15th April

Marina squidding

Ian and nice Garfish

Awoken early by seagulls, I got a few essential bits out of the way, and strolled down to the West arm for way of a change. I chose the west arm, as although when I left the bungalow the wind was showing as Northerly, and less than five miles per hour, the weather site www.xcweather.co.uk was forecasting stiff Easterlies a little later in the day. The sea was in good condition for anything, a nice mix of clear and colour. THe tide was at the bottom, but before too long marina regular Ian managed the nice Garfish shown. I fished for the squid, and had a mackerel strip dropper on the float rig, as well as the jig, but nothing was happening for me.

Alan and Gar

My plan had been to meet Alan at lunchtime, and at the duly allotted time he appeared along the arm. I had also managed to secure access to the West arm extension, to check it out in advance of the squid competition, and we made our way along to the end. Trouble was, the forecast had been spot on, and the wind was now a howling Easterly. We lasted about an hour, but then decided to return to the shelter of the float bays. Wherebye, Alan wasted no time in securing the fine Garfish pictured above. Another hour or so later, and we were both happy to pack it in. The wind was now with the tide, driving the float at unworkable speed through the water. We arranged a re-meet for later in the week, and Alan made his way back to Worthing, myself to the bungalow.

Baiting a Squid Jig

My peace didnt last long though. About an hour later, Steve rang me to see if I was available to go fishing. I explained it was windy and horrible, he said it was sunny and nice. I looked at my weatehr station, and the wind was mostly five miles per hour Easterly. The bigger winds had blown out already. I picked up Steve and dropped back down on the West arm.

Finally, a fish for me.......

I have been taking a feather rod with me ever since I caught those sandeels a couple of weeks ago, and I have also been researching myths and rumours about previous "accidental" sandeel catches. It would be nice to establish a spot for feathering launce in Brighton!! On this occasion however, it was a herring which fell for their charms. Only one I have heard about on the West arm this season!

Steve's First Squid

With my complete lack of success with the squid recently, I must admit I think I was more suprised than Steve as we both noticed his float go steadily under. He wound up to it (important not to strike) and felt the power of the jets on the other end. I prepared the drop net, and Steve bought it slowly and steadily to the surface. He walked back, I manhandled the last few feet of the journey and Steve's first ever Long Thin Squid was in the bag. Well, the net...........

Into the night