6th August - Hove beaches

Hove's answer to the hound invasion......

Alan came down for a full on sole searching session. But we also agreed that we would prefer to be in isolated surroundings, rather than amongst lots of holidaying anglers, so the structures were ruled out. I decided to take us down to a spot along the Hove shingle. A nice sandbank full of worm, it screams big sole............ Sole rigs deployed, Alan was away with what I believe is the first hound on the markII

Bass to the 1lb mark liked the rig

When we had arrived, it was in torrential rain, but after about an hour, the rain stopped and the evening became most pleasant. The fish also seemed to like it, as on the flood tide there was plenty of action with black bream and bass to 1lb. On the ebb though, the sea became sterile. We tried margin fishing bass baits over the top of the tide, but nothing doing. We sat there patiently, waiting for the rod to fold over as a big sole swims off with the hook, but it didnt happen. Determined to find Alan something worhtwhile, with dawn we relocated to the Southwick beaches, to see if we could attract any sandeel hunting spikeys on the topwater lures. It was, however, perhaps a little too flat. I did managed to rescue Alan's Palachinko popper twice (£16 a shot lures!!) as a desperate attempt to add value to the session, which I think Alan appreciated....... ;) But it was with no sole and wet tackle that I dropped Alan off to the station in the morning, for a most likely less than enjoyable trip to London town with the commuters. Hold the faith, Alan, all will be well next trip!!