Post by Mark 8 on Feb 12, 2014 15:10:43 GMT
The forecast gave me one day of blustery SW winds so the plan was to fish the Humber close to the shore in the lee of the wind. In fact there was no wind and I was regretting not bringing any cod gear as I would have been able to fish mid river no problem. However let’s enjoy what we have. Now, where to launch?
Humberstone Creek would give me loads of flounders, maybe something to contest the Warbird challenge this month but it would only be flounders. Cleethorpes offered three or four species, but the tides were rubbish so they would all be small fish. Hmm…Cleethorpes it is, lets get the species hunt for the year up and running.
On the beach it was beautiful, and the last eight weeks of swear weather was soon forgotten.
There was no need to paddle far. The beach is like a desert, at the end of the groyne is a slight gulley that offers the only feature for miles.
Two rods out and not long before the first fish was aboard. I presumed it was some kind of rockling, but it had no barbules. At home I couldn’t ID it but thanks to the knowledgeable souls on AA I now know it is an Eelpout or Viparious Blenny.
I had never heard of them before so obviously a new species for me and a good start to the years species hunt.
Next fish was another one that eluded me last year. A five bearded rockling.
First two fish of the year and two species that I didn’t get last year. Fantastic.
The next fish was a familiar face.
Flounder
Next bite was on the Warbird. A 20cm Coalfish.
Finally, the smallest cod in the world.
Overall, a great little session. I knew there would be no big fish on those tides so sometimes it is just fun to target what will be there, big or small. Five species, one new and one that I missed last year. Nothing big but a great start to this years species hunt and great to be on the water again.