Reflections On 2010

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:33 pm

January brought a taste of the Arctic to the normally 'immune' Hampshire. Plummeting sea water temperatures resulted in an abnormally late and slowstart to the season.

Mullet appeared at a local mark during the first week in April, including fish well into double figures. These leviathans seek refuge in an area of nature reserve, safe in the knowledge that all fishing is prohibited. Mullet on the open coast were conspicuous by their absence until the summer solstice and even then they showed little interest in the fly.
Bass were similarly tardy in their arrival. A boat was required to ensure the first catch of the season for Bassfly and myself off Hayling Island, on April 25th. May produced only a few fish from the shore and the feeling was that the season would suddenly explode into action in the same way that the late spring suddenly burst into life on land.
The catalyst was a spell of meditteranean weather arriving at the end of May and continuing throughout June. Water temperatures rocketed and huge shoals of Bass invaded the coast.

Bassfly organised a boat for dawns crack on Saturday 5th June and within moments of setting sail, the engine was cut and we drifted into a shoal of Bass stretching as far as the eye could see. Decent enough fish too, one to one and a half pounds in weight and fighting fit. A good sprinkling of Mackarel were amongst them, adding welcome variety.

Tommo bagged the fish of the day with a handsome 3lb Bass. The action lasted for over ten hours. At last the season had kicked off.

The evening of Friday 11th June witnessed massive shoals of Bass stretching from West Sussex through Hampshire, gorgeing on White Bait. I was fortunate to be wading near Lee-On-The-Solent when such a shoal materialised. A polar and silver DNA Holofusion Clouser matched the hatch and in the next ninety minutes I caught two seasons worth of Bass. Frantic Terns, at times diving within a few feet of where I stood, gave an air of Hitchcock's 'The Birds'.

Great Bass fishing continued throughout June and into July, under blue skies and hot sun.

Mick and Simon head into the desert for some 'oasis' fishing.

One of Wightfish's IOW marksunder a tropical sky

Greedy schoolies grab mullet nymphs, two at a time.

Viva Espana. Late July and the chance to wet wade in pursuit of Mullet. A variety of Mullet called 'Pardette' were present and big fish at that. I hooked and lost several fish during the fortnight. A fish of around 12lb snapped my leader after 45 minutes of battle in the sun.

9lb Pardette caught on bread bait.

A huge blitz erupted immediately in front of me one morning as I waded the ocean side of a sandbank. Bright silver fish with forked tails (15 to 20lb in weight) were smashing into Mullet, Bass and Bream and I withdrew my spindly legs to the safety of the sandbank. A few moments later I had company.

August gave me the opportunity to fish for Mullet in the Solent. The fish were now very much on the feed but luck had fully deserted me. Although I made contact with many fish, they either threw the hook or broke the leader. Portcullis obliged with the photograph I dearly needed by nabbing his first Thick Lipped Mullet.

Action began to tail off during September, with Bass shoals less prominent but individual fish size increased.
Early October saw a visit to sample Cornish Bass fishing with Austin Goldsmith. Thanks Oz for some great sport.

October provided its customary large Mullet, this time in the pitch dark.

The season ended with my first Bonefishing trip. I hope its not my last.

Tight lines for 2011.

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:36 pm

Wonderful write up and pics! Many thanks for sharing.

Si

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:05 am

What a great sum up of 2010 for you guys. I hope 2011 is a successfull one winking

Member Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Winchester

Great report Col! I'm really going to have to get out more this year.... was a really poor season for me last year. Can't wait for the next get together! RichHL

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 5:22 pm

as usual a brill write up colin.lets hope the season starts a bit earlier this year.i think more swffing from my boat this year.great summary .
mick happy