11th August - Jester II

Steve launches Jester II

A day afloat inshore on our local patch is something I rarely get to do. So when Steve offered me a day out on Jester II, I jumped at the chance. The word "day" should be liberally interpreted when fishing with Steve, however, as personaly, I dont consider an 01:30 start anything to do with daytime...........

Trolled bass

The initial darkness foray was with a view to getting baits onto a rock mark, hoping for bass and possibly late hounds. But we didnt get either, and we were quite happy when dawn came to give us the opportunity for trolling. We buzzed over several rock and reef marks, but only managed to raise the one small bass pictured. So, with fuel tanks emptying for little result, what to do next?

"Miami" Steve with Red Mullet

We decided to go and drift the clean grounds off the beack of the West pier. the wind was northwesterley, and the tide minimal, so we actually achieved an unusual north to south drift across the tide. We were dragging another variant of the Dvice Tackle Co Ltd "Bottom Dwellers" range of rigs, currently under prototype testing, and once again it certainly did the business!! Drifting with some fantastic red rag that Steve had lifted from his special place, the fish came fast and furious. Bream, bass and Gurnard came in good numbers, including some for the table. Mackerel were also numerous, anytime you wanted to drop the feathers down. But the species which we had decided were the target, red mullet, remained elusive, except for the one pictured above, to Steve. Aint they pwetty???

Double shot of fun!!

Tidal influences meant that we had to pull out of the water at 2pm, the downside of trailering your boat. But we were both pretty tired, and very happy with the days fishing, plus mackerel and bream for the table. An excellent session, and in the very best of company. Thankyou Steve, cant wait for the next time!!