I had to have a go. Weather forecast was crap, next to no wind and pressure up around 1050mb. To say it wasn't inspiring is an understatement. Thing was if I didn't go it would be the 29th before I got another chance, and the thought of my folks, mother inlaw and brother inlaw over for xmas and I had no choice. I had to go.

I ordered 50 worms and thought I'd just have a splodge locally. I did consider fishing with some mates up on the shingle at Weybourne, people that know me know I'm not a big fan of the shingle, but the company would be good. A couple of my mates fish a regular set of knock up matches up there on a Monday night, to be honest I'd be pools fodder, there's some very good local matchmen fish them but at least I'd learn something. I'll try and fish one or two if/when they come down my way a bit on the sand.

All my regular companions were working or apethetic, so I'd be on my own. Well at least that's what I thought until Actionboy sent me a text asking me where he should go the following day. I told him I was going to have a go locally tonight and he met me down at Cart Gap for an evening session fishing the ebb. High water was around 1745, I got there around 1630 and was joined by Actionboy an hour or so later.

The first hour was slow. There was a bit of tide with the last of the flood and some loose weed too, more of a pain than a showstopper. As Actionboy turned up I had an 8" codling, there's been a few reported further south, and at least I hadn't blanked. As it ebbed so the weed dropped off, it usually happens that way here, and we both managed to pick up a few undersize codling, whiting and some sizeable dabs.

It was a beautiful evening, cold and clear I lost count of the shooting stars and as usual with Actionboy, the chat was non stop. He's the only bloke I know that could out talk Mrs Aitch, I swear to god he must breathe through his ears. Anyway the night was going nicely with odds and sods when one of my rods lurched forward and sprang back with a classic slackliner. I picked up, wound down to the fish and everything was going to plan before dropping it off in the surf! A few curses and me thinking "prat you've just blown the only chance you'll get of a proper one tonight" when the other rod does exactly the same as I'm rebaiting. This time I never even felt the weight of the fish. Two classic cod bites and I've missed them both, thank god the usual suspects weren't with me, they'd be ripping it out of me mercilessly. Anyone for golf?

The first rod was blasted out a full 50 yards, I rebaited the second rod and as I went to cast, the rod I'd just put in the rest banged down and dropped back slack again. Actionboy was all animated and excited, to be honest I'd had it mentally. If it was on it was on, sod it. I just carried on walking down to the waters edge, cast the other rod 40/60 yards, put it down before picking up the other rod. By this time Actionboy was apoplectic, the line was laid right up the beach picking up weed in the surf. I wound down for ages then felt the fish. He'd gone racing down to the waters edge and a few minutes later a nice codling was on the beach. I reckoned it was a good 4lb, and I could feel a couple of nice roes in her which was a bonus.

A bit butchered I know, I forgot to take my camera with me. She weighed 3lb 13oz gutted, the roes are for mine and Aidan's breakfast.

Actionboy finally calmed down in time to see my other rod repeat the form. The rod tip crashes forward before the line lays up in the surf. Again I miss it. I'm sure its a combination of a lack of tide flow and my ineptitude, I need to think about my rigs for fishing these situations. I'd be really interested to hear from anybody reading this that's had the same problem. I did think of longer hook lengths and all sorts of things, but not sure what to do really. The rigs I had been using were fixed paternosters with a hook length around 14" and a 3/0 and 2/0 pennel.

Four classic cod bites, one lovely plump codling and I'm still considering taking up golf. It's not easy and takes a lot of skill and dexterity to miss 75% of your bites! The fish I had caught had a couple of its 6" brethren in its belly, cannibal codling, and it was noticeable that the bits and bobs we'd been getting had dissapeared.

And that was that, well nearly. I managed a couple more mini codling and dabs, when Actionboy's rod just about got dragged off the rest. Despite him doing his best to lose it by letting the line go slack and striking like his life depended on it, the hooks held until I lifted a 2.5lber out of the surf. The fish dropped off at the tideline, but with my cat like reactions I was down on it before it got chance to swim off.

A nice brace on the sand. Actionboy kindly took this photo on his mobile phone.

So a good night rounded off nicely. I enjoyed Actionboys company, he can certainly spin a yarn and I found if I just nodded and grunted like I do for Mrs Aitch it kept him happy too. We both managed to catch a feed, though I can't help thinking about the chances I'd missed. If they'd been between 2.5 and 4.5lb I could've had 13 or 14lb of fish, which would've turned a good night into a great night, though given the conditions I can't complain, it'll do until the 29th.

I think tonights session is typical of how it can be when the weather's like this, there seem to be isolated pockets of fish and if your luck's in then your luck's in. Actionboy is down there again this morning and has only a slug to show for his efforts, still thats fishing innit!

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to everybody that reads this drivel, I hope you all get what you want and not what you deserve!

PS

There's a charity match being held in benefit of Martyn Franklin the Lowestoft angler lost at sea off Kessingland. The match will be at Dunwich fishing from 0930 to 1430 on the 29th December, I hope to see some of you there. You can find a sign up page here:

Martyn Franklin Benefit Match