Catch fish with Mike Ladle.

Catch Fish with
Mike Ladle

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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).

Only a wrasse.

I looked at my calendar the other day to find that I should have gone spinning in the race and it was my last chance on that series of tides. Anyway, the following morning, despite the stiff south wind, I gave it a go. I was using an Evo Stix lure (still haven't lost one) with a small cone lead so, because I couldn't get to my favoured stance, it wasn't the easiest thing to cast where I wanted. For half-an-hour I flogged away and, just as the shoulder was beginning to feel the strain, I felt a tap. It's amazing how easily you can detect the slightest interest from a fish when you're using braid. Encouraged I fished on and after another ten minutes, as the lure hit the water, right in the turbulent flow, it was taken. My mind said 'bass' but the flapping on the end of the line said otherwise. It wasn't long before I had a beautiful little ballan wrasse on the rocks having its picture taken. It was seriously well hooked despite the huge, Texas rigged hook I was using and the fact that it had grabbed the lure before I'd even closed the bale arm.

I had a few more fruitless casts and then set off back to the car. As I walked along the water's edge I stopped every ten yards to have a chuck and on about the twenty-oddth attempt I was surprised to get a bite. This was a much bigger wrasse and for a few seconds it thrashed and took a bit of line in the shallow water - then it came off!!!!!! WHY DID THE LITTLE ONE STICK AND THE BIG ONE ESCAPE? A question I've often had cause to ask myself over the years. I have no answer.

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

Wrasse.

Small but beautifully marked.

Close up.

Not only was the hook through its lip it had gone into the cheek too..