Return to Yaverland

After the week before success, we decided to return to Yaverland for another go at the Rays.
High water was at 2343, but with a full moon and gin clear water it was going to be hard finding any fish let alone Rays. With this in mind I took along some worm maybe in the hope of a Plaice or Sole.
After picking Mick and Nick up and arrivng at the car park we took the long walk to the point of the bay, close to the reef where we thought a few fish might be located in the rocks. We were set up by 7.30pm.




I decided to target the rays after dark so in the mean time would fish 2 hook flappers with worm on one rod for a plaice and mackerel strip on the other for Turbot, which abound in the bay.
It was another gorgeous evening with warm sunshine, little wind and a flat sea. Set up it was time for a cuppa and a cigarette, thats when I had the first knock, a little shudder on the tip and the rod then pulled gentle round, something was interested in my mackerel strip.Winding in there didn't feel much weight but in came the 1st fish a nice albeit small Turbot.



Though I'd put the bait out hoping for one that was unexpected due to the conditions, quickly Nick followed this success with a school Bass and then another 2 small Turbot of his own.




Half hour passed and whilst chatting to Mick, who also was now targetting the Tubot my rod with the worm had a nice pull round, grabbing the rod and winding in I could feel some weight and as it got nearer the beach it stayed close to the sea bed, hoping this was my Plaice, but suprise it was a nice Sole, bright sunshine and clear water that was the last thing I was expecting. It went 13oz and was then returned alive.



Well the fish were about even in daylight so hopes were high for after dark.

Things were quiet though after the sun had set, with me just adding a few pout to my total but as high water approached finally I had the bite on sandeel I was waiting for a strong pull round and striking a good weight, and in came my 1st ray of the night a nice spotted of 2lb 1oz.



A mate of Nick's fishing next to Mick also had a similar sized spotted ray at the same time.

Well what little bites we were getting stopped at slack water, the moon was straight in front of us and bright, exactly an hour after the tide started to ebb I get another good bite this time on the worm rod, taking it easy as I was using fine wire size 2 hooks, I land a slightly better spotted ray of 2lb 10oz.



And Nicks mate again had a small painted Ray.

I cast out again and returning to the rest I had interest on the other rod another Ray maybe but this time just a big old doggie.

Well we fished on till just gone 4pm, now daylight we decided to call it a night. all in all despite the calm conditions and full moon a good nights fishing and so mild a pleasure to be out.