Catch Fish with
Mike Ladle

Information Page

SEA FISHING

For anyone unfamiliar with the site always check the FRESHWATER, SALTWATER and TACK-TICS pages. The Saltwater page now extends back as a record of over several years of (mostly) sea fishing and may be a useful guide as to when to fish. The Freshwater stuff is also up to date now. I keep adding to both. These pages are effectively my diary and the latest will usually be about fishing in the previous day or two. As you see I also add the odd piece from my friends and correspondents if I've not been doing much. The Tactics pages which are chiefly 'how I do it' plus a bit of science are also updated regularly and (I think) worth a read (the earlier ones are mostly tackle and 'how to do it' stuff).

Rotten weather!

At last it looks as though the perpetual rain and wind of the past few weeks (months) is about to let up. Anyway here's a bit of an update. My last trip was typical. I'd decided to try and have a go for bass or mullet on the evening spring tide. I wasn't hopeful as there had been recent stormy weather (when hasn't there) which usually means lots of fresh weed on the beaches and few maggots (they take a few days to hatch and develop). Anyway, I piled the gear in the car and drove to the coast. I knew that some of my pals were going and sure enough when I arrived at the coast both Bill's car and Rob's car were there already.

The wind was howling and I could see white tops on the waves (at least force five or six). I grabbed the spinning rod and attached a Skitterpop (it casts well into the wind) before setting off to the water. It was horrible. waves crashing against the cliff and a sea that looked like grey mud. Not good at all! I decided that it probably wasn't worth the long walk to join the others and that I'd have a go near the car park where it was a bit more sheltered. After about ten minutes of casting I packed in and walked back to the car where I met another mate, John, who was just putting on his waders. I said that I thought it was futile but John's made of sterner stuff than me and said he was going to join the others. I went home full of self doubt "Perhaps I was wrong! Perhaps the fish would be mad on!"

Anyway, the next day I had a couple of emails. As it turned out the fishing had not been good. Rob, Bill, Mike and John had had one schoolie between them (Robs) and so I didn't feel too bad. I also had an email from another good pal, Adrian, who had tried a more sheltered bay and managed to land a decent wrasse on a soft plastic. He also missed another good bite. It just shows what we all know - you have to be in the right place at the right time. Roll on some good weather!

If you have any comments or questions about fish, methods, tactics or 'what have you!' get in touch with me by sending an E-MAIL to - docladle@hotmail.com

Rob.

Well deserved.

Nice!