Janaury 2014 Monthly Report

Just like when I wrote last month’s report it is still quite mild for this time of year with the temperature nudging 8 or 9 degrees some days. Unfortunately high winds from the southwest and, as I’m sure you have noticed, plenty of rain have called most of my trips off. I managed to get out on 2 days before the New Year which resulted in some of the best winter fishing I have seen this season, typical that this good fishing should be going on during the worst weather period. 5 cod took a mix of squid and cuttlefish bait over the two trips ranging from 13-21lb. Along with these we saw plenty of by-catch in the form of whiting, rays, smoothound and bull huss. This winter I have seen more congers on the open ground than ever before, some days it’s not uncommon to see 20 or 30 whilst trying to target the cod. Last Saturdays trip came with neap tides and good weather which gave me the first chance to get out to the offshore banks and target the spur dogs. Lee Cullen managed top fish on the day with a fine 18lber, 7 other spurs also made an appearance. When the tide died away and the spurs went off the feed the fishing didn’t slow down with even more congers, whiting, blonde rays, bull huss and even a tope taking the mackerel and squid baits. Mark Turner got a welcome surprise when winding up to change his bait as half way up he hooked into a large squid, it was weighed ashore at 3lb 9oz!! Hopefully the worst of the weather is behind us and we can look forward to getting out to the offshore marks again soon.