South Coast Slow going at Swanage.

[cap'nhaddock]

As the forecast was for calm seas and a gentle breeze I thought I'd see if there was anything unusual swimming around the pier.
There often is, some uncommon fish are caught there.

It was indeed calm and there was just a gentle breeze exactly as forecast but no unusual fish, in fact there were very few common ones either.

It was festive though;



Float fishing got lots of tiny bites which pulled the float under but missed the hook which I put down to Sand Smelts or baby Pollack ,and one typical Gar bite which resulted in one to add to the bait freezer.



Bottom fishing got very little interest at all, a couple of baits munched by crabs and one small Ballan Wrasse, there was a time when you could get a Wrasse every drop if you used a small hook and a bit of ragworm.

A good day out nevertheless.

 

[richtic]

Nice report and pictures, well done getting out and not blanking.

 

[bananas]

Nice looking Gar there .

 

[Kenny84]

Nice little session. I love the bespoke chopping board!

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Well done, how small would you have to scale down to confirm it was sand smelts?

 

[Had1]

Well done nice lights on the pier haha .
And had sand smelts ramsgate Harbour size 16 hooks we had a few they were visible everywhere.

 

[cap'nhaddock]

Well done, how small would you have to scale down to confirm it was sand smelts?

They grow big there, they will take a small strip of gar belly about 1/4" x 1" on a size 6 my normal setup for Mackerel or Gar. If I were trying for a Sand Smelt then small baited Sabikis will get you a bucket full. I was fishing a size 4 and a much bigger bait for a Shad or Sea Trout, both regular visitors there at random times. There have been a few John Dory caught too this year.

 

[cap'nhaddock]

Nice little session. I love the bespoke chopping board!

The chopping board/bait tables, of which there are I think eight around the pier end, are permanent fixtures on the pier but are designed to be easily removed when there is a period drama being filmed. The big old plywood bait tables had to be disguised with something which complicated the filming angles.

Modesty forbids me to mention who came up with the brilliant design, early ones were in plywood, these are more expensive to produce but more durable.

 

[Shirleycodlin]

They grow big there, they will take a small strip of gar belly about 1/4" x 1" on a size 6 my normal setup for Mackerel or Gar. If I were trying for a Sand Smelt then small baited Sabikis will get you a bucket full. I was fishing a size 4 and a much bigger bait for a Shad or Sea Trout, both regular visitors there at random times. There have been a few John Dory caught too this year.

Ah, not too small.
I did not know if it meant fresh water float rods, 2Lb line and a size 26 spade end

 

[Goateeblank]

Modesty my arse. You designed them and very good they are too! Hope its better tomorrow in Weymouth.

 

[cap'nhaddock]

Ah, not too small.
I did not know if it meant fresh water float rods, 2Lb line and a size 26 spade end

I do go down to very tiny 24s but rarely, most mini species will take a size 12 hook, I prefer a stronger line than the pre-tied hook snoods with spade hooks that the freshwater anglers use,

I want to get the fish out of the weed, land it , photograph it and get it back in the water as quick as I can.
'Playing' a fish, on a bit of cobweb using a delicate and expensive rod made of a single hair from a unicorn, until the poor fish is exhausted isn't in my opinion, good for the fish.

 

[Kenny84]

The chopping board/bait tables, of which there are I think eight around the pier end, are permanent fixtures on the pier but are designed to be easily removed when there is a period drama being filmed. The big old plywood bait tables had to be disguised with something which complicated the filming angles.

Modesty forbids me to mention who came up with the brilliant design, early ones were in plywood, these are more expensive to produce but more durable.

What a great idea! ?

 

[Wolf]

Pity you blanked mate,at least you were out , good piccys & report,it looks a good place to fish where were you ??,you don't have to answer if you don't want to mate.??