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  • 07/06/2014 Fishing Report by Malcolm Collins on Just Mary (Christchurch, Dorset)

    7 Jun 2014 by Malcolm Collins

    Report on-board Just Mary

    A good weekend of lovely neap tides meant that 'Plan A' swung into action and we pushed off to marks only really accessible and fishable to us on anchor with such 'slack' tides. Spring tides out there - forget it ! So Saturday started wet and the Sea was still unsettled from a three day blow but we knew conditions would improve with the midday low water. Mackerel hard to find but we had some frozen plus squid and ragworm and enough to make a start. Into fish from the drop as the tide was dying. A real monster, for one of my previous Anglers Myles from Poole, clung to the seabed and moved off uptide despite our efforts but with only a 20lb class rod, 30lb mono and mono 60lb trace (all hire gear) we were trying against the odds just to catch sight of it and after 40 minutes of struggle it came off. The heavy 6/0 had snapped on the curve of the hook ! I didn't need to see it to know what it was, it's happened before on this mark and one day we'll go after them properly. If you want to know then ask my mate Tom Greasty (San Gina II) to show you a picture of one nailed to Swanage Pier back in the non-conservation 60's. Ours will be tagged, photo, measured and released, and on the front cover of every Sea Angling mag in the Country, I can promise you that !
    So back to our day ! Nine Anglers onboard and plenty of space ! Good Black Bream to 4lb were fairly constant and almost as regular as the doggies. Four Congers to 40lb, Smoothounds, and two nice Undulate Rays of 17lb 12oz to Mark the Coalman from Poole and Tom Whitcher, a Brickie, from Blandford with the biggest at 18lb 8oz. Only second trip with us by Tom who normally fishes for Carp, first trip 25lb Tope now this Undulate.....what next ? Well pleased to say he's back in a fortnight ! Good man.....he knows where to be !
    Several other Rays never quite made it to the surface but that's life ! They get returned after a photo anyway so no harm done.
    Sadly no Bass but that was probably due to the neaps and a lack of Mackerel, but lots of good fish with everyone catching and enjoying their day so just remember this, 'When the Skipper says 'You really should be on this trip.....then take note and book your place !'
    We had a great time.....where were you ?

    All the best, Malc. 'Just Mary', Poole.



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