March Review

After a great start to the year with some lovely fish in January and February, March was the reality check.

It started with a rare NFW (Non-Fishing Weekend) mainly due to the Sinkers annual dinner where I managed to pick up a few trophies.

The first fishing trip was a beach Bass session which was really quiet with just 2 Bass the biggest being this one about 3lb

Next was a rare and rather hopeful Ray session on the rocks. Sadly the Rays are very few and far between these days and all I caught was plenty of Dogfish and a small pout.

The following afternoon I tried an equally hopeful early mullet session which despite seeing a couple of fish was bite less.

Next up was a short spinning session where I had Dolphins about 15 yards in front of me before I managed my first mackerel of the year.

I then moved venue for the last half hour to see if there were any Bass around on the lures ahead of the first round of the Bass on measure, didn’t see any Bass but did have a chunky Wrasse

Then it was time for the first round of the Sinkers bass on measure comp. For anyone not familiar with the format we have 7 weekends over the year with your longest bass from each round counting towards your final score. You then drop your 2 lowest scores with your best 5 rounds making up your final tally.

Round 1 started with a beach session which only produced small Bass under the 42cm minimum for me but dad did manage to get on the scoresheet with a 46cm.

The following night was a change in venue which produced loads of Bass with quite a few over the 42cm minimum but the biggest was only 45cm. I did also manage my first Gilthead Bream of the year at 1-6.

Next was a St Caths trip which only produced the usual Dogfish, Pout, Strap Conger and a solitary Black Bream but no significant action on the big baits although I did see another angler catch a lovely Undulate Ray, first I’ve seen at St Caths in a long time.

The following evening I did a short low water beach session which produced lots of small bass up to about 2lb.

It was then time for the second round of the Bass on measure. The first night was a beach session in tough conditions with a big swell and lots of weed but perseverance found a few fish over the 42cm minimum with the biggest just making 50cm.

The second night we opted for some easier fishing out the back of the van and actually managed a few up to a slight improver of 53cm

And that was March done. Not as much fishing due to work and other commitments but looking forward to April when things really start moving.