Day 4 - 29th September 2006
Well today is my birthday!! So we're looking forward to some fish and a decent night on the town.
Initially Terence drove us up to Mile 30 but after some time looking at the conditions he decided not to wet a line.... So we journeyed back down the beach to Mile 17 and then Wlotska but without success and so we moved to Mile 6 behind the salt factory, which I think I also fished in 2004 but the seas were calmer then and it looked very different.
By now it was becoming apparrent that it was essential to ring the changes on bait and all 3 of us had different baits on. Mullett head, mullett belly and Mackerel head. Terence also put out a 'bronzie rod' with a massive chunk of Mackerel belly as bait. This rod was put in a rod holder and left to it's own devices. Nothing much was happening when all of a sudden this rod bent over with a take which Terence duly hooked and passed to me :) and after a spirited fight a 19kg spottie (which thought it was a bronzie) was on the beach.
I had quite a battle with this fish to get this photo and was left with blood pouring from my arms where I had to wrestle the fish to keep it straight for the pose. A reminder that it's not only their teeth that can hurt!
The rod was recast and within 5 minutes it went again and this time Terence was right up at the car preparing fresh baits and so as I was middle angler I sprited across and handed Mark my rod as I passed him. Then it was a matter of getting the spike out, and hitting the take which fortunately I was able to do. Another good fight ensued and a smaller spotty of 9kg was soon on the bank.
With the fish abviously wanting a bigger softer bait all the rods were rebaited with Mackerel and within minutes Mark and Pete were hooked up to spotties both of 10kg. This was more like it!! But as soon as the fish had arrived they were gone again and we fished out the tide without any further success.
After getting home we all showered and were straight out on the town. For a change we went to 'The Tug', had a great meal and ensconsed ourselves at the bar where we quickly introduced ourselves to Orlando, the head bar man. A fair few drinks later we were ready to move on and made our way to 'Rafters' with Orlando for a game of pool, where he proceeded to take our money - hustler - and the banter was good. Then on to 'Fagins' because we had drunk all the Jack Daniels at 'Rafters'! I have no memory of leaving 'Fagins' but the full sign had obviously come up as I left without Mark and Pete and went back to the apartment. Unfortunately for the boys I had the only key and they finally woke me at about 5am after a very cold couple of hours on the doorstep ;)
Day 5 - 30th September 2006
Not much to report today, the highlight was Mark being sick at least 20 times through over-indulgence the night before and Pete deciding to stay in bed for the same reason. On the fishing front I caught a small Kob of 3.5kg and a spotty of 8kg.
Pete had a day on the town and was suprised how much was going on. There was a very good choir of local children singing in the square which he enjoyed greatly. Next time I go I will have a day off from fishing and Saturday seems the most logical as the beaches are usually busier on that day.
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