24/03/2019 - A plethora of pollack and a wildlife rescue

Flashed down to Exmouth again this weekend to pick the boy up from university so, not to miss an opportunity and having checked the weather and the tide times, the LRF gear was put in the boot with the overnight bag. 

A gloriously sunny Sunday morning saw my friend Simon, his son and I heading to the docks to catch high tide. Arriving at our favourite spot at "the compass" we found the water clarity much improved since last visit and therefore hopes were high as we dropped our Gulp and isome-baited rigs down amongst the rocks and the structure. However, a distinct lack of immediate interest seemed to indicate there didn't seem to be much at home, not even a usually obliging shanny or tompot. 


Eventually, after a couple of half-hearted nibbles, I had a proper bite that resulted in a small, but colourful ballan wrasse. Had just popped him back when I spotted what looked like a rat swimming towards us from the direction from the other side of the estuary. Heading for the nearest rock it managed to crawl up out of the water, but then just sat there being buffeted by the swell, probably cold and exhausted. Managed to coax it into landing net without any problem and was surprised to find it was actually a water vole! Carefully popped it out of harm's way under some nearby undergrowth where it immediately started preening and drying itself off. When we checked on it a bit later it had gone, hopefully feeling a bit better and wiser after its recent adventure. Decided at this stage that a change was in order, so we headed over to the other side of the entrance to the marina. 


The tide had started to ebb by now and was already ripping past the end of the boat ramp, creating a back eddy in front of the sea defences. First cast the tip banged over as the isome section was taken on the drop, resulting in a small pollack. 





















Carried on casting out the dropshot rig underarm and just letting it swing in on a tight line. Invariably, a few knocks and bumps were followed by the tip bending fully round as another pollack grabbed the bait before it hit the bottom.

I could have switched to a more suitable set-up, such as a jig or a metal lure, but as the fish seemed to be packed into a small area and obviously having it there didn't seem to be much point. This got to be so addictive that, by the time the wife and the boy arrived, I'd had over 40 fish, with the best of them nudging the pound mark. I had fully intended to try for some different species once the tide retreated down the boat ramp, but as time was limited I said that I'd hit "50" and pack up. After pollack number 49 I swung the rig out for what was the final time. Again the bait was taken on the drop, but this time the culprit was a coalfish. I'd seen reports that these were in the area over the winter, so was pleased to catch one before they disappeared again. Unfortunately, the wife made me stick to my word after that, so we headed back along the seafront that was now packed with people out enjoying the warm weather.

Wonder if "Ratty" made it back to Dawlish Warren?

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