nifty

Hiya Dave, I always take the net just in case a biggie turns up but I havn't needed it yet. Don't get spending too much, you don't need to go overboard on gear, It's simple fishing really Stu.

Had a ride down to Llangorse today to see what we can expect in a few weeks time. I got there about 8 am to find the car park full, not what I expected on a Friday, and got talking to the manager and a couple of other lads who were going out for the day. It wasn't long before the photos came out and they were showing me pics of a couple of lunkers that they'd had earlier this season. One at 34lb and another a pound heavier, maybe the same fish, but a hell of a gut on them. I went with the intention of trolling a deadbait, so set up and put the largest Sardine I'd got with me on for starters. After paddling a couple of hundred yards out I got into 15ft of water so set the float about a foot overdepth and trailed it away. It took about five minutes before the first fish took and I wound down half expecting a good fish. I didn't expect to see the scrawny little thing that had taken my biggest bait. A quick photy in case it was the only one of the day, and on with another Sardine. A couple of hours later and nothing else had shown an interest so I went ashore for a cuppa and a P*** and stood and admired the scenery. Back out to it and I went over to the western side of the lake trying to keep to the 18-20 ft contour and decided to paddle slowly backwards so that I could see the float and not just rely on the baitrunner buzzing to a take. About 1 pm the float shot away and I wound down quickly but again it was just another tiddler. I carried on in reverse and kept going and headed down towards the Southern end of the lake and about an hour later the float shot away again and this time it felt a bit better initially with the kayak at least being pulled towards it. After a spirited little scrap this 6lber came alongside to be unhooked. More paddling up and down the Southern arm until the light started to go and then I aimed the stern of the yak for home and trolled slowly back. I took it nice and slow and watched the sun set out behind the hills to the west, whilst the moon was just appearing over the eastern hills. I'd got about halfway back and had just taken those pics when the float went again and again the fish started to pull the kayak and I thought "Yes", alas it wasn't to be and a fighting fit 7 lber came alongside for uhooking. . That was the signal to pack up. so I steamed in with the cold starting to nip the ends of my fingers but It had been a good day and the weather was glorious. Hopefully when we have the meet we will be as lucky. The launch spot this evening. Don't leave your sarnies lying around Them Swans and ducks are killers if you have any grub on you. nifty.

Well I'm afraid the Flounder bash went the same way as the Tope bash in June Not a single one in three days of fishing. Friday we fished the Dyfi with a near gale force S/W blowing with the ebb tide and after 5 hours we'd managed just half a dozen small schoolies between us on rag baited spoons. Saturday was equally windy and just to make it more miserable it poured down for most of the day. We just fished in the harbour at Aberystwyth trying the spoons again but also doing a bit of floatfishing and legering a variety of baits. (Rag, Lug Mackerel & Mussel) Another five hours there and not a sniff and just to rub it in two lads fishing from the back of their boats on the moorings pulled out a couple of schoolies about 2lb or so As we packed up in the gloom on Saturday evening I'd decided that that was enough punishment for one weekend and after saying goodbye to Tom and apologising again for the lack of fish I headed back to the caravan and washed all the gear off and put it away. This morning however, once I'd cleared my head from a cider induced fuzz, I looked out to find the sun shining and the wind gone so decided to try again at the Dyfi. Conditions were ideal and with some fresh Rag and a pack of frozen Slipper Limpet I was confident of getting one. Five hours later and I was wishing I hadn't bothered. Loads of crabs but no fish at all again. The only reason I can think of, besides my incompetence, for the lack of Flounder is the amount of rain that had gone through and stained the water. Well that's my excuse anyway A schoolie on the spoon on Friday, A miserable view out to the harbour mouth at Aber on Saturday, I hope you had better luck today Bill if you went otherwise there'll have to be a re-match Stuart.

Ideally I would like to fish the last hour of the ebb and the first two hours of the flood but with L/W around 07-30 then it's either an early start or a late finish or both, with a try for a Turbot or Dab in between. I'll give you a bell Tomorrow

Nice one Tom, Looking forward to it Just have to sort some Rag/Lug supplies out and we can't fail.

How about Saturday then Stu?

Brilliant Stu, We'll see if we can't get a few more interested. I know a decent mark with an easy launch and we've had a few recently. Maybe get Gareth, Martin and Tom ( and anyone else if they fancy it) to come along. The tides aren't brilliant this W/e with L/W early and late in the day, and the best time is a couple of hours either side of low, but I'm sure we can wangle a few out and if the weathers half decent maybe get out onto the sea proper during the day for a Turbot or a few Dabs. Well they're flatties aren't they Sorry about my Welsh, My missus told me how to spell it Stuart

Stu , We could always challenge them to a Wales v England flounder comp. If you fancy a ride up to the Dyfi, I think we could walk off with the crown Not sure whether a "Saeson yn ghymru" can fish but I'll turn up anyway if you fancy a go. Stu

http://www.sovereignsuperbaits.co.uk/Other...rawnSandEelTrap. Them are the ones JT, the Minnow/crayfish/ Prawn trap ; A. They work well if there are any Prawns about. I try to leave them out overnight and usually get about 30 Prawns plus assorted crabs, Blennies, Pout and Wrasse. Just check the area around the bait pouch as the stitching on mine wasn't too clever and I lost a days supply of bait after I used it to store some Prawn for a later session and they did a houdini. A bit embarrassing at the time as I promised a mate some and he'd got his boat off the mooring to take us to a spot that was producing some nice Bass at the time

As Phooey says Marc, once you've got hold of the Pike, don't let go when it thrashes and it'll soon be under control if you're firm. If you're lure fishing then most fish will be easily unhooked, it's only when they're taken on live/deadbait that a bit of surgery may be needed and if you are concentrating on what you're doing and hit a run as soon as it happens, then there shouldn't be any need for major dental work. Anyone considering using live/deadbait from the yak (apart from sink and drawing a dead) then I think you should be considering using some sort of float set up so that a take can be registered immediately. I don't think legering or freelining a bait is a method you can use from the yak properly as the movement of the craft makes bite indication virtually impossible. Stuart.

No need to apologise Gareth, I enjoyed the day and meeting up with some more yakkers off of here I will definitely be going there again as it obviously has potential for some big fish. Just need to get more anchor line and pick a neap tide, I wouldn't fancy it on a big tide. Stu and Tom at the launch GB and Martin discussing tactics and whether Martins reel needs some oil And the view down the River, Looking forward to the next time Stuart.

Some blokes get all the luck Richi, We get stuck with hairy a$%£d hoddy's all day while others are surrounded by swimsuit clad lovelies

I think I'd better kip in the car

The most important piece of kit anyone will need if they're unfortunate enough to be sharing a room with me is : EAR DEFENDERS Just ask those that know me from the Tywyn meets and pitch they're tents at the other end of the site

It's a prototype Rich, nice and dry around the nethers and a yammy on the back

I hadn't got a treble big enough

Nice fish again lads. A bit more fun than the Trout we were getting on our Pike day at Carsington

Sorry to hear you have a cold David. Hope your feeling better soon

Hi Stu, I think Martin said the "Strippers" are to start about 9 pm so if wer'e all there for 8 there'll be time for a couple of beers first

Bloody Fantastic Spanner, You deserve it mate That must be a hell of a sense of achievement. I think you can now call yourself "King of the Yakkers". Now where do we go from here? Total "RESPECT" to you. Stuart

Come on Paul!! use both hands , it's quicker

Simon, I would imagine that most of the Pike you have caught on the fly were lip hooked and the trace hasn't actually come into contact with the Pikes teeth. Don't get me wrong, the spectron looks the business and certainly lets the fly behave more naturally but to use it on a bait rig would be courting disaster. Just my opinion after testing some of the braid you gave me and cutting it easily over the blade of a knife. Stuart

They'll only give you wind Mark

I'm sure we'll be able to sort you out on the day