MY FISHING DIARY
Eight-year-old Tyneside angler Harley Thompson gives an account of his latest shore trip…
Junior rod Harley’s angling exploits.
Just a few days before social distancing legislation was introduced, I received my new LRF rod through the post from Edinburgh Angling Centre. It was the new HTO Rockfish Ultralite with a nice overall length of 6ft 11in and a casting ratio of 0.5 - 7g. This was a perfect outfit for drop-shotting or working a tiny jig head on the seabed.
Last year I successfully notched up a superb total of 27 different species, including leopard gobies, painted gobies, scorpion fish and many more. I used incredibly small hooks, varying from size 6 to a 28. Hook sizes play an important role, especially when targeting mini species.
I tried my new rod a mark at the mouth of the River Wear in Sunderland. It’s a comfortable venue and perfect for fishing tight down the side of the wall. The weather wasn’t very pleasant, and the forecast predicted a strong north-easterly would be blowing, that would create plenty of colour in the water. However, I was still itching to give my new rod a try, so decided to go anyway.
My method was to use a drop-shot rig close in among the weed and rocks. I’ve used this tactic many times and caught plenty of fish.
I brought along a varying supply of baits including mackerel, ragworms, peeler crab legs and a selection of Isome artificial worms.
I dropped my first cast five yards over the edge, and it wasn’t long before it prompted a bite. The bite detection on my rod tip was superb, as every bit of movement was showing really well. Moments later, I hooked my first fish of the day, a tiny coalfish, known as a billet in these parts. I was having fun as I felt every little kick and dive from the fish through the rod.
It was soon apparent that these coalies were feeding in large numbers because every drop resulted in a tiny fish attacking the bait. It didn’t matter what bait I offered, they were on it in a flash.
After an hour-and-a-half of catching plenty, they suddenly disappeared. This was good news as it meant other species would have a chance to find my bait.
It wasn’t too long before those other species moved in. The bites were different from the coalies I was catching. Instead, I had a nice slow pull down on the tip, seeing me connecting with a tiny codling.
I also had another rod out bottom fishing, and every cast resulted in double shots of flounders and whiting.
The weather was now deteriorating rapdily , and I decided to call it a day. I was very happy with my new rod because it performed perfectly. It did everything I hoped it would, is unbelievably light with an incredibly delicate tip that registered even the tiniest of knocks…and was a bargain to buy at only 35 quid. ■