Charmouth 28/29 April

[codhead]

Emma & I fished Charmouth on Friday & Saturday nights, this time from the steps in front of the cafe. Baits: hermit, frozen squid & baby cuttle, Ammo sandeel, rag, macky strip & flapper. Rigs: flatty taces, 2/3 hook flappers, pennels & pulley pennels.

Friday: got there about 5.00pm, high water at 8.12, set up two rods each, one on small rigs/baits, the other on pennels. Emma caught one plaice of about 4 oz (rag), then got a cracking knock (sandeel/squid cocktail) and as a typical mucky-pond fisherman, struck too early. I reckon it was probably a ray that was settling over her bait and she managed to pull it from underneath. I blanked again . Left at 1.00 am because we couldn't find the train to take us to the sea. Charmouth seems to be fishable for about 2-3 hours before/after high. After that it involves a hike across sand to the sea.

There were a few rods around but we saw nothing else caught.

Saturday: took two fishing virgins (a friend and their 9 year old daughter). Same baits/rigs with the addition of my 9' 6" uptider for the newbies. Got there about 6.00pm with high about 8.40pm. Result Emma caught one doggy of about 1lb, I managed a dab of about 4 oz (but at least I didn't blank), the newbies - nada. A Portuguese guy had set up, to our left, in the car park (literally watching his rods from inside the car), he caught three doggies. The only other thing caught was a small conger, about 3lb, by two guys who were fishing from the shigle, to the right, over the wooden bridge.

Thinking of going to West Bay today to try some ledgering/float for a change and see if the newbies can break their duck.

[kilo]

Sounds like you had a good day. Was the plaice a takable size?
Post a report on west bay coz I'm going there in a couple of weeks wiv a few pals and any info useful.

[codhead]

West bay was crap, mind you the times/tides didn't help, coupled with the fact that newbiesare never wise to clothing requirements etc. We got down there at noon, fished off the end of the Jurassic Pier (over the wall on the concrete), tried some spinning with no result, as I said tide was against us, low at 2.00pm. Switched to ledgering and float in the harbour mouth and then when the wind really did turn to SW, we moved into the old harbour.

Emma fished the float, I ledgered, we both ended with one small dab each (safely returned). There's plenty of mini schoolies in there (4-6") and some big mullet.

We were hoping to get to Burton Bradstock today for an evening session but couldn't find any fresh worm anywhere, so gave up in the end.

West Bay harbour is OK for a little light relief on the float, don't expect anything more. I've never fished West Bay main beach and have no intention of doing so, especially in Summer when the grockles are in.

If you're going down to West Bay, depending what you are targetting, I'd stick to Burton Bradstock or West Bexi (if you are bashing). As far as bait is concerned, expect to pay £3 per 100 gms for rag and blow lug from West Bay Watersports, I can't remember the last time Potters had any fresh worm in stock. The staff in both shops are friendly though and will let you know what's been caught where and what on.

PM me if you're coming down and Emma & I will meet up if you fancy it.