Weybourne 3rd May 2008

Early Saturday morning 1.30am the alarms were rousing members of the Desford SAS.
Today they would be ascending the pebble beach, at Weybourne, in the North of Norfolk.

Leaving their respected abodes the plan was to meet up on the beach, where the battle to prove who was to be Top Blanker. Baits were to be Lug; this was ordered from a reliable source, local to the area we were to fish, squid + any other mysterious fish attractants, I’m sure would be used.

Travelling under the cover of darkness the 2½-hour trip was about over when a crescent Moon appeared from behind dissipating clouds, also revealing a reddish turquoise sky.



The feeling, this was going to be a good day, by the seaside.

We were first to arrive and for the uninitiated to the Weybourne Beach Car Park there is a section that is fenced off and runs parallel with the area, this is the area you can park for free, yes no £6 fees.

Climbing over the shingle we were greeted to a flat calm sea, with the sun about to break over the horizon. As we all know we anglers never travel light, so a couple of treks to the car were needed.



Setting up our base camp we were soon to be joined by the rest of the motley Desford SAS crew.





The cracc started early with banter and laughter filling the air. Great expectations were flying all over, were we to be truly Blankers on this day.



Soon rods were bending then a salvo end rigs were seen heading seawards through the air. The first set of rods were rested on their tripods, second rods were put together which soon followed the first.

The kettles were now boiling, and then a well-earned cuppa was now to be consumed.



Eyes scanning the rod tips to see who would be first in, then the shout fish on, I was the first to land, with my first cast, a Pouting. It was soon unhooked then placed back into the sea; this would be a catch n release day, unless a fish was well over undersize or not a protected species.



I caught a couple of other Pouting before the shout came from my left, my brother Dave had caught a dab and whiting, the first of many double headers through out the day.



I was using a 9ft uptiding rod + Penn 535, for close shore fishing, this was loaded with 15lb main line and 80lb leader, terminating with a 1/0 three hook flapper. The hooks were baited with Lug, sometimes tipped with a slither of squid. The other was a 15.5 Blue Team Beachcaster Rod + Abu Mag Elite, loaded the same as the smaller rod. The end rig I would start with a 3/0 – 2/0 Pennel rig with a 3oz wired weight. This was cast 100yds + to hopefully catch that bigger fish. The tease were a number of Lugworm, their tails made it look well enticing.

During the morning several fish were caught, Whiting & Dabs, I somehow was stuck with Pouting.
My luck was changing, after loading the big rod with half of squid, it suddenly came to life.
Taking the strain, I knew straight away this was a half decent fish. On retrieving the rod was being direct left n right, was this a smoothound, then close in it broke the surface, A Dogfish.



The lads were all there shouting, “Who Who Let the Dogs Out.

Weighing 3½lbs it was soon back into the sea, hopefully for some other angler to catch another day.
That was to be the only fish that I caught with the big rod, at distance.
All other fish I caught were at close in on the likkle rod.







My tally for the day, Pouting (6) Whiting (1) Eel (1) Pollack (1) Dogfish (1)

Desford SAS caught 6 Species in all on the day.

It was a good day for the angler, all caught, but not a Blanker in the group, how disappointing.
Desford SAS failed; none of us were to be honoured with the title of Blanker.
We can only wish the next time.

WATCH THIS SPACE

Great day out and a great report. This is what angling needs, not a bucket full of fish but a day out with like minded people and a laugh. If more anglers tried this approach life would be better for all.

Shame on you John, not only did you fail to blank but you caught the first fish

Great report and pics, made an excellent read.

Nice pics, and an excellent report of a hilarious day out.

What beach fishing is all about, and a subtle tip here - go with the intention of blanking and fish will be throwing themselves upon your hooks .

Keep 'em coming John.