2 Days, 2 Rays

[RichardB]

Fished the late night of Monday and early hours of Tuesday morning under the cliffs at Hillhead, Hampshire.

 

Had the carp rod out with large mackeral baits on 4/0 pennel tackle, with bass in mind.

 

A quiet night in the main, but at approx 1 o'clock something took off at speed with the bait and first I thought it might be a good bass. But the penny dropped when the ray sucked itself onto the seabed and refused to budge. A minute or two of careful pressure got its head up again. The result was a thornback that nudged 7 lb on the spring balance.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday night saw me back, along with another local angler (Peter). We fished from 20.30 to approx 02.00 - HW at around 11.30.

 

We each had a carp rod out fishing the mackeral baits at shortish range and a beach rod fishing rag/mackeral at varying ranges. Eels and shoal bass fell upon the rag baits enthusiastically.

 

At about 01.30 my carp rod started nodding. I picked it up and we watched as a ray mouthed the bait and then finally moved off with it confidently. A sporting fight ended with me beaching a shore caught personal best Thornback ray at 9 lb.

 

 

Both fish were returned alive and well.

Edited August 23, 2006 by RichardB

[sam-cox]

Well done richard, we had a few thornies from the shore on the crouch this spring. Always good to catch quality fish from a shore mark.

Edited August 23, 2006 by sam-cox

[RichardB]

Well done ricxhard, we had a few thornies from the shore on the crouch this spring. Always good to catch quality fish from a shore mark.

 

Yes I remember the post Sam. Great to get them on the light gear too - 'proper fishin' !'

[sam-cox]

And always the chance of a decent bass on the same tactics!

[bryan]

Hi Richard

 

Long time no read so to speak

 

cracking fish

[Snatcher]

Great thornies well done

[Ken Davison South Wales]

Nice to see a shore angler chalking up a nice fish, great report and good pics.

[RichardB]

Thanks chaps .

 

Hi Bryan, how are you doing ? Been fishing much ?

[Scotty T]

Great effort Richard, thats a catch to be proud of mate

 

Scott

[bryan]

Hi Richard

 

Havent been fishing at all this year, which is really been considering there is a consultnat here nagging me about it.

 

Could come down to you one weekend?