South West Seaton 27/3/23

[Just one last cast]

Seaton Devon 27/3/23

Managed to get out Monday night last minute during a predicted lull in the weather, as is often the case it was blowing a hooley.

Frozen squid & sardines for bait on pulley rigs.

A few bites as it got dark then again around high tide at 11pm accounted for half a dozen dogfish.

Anyhow throughout the evening often found the lead was plugged? after casting. I’m not a big caster. There was a lot of line being blown out as the lead was in flight & I was casting uptide. (6oz grip lead)

Had read there are sandy patches out past the gully. No weed on retrieving.

By applying steady pressure with the rod upright the lead would come free however this released the wires & lost grip.

Did try slowing the lead before impact but think that sometimes stops the bait from unclipping.

Typically just before packing up around 1ish had a good bite, hit into something descent which shot off before I eased the plugged lead out despite constant pressure bugger was hoping a big fish would have lifted the lead out.

Gave it one last cast but to no avail & it looked like I was the last one there again. It won’t be like that for long I hate the summer.

As always it was good to be out fishing but raised the following questions.

Anyone got any different methods for plugged leadsI believe the same can happen in clay or mud? Have heard the term settling the lead how is this achieved?

Cheers.

 

[Tatunka joe]

Good ole Seaton interesting about the sea bed these recent winds chould have uncovered a patch of clay the area your in has clay behind you so no reason I wouldn’t be that or mud from the estuary sounds like you missed a ray aswell unlucky bud yep juss as t keep the rod high and reel down steady pressure to release good effort tho bud . Unlike you I love the summer this winters been a pile of shite weather and fishing wise but the hounds ain’t far off so hopefully be kicking off soon there are places you can fish you don’t get bothered buddy

 

[Trampster]

Nice report & photos JOLC! Doggies saved a blank at least.

Can't help with plugged Leads - I've never some across that. Either my rigs get snagged up & lost, or everything comes back OK. Usually only fish Shingle beaches, or around the harbour here which is very snaggy.

 

[Beach]

I use breakaway leads and found when or if it is plugged a straight pull on the line with rod straight usually frees the lead. Don't use your rod as a lever of you could damage/break it.

 

[Wolf]

Im like Beach ,i use breakaway leads i find them better for holding bottom,& realeasing when you want them to.

 

[Just one last cast]

Good ole Seaton interesting about the sea bed these recent winds chould have uncovered a patch of clay the area your in has clay behind you so no reason I wouldn’t be that or mud from the estuary sounds like you missed a ray aswell unlucky bud yep juss as t keep the rod high and reel down steady pressure to release good effort tho bud . Unlike you I love the summer this winters been a pile of shite weather and fishing wise but the hounds ain’t far off so hopefully be kicking off soon there are places you can fish you don’t get bothered buddy

Yeah Here’s one

 

[Si-fly]

Well done
As to the leads, I fish deep mud a lot, never have a problem with fish, as I find big fish pull the lead free and small ones just wait to be wound in!

I do normally have heavy snoods though , 60lb and no less than 30-40 if after sole etc

Powerful rods help ....just keep steady pressure untill lead pops out.

Maybe try pyramid type leads next time....may suit your rods better than grips. Another option is release 2 of the wires before casting....than may help.....might not give enough grip though.
Good luck

 

[geejayy]

lead plugging- new term for me , have experienced it along cogden on the clay , dont often fish other venues where this happens. southampton mud in the past maybe but that was always lighter smooth leads so less of a prob. baring in mind i usually use old school stiff actioned rods . if heavy steady pressure doesn't release them give some slack for a second or two then try again and they often pop out. if not a steady pull with a straight rod is the way to go imho. its the shingled gear on chesil that hacks me off