Sea Fishing at Mariners Wharf

As a result of the bad weather we have had of late, the rivers that I fish are very high and coloured. Not ideal conditions for catching ravenous Pike. I came up with the idea that instead of sitting at home wishing we were fishing we should head off to Liverpool and try our hand at a bit of Sea Fishing. Myself and Beef had a couple of sessions last year, with mixed results. I did though catch a Cod, Whiting, and a couple of 3 Bearded Rockling. So Beef, Kenny and yours truly headed off to Mariners Wharf. Expectations were high. We had come cracking fresh Lug Worm for bait, and I quite fancied our chances. We arrived just as the tide was coming in, and upon our arrival we were told by a fellow angler that it was "Fishing it's head off" Brilliant! This was a great confidence booster. An hour or 2 came and passed without so much as a knock on either of our rods. Suddenly the prospect that perhaps today wasn't to be our day after all was dawning. Watching other anglers it soon became apparent that they too were not catching. It would seem as though we had chosen a bad day catching wise. Could it have anything to do with the amount of fresh water that had entered into the river? No catches this time, but we'll definitely give it another go.

We'll never catch in these conditions

FRIDAY:

A short session on the drains with Beef and Kenny today. Although the sun was out and it wasn't raining, the fishing conditions were to be effected by the previous downpours we had the days before. The water level had risen a good foot or so. The water clarity was awful, and was the colour of mud. The drain was also pumping at a very fast pace. After assessing these conditions I put my head on the block and claimed that we wouldn't catch today. "There is no way that the Pike will feed in these conditions" I proclaimed. A couple of hours soon passed when suddenly Beefs alarm screamed off, and in an instant I was to be proven wrong. He'd had a take, and with that Beef finally laid to rest his recent blanking sessions. Although not the biggest fish we've had on the Unhooking Matt this season a Jack Pike of just under 5lb. and a new Pike PB for Beef. A nice catch though given the conditions. Amazingly 5 minutes later his other rod pulled violently forward, he struck but just brought back a mangled bait. Something had being having a chomp but somehow didn't take the hooks. Well done Beef you're on the score sheet this season. A blank for myself and Kenny, this is becoming a bit of a regular occurrence for me ;-)

Beef's First of the season

Kenny's quest for a Pike part 4. JOB DONE!

Now there is one thing that you can't accuse Kenny of, and that is determination. After around half a dozen Pikeless sessions last year, and finally giving up the ghost around October. This year a new and enthusiastic Kenny has embraced the world of Piking. Today was to be Kenny's fourth Piking trip of the season. The last three sessions, have proven to be fruitless to say the least. kenny can often be heard saying "Just a run would be nice" in fact I'd guess that the highlight of Kenny's Piking sessions so far, are without a doubt the Sausage and Egg Barms that I've been serving up on the bank side. Today hopefully was to be his day. We were setting up on the bank by around 6.45am. Kenny opting for Beef's usual peg and I went for my usual swim. Kenny was fishing in both the near margin and the far margin hoping that a Pike patrolling either side would find his bait. I recommended to him that he forget the far margin and fish both rods close in, as this swim seem to produce more fish from under your feet. Around 20 minutes later, he was in! Sure enough the bait he'd only just moved was under investigation. I talked him through when and how to strike, (I'm not sure whether he heard me or not, because he'd already entered what I call 'The Zone' This is where you are totally oblivious to the outside world, and the only thing that matters is catching the fish. You can be in 'The Zone' for quite a while after the catch. Classic signs are, Stepping on tackle, Breaking things, Visibly Shaking, Setting up your rod incorrectly, and an ear to ear smile.) He wound down onto the fish , felt the weight and whoomph! A strike that I'd have been proud of. His line was kept tight, a battle ensued and soon the Pike was in the net. He'd done it! Finally he'd caught his first ever Pike. And what a cracker it was too. A good strong hard fighting fish. And his first Pike was a double weighing an impressive 10lb 2 oz. He couldn't believe his luck. It was a textbook capture to boot, the hooks caught just in the scissors of it's jaw. I would think that it will take quite a while for kenny to beat his new PB, but one thing is for sure he'll definitely be back on the bank trying. Well done Ken you deserve it. As for me? Not a touch! Out fished by a Bung!

Kenny's Cracker 10lb 2oz

Kenny's quest for a Pike part 3

Another session was arranged with Beef and Kenny, this was to be their third session with me, and as yet neither has caught. They're becoming more and more determined, today was going to their day surely? The last time we went Piking, we sat for over 14 hours without any sign of a Pike. Today I baited up cast out my line and had a fish on the bank within 5 minutes, a good size fish and my biggest of the season so far, it weighed 9lb 8oz. Within an hour and a half I was in again, this time a smaller fish of 7lb 10oz, but it wasn't happy and gave a very good account of it self. As for Beef and Kenny, today wasn't to be their day after all, and once again they both blanked. They must be starting to hate me :-) I've arranged to have another session with kenny on Monday.


(26 Sep 2008) (Moon Rise 03.14) (Moon Set 17.39) (Moon Phase N/A)

Quickest Dead Bait Catch ever

7lb 10oz

Not Over The Moon

MONDAY:

After witnessing me catch three Pike on our last outing, Beef and Kenny were keen to get amongst the catches. I arrived on the bank at 5.30am and they soon followed. Traps were set and we waited eagerly for one of our rods to signal a take. We waited and waited and waited, in fact we waited a staggering 14 hours and in this time Beef had the only take of the session, but the fish came off on the strike, an over ambitious Jack Pike perhaps? Another angler tried his luck on three rods and he was using live baits, eventually admitting defeat by packing up before us. They were just not interested in feeding today no matter what we tried. Interestingly the Moon Phase had finished it's cycle. So kenny's quest for his first ever Pike continues, another trip for Friday has been planned.

Date. 23/09/08. (Moonrise. N/A) (Moonset. 16.34) (Moon phase Finished)

The same cycle of the month in August I fished at my local Reservoir and between myself and Ben we had one fish. I will try and fish the same Moon Cycle next month and I will log the results on here. The new Moon Phase starts on Monday.

First Match Of The Pike League Produces 0-0 Bore Draw

Ben and I have decided to add a little spice to our Piking season this year. We are going to have a League table. Points will be awarded on Pike weight, for example if a Pike was caught and weighed 10lb's, 10 points would be awarded to whoever caught it. The holder of the biggest capture of the season will be awarded a bonus 11 points. The prize paid in cash will be awarded to the winner. The prize will be the difference in points paid in cash. So today was to be the first match of the season. The season ends on March 14th the last day you can fish before the season finishes. We arrived before dawn and eagerly awaited a catch and to put some points on the board. Typically though, when we put pressure on a catch, we both managed to blank.

First Dead Baiting Session Of The Season

Today was to be the first Dead Baiting session of the season. I'd arranged to meet Beef, kenny, and Charlie on our local drain. My alarm was set for 5am and I was on the bank by 6am. Beef was the first to arrive, and we were rods in by 6.15am. Kenny and Charlie arrived soon after. Traps were set and we eagerly awaited for one of our alarms to indicate a take. We didn't have to wait too long as I was to be the first to receive a take. My left rod was in. I wound down on to the fish and felt a decent sized lump at the end. The Pike didn't put up too much of a fight which was a little disappointing. It weighed 9lb not the biggest fish in the drain, but a good start to the season non the less. I was in again within the hour. This time a much harder fighting fish but it weighed a little less at 8lb 2oz, this Pike was unusual as it was covered in red markings. Finally I caught a third fish, a Jack Pike of around 3lbs. As for my fellow fishing companions, Beef received 2 takes but both fish came off during the fight. Charlie had one suspected take. Sadly Kenny didn't get so much as a beep.

First Pike of the season 9lb.

Thanks for telling me my hat was wonky mate!

Red Flanked 8lb 2oz

Jack Pike of around 3lb's