Alan Yates web Diary 15th October 08
A day out in the Fox International sponsored charter boat, Brighton Diver out of Brighton Marina proved my belief that it was possible to catch a conger on a carp rod, despite some scepticism from a few – Carp angler Ian Chilcott gave the new Fox Stratos 12000 MAG fixed spool reel a real work out with a 40lb plus conger hooked from a wreck in the English Channel. He was aided by some tackle and bait management plus coaching from myself, skipper Paul Dyer and Sky Tight lines host, Keith Arthur but deserved the credit for handling a beast of an eel that gave him the run around on 30lb braid. Ian needed a degree of good fortune to get the fish away from the wreck and I am sure he will live on the story for months to come but it was akin to fishing for carp with a minnow rig, well done Ian, good angling mate!
It was a mixed day for me too because having fished with proper 50lb class conger gear for most of the day, whilst I was snapping away with the camera at other catches Keith hooked and landed a 62lb conger on my rod. That would have been my best ever eel, but now only have a part share.
With a bait shortage looming as the nights draw back, the temperature drops and the rain sheets down I had a novel bait alternative from Dorchester angler, Andrew Peadon. It seems his dad was fishing at Abbottsbury on Chesil, at the hot spot past the houses and wasn’t catching much on the usual lugworm and squid and so added a cod liver oil tablet to his hook point and within 10 minutes he hooked a codling, next cast a dogfish before he ran out of tablets. Am I willing to try this new “bait”? Actually I pickled olives tipped on sandeel for doggie bait and have caught a few pollack on sweet corn sprayed with WD40. Nah, think I will stick with fresh yellowtails and peeler!!
A nice change to see a match organiser spread the pegs. Too many pegged events involve close pegging. OK in the likes of the smaller matches where anglers are of an equal ability, but in the large opens it means that mixed angling abilities are too close for comfort. As a regular matchman how many times have I had an empty peg on one side and thought “ Great lots of room” and at the last minute a novice turns up down tide and casts twenty yards over my line every cast. The Fountain Sea Angling Club from Seabrook have reduced the pegs for their open at Seabrook and Hythe on the 15th February 2009 after complaints that the pegs were too close in the strongest tide. Now the first 200 anglers only will be catered for with the wider pegs. The match carries a £1000 first prize with pools for biggest fish and sections. Book a peg with Brian Barnes on 01303 232024.
