Meanie Queenie...

Omar just sent me these pics........a 120cm Queenie caught on the Don River (biggest Omar's seen down that way so hats off).

Isn't the grass always greener eh? - well done Omar!

Anyway - off to sort some lures as I should be fishing next week (hopefully the weather forecasts are wrong as its looking like NE winds but its gonna be great just to get out again).

Tight Lines!

More Down Under..............

Just got this one from Sue & Omar down in Australia...........

Here's a mad day at the beach for your blog Tom.... Sue dropped me at the beach this morning on the way to the shop. Said she’d be back in an hour or so to join me & wet a line. Off i headed, bagged a load of live whiting in the cast net & set off to the end of the sand spit. 30 mins later, a nice queenfish (~60cm) & a decent Golden Trevally (~80cm / 10kg) had given me little G-Loomis stick a workout. Both the fish went back as I didn’t want to give up yet & the fish would have cooked in the heat had I kept them. Didn’t even get a picture.

 

Sue joined me a bit later. I had been using her rod with a spinner, so tied on a live-bait rig for her to have a go. Sue can tackle her own gear, but I’m quicker & needed her to get a bait in quick. Whilst I changed her rig, she was holding my rod. “OMARRRRR, FISH OHHNNNN”. The old Omar would have grabbed the rod back, but no longer. 5 mins later she had a nice dinner sized queenfish. 10 Mins later I got a smaller queenie. 10 mins later again & Sue is shrieking that she's on again. “Go on then girl, sort it out....” Awesome job. 15 mins later another nice trevva on the beach. It also went back as the queenies were coming home for tea & we don’t freeze fish; take enough for a feed & let the rest go.

2 more whiting left in the bucket. Sue’s given up as her arms were sore....... Out went another whiting on the Loomis. 5 mins later, fish on. Now, here’s what I think happened. I had hooked a good sized queenie or trevally or barra; who knows. Pretty sure I saw the tail of a queenie. Next thing, line has zipped quickly across to the right. Just started making a bit of line back when I saw a 2m long bull shark launch out of the water not 10m from us. This was a mad sight; the whole shark fully aerial, with what I think was my queenie in its gob. No sooner had the shark hit the water again & my line parted. Oh well, never would have had a chance with 100m 12lb braid on the little 3000.

Fish for tea tonight.

Think Sue deffo outfished Omar on this one lol - well done guys (great fishing as always)

Tight Lines all............

Missing out...............

It looks like I will be missing out on this years trip to Asturias, not only that - it looks like the fishing may be good for the lads (have a squint at Manels blog here: http://pescamanel.blogspot.com/  .

Gee & fizz.

Last years report can be found here http://tomsfishing.blogspot.com/2011/04/late-trip-report.html - we had a great time & alot of fun (Asturias is a great place to visit).

The boys are off mid March so best of luck to them!

Manel, Mark & Dario wave dodging.

Anticipation must be high as Joe's updated his blog (here: http://lurefishingforbass.co.uk/bass-fishing/back-to-asturias-spain/ ) & Gees has posted on his blog too (here: http://grahamhillirishfishing.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-jet-to-asturias.html ).

Fingers crossed we will get to hear about some good catches...

Tight lines all........

New Simms G3 Guide waders.

In the past I have usually opted for "budget" waders, but have just bought myself a pair of Simms G3 waders to see how they perform (they ended up cosing me around 400 Euros).

Click to visit the Simms product page!

Now these waders cost almost the same as 3 pairs of the Greys GRXi waders I usually use, so time will tell if these prove to be more economical in the long run (I found the Greys would usually last me about one and a half seasons, before barnacles or hooks took their toll - not bad for the price but they don't get as much use with me as they would some other fishermen).

The waders themselves scream quality so hopefully I will get a few seasons in with them. Anyway - a few pics..............

The top (hand-warmer) pocket has a waterproof zip.

As you can see here the seams are well sealed, with junction points having an extra patch seal

Here you can see the patches on the crotch area.

The stocking foot (gravel guards turned up).

Closer view of the stocking foot seals.

The top pocket is even large enough for a lure box.

Here the inside pocket (with integrated zinger, two small & a larger reversed zip pocket.

Hopefully these will last me a few seasons & I'm really looking forward to trying them out.

That's all for now - tight lines all!

Just got the Cobra.

Just picked up a few replacement lures - and a new one for me - the IMA "Pugachev's Cobra".

The Cobra is a small top-water bait & looks as though it will do the trick (weighs in at 12g at 90mm & comes with ST-46 #6 hooks).

 I know a couple of spots where I'm confident this lure will bag a fish or two - take a look at the videos to see the action.

Thanks for reading (again)......& tight lines.

Spanish Silver

Just a quick pic of a nice fish that Dario sent me from Asturias (well done Dario!)- it went over 8lbs & over on Manels blog you can find plenty more of the same http://pescamanel.blogspot.com/ .

Great to see the bass are about for the Spanish boys - they do have some cracking coast down that way too:

Over and out!

Robs new book......

For the German speakers amongst you, good fishing buddy Rob Staigis has just released his first book (I don't have a copy yet but will be getting one asap).

Well done Rob! (I'm sure its not easy to write something like this). The book isn't dedicated to lure fishing & covers most aspects of hunting the elusive Labrax and as mentioned is in German.

I hope to be fishing in the UK with Rob later this year (Robs web page can be found here http://www.wolfsbarsch.com/ ). Rob also runs very popular bass fishing tours in Holland a few times each year - demand is high so book early!

Happy fishing to you all!

Planning for 2012.

It looks like 2012 might be a good year for the bass with the unusually warm weather (and water) being a real bonus.

Ive read several reports of fish being taken (even off the top) which is great as far as I'm concerned. The mild weather could also affect the fishing for years to come (fewer year 0 fish will have died from cold conditions this year & hopefully the pair trawlers wont get to decimate the schools of breeding bass as they usually do).

I hope to fish the usual locations this year (I do intend to avoid Dorset during the Olympics though) and will be down in Pembrokeshire early July (neap tides this year instead of the springer's I am used to).

As the UK fishing is looking promising I'm not sure if we will be heading to Northern Spain as we did last year (saying that - anythings possible and we might go ahead at short notice).

I have a few new toys on order, including a new custom build rod - more on that later when I receive it, I will of course post a few pictures of my new buys as they arrive.

Anyway - roll on 2012 & I wish everyone a great years plugging!!

Cracking start to 2012 for Joe.......!

Good Buddy Joe (Adrian) has had  a cracking start to 2012 and landed this beauty in Dorset!

Now that's a top fish in anybody's books!!

Joe really deserved a double with all the time he has put in over the last couple of years - mission completed! - well done mate!

Below is another he caught (I think he had 4 fish for about 20lb in a few casts!

I know Joe is still buzzing (who wouldn't be?) - Joe's blog can be found here:

http://lurefishingforbass.com/

Thanks to Joe for the pics (and the great story behind them) - you are the man!

Winner of the Daiwa lure.

I will be giving the lure to Hugo Morais from Portugal (there was a double post but he was 11th so there!)

Hugo please post a comment here with your address & I will post in the new year (well done)

Lee Samson - if you are out there I still need your address to send you your XRAP.

Thanks for playing guys!!

The braid winner is.............

For a second time the winner is Daniel Pereira from Portugal ! - well done Daniel !

The Daiwa lure is still open to win (come on guys - its free & easy)

@ Daniel - I will send the braid in the new year (your plug is in the post - please let me know when you get it)

@ Lee Samson - I still need you address to send you the XRAP

Happy Christmas all..........

Win some braid!

The Daiwa lure still hasn't been won so have a go guys - you've got a good chance if you're quick !
Next up is a spool of Avani Sea Bass braid (23lb).....as usual please use real names & just one post per person - this time the 2nd comment wins.

Q:  What is the Latin name for the European Sea Bass?

Oh and no silly comments about the phrase "European Sea Bass" - its just to clarify what answer we are looking for ;o)

Win a lure! (3)

And again - the third prize....this time a Daiwa Current Master in Ayu.

All you have to do to win it, is to post a comment (below) with the answer to the following question:

Q: What do the letters B.A.S.S stand for?

 
The prize will go to the 11th person to post (comment) the correct answer (all comments will be published once the 11th person to give the correct answer has commented). Please make sure to post your name too.

Just one go per person - good luck all! (P&P will be paid by myself)

Mo Jack.......

Just a quick pic of another fine Jack that Omar recently caught in Australia (these fish go like stink!)

Wish I could be there and all that!!

Well done Omar!

And a second winner..........(IMA Popkey)

Our second winner is Daniel Pereira from Portugal (please post your address in the comments box Daniel & I will ship your lure asap by registered post).Keep an eye on the blog guys (there are a couple of more prizes coming up soon).

I will free up the comments in a few minutes.

Thanks to all who are taking part (& well done Daniel).

PS for those who are counting the posts I have taken the second answer by Kes:
Tom, Great competition! I hope that it sparks a decent number of replies. JDM = Japanese Domestic Market C&R = Catch and Release Kes

By Kes on Win a lure! on 11/12/11   (I had to chose which comp to put this in & Kes goes without but its all good fun).

First Winner....(XRAP)

Well we finally have a first winner who gets the Ayu XRAP. The prize goes to Lee Sampson (I will let this one slip through as I didn't state one comment per person on the first comp & Lee did post the 7th comment).

 Lee - please comment your address details below (I will not publish them) and the lure will be on its way per registered post in the next few days.

So in future just one comment per person please & I will have to exclude comments that are anonymous as I have no way of knowing who posted them! (in future please make sure you include your name when entering).

Also guys n gals please post answers in the individual comment boxes (per comp) - it make things tricky if you answer two comps in one box!

I will post the comments in the XRAP thread in a few minutes for everyones entertainment.....oh and the IMA Popkey is still up for grabs so get in there!

Thanks to all for playing!

PS to sum up - one post per person - use real names and one comp per comment .......

Win a lure ! (2)

Well the first prize is still up for grabs (strange - I would have thought posting a quick comment with the answer would be easy - maybe nobody wants a free lure?)
Anyway here we go with the second prize....................which is an IMA Popkey (pattern as shown in picture).

All you have to do to win it, is to post a comment (below) with the answer to the following question:

Q: What do the letters C&R stand for?

The prize will go to the 9th person to post (comment) the correct answer (all comments will be published once the 9th person to give the correct answer has commented).

Just one go per person - good luck all! (P&P will be paid by myself)

Win a lure!

As Christmas is almost here I thought it would be a good idea to offer a prize (or two) over the next ten days or so.

First up for grabs is a Rapale XRAP in AYU (the much loved SW version).

All you have to do to win it, is to post a comment (below) with the answer to the following question:

Q: What do the letters JDM stand for?

The prize will go to the 7th person to post (comment) the correct answer (all comments will be published once the 7th person to give the correct answer has commented).

Good luck to all who enter ....oh and I will also cover packing & postage!