It’s been an awesome few weeks and being the summer holidays I've been catching up with friends and family that have come to Dorset for a break.
As always I've found the odd spare moment to go and chuck a lure or two, being
if I have a willing guest or not; This was me and my good friend Dan Edwards
giving him a taste of the action, I'm hoping he caught the buzz - my pursuits
are not always for the faint hearted.
Lots of my favourite places to fish are now covered in beach
towels and tourists so that’s meant on occasion having to go a bit AWOL in order
to get away from the crowds. Some long hikes have been involved but we've been
well rewarded as a result. I've also had a new companion to join me on my
travels for the past week, meet my brothers dog Monte. I wasn't sure what he
was going to make of his stay in Dorset but it turns out he’s a true rock
fisherman through and through. He’s been great company and I think he approves
of his holiday with Uncle James; I’ll be looking forward to him coming out with
me again in the next week.
With most sessions being a bit more opportunistic than
usual, it’s generally the case that we take time at the start trying a few things
to see what fish are about and what lure they’re going to hit. The one saviour
of my arsenal every time is something metal, it doesn't matter about you’re
level of capability or what the conditions are like, cast out some metal at
this time of year and sooner or later you will catch fish. When friends have
come to visit that want to have a bash on the salt it’s always been the metals
that are easy for them to pick up and get instant results with regardless of
their capability. They’re an awesome way to catch a variety of species.
Mackerel are especially great fun; this one in particular made a pretty good
account for itself earlier in the week putting a powerful bend in my Major Craft
and stripping line from my reel in an epic scrap. The biggest mackerel I've ever caught coming in at 39cm.
Metal casting lures are also pretty handy for the bass and
pollock. We generally like to launch these out as far as possible into some
deep running water, then sink and draw and twitch to ones heart’s content. Single
hooks all the way and a good understanding of the terrain below the surface
allows you to search around at all depths and quickly find out where the action
is happening. Always remembering to retrieve right to your feet as you never
know what’s lurking right below you.
A few of our favourites
Left to right;
- · Dexter wedge – I'm never without a few of these. Casts well and works every time
- · Quantum Mahi Jig – Quality value jigs, the glow-in-the-dark one is ace
- · Seaspin Leppa – Cast well and look great but finishing coat could be harder-wearing.
- · IMA Gun – Crème de- la crème of metal lures – looks casts and swims like dream! Beauties!
Of course the plastics were in use when possible and I'm still getting side tracked by the odd wrassing session or two.
That's all for now anyway, thanks for reading!!
