Winter cod 2009

Today we set off for a late season bass fishing trip. The forecast wasn’t great for the afternoon but there was a “hole in the weather” forecast for the morning. Conditions were fine when we arrived at our bass mark about 20 miles offshore. The next hour and a half saw more than 20 bass to 7lb come over the gunnels with all fish being in excellent condition. Then Dave Lynes from Poole managed to get a sidewinder lure hooked into his hand. The hook point was completely buried so there was no alternative but to head back to Poole so that Dave could head off to hospital. The lads were very good natured about the interruption. Despite the worsening weather we decided to fish the slack water on a mark 3 miles east of Old Harry to try for a cod or whiting. At first we had a steady stream of pouts and dogfish. Then Nick Colbert, from Bath, hooked a heavier fish that turned out to be a 7lb cod, our first inshore fish of the winter. Next fish up was a nice whiting, also our first of the winter. Then Nick’s 10 foot bass rod bent into a much heavier fish. After 10 mins a large cod appeared from the depths and a 23lb beauty was soon in on the deck having fallen for a squid bait fished on a single 4/0 hook. Nick’s bag included 2 bass to 7lb as well as the two cod!

Nick Colbert 23lb PB

Nick Colbert 7lb