Fine Weather Fishing

Summer weather is finally here, with crystal clear waters and blue sunny skies. The down side to this, means I am super-busy at work, and so my opportunities to fish are slim to none! I did manage to get a quick evening session in last week, fishing in the bay, into deep kelpy waters.

I wanted to push the Major Craft Volkey Bait Finesse Series rod further, with the hope of finding some bigger Pollack and Wrasse. I paired the rod up with a Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL, spooled up with Sunline Siglon Mono 8lb straight through. Not a finesse reel by any standards, but it sits well on the rod, and casts well enough with the lures I would be using.

I started out fishing with the superb Ecogear 3" BugAnts in some bright pinks and oranges, to get the Pollacks attention. These were rigged weedless Texas style with 5g sinkers, on a size 2 hook. Bouncing them along the bottom, and swimming them deep, as the small swell washed amongst the rocks, the hits began to happen, and fish were landed. There were some bigger fish in amongst the small ones, giving a good bend to the rod.

Switching things up, I went with a DUO Bay Ruf SV80 vib lure. Buzzing it through the water column brough some more small fish in, and also a bigger example as seen below. The Pollack were hitting the lure hard, some breaching the surface to try and grab th lure as I brought it out to re-cast.

As the tide ebbed, I was able to access the rock from where I like to hunt the Wrasse. Switching back to the Ecogear soft plastics, the lure bringing most fish in was an Ecogear Straight 3.24" rigged jika style on a 3.5g sinker. As the high tide prevented my accessing the really productive ground, the fish landed were all little nippers! Walking back to the car, the light fading, the view out over the bay was a awesome.

Major Craft Volkey Vs Wrasse

Weather this week has been amazing, with brilliant sunshine, and little to no wind. The sea, whilst still cold, has been very flat and crystal clear. A short after work session was on the cards, fishing locally in South West Devon, with the tide pushing from low.

It was a good chance to get some more time on the water with the Major Craft Volkey Big Lake Custom Series VKC-70/BL 7' / 3/8 - 1.5oz. Paired with a Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL, freshly loaded with a spool of Sunline Siglon V Mono 14lb. 

Target species was Wrasse, fishing amongst the deep kelp strewn gullies, left by the receded tide. Kept it simple with a 7g Texas rig and a size 1 wide gape weedless hook. No need for a leader with the mono, quick and easy. I fished the whole session with just one type of lure, the Ecogear Minnow M. I had good success with it towards the end of last year, and Luke at cornwalllurefishing has been really smashing the Wrasse with it lately. Conditions were pretty much perfect at the waters edge, oily calm water, blue skies and evening sun. 

The action came fast, with 11 Wrasse being landed, and a couple lost. The 7g rig plus lure would be at the suggested lower end of the rods capability, but I found casting and working the lure slow close to and along the seas bed to be very good. The rod tip is more sensitive than maybe the rating suggests, and easily transfered small bites into big hook ups. 

It has been a while since I had fish landed in numbers, hopefully the hard winter weather is now behind us, looking forward to a great season. A good first outing the with Sunline Siglon V Mono, cast well, and no problems with the Wrasse dragging it in and over the rough stuff, will get some more time with it in the coming weeks. The rod proved a great tool, breaking the fish out from the deep kelp cover, whilst still enjoying the fight. Should prove a good tool when hunting for those monster Wrasse.

Refresh and Reload

The downtime in fishing for me at the moment seems to be dragging on. However, a lack of fish locally has coincided nicely with a very busy period at home and with work, so at least I don't feel like I am missing out (too much!). With thoughts of getting out there again soon, spare time has been well spent preparing some new and old lines for the season ahead.

THE NEW

Sunline Siglon V Mono 14lb

Sunline Super Braid PE2 / 20lb

Sunline Momentum 4x4 PE1 / 16LB

The Sunline Siglon V mono is a new line to me. It has been loaded onto the factory spool of my Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL baitcast reel. This will be getting a good test run on the Wrasse, putting it in amongst the rough stuff, see how it fairs.

Similarly, the Sunline Super Braid has also been loaded onto my Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL, but on the RCS shallow spool. Again, a braid I have not used before from Sunline. It has also been a good couple of years since I last used a 4 strand braid, having favored the 8 strand variety more recently. Looking forward to trying it out, and testing it in comparison to it's 8 strand companions.

The Sunline Momentum 4x4 in PE1 / 16lb is a line I have used before, a bit of a favorite of mine. I have not had the chance to load it up yet, but it will be going on a Daiwa Certate 2500 reel, and will be used for light plugging duties on my Daiwa morethan Branzino Urban Side Custom rod (8'7 5-24g). 

A couple of lines I have refreshed are the Sunline Momentum Small Game PE and the Rockfish PE braids. Both lines have been carefully stripped off the spools, new backing added, and then spooled again in reverse, so the line that was previously buried, is now on the top, fresh and ready for action. Both these lines add themselves so well to the light game applications. I use the Small Game PE 8lb (pink) from 2g LRF duties up to sub 10g ultra light plugging. Sensitive, very thin, but strong, it gives me great confidence. Similarly the Rockfish PE in 10lb breaking strain (orange), used for light jig head work, fishing the bottom on the open coast is no problem with the right tackle, this line has helped me pull some great fish up to the top.

It does take a little effort to reverse your lines, but in the interest of longevity, and also keep the spool filled correctly, all helps towards making the most of your tackle. Although this year I will be taking a strong interest in using the heavier gear, there is very much still the time and place for a more finesse approach, and the two braids above will be at the forefront of my light game tactics.

Sunrise Wrasse Mission

Early start to make the most of a spring high tide, saw me down on the rocks, overhanging some of West Cornwalls beautiful rough grounds. The weather was predicted sunny, last of a pumping ground swell surging through the clear water, it had been a while since I was able to fish this stretch of exposed coast.

It was the first outing in the salty stuff with the Major Craft Big Lake Custom rod, and I was looking forward to using its power on some Wrasse, who inhabit these granite boulder and kelp strewn waters. Paired with the rod was a Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL baitcaster reel, spooled with Sunline Castaway PE1.5 / 25lb. Rigged up a few Ecogear soft plastics, but the one doing the business today was the Ecogear Power Dart Minnow. Usually I rig this lure on the specific Power Dart jig head, but they are also effective Texas style, and the first fish today came from a drop shot rig.

The second fish was a decent size, my best Wrasse for a while. It gave me a chance to put a bend in the Volkey rod, and use its power to break the fish from its heavy cover. Shortly after landing this fish, the weather decided to change for the worse, as the Westerly winds picked up, and the swell increased, making conditions tricky, so called it a day.

Finding Shelter

Where fishing is concerned, the number one subject of the last few months seems to be the weather, and with the first month of 2013 now gone, it would appear little has improved. Wednesday saw a break in the torrential rain, however the gale force Westerlies that remained were gonna make things tricky. Finding shelter seemed the only option, with some reports showing wind swell of 17 feet on the coast.

So I picked my spot. Pretty much guaranteed no swell here, but the wind is still a big factor. With a handy point surrounded by the sea, it does mean you can pick a spot that is going to offer a little protection, and fish with the wind on your back if needed. It was that strong down on the waters edge, that I was easily knocked off balance by the gusts.

I was looking to get into some Wrasse action with the Major Craft Bait Finesse rod, paired up with a Shimano Calcutta 51DC baitcaster, and spooled with some Sunline Siglon 10.3lb fluoro mainline. Its a mix or rough weedy grounds, with occasional sandy patches, so weedless soft plastics Texas rigged was the best option, and as he tide began to flood, the occasional investigative tap, tap turned into a  couple of Wrasse landed.

The lure doing the business today was a 4" Nories Shrilpin, on a size 2 weedless wide gape hook. With the conditions how they were, and the poor vis in the mixed up water, a short session with two Wrasse to show for it was most welcome, especially as opportunities to get out on the Coast have been few and far between of late.

Last Fish of 2012

The final session of 2012. With the typical howling winds and monstrous swell, decided to seek the shelter of the large Estuary mouth. The wind would be minimal, and on my back, and guaranteed flat calm, my final chance of 2012. Bad news was the tides were not great for this spot, fishing the last couple of hours down, and a couple into the flood. Arriving at the headland, before my descent, a look at the water and it was as I thought, nice and calm. Just another of those amazing views that seem to greet me every time I head out to fish in West Cornwall.

With the Wrasse in mind, today I was fishing with the Nories Rockfish Bottom casting rod, paired with a Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL baitcast reel, with a spool of Sunline Siglon Fluorocarbon 10.3lb and a spare spool loaded with Sunline Castaway 1.5PE (25lb). A decent selection of Ecogear soft lures in the 3-5" range, and some weedless wide gape hooks, a range of Texas cone weights, perfect for searching the estuary bottom, with a mix of shail and heavy weed with submerged rocks. The view at water level looked very promising, with the clarity being decent considering the weather conditions of late.

The fishing was slow, very slow. As the tide turned, I started to get a few tell tale signs that the Wrasse were about, with a few nips at the lure, but with no hook ups, most probably some smaller fish. Switching over to the braid spool, started fishing at greater distance, hoping to find the fish as the moved in with the tide onto the reef. The flurocarbon is great for the close range work, especially for its abraision resistance amongst the rough grounds, but the braid definitely beats it for fishing at distance, especially for contact feel with the lure further out. After a couple more tentative knocks, finally hooked into a fish, and landed the only Wrasse of the day, my last fish of 2012, taken on an Ecogear 5" Paramax.

One thing that I noticed of late, especially when stood around out in the elements fishing, is just how mild the weather has been with these recent storms and winds. I fished this session without the gloves and base layers I would normally expect to wear at the end of December.

One thing that has changed in my gear the last couple of months is I no longer wear waders and wading boots. My waders have started to leak in the stocking foot after just over one and a half years. Not bad going really, considering the distance I walk in them, and the fact they are really designed for fresh water wading, not the rough tough salty environments I put them through. So now, I am wearing a pair of lightweight waterproof trousers, and some boots.

I deliberated over what boots to get for a long time, with the winter months in mind, they had to be waterproof, tough, and cope with the mud and sludge of the coast paths. After looking over the designer walk boots, and trail boot options, I bought something very different.

These are the winter issue Army boots. Leather, fully waterproof, even when submerged to above the ankle, Goretex lined with a Vibram sole. I then added some cheap Snowbee studs, for a little extra winter grip on the slippy stuff. I have been wearing them for the last couple of months, and very pleased so far. Tough, supportive and warm, not had any issues, as you would expect considering what they get put through in combat! The beast part is the price, as you can pick them up on the auction sited in the region of £30-£50. Well worth checking them out for a winter boot option.

So that's the end of 2012, looking forward to 2013, where I hope we can get out there fishing a lot more if the weather plays ball. If not, my plans are to tackle it head on with the gear to match, so have a great New Year - Cheers!

Deps Bumble Shads!

Since I first heard about the Deps Bumble shad, I really wanted to get hold of some. The problem was, at around 26g before you add a hook or jig head, in the past, I have not owned a rod capable of casting them! Well, this is hopefully soon to change, with a 3/8 - 1&1/2oz rod (roughly 10-42g) on it's way.

Eagerly anticipating it's arrival, got straight onto getting my hands on some 6" Deps Bumble shads. I went for a pack (5 lures) of Kohokushaddo and a pack of Black Sumokupeppa. These colour patterns should be a good start, and I am gonna be throwing these in both the fresh and salt waters I fish. Probably looking to use them weightless for the Pike, and maybe try out a few weighted jig heads, to get them down in the deep waters off the West Cornwall coast.

Whilst on the big Deps lures, also picked up some of the 6.5" Deathadder sticks, in the Dead Shad pattern. These come in packs of six, and are physically a big stick/worm bait. Weighty enough to be used on their own with a single hook, I have also used them in the past with a nail shot, to get an interesting fall, depending on where you choose to stick it.

If you are interested in checking these out yourself, now is a good time, as Ben & Jo at the Art of Fishing have a Christmas sale on at the moment, and these Deps lures are amongst many of the great bits and bobs on sale, from small lures to high end rods http://www.artoffishing.co.uk/

As I like to fish with mouthful size lures for the Wrasse, in the 2-3" range, the quest for small, strong weedless hooks in ever ongoing. I have picked up some new ones, and have high hopes, from just handling them out of the packet. They feel strong in the hand, and have a good shape for weedless applicatiion, with the hook point 'skinned' in the top of the lure. Looking forward to trying them out soon. You can check them out at http://www.mrfishjersey.com

Sunline Siglon Fluoro Vs Wrasse

I have previously mentioned on my blog, that I loaded up one of the spools on my newly acquired Daiwa Ryoga 1016HL baitcast reel with some Sunline Siglon Fluoro 10.3lb mainline. This line is available on a 275m spool, so plenty of line for a deep spooled reel, or even enough for a couple of shallow spools, depending on your reel size. This line is available in lighter breaking strains, down around the 3lb mark, so good for an LRF or light game mainline, as well as as the heavier BS such as the one I am testing out at 10.3lb, so ideal for the Bass & Wrasse.

So to give this new line a good first work out, I decided to head out into the rough stuff West Cornwall has to offer, at a very deep water mark, with thick kelp and huge granite heads, the perfect Wrasse playground! Rough conditions which seem to have plagued us of late, had subsided, with minimal swell and wind, and a little bit of bonus sunshine.

Fishing near vertical into the deep trenches, decided to go with a drop shot rig, with a 10g sinker, Decoy size 1 hook with a wire weed guard, and the lure to kick things off was the Ecogear Minnow M. From the first drop, the bites were there, and fish were being landed. I had my hook set a good 50 cm up from the sinker, keeping the lure clear of the thick weedy mat covering the bottom at this spot.

Searching a bit further out, switched to Texas rigged Ecogear 3" Bug Ants, and also some of the Ecogear 3.25" Straights, both of these are great lures for targeting Wrasse, a good mouthful size for most fish, with the hook up coming from the first hit. I use the Bug Ants a lot for LRF duties in the 2" size, but the 3" on a slightly heavier rig are certainly producing results just as well.

Biggest fish of the day was this one below, just as the afternoon light began to disappear, with the sun setting beyond the headland. A good, strong scrapper, taking some line against the tight drag. This was the biggest Wrasse I have had for a while, can't say a weight or length, as I have stopped weighing or measuring my fish for the meantime. Even managed to get the camera set up for a self shot!

A good mid November session, and good to be able to get out on a mark that is so open to the elements. The Sunline Siglon fluoro has been very promising on it's first outing, and was easy to use on the baitcaster outfit. Will be putting in some more sessions with this line, get a good feel for it, and gathering my thoughts for a future review.