Mothers day, quick getaway

Mothers day so not really appropriate to slope of fishing for a day but that doesn't mean a few hours are out of the question, especially as I made homemade Pasty's for lunch. So once I had visited my mum and given her the card and standard plant I decided to go somewhere for a couple of hours just to cast a line. It would have to be somewhere where I would have a chance to catch another species but with a falling tide, cold easterly wind and no bait the choices weren't exactly obvious. The forecast was sunshine and showers with the afternoon looking to improve so a plan was hatched and after speaking with Chris we decided to head down to Torquay for a couple of hours after a Wrasse. The species of Wrasse I was really after was the Ballan Wrasse, a tough rugged master of the kelp a species that broke my line on our last visit to this mark. I picked Chris up at 14.30 and we were in the excellent tackle shop Hookz by 15.30, I asked for a quarter of their finest Ragworm the best bait for the day. They then burst our bubble, stating they had sold out of Rag and Crab and added that the area we were going to fish had been fishing awful, and a local competition had been cancelled. So things were not looking great but we were determined to give it a go, we bid farewell to the shop assistant and were about to set off when he called us back. The guy explained he had some Ragworm that was dead and so couldn't be sold but we were welcome to have it if we wanted something that was better than nothing, we gratefully accepted. Now we were in business and we made our way to the rocky mark to try for a Wrasse and lose a bit of tackle. The sea was extremely coloured still and there was a fair swell crashing into the rocks below us as we prepared our rigs. The time was against us a bit as Wrasse don't seem to feed in the dark probably due to the fact they are one of the few fish species that actually sleeps. The multitude of Wrasse species are renowned for their striking markings and colours with the males usually the brighter of the sexes. We both set off using different methods with Chris using a float set up and me using a simple leger rig, nice a cheap to replace, Wrasse tend to have a bolt hole and once encamped you just cant get them out without losing your tackle. The wind was pretty bitter and the swell was buffeting the rigs against the rocks but we fished on with our dead Ragworm and an air of bloody mindlessness. Then I noticed a quick rattle on the rod tip and I picked up the rod to feel any movement through the braid, the fish returned with a far more aggressive bite and I struck and held tight. The Wrasse tried relentlessly to reach the snags littering the sea bed but I gave no quarter and soon the fish saw sense and was lead steadily to the surface. It is incredible how tough these fish are when giving an account of themselves and its not until they reach the surface do you realise they are half the size you estimated. Chris really loves Ballan Wrasse and would quite happily fish exclusively for them, I do have to agree they are one of the most stunning of our inshore species. The fish may have weighed a little under a 1lb but at species 24 it was gratefully received, a few pictures and then the little Rottweiler was safely returned.

The Wrasse had some stunning markings and some amazing blue streaks within the fins although the photos just don't do it justice, I had to get a close up of the markings as they are all individual like a fingerprint.

Chris then had an enquiry with his rod rattling sharply, but the lead had snagged causing the fish to spit out the hook and make good its escape. The next bite was mine again but this time the wrasse found sanctuary and cut me off, despite the strong kit the habitat these fish reside in is brutal to even the strongest of lines. The bites dried up but the weather didn't and the sky's opened up depositing sheets of chilled rain into us on this exposed point.

We both felt it was time to knock it on the head, we were getting heavier and heavier with the onset of the rain and the sky looked dark and foreboding, sometimes you know its time to cut and run. The journey home was dreadful with driving rain and spray and it backed up our decision to leave when we did. The trip had been short and not so sweet but the target had been achieved largely down to the generosity of Hookz tackle for the free bait but also because we were determined to wet a line. My target of getting to the halfway stage of the challenge by April is well on track but as an angler I know you cant count your chickens until they have hatched and its tough fishing at the moment. Cheers Chris for the photos and sharing the soaking this afternoon, until the next one.