2nd Solo Offshore trip 2009

[richi]

Weather was looking doubtful for today's planned trip resulting in a lack of haste in making the launch time.I eventually launched 50 minutes later than planned at 0950.Todays intended mark was close to where I'd fished on my last Solo trip approximately 5 miles south of the Needles.

 

A good day ahead? I think so

 

 

made it to the mark after a few hours paddling with the help of the ebb and the sail once I'd reached the Needles.Took a route straight through the shingles and dolphin bank,hit a spot where it was 6ft deep

 

 

dropped the anchor(number 233) and let out 100metres which was ample today.It was lovely to be out at one of my favourite spots again

 

 

first fish to the yak was a doggie that was so shy it tried to hide his face in my drysuit

 

 

second fish was a new species for the year................a pout

 

 

judging by the look of shock on the pouts face,he's never seen a yak before

 

pout,dog,pout,dog then the rod bent over

 

this wasn't a dog or a pout,it was actually having a go,,,,,,,,what is it,,,,,not pulling like a smoothy,,,,not headbanging like a cod,,,,,,,,,ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

now I was feeling happy

 

 

the ray was too,it behaved perfectly,opening it's mouth to allow me to easily remove the hook whilst sitting there quietly.I maneouvered it to relaunch position so that it could slide gently from my leg into the water.

 

 

but it wouldn't let go!!!!I think it may have wanted to hump my leg or something

 

The wind picked up in the afternoon as predicted and after getting tango'd at anchor numerous times I decided to call it a day and head for home.

 

 

Flipped up the sail and I was away

 

 

made speeds up to 9kts on my return and hit some rough spots en-route

 

 

the trap was playing up a good un

 

2 new species,21 miles,interesting seas,my kind of day