[Keith White]

The plan tonight was to go smaller and lighter.

4 of us (Paul B, Squid, Kev and Myself) fished numerous locations within earshot
of each other around the La Collette arm of the harbour.

I don't really think we have accurate numbers but, i had 5 or 6 fish.
Paul B, tonights top dog had at least 9 fish, maybe 10, I'm unsure.
Kevin 3 or 4 and the Squid 5 +

I reckon I scored the biggest fish, a Pollack about 1.5lb, Paul the highest number (double nearly of anyone else)
Squid had a small Whiting and I think we all had at least 1 Pouting.

I was testing for the first time the PE #1 Yamatoyo braid. Just like it's bigger PE 1.5 brother
it is awesome. I ran a number of crankbaits on it (5-6ft thru a 16ft deep Poes). Boy, they
rocket down there on the thin braid !

Paul B had 10lb power pro on board his plastics rod. That too is very thin. However,
later in the session, I realised why he'd stuffed us all. The rod he was using helped you detect
the shyest of takes. Incredibly so in fact. I'm not sure on the model but it is a 1-9g rod.

Paul ran a spinnerbait rod too just as I ran a deep crankbait rod.

Tonight's action was all light, small soft plastics.
However, lots of stuff was tried including small marabou jigs.

Best SP of the night was the tiny Xlayer (nearly clear).
2.5" curly tail on a 5g-7g head was next in various colours.

We took a few pics and I'll post em asap.

This plastic scratching is damn good fun.

 

[Mike Hayes]

Sounded like a good session then, look forward to the pics.

 

[The Squid]

I was fishing really small curlly tail grubs ( A green one, a white&black one) and a two inch long white sidewinder -- Using a Rapala knot and no more weight than 1BB shot and 1SSG shot as weighting (thats 2G).

 

[Mike Kennard]

It sounds like you are having a great time over there. I am sure the same techniques would work elsewhere too, even here if the water would start clearing. We have less than a foot visibility at the moment. What is it like over there?

 

[Simon L]

I'm really enjoying the reports from these vaired little sessions you've been having. I just wish that i lived a little closer to the sea to make it feasible for me to pop out in the evenings for sessions like that !!

Looking forward to the pics !!

:clap: :clap:

 

[Keith White]

Just a few pix..

Obviously, we don't photograph all the fish, that would be nuts..
Paul still has a couple on his Lumix to send me but here goes...

Paul Butel with a Pollack that really does bend the pictured rod. The Cormoran UL-X 1-9g
I bought one today. It really did make that much difference !

See.. http://www.daiwa-cormoran.info/co/e...65,63,1,1__products-model.htm?ovs_search0=ulx

I know they are smaller but scale down to suit and it is alot of fun. We had bigger ones too and they
bend the rod's over. They seriously do. Crazy but true.

They really HIT these soft plastics and inhale them. You have to have the right setup though.
It makes a world of difference.

The top combination on this trip.. MegaBass Xlayer (tiny), Xorus Gobix 6g head. Not alot of action you'd think.
Well, the fish didn't seem to mind. It's all in the technique and the gear guys. It is really hands on sensitive/feel
lift, drop, bump, wait type fishing but nothing aggressive. I did take one fish on a shakey grub though but again,
shook in situ, not moving along.

I've just added a nice 11 BB small reel to load PE 0.8 8lb braid onto before our next scratch trip.

Nuts, it really is. We were like a bunch of kids.

 

[Henry Gilbey]

Very cool to read about, nice one guys - fishing is all about having a blast...........

 

[Vidar Thomassen]

Well-done guys :clap: :clap:

Ultra light fishing is just so incredible fun :jump: :jump:

 

[James Davis]

Looks like incredible fun!

Ummm, what happens if a feisty 5lb+ bass bites on that set up, Paul/Keith?

 

[Keith White]

Ummm, what happens if a feisty 5lb+ bass bites on that set up, Paul/Keith?

Then we'll play the fish James.

Nothing different than big coarse fish on MUCH lighter gear.

I've landed some very big fish on extremely light lines over the years.

I would say that big fish respond to being pulled by pulling even harder.
I've guided double figure Carp on 2lb line, big Tench, Chub, Pike, Zander
and, in and around structure and current.

Don't get me wrong..., man handling tactics will get us no-where and, it will happen.
People use 5 and 6 lb lines for Mullet all the time. I do too and they run harder than most Bass
IME.

Bring it on I say.
Lets put the fun back into Sea Lure Fishing.

 

[Keith White]

Pics just in from Mr Butel

Cheers Paul.

 

[Retired]

Apart from being a bit of fun, the good thing about this caper is it is honing your bite detection and you can still fish structure, look for current and creases, all that good stuff.

You get the odd unmissable take, but most of the time nibbles and taps that are scaled down versions of some of the bites I get on bigger SPs. Bites on the drop, bites when the SP is static, induced takes, you name it, it is all happening. Just in miniature.

Seriously though, on the subject of ethics, you need to be sensible and nobody is going to look to be massively outgunned. The ULX "only" has the backbone of a light brook (fly) rod, but would a fly angler pass up a 3lb brownie?

This could become a frequent diversion at this rate. And the little blighters a photogenic little sods too (Keith excluded).

 

[Dave Irving]

Paul,
I am sure I don't have to tell you that it can be amazing what you can catch on a brook rod. Done small salmon (at Testwood) and sea trout on my #3 6'6" Loomis.

I really wish we had fishing of the same caliber over here at the moment.

 

[Keith White]

The ULX "only" has the backbone of a light brook (fly) rod, but would a fly angler pass up a 3lb brownie?

Pulled a few fly rods last night after reading that.

A bit more in it than a brook rod Paul. However..
Much along those lines of a full action and more than capable of protecting
the light braids we are on. Similar power to a mid flex quick actioned 5#wt

We might have to lighter yet, I feel positively overgunned now. LOL

I saw a 0.8 to 1.5g rated rod listed.
10 lb Bass anyone ?

LOL

 

[Mike Kennard]

[quote="Paul B":3af9zhuq]The ULX "only" has the backbone of a light brook (fly) rod, but would a fly angler pass up a 3lb brownie?

Pulled a few fly rods last night after reading that.

A bit more in it than a brook rod Paul. However..
Much along those lines of a full action and more than capable of protecting
the light braids we are on. Similar power to a mid flex quick actioned 5#wt

We might have to lighter yet, I feel positively overgunned now. LOL

I saw a 0.8 to 1.5g rated rod listed.
10 lb Bass anyone ?

LOL[/quote:3af9zhuq]

Keith,
I have a G Loomis SR6010-2 5ft rated for 1-4lb line and lures up to 1/8oz. Having caught bass to about a pound on it in open water it is great fun but definitely 'living on the edge' power wise!!!! It weighs less than 2 ounces too. Nuts. With a Daiwa Whisker Tournament SS700 the outfit weighs about 8.5 oz...... Great fun with tiny soft plastics and mini crayfish imitations. Not most (or my own) people's idea of a bass rod though.

 

[Keith White]

[quote="Keith White":1gb5snkj][quote="Paul B":1gb5snkj]The ULX "only" has the backbone of a light brook (fly) rod, but would a fly angler pass up a 3lb brownie?

Pulled a few fly rods last night after reading that.

A bit more in it than a brook rod Paul. However..
Much along those lines of a full action and more than capable of protecting
the light braids we are on. Similar power to a mid flex quick actioned 5#wt

We might have to lighter yet, I feel positively overgunned now. LOL

I saw a 0.8 to 1.5g rated rod listed.
10 lb Bass anyone ?

LOL[/quote:1gb5snkj]

Keith,
I have a G Loomis SR6010-2 5ft rated for 1-4lb line and lures up to 1/8oz. Having caught bass to about a pound on it in open water it is great fun but definitely 'living on the edge' power wise!!!! It weighs less than 2 ounces too. Nuts. With a Daiwa Whisker Tournament SS700 the outfit weighs about 8.5 oz...... Great fun with tiny soft plastics and mini crayfish imitations. Not most (or my own) people's idea of a bass rod though.[/quote:1gb5snkj]

:muttley: I was jesting Mike.

I'm certain though that fish to a few pounds will be fine with care around structure and
maybe bigger in more open water. The average size fish is of course much smaller but the point
is, the rod protects the end tackle and gives immense pleasure actually fishing with it.

Seriously, I've landed big fish on a size 24 hook and 12oz hook tippet but, without the
right tools to play with you are always going to loose. And, you know, you don't always win.
Surely, that is part of it. I've had big chub hit fine wire hooks whilst canal fishing waggler's
under the far bank. You know they are feet, if not inches from heavy cover so you steer them away.

Protecting such a small hook requires the right gear and, if you pull hard, so do they and chances are
they'll bend that wire straight. It's amazing what you get out with care.

Rods in my eye's should work in harmony with expected fish size, power and the end tackle
you need to catch and play them. Scaling down means scaling 'everything' or it just won't work
properly imho.

 

[Simon L]

Nuts, it really is. We were like a bunch of kids.

The thing is Keith, that i'm sat here in Wales thinking "God . . that's sounds awesome" . . . i've already been on the internet sussing-out cheap flights to Jersey as i'm dying to join in . . . and i've had several PM's from guys over here saying "Wow . . have you seen those Jersey threads - we've gotta go find a harbour or something" !!

In fact, there are a couple of us plotting & scheming a trip this Saturday, as it just sounds like such a laugh !!!

So, i guess there are quite a few big-kids on here Keith !!! :rofl:

 

[The Squid]

[quote="Keith White":3hc2agfu]

Nuts, it really is. We were like a bunch of kids.

The thing is Keith, that i'm sat here in Wales thinking "God . . that's sounds awesome" . . . i've already been on the internet sussing-out cheap flights to Jersey as i'm dying to join in . . . and i've had several PM's from guys over here saying "Wow . . have you seen those Jersey threads - we've gotta go find a harbour or something" !!

In fact, there are a couple of us plotting & scheming a trip this Saturday, as it just sounds like such a laugh !!!

So, i guess there are quite a few big-kids on here Keith !!! :rofl:[/quote:3hc2agfu]

Hi Simon,

You may want to try 3lb or 4lb mono with the very light lures (under 5g) as it sinks better than braid -- this dependes on your required sink rate. Iam also trying 4g and 5g plugs on fine braid (.13 & .15) we are casting them 30 plus feet Try not to use a metle clip as this can turn a suspending plug intl a sinking plug. I am using a Rapala knot.

Good luck for the coming weekend.

Chris

 

[Keith White]

i've already been on the internet sussing-out cheap flights to Jersey as i'm dying to join in . . . and i've had several PM's from guys over here saying "Wow . . have you seen those Jersey threads - we've gotta go find a harbour or something" !!

LOL: You know, as we get better at this it is reasonable to go out and virtually EXPECT bites now on plastics.
So, sure, if you 'could' make it, it most likely wouldn't be a wasted journey as long you are open minded to smaller but fun
fishing. And of course, any of you scratch virgins are more than welcome here... :muttley:

In fact, there are a couple of us plotting & scheming a trip this Saturday, as it just sounds like such a laugh !!!

Do it. Don't expect immediate results as learning the bite is the bit that really screws up the beginning SP man.
When you go smaller, the bite is, as Paul pointed out earlier, smaller too. But, in fairness, we were, at times getting a knock a cast.

It makes you realise how much fishing you do miss out on when you go big and selective.

With practice, and we WILL get practice, LOL.., I reckon a 50 fish trip between the 4 of us is a real possibility.
And of course, scratching like this will IMPROVE as the year moves along.

I can't wait to fish the same area or similar area's in the warmer months as we'll be adding allsorts of fish
to the list of targets. The mind boggles.

 

[Marc D...]

Hi there Keith, i have a lineaffe rapidspin, 0-10 gram, 270 (length) rod that i picked up at a very reasonable price, it seems very "whippy" (compared to all my other rods) and i haven't used it in anger as yet, but do you think it would be suitable for this type of fishing???