have died due to eating a “Surfeit of Lampreys “

Rather him than me , they are horrible things. A few of the rivers I fish have them , oooogly buggers with a mouth resembling a dustbin with teeth all around the outside.

Dave

Never seen one Dave, but they do seem similar to Leeches to me.

 

[flappy]

 

[Plaicehunter]

I wonder if I could claim it as a spieces catch

My one and only red band fish was 'caught' coiled up like a belt inside a rather plump whiting!

 

[Wolf]

Nice one mate, great catches & piccys well done write up made good reading

 

[Tatunka joe]

Nice tings bey lampreys are aliens

 

[bananas]

Well done on the fish , chap next to me at the breakwater had one attached to his whiting too, that a make a great one for the hunt

 

[richtic]

Well done getting out and catching a few fish

 

[Kenny84]

View attachment 37463

Like something out of aliens isn’t it

 

[CKB]

Never caught one
Are those hagfish in Norway the same? They look very different in colour.

Happy new year to you.

 

[Flipper]

Many thanks Chris. I think they must be the same family of fish