Post by mark8 on Apr 13, 2014 4:29:39 GMT
With all the recent reports of the ray fishing from Clacton it was only a matter of time before I was going to be heading that way. The only question was how long I would last before I gave into the temptation. In fact I lasted less than a week and after a few pm’s I found myself pulled up on Clacton sea front at 6.30 in the morning awaiting a variety of Anglian and Essex Kayak anglers.
Martin was definite that he wasn’t coming along having already had his fill of ray fishing during the week. Then at around 10.30 the night before I get a message asking what time we would be there. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist and it wasn’t long before he was pointing us in the right direction.
A short 500m paddle out and very soon everyone was catching a steady stream of ray.
They seemed to come along in waves and if you had one on it was a safe bet you would get a double hook up so you needed to make sure the ratchets were set properly on the rods. They fed steadily for a couple of hours while the tide was in full flood. I had six in this period, Martin had seven then decided he had definitely had enough of ray fishing for that week and headed in. Once the tide started to ease the ray fishing eased off and the usual suspects arrived on the scene.
Everyone came in around mid day as soon as the slipway was visible again. I finished on eight ray. Of which I kept three for the table. The best two were the first two fish going eight and a half pound each.
The fish seemed to get smaller as the tide eased. Between the six anglers I think there were 39 ray caught in a short session.
Martin was definite that he wasn’t coming along having already had his fill of ray fishing during the week. Then at around 10.30 the night before I get a message asking what time we would be there. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist and it wasn’t long before he was pointing us in the right direction.
A short 500m paddle out and very soon everyone was catching a steady stream of ray.
They seemed to come along in waves and if you had one on it was a safe bet you would get a double hook up so you needed to make sure the ratchets were set properly on the rods. They fed steadily for a couple of hours while the tide was in full flood. I had six in this period, Martin had seven then decided he had definitely had enough of ray fishing for that week and headed in. Once the tide started to ease the ray fishing eased off and the usual suspects arrived on the scene.
Everyone came in around mid day as soon as the slipway was visible again. I finished on eight ray. Of which I kept three for the table. The best two were the first two fish going eight and a half pound each.
The fish seemed to get smaller as the tide eased. Between the six anglers I think there were 39 ray caught in a short session.