Tronix Rockfish UL - My new toy

My first impression of the Tronix Rockfish UL(ultra light) is great. It is really light and seems to have a good balance between sensitivity and strength. Time will tell but I'm wishing the weeks away for summer so I can target wrasse, mackerel etc with it. Should be fun playing with mid sized fish on really light gear.

Still I just need some nice calm weather for a few days so I can get out and christen it.

My targets for 2013

Well so far from me the fishing has been non existant in 2013, so while I'm waiting to get off the mark I thought I'd put my targets down in writing to I can more easily review how successful my year has been.

Now fishing wise there are too many different things I want to achieve, some realistic and some a bit more of a push so I have decided to only note five specifics (in no particular order) for this year and mix them up difficulty wise. Some will require a bit of luck and some just need me to put the hours in. More than anything good old Mother Nature needs to play ball with some proper defined seasons and an especailly warm and calm summer would be a real treat!

• Any species over 10 lb from the shore.
• A wrasse (should be easy but a total bug bear for me!).
• A species tally of 20 from the shore (including 5 species I have never caught before).
• Explore more and don't get too comfortable going to the same places to regularly.
• Get to grips with my new light rock fishing gear and the different tatics for using it.

Product Review - Seal Skinz Mid Weight Knee Length Sock

• Anatomically designed knee length fit
• Close fitting knitted construction
• Merino wool pile lining for warmth and moisture control
• Poodle padding on the toe, sole and Achilles panel for extra comfort
• Elasticated instep and Achilles ankle panel provide support and ensure a close, comfortable fit

I''m a fairly hardy soul when it comes to being out and about in all weathers fishing but cold/damp feet is something that can really give me the homing instinct quick time. Coupled with the fact my feet seem to eat boots/wellies etc and create leaks in my footwear relatively quickly is not a great situation for me. So when my friend who is a hardcore cyclist suggested I check out Sealskinz products I took his recommendation as I knew he was regularly out in cold wet conditions.

Now with a recommended retail price of £34.95 for a pair of socks and being tight by nature you can guess I initially wasn't super keen to fork out that on socks (cheapest I've found is £25ish online). But on researching more there were a lot of positive comments to be found online from a very diverse range of sports, but all being mostly conducted in cold and wet conditions; rowing, fishing, cycling, hiking etc. 

In the hand they feel slightly odd to touch, mainly due to the triple layered construction with the middle one being a waterproof membrane. But once on they are extremely comfortable due to them being designed to fit the foot/ankle/calf snugly rather than just a traditional sock 'tube'. 

On the comfort side I've worn these on long rambling 8 hour fishing sessions covering a good distance several times now and they are superb, padding round the feet takes a lot of the impact (of my) plodding steps and I have noticed a reduction in how sore my feet are after long walks/sessions (which I generally suffer due to having fallen arches). The snug elasticated outer layer adds to this without being over tight, almost making it feel like an extra layer of skin rather than a product or piece of clothing being worn. 

The waterproof nature of these socks is the most remarkable and one I only really trialed due to an error on my part. I was going out and had brought the wrong boots (not waterproof ones) and decided to test the socks out. Before setting off across the rocks to the low tide point I had a bit of a walk through some rock-pools about ankle deep in water. I was pleasantly surprised that I felt absolutely no water or even slight dampness. Baring in mind all I had on was an old battered pair of hiking boots this was an unexpectedly good result in my opinion. 

After a few hours on the rocks and having to wade shallow stretches (no more than ankle to calf deep) a few times I was intrigued to take of my now soaking boots and see what the socks them selves were like. I knew my feet were dry and warm. On removing the boots the outer layer of the socks was as soaking as the boots themselves and on turning them inside out bone dry as I knew they would be. 

Since then I've worn them a few times on dryer sessions and with hot sweaty feet they work well in reverse taking moisture away from the skin. I can't speak highly enough about these socks and I'm already eyeing a shorter pair for the summer and some of their hats and gloves.

Codless once again

Well another trip out organised to try and get a cod or two for the table. Jim, Brad and myself planned to meet up just past Elephant Rock. Jim and Brad were going to get there early to book the spot and then I was to follow once I'd been freed from the shackles of work.

So dark a clock when I arrived and after a wee hike along the cliff top and down the field, wee scramble and there I was on the rocks with the guys. They'd been there about two hours, had a few bites but nothing landed as yet. Quick to set up the rod and get a bait out quick smart as ever. It was a fairly quiet night bite wise but after an hour Jim had a bit of a disaster his line caught round his night light and stripped off his tip eye from his rod. Nightmare as he had no spare with him.

Deciding to fish on was a good decision as next cast for Jim went, nod, nod, nod and resulted in a nice 5.4lb Cod. Soon Brad was into action as well with a reasonable 2lber. Second cast with his broken rod  Jim had a second cod, this time around 6.5lb. 3 fish in a 20 mins period and that was that unfortunately on the fish front. An amazing night sky and some good banter made an enjoyable night but another blanker for me.

Wee trip to say hello to Sharpie - Day 2

Day two started with unexpected torrential rain, but as there wasn't much wind we thought a conger bash at Cullen harbour. That was quickly needed to be re thought as when we arrived it was obviously not safe on the harbor wall. Three hours to high tide and waves already coming over the wall. The picture doesn't do them justice but there were some huge lumps of water hitting the harbour and streaming across Cullen bay towards the beach. Quite an awesome sight to watch but far to heavy a sea to fish nearby, or so we thought. Next stop was Portknockie.

We didn't think we had a chance of fishing there and only went for some photos (did get one I am pretty fond of). The headland here was actually providing the harbour with more protection than we thought, and though the outer wall and breakwater were off limits the inner harbour and fishing into the harbour mouth were definitely safe.  After watching for a while just to make sure we set up. One rod each into the harbour mouth behind the breakwater and one each into the harbour hoping for a conger.

Sharpie made the break through first with a small coalie followed by a couple of angry shore crabs. I got my own blank off with a tiny pollock. Still they are all fish lol.

All this time Sharpies conger rod was getting we knock knock knocks, ratchet drags but nothing more. I was fairly sure it was either a large crab or lots of small fish and decided to test the theory by changing out the conger rig far another flapper.

Sure enough this quickly led to the culprits unveiling with a coalie quickly tacking the bait as soon as the lead hit the bottom. Lots and lots of coalies later the only other 'species' to appear was an edible crab. Pity the sea state stopped us with our other plans but a fun few hours. never the less.

Hopefully cod o'clock after tomorrows trip...