Biggest of the day...
No first sailing today, as I was engaged in a most enjoyable shore job, and Capt Bruce had family obligations, with his fun playing with salmon in Russia meaning he had lots of brownie points to catch up on. However, such is the life of Capt Bruce, I discovered this entailed him taking his nipper fishing on a local stream for pike and perch on the spinner, and the man with the golden bits down below hooking (though sadly losing right at the net) an 8lb+ sea trout...
Mission accomplished...
2nd sailing was a whole boat charter. My fly boy regular wanted his life long friend Bill to catch his first lure caught bass. Happily, this target was quite soon achieved, but otherwise, the session was a struggle. Just five bass to the boat, to a best of 44cm, but at least no blanks. Actually, just me blanking on the bass front, although I did manage a mackerel. Small compensation. Absolutely STACKS of bait fish. Just nothing in to eat them.
Gurnard on the fly...
3rd sailing was just Al and me. Al is a long term customer of mine, for many years, so I pledged the boat was his till dark, and we set off to enjoy the afternoon. The wind swung SW for a short while, as a thunder head was shot out just short of us. Reminicent of the previous evening, but zero precipitation. Indeed, once the cloud left, the wind dropped, and it was most pleasant, and easy to set up drifts. We nabbed a couple of schoolies inshore, plus I managed a gurnard on the fly. Then, with the strength of the new flood, I popped out to the outer rocks to prospect for a cod. I think Al couldnt believe my curses when my rod buckled over and reel screamed to a good fish. But I didnt want it to be the 4.5lb bass that was attached. I wanted a coddie.
Baitfish...
A couple more drifts, and I found some new lumps and bumps I had previously been oblivious to, all added to the HDS7. But no more fish, so back inshore for sunset. Here, lots and lots of bait, and Al managed to bring the bass counter up to 8 for the two sessions. A long way from great, but the last hour began to feel more fishy. My spider senses twitched. I look forward to tomorrow...