Trimingham last night..

I got a missed call from chuckles, I didn't know if it was a ploy to save his mobile bill but I called him back anyway. He'd got some crabs off Johnny and wanted to get them a drink, he'd also just finished building a zziplex powertex bass, the short one, and wanted to give it a whirl with a shimano fixed spool and braid. I normally have a bit of bait in and was sorely tempted to join him but decided to just go down for a chat and take Scotty for a walk...

I met him at 1920, there was a horrible mist rolling in off the sea, haar we used to call it where I come from, I've heard it called fret round here, either way its horrible stuff that chills your marrow and soaks you through. Anyway we made our way down to his chosen spot, he'd hardly brought any gear with him which made a change, just a rod, reel and bucket of bits and a rod rest. A 4/0 single hook rig loaded with crab was lobbed into the sea. I say lobbed as "cast" would be taking it too far, he was fishing literally inside the groins, 60 yards max I'd say, hoping for an early bass. We'd both invested in light rods rung for either fixed or multi's the idea being we use them for the bass and soles etc. They'll be great for the Jolly Boys annual trip to the Isle of Wight too, that's booked for June and I can't wait!

Rod in the rest and we settle down for a babble and throwing stuff for the manic Scotty to retrieve. I swear to god the rod hadn't been in the rest for more than 2 minutes, when it banged forward, straightened up then lurched forward again. For anybody that hasn't seen a bite on braid you really are missing out, even small fish bite like beasts and the stuff seems to magnify all those little tip taps. Add to that he wasn't fishing very far out and I was honestly worrying about him losing his gear! I could imagine a 5 or 6lb bass dragging it off the rest. A couple of minutes later a plump codling of between 2 and 2.5lb is in the bucket. Ironic the guy's struggled for codling all winter, here we are lateish spring and he's got a winter fish. I don't know about anywhere else but our spring run hasn't really started yet and its late if it does, my own personal view is we won't have a spring run this year.

Old golden globes with his trademark scowl. Hard to believe but that fish was less than 5 minutes into the session.

Apologies for the quality of the picture it was taken on his mobile phone. I can't obviously do anything about the subject matter, he's beyond help, and as the light was dying it's as good as I could do. Anyway it's only a camera and I'm not Harry Potter. Should I go and get my kit? I was too tired to be honest, its my quick turn around week at work and I was shattered from a set of nights and had a set of days to look forward too. At least two of the days would be with my old mate Nobby, top shifts usually.

There we are, rod cast out a second time, we settle down to babble and entertain Scotty when the Kraken decided to take hold of the lump of crab on the 4/0. I swear to god the bite was more violent than an Italian copper at a european football match. The rod banged down, shaking the rest even, sprung back,looped forward again, it was actually quite frightening the ferocity! I'm really regretting bringing the dog and not my kit now. Karl lifted into another fish, this time a mini codling of around 12oz. Unbelievable action from such a small fish.

It was only a short session, more to get the peelers back home a drink and to try his new rod and reel. He had seven casts, seven almighty bites and four fish. The two codling already mentioned and two schoolies, the biggest a little over 1 lb, a cracking little session rounded off by a pint in the Ingleside, the perfect end to the day and some food for thought for the visit of uncle John this coming weekend...