Wednesday 18th November 2015 - 18.00 hrs
I've just got back indoors after a fraught journey, out onto the marsh, in order to get some more bait into the swim. It is incredibly windy - SW 40-45mph , but very overcast and mild - 14C. Task completed, I was back home before 18.00 hrs and getting my kit sorted. The BBC 5 - day forecast predicts tomorrow evening to be absolutely perfect - wind's to be a gentle westerly with temps around 11C - a cold snap to follow over the weekend? If ever there were a definition of "spot - on" in respect of my perception of Eel angling conditions; Thursday evening has it all.
I'm reverting back to my Duncan Kay's and the Mitchell 300's; bait will be squid, sprat and/or bluey fished on a combi-rig. I have no more than a five hour window - if I've not had any indication by 20.30 hrs I'm heading for home - even if I do get a result I will still be packing up by 21.30 hrs as I've got to be at work for 06.00 hrs Friday.
There are two swims that I've pre-baited - one is very tight, two rods max, the other might allow three but, I'm not sure that I want to chance the "Eel knitting" scenario just to get that extra rod out? I couldn't cope with a repeat of Sunday's result! Single sticks or bars? I'll make that call when I get there.
Well my gear is ready and I'm just about to get going. It's a rather dank, dark sort of afternoon, yet extremely mild. I have the feeling that it might just be the night? I'll know more when I get back some time around 22.00 hrs. Any eel in November will be a result - that big fish is out there. Has it got my name on it?
Well I can say that my efforts were not in vain; I had three eels from five bites - so another part of my challenge completed. Sadly, however, that big fish remains but a wish, the best I could manage this evening was a meagre 1 lbs 10 oz.
My diary reads as follows:-
Fishing with three rods - all out by 16.20 hrs
16.40 hrs - Middle rod Eel (1 lbs 6 oz) Sprat head section/combi rig
17.10 hrs - missed a screamer on the LHR - squid/combi rig
17.15 hrs - RHR away Eel (1 lbs 4 oz) - squid/combi rig
18.30 hrs - Middle rod Eel (1 lbs 10 oz) - Sprat head section/combi rig
19. 10 hrs - Middle rod - missed an absolute screaming run (a carp would have been proud of) - didn't touch it
20 .00 hrs - packed up and headed home
I rather enjoyed myself this evening. I still have a long way to go in gaining an understanding of this fascinating species. What I am finding rather puzzling is the different bites. I'm having no issues with the slow, steady pulls - the bites that are registered as blistering runs haven't produced a fish yet? I think that one other positive I can take from the session is the benefits to be had from a bit of pre-baiting. Five bites in a short session can't be bad, especially in November, and makes my effort of yesterday so much more justified.
I'm reverting back to my Duncan Kay's and the Mitchell 300's; bait will be squid, sprat and/or bluey fished on a combi-rig. I have no more than a five hour window - if I've not had any indication by 20.30 hrs I'm heading for home - even if I do get a result I will still be packing up by 21.30 hrs as I've got to be at work for 06.00 hrs Friday.
There are two swims that I've pre-baited - one is very tight, two rods max, the other might allow three but, I'm not sure that I want to chance the "Eel knitting" scenario just to get that extra rod out? I couldn't cope with a repeat of Sunday's result! Single sticks or bars? I'll make that call when I get there.
Thursday 19th November 2015 - 14.50 hrs
Well my gear is ready and I'm just about to get going. It's a rather dank, dark sort of afternoon, yet extremely mild. I have the feeling that it might just be the night? I'll know more when I get back some time around 22.00 hrs. Any eel in November will be a result - that big fish is out there. Has it got my name on it?
Well I can say that my efforts were not in vain; I had three eels from five bites - so another part of my challenge completed. Sadly, however, that big fish remains but a wish, the best I could manage this evening was a meagre 1 lbs 10 oz.
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| My Left Hand & Middle Rods - my Right Hand Rod was a couple of metres away, fished on single sticks |
Fishing with three rods - all out by 16.20 hrs
16.40 hrs - Middle rod Eel (1 lbs 6 oz) Sprat head section/combi rig
17.10 hrs - missed a screamer on the LHR - squid/combi rig
17.15 hrs - RHR away Eel (1 lbs 4 oz) - squid/combi rig
18.30 hrs - Middle rod Eel (1 lbs 10 oz) - Sprat head section/combi rig
19. 10 hrs - Middle rod - missed an absolute screaming run (a carp would have been proud of) - didn't touch it
20 .00 hrs - packed up and headed home
 |
| The 1 lbs 10 oz fish on my landing net |
Nice work on the Eel front. Looking forward to seeing if you winkle out a big one from there on day. It's a species I wish I'd spent more time on in my angling days...
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I'm not too sure how this project will turn out. I openly admit that eels ain't my bag yet, with the knowledge that, as a species, they are "critically endangered" I feel that it's now or never? My venue choices are rather restricted but should, I feel, give me a chance of a decent specimen. That one I lost on my pike gear would do. Loved the post about your own angling past - that Tiddenfoot Cat is a beauty!
DeleteAll the best and take care - Dyl
Well done mate, little chance of a November eel up here, water temp was down to 3°C on my last outing!
ReplyDelete