It's the time of year when everyone wants to sit back and relax, enjoy the festivities. Reality however seems to mean rushing around, doing last minute jobs, frantic shopping and preparations. In my case, it has been the decoration of a living room, it's in the final stages now, so close! With everything going on, seems like a round up of whats been going on lately is in order.
First up some great news; I am very happy to announce, that along with
Matt Jones and
Matt Newcome, I have joined the Sunline UK team. Having been using and testing out various braided lines and fluoro's over the past year, it's fantastic to be able to be part of a company with such good products. In celebration of this news, I am going to hold a competition on my blog, with the prize being a 150m spool of Sunline Momentum 4x4 in the winners choice of either 16 or 20lb.
Sunline Momentum 4 x 4 is available from Art of Fishing (www.artoffishing.co.uk) and Mr Fish (mrfishjersey.com)
I have been using this line in 16lb over the past couple of months, and have to say it is a pleasure to use. The great news is it has the exact same manufacturing process as the world famous Cast Away, it just has a lightly different resin finish. All this means is that anglers may not quite get the distance you would with Cast Away. But the upshot is that it's £5 - 10 cheaper per spool. The difference in casting lengths in absolutely minimal.
To enter the competition, you just need to be able to answer the following multiple choice question;
How many strands is Sunline Momentum 4x4 made from?
A) 4
B) 8
C) 16
Email your answer A, B or C to gunningpk@hotmail.com with the subject 'Sunline Competition'. The competition will be open until 31 January 2012, and the winner will be drawn at random and announced at the beginning of February 2012.
Onto the fishing from the past couple of weeks. It has been all about the Wrasse really. With Bass still being caught around the country, at my local spots, I have not seen one for weeks, let alone hooked one! Some of my spots I regularly see them cruising close in, underfoot in the deep rock marks. The Wrasse have proved a good sport. Targeting them in 3 main areas, the Harbour, Estuary and open shoreline of West Cornwall.
First up the Harbour; Fishing with ultra light gear, the rig that has been doing the business lately is the drop shot. Fishing with a 3 or 5g weight, coupled with a size 10 hook and either the superb Ecogear Aqua Aji Straight or Straw Tail Grub, bith in the 2" size. Using Sunline Small Game Fluro 3lb straight through, has helped with the recent windy conditions, and has a great sink rate on the light gear. Some Urban Wrasse;
With the heavy winds and swells, I have been escaping to a large Estuary mouth, a favorite spot of mine, for Bass and Wrasse. It offers guaranteed flat water, and is sheltered from the majority of winds. The Wrasse have been here in numbers, but often of a smaller size, from around 1/2lb up to around 3lb, but it has produced the occasional 4lb+ fish. I have been fishing here with a mixture of ultra light and light tackle, with rods up to around 15g casting weight. Soft lures Texas rigged have been working really well, with lures from 3-4" long and differing profiles. Out on the estuary, have seen some great weather conditions as well;
Finally, the rugged West Cornwall shoreline has been consistently producing (when conditions mean it's safe to go near the water!). I have been experimenting with heavy Carolina rigs, using 14g weights, with a 5" Senko lure. I have recently found the love again for the simple Senko, and the Wrasse certainly have not forgot them! One particular thick kelp, deep rough ground mark has left me hanging onto my rod, as line was stripped off the reel. Thats fishing with my morethan Branzino 8'7 5-24g rod. The Wrasse have had the better of me at this spot, and the flooding tide meant I was pushed off the rock empty handed, but I will return to finish the fight! Fishing with this heavier set up, the braid I am using is the Sunline Momentum 4x4 PE1 16lb (as seen above in the competition). I have great confidence in this braid when fishing rough, and the Wrasse are playing dirty, great abraision resistamce, and the strength to pull through the snags.
As you can see in the pics above, I have recently acquired a new tool, a light game grip, for fish handling. Fantastic quality machined construction, looks good and works well. Smaller size, good for the mini species and most regular fish.
Finally, a big heads up to a new fishing group that has recently launched in the UK; Lure Games UK is all about like minded people, sharing their experiences in lure fishing, keeping it honest and fun. I suggest you check out the site, and if you are on Facebook, then take a look at the groups Facebook page, and give it the big thumbs up!
