Well that was a long read lol, i have to agree with the peir of porthcawl and the waves though
Cod, Whiting and Flounders...A Winters Tale" Plus a treatise on Bass Fishing (page 12)"
Good evening members,
WINTER....ENTHUSIASM....NOT A LOT!
I have to admit that as the years pile up, I look forward to winter with less and less enthusiasm, usually ending up doing very little in terms of fishing during this period apart from the odd Flounder sortie, light tackle spinning after whiting, maybe codling and only then when weather conditions, tide etc promise the best opportunity of moderate success. Maximum duration of any session is 2 hours, perhaps stretching it to 3 hours if the fishing is good. Breaking with traditional methods and always trying something different, is one way of maintaining the interest during these arduous times.
For many years now, I have had the ambition to switch disciplines from sea to coarse during the winter, with an aspiration to take on the Perch, but to date this has not happened. Following the interest in the "Mullet and the Baited Spinner" sticky thread, I have been having a hard look through "The Mepps Guide To Spinning" again, trying to pin down appropriate in-line spinners that could prove attractive to both Codling and Whiting. Also Flounder although in the past, the coloured bead strategy has been very successful, never-the-less, proving a version of the baited spinner with this species would be a good challenge...anything to take the mind off the conditions (frost and bitterly cold) on the day. Apart from being an attractive technique, regular casting and retrieving, plus mobility, moving from spot to spot along the estuary bank or the waterline of the new flood on the beach, will keep the blood flowing and the body warm.
In Days-Gone-By, convenient spots like the Eastern Promenade, Porthcawl were popular, a comfortable, fall back venue for an hour or two fun fishing for whiting. If the wind was from the east, coming in across Coney Beach (Sandy Bay), at least the option was to hunker down behind the wall, and if conditions became unbearable, it was only half a dozen steps to the car. Fortunately or unfortunately the Eastern Promenade has grown in popularity over the years as a strong winter venue when the tide times are sociable, and it is not unusual to find anglers standing shoulder to shoulder with the ever present risk of crossed lines.
The lower deck of the Porthcawl Pier was a popular winter venue also, but having watched the behaviour of a summer storm via the RNLI webcam, I am dubious about risking life and limb at the behest of the more than frequent aggressive winter storm surges that crash and spill dramatically over the Pier breakwater. Remember that iconic photograph of the huge wave crashing over the coastguard (round) watch tower, that went viral around the world!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
WINTER....ENTHUSIASM....NOT A LOT!
I have to admit that as the years pile up, I look forward to winter with less and less enthusiasm, usually ending up doing very little in terms of fishing during this period apart from the odd Flounder sortie, light tackle spinning after whiting, maybe codling and only then when weather conditions, tide etc promise the best opportunity of moderate success. Maximum duration of any session is 2 hours, perhaps stretching it to 3 hours if the fishing is good. Breaking with traditional methods and always trying something different, is one way of maintaining the interest during these arduous times.
For many years now, I have had the ambition to switch disciplines from sea to coarse during the winter, with an aspiration to take on the Perch, but to date this has not happened. Following the interest in the "Mullet and the Baited Spinner" sticky thread, I have been having a hard look through "The Mepps Guide To Spinning" again, trying to pin down appropriate in-line spinners that could prove attractive to both Codling and Whiting. Also Flounder although in the past, the coloured bead strategy has been very successful, never-the-less, proving a version of the baited spinner with this species would be a good challenge...anything to take the mind off the conditions (frost and bitterly cold) on the day. Apart from being an attractive technique, regular casting and retrieving, plus mobility, moving from spot to spot along the estuary bank or the waterline of the new flood on the beach, will keep the blood flowing and the body warm.
In Days-Gone-By, convenient spots like the Eastern Promenade, Porthcawl were popular, a comfortable, fall back venue for an hour or two fun fishing for whiting. If the wind was from the east, coming in across Coney Beach (Sandy Bay), at least the option was to hunker down behind the wall, and if conditions became unbearable, it was only half a dozen steps to the car. Fortunately or unfortunately the Eastern Promenade has grown in popularity over the years as a strong winter venue when the tide times are sociable, and it is not unusual to find anglers standing shoulder to shoulder with the ever present risk of crossed lines.
The lower deck of the Porthcawl Pier was a popular winter venue also, but having watched the behaviour of a summer storm via the RNLI webcam, I am dubious about risking life and limb at the behest of the more than frequent aggressive winter storm surges that crash and spill dramatically over the Pier breakwater. Remember that iconic photograph of the huge wave crashing over the coastguard (round) watch tower, that went viral around the world!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
1 - 20 of 237 Posts
Hi there m8...I the seventies around Oct I could pop outside ,have a good intake of cold air hitting the back of my throat and would think ...whiting ...and sure enough around the points in Barry ,Penarth multi car park by the pier and the entrance to queens dock cardiff you could catch great numbers of whiting up to 2.5 lbs in good numbers.
Codling used to show up at the pebbles and Nells point ,Ive had them up to 12 lb on Nells.
As the years have gone on you dont know where you are now,whiting are not any good size,tho the codling do turn up reasonable .
A good flounder is wghat id like to catch so I shall try this year perhaps ...Brand
Codling used to show up at the pebbles and Nells point ,Ive had them up to 12 lb on Nells.
As the years have gone on you dont know where you are now,whiting are not any good size,tho the codling do turn up reasonable .
A good flounder is wghat id like to catch so I shall try this year perhaps ...Brand
Grea
great read as always derekGood evening members,
WINTER....ENTHUSIASM....NOT A LOT!
I have to admit that as the years pile up, I look forward to winter with less and less enthusiasm, usually ending up doing very little in terms of fishing during this period apart from the odd Flounder sortie, light tackle spinning after whiting, maybe codling and only then when weather conditions, tide etc promise the best opportunity of moderate success. Maximum duration of any session is 2 hours, perhaps stretching it to 3 hours if the fishing is good. Breaking with traditional methods and always trying something different, is one way of maintaining the interest during these arduous times.
For many years now, I have had the ambition to switch disciplines from sea to coarse during the winter, with an aspiration to take on the Perch, but to date this has not happened. Following the interest in the "Mullet and the Baited Spinner" sticky thread, I have been having a hard look through "The Mepps Guide To Spinning" again, trying to pin down appropriate in-line spinners that could prove attractive to both Codling and Whiting. Also Flounder although in the past, the coloured bead strategy has been very successful, never-the-less, proving a version of the baited spinner with this species would be a good challenge...anything to take the mind off the conditions (frost and bitterly cold) on the day. Apart from being an attractive technique, regular casting and retrieving, plus mobility, moving from spot to spot along the estuary bank or the waterline of the new flood on the beach, will keep the blood flowing and the body warm.
In Days-Gone-By, convenient spots like the Eastern Promenade, Porthcawl were popular, a comfortable, fall back venue for an hour or two fun fishing for whiting. If the wind was from the east, coming in across Coney Beach (Sandy Bay), at least the option was to hunker down behind the wall, and if conditions became unbearable, it was only half a dozen steps to the car. Fortunately or unfortunately the Eastern Promenade has grown in popularity over the years as a strong winter venue when the tide times are sociable, and it is not unusual to find anglers standing shoulder to shoulder with the ever present risk of crossed lines.
The lower deck of the Porthcawl Pier was a popular winter venue also, but having watched the behaviour of a summer storm via the RNLI webcam, I am dubious about risking life and limb at the behest of the more than frequent aggressive winter storm surges that crash and spill dramatically over the Pier breakwater. Remember that iconic photograph of the huge wave crashing over the coastguard (round) watch tower, that went viral around the world!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Has always Derek,a great read ,btw Mr Lammas sends his regards.
Good evening Jason,
Thank you for your most welcome post and absolutely delighted to receive the regards from Lyndon, and hope he is keeping as well as is possible at our ages. I am 77 years, 78 in March 2017. Please pass on my regards to Lyndon and wish him all the best for the future.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Thank you for your most welcome post and absolutely delighted to receive the regards from Lyndon, and hope he is keeping as well as is possible at our ages. I am 77 years, 78 in March 2017. Please pass on my regards to Lyndon and wish him all the best for the future.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Nice read Derek. 
ah those were the days lonlas fishing club and lyndon and the rest of us fishing far away places hmm well seemed like in the 60 bus trip to llanabrie took a good deal longer than it does now but the fishing outstanding and the friends you made
Good afternoon Jeff 3,
I always associate fishing Llanabrie with mud... not just ordinary mud but clingy stuff that stuck to your clothes and smothered the wellies and thigh waders, but as you say, the fishing was excellent. A very popular venue in those days enough to justify a visit from Bridgend. The choice was always either Laugharne Ferry or Llanybri,
more often than not, Laugharne ferry won only because it was seen as less "mucky". Had some excellent trips to these venues in the early 70's!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
I always associate fishing Llanabrie with mud... not just ordinary mud but clingy stuff that stuck to your clothes and smothered the wellies and thigh waders, but as you say, the fishing was excellent. A very popular venue in those days enough to justify a visit from Bridgend. The choice was always either Laugharne Ferry or Llanybri,
more often than not, Laugharne ferry won only because it was seen as less "mucky". Had some excellent trips to these venues in the early 70's!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Good evening members,
The TIMBER DOODLE?
Don't laugh! Have you ever come across a Mepps Lure called a TIMBER DOODLE available size 1 (8 g) and Size 2 (12g), intended for fishing extreme weed in freshwater but also has been very successful when used in saltwater.
http://www.csagt.com/mepps/cat-14-4.htm
I have been browsing the "Mepps Guide to Spinning" in the hope that there is a spinner in amongst the 63 different designs published (not counting blade colour variations) that could be misused as a possible contender for an attempt at spinning for codling. The link above will take you to a picture of three colour variants of the DOODLE, but the Silver Blade/ White Mr Twister Split Tail instinctively looks like a small squid to me and is very active when presented in saltwater. Most of the demonstrations in the following Youtube video are in freshwater but later on the film reveals activity in salt water. Using your imagination, does this spinner and the split Mr Twister body impress you as a spinner with potential for tempting Codling?
Your thoughts on this lure and its potential would be most welcome, thank you!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
The TIMBER DOODLE?
Don't laugh! Have you ever come across a Mepps Lure called a TIMBER DOODLE available size 1 (8 g) and Size 2 (12g), intended for fishing extreme weed in freshwater but also has been very successful when used in saltwater.
http://www.csagt.com/mepps/cat-14-4.htm
I have been browsing the "Mepps Guide to Spinning" in the hope that there is a spinner in amongst the 63 different designs published (not counting blade colour variations) that could be misused as a possible contender for an attempt at spinning for codling. The link above will take you to a picture of three colour variants of the DOODLE, but the Silver Blade/ White Mr Twister Split Tail instinctively looks like a small squid to me and is very active when presented in saltwater. Most of the demonstrations in the following Youtube video are in freshwater but later on the film reveals activity in salt water. Using your imagination, does this spinner and the split Mr Twister body impress you as a spinner with potential for tempting Codling?
Your thoughts on this lure and its potential would be most welcome, thank you!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Don't know if you could realy categorise that as a spinner I didn't see the blade move or did it?
Good evening Chris (Moore) and the members,
You are probably right that it doesn't spin in the way of an in-line bladed spinner, but never the less it is included in the "Mepps Guide to Spinning". From the evidence of the video, the "blade " moves from side to side. The official description of the "Doodle" as per the Mepps catalogue, is as follows and interprets the activity and action.
Quote: "Anti-snagging, the Timber Doodle fends off the worst obstacles. Cast it a dozen metres (further over a clean bottom). Letting it sink to a decent depth, it glides attractively whilst fishing. On your retrieve it swims with a wobbling action which activates its four flagella. Using alternate 'stop and start' retrieves you give it a switchback swimming action until you contact the bottom. You can continue with a vertical 'sink and draw' action upwards from the bottom."
Available in 2 weights: 1/4 and 1/2 ounce.
Spoon Colours: Black, Frog, Gold, Hot Finger, Silver.
Tail Colour: Black Blue, Chartreuse, Pumpkin Pepper, Rocket Red, Watermelon, White.
"Alternatively, between the spinner and the soft lure there exists a type of lure especially conceived for the quest of carnivorous fish when they stalk their prey close to the bottom. The theme of these diverse lures remains the same. It combines a soft lure with enough weight to hold the bottom, whilst being sufficiently active to emit vibratory and visual signals. A suitable tactic for this type of mounting consists of trolling the lure above the bottom in short and sharp continuous pulls of a dozen centimetres or so. The weighted body makes a furrow in the sand, silt or mud sending small particles into suspension. The mobile appendages react to each pull provoking a brutal attack."
There is your answer Chris, in the latter paragraph "between the spinner and a soft lure"!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
You are probably right that it doesn't spin in the way of an in-line bladed spinner, but never the less it is included in the "Mepps Guide to Spinning". From the evidence of the video, the "blade " moves from side to side. The official description of the "Doodle" as per the Mepps catalogue, is as follows and interprets the activity and action.
Quote: "Anti-snagging, the Timber Doodle fends off the worst obstacles. Cast it a dozen metres (further over a clean bottom). Letting it sink to a decent depth, it glides attractively whilst fishing. On your retrieve it swims with a wobbling action which activates its four flagella. Using alternate 'stop and start' retrieves you give it a switchback swimming action until you contact the bottom. You can continue with a vertical 'sink and draw' action upwards from the bottom."
Available in 2 weights: 1/4 and 1/2 ounce.
Spoon Colours: Black, Frog, Gold, Hot Finger, Silver.
Tail Colour: Black Blue, Chartreuse, Pumpkin Pepper, Rocket Red, Watermelon, White.
"Alternatively, between the spinner and the soft lure there exists a type of lure especially conceived for the quest of carnivorous fish when they stalk their prey close to the bottom. The theme of these diverse lures remains the same. It combines a soft lure with enough weight to hold the bottom, whilst being sufficiently active to emit vibratory and visual signals. A suitable tactic for this type of mounting consists of trolling the lure above the bottom in short and sharp continuous pulls of a dozen centimetres or so. The weighted body makes a furrow in the sand, silt or mud sending small particles into suspension. The mobile appendages react to each pull provoking a brutal attack."
There is your answer Chris, in the latter paragraph "between the spinner and a soft lure"!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Good morning Chris (Moore) and members,
I have the feeling that the "Timber Doodle" is a popular lure/s,p. in the U.S. and around Europe because I have searched high and low for the 1/2 ounce silver blade, white Mr Twister S.P version and they are turning out to be as rare as "Hen's Teeth". Apparently, they are rated very highly by the Small Mouth, Large Mouth and Striped bass aficionados, so makes you think about how successful they might be with large versions of our own bass! Definitely food for thought!
The "local" agent for Mepps Spinners in Europe is a gentleman named Rodolfe Jaques (France), so I have sent him an e-mail on the off chance that he could put me in touch with a source. Don't hold out much hope, have not had much success trying to source information from French representatives in the past, so am not holding my breath on this one.
Have located a source for the Timber Doodle in silver/ white on ebay but it is size 1 not the desired size 2, have placed an order to actually assess one of these lures in the flesh. By the way, it is also claimed as a "can't refuse" attractor for Pike and Zander! As soon as my purchases arrive, I will put up a photograph and maybe a review.
Best regards,
(Ticker (Derek)
I have the feeling that the "Timber Doodle" is a popular lure/s,p. in the U.S. and around Europe because I have searched high and low for the 1/2 ounce silver blade, white Mr Twister S.P version and they are turning out to be as rare as "Hen's Teeth". Apparently, they are rated very highly by the Small Mouth, Large Mouth and Striped bass aficionados, so makes you think about how successful they might be with large versions of our own bass! Definitely food for thought!
The "local" agent for Mepps Spinners in Europe is a gentleman named Rodolfe Jaques (France), so I have sent him an e-mail on the off chance that he could put me in touch with a source. Don't hold out much hope, have not had much success trying to source information from French representatives in the past, so am not holding my breath on this one.
Have located a source for the Timber Doodle in silver/ white on ebay but it is size 1 not the desired size 2, have placed an order to actually assess one of these lures in the flesh. By the way, it is also claimed as a "can't refuse" attractor for Pike and Zander! As soon as my purchases arrive, I will put up a photograph and maybe a review.
Best regards,
(Ticker (Derek)
Good post as usual derek.....well after 40 years of fishing i still love the winter fishing for the cod and whiting and yes the flounder as well....although not a lot of the fish about these days compaired to the good old days of the 80s ...but still some good whiting fishing there to be had ,had some cracking days last year,i just still love the whiting fishing cant wait to get some sessions in ...cmon the frost
Good evening Mullet Lust,
Thank you for your post and I share your enthusiasm for the species you mention, it is just the usually adverse conditions that prevail when they are at their best, that is loosing its lustre with age. As far as the cod is concerned, I have plenty of superb memories to recall, huddled around the gas fire in the middle of winter. Looking back to the 70's and those regular visits to Dungeness in the company of the late John Darling, fishing through some very extreme conditions but the codding was magnificent. Being in my mid 30's then, I was young and fit enough to adapt to whatever conditions and nature could throw at us! Huddling around the Tilley, lying on the cold shingle, taking it in turns to warm the hands on the warm air venting out of the Tilley top, the excruciating pain as the blood slowly returned to numbed fingers!
This was "the calm before the storm", waiting for the shout that signalled the shoal of cod was on its way up the beach! Getting to our feet, there was a fantastic sight to witness, with anglers, illuminated by a multitude of individual Tilleys, standing in readiness to our right and to our left as far as the eye could see. Hundreds of rods standing vertical in their monopods, securely forced into the shingle, white painted tips arcing into the English Channel, anchored by 6 oz Break-aways ! The anticipation was palpable!
A loud shout carried on the wind from the Dungeness Power Station end of the beach, it was the long awaited prompt to be prepared, the warning that the large shoal of cod had started its run from right to left parallel to the water line but at least a 100 yards off shore. The response to the call was a sight I will never forget! From the far end of the beach, one by one, anglers were running to their rods and striking. It was like watching a line of dominos falling as the striking anglers indicated the location of the moving shoal. We stood by our rods, tense and bent to the handle ready to strike as the shoal reached our position, then all hell let loose, it was a mad scramble to land fish, re -bait and cast out again before the shoal had moved out of our swim, onwards along the beach, triggering strike after strike.
Some were lucky, but we were up at Dungeness from Wednesday through to Sunday, so the chances were good that others would have a hit before we made it back to Bridgend.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Thank you for your post and I share your enthusiasm for the species you mention, it is just the usually adverse conditions that prevail when they are at their best, that is loosing its lustre with age. As far as the cod is concerned, I have plenty of superb memories to recall, huddled around the gas fire in the middle of winter. Looking back to the 70's and those regular visits to Dungeness in the company of the late John Darling, fishing through some very extreme conditions but the codding was magnificent. Being in my mid 30's then, I was young and fit enough to adapt to whatever conditions and nature could throw at us! Huddling around the Tilley, lying on the cold shingle, taking it in turns to warm the hands on the warm air venting out of the Tilley top, the excruciating pain as the blood slowly returned to numbed fingers!
This was "the calm before the storm", waiting for the shout that signalled the shoal of cod was on its way up the beach! Getting to our feet, there was a fantastic sight to witness, with anglers, illuminated by a multitude of individual Tilleys, standing in readiness to our right and to our left as far as the eye could see. Hundreds of rods standing vertical in their monopods, securely forced into the shingle, white painted tips arcing into the English Channel, anchored by 6 oz Break-aways ! The anticipation was palpable!
A loud shout carried on the wind from the Dungeness Power Station end of the beach, it was the long awaited prompt to be prepared, the warning that the large shoal of cod had started its run from right to left parallel to the water line but at least a 100 yards off shore. The response to the call was a sight I will never forget! From the far end of the beach, one by one, anglers were running to their rods and striking. It was like watching a line of dominos falling as the striking anglers indicated the location of the moving shoal. We stood by our rods, tense and bent to the handle ready to strike as the shoal reached our position, then all hell let loose, it was a mad scramble to land fish, re -bait and cast out again before the shoal had moved out of our swim, onwards along the beach, triggering strike after strike.
Some were lucky, but we were up at Dungeness from Wednesday through to Sunday, so the chances were good that others would have a hit before we made it back to Bridgend.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Good read that!!
Surely tempting the imagination
Surely tempting the imagination
Hi Derek - meany years back I bought a "timber doodle" from "bass pro" in the USA to be used for Pike fishing (I only used it about twice )
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Here are some photo's of it , it is a spoon with a Mr twister attached to it underneath by a barbed "pin" (unfortunately the original Mr twister has long since perished ) You can see the "pin" underneath where the eye of the hook would normally be
Regards - Gwyn
Regards - Gwyn
Good evening Gwyn (the Guppie),
Thank you for your post and the rare pics of the Timber Doodle. I was beginning to believe that I would never see a real life version. I have been looking at Bass pro as a potential source but am a bit concerned about the cost increase and the shipping charges. I think I will drop them a line and get an up to date quote.
For some reason or other, I have instinctively pin pointed the Doodle as a potential cod lure so am keen to get my hands on a 1/2 inch version in silver blade and white Mr Twister S.P.
Once again, thank you for taking the time and trouble to publish the info and pics!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Thank you for your post and the rare pics of the Timber Doodle. I was beginning to believe that I would never see a real life version. I have been looking at Bass pro as a potential source but am a bit concerned about the cost increase and the shipping charges. I think I will drop them a line and get an up to date quote.
For some reason or other, I have instinctively pin pointed the Doodle as a potential cod lure so am keen to get my hands on a 1/2 inch version in silver blade and white Mr Twister S.P.
Once again, thank you for taking the time and trouble to publish the info and pics!
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
P.S. Gwyn (the Guppie) to above,
As soon as I had posted the above reply I looked up the "Basspro" website and searched for "Timber Doodles". They had plenty in both sizes and a range of colours. I went through the procedure of buying some "Doodles", but on reaching "checkout" it was made plain that they only officially ship to Canada and Japan, and a shipping cost of a minimum of 40 plus $'s was the standard fee for shipping to other countries including the U.K. Needless to say, that put an end to that source...I will try other U.S. lure supplier sites, but I get the impression that some U.S. companies are no longer keen to supply U.K.. I had a similar problem with "Askari" in Germany from whom I have bought stuff in the past, but are no longer providing the facility to ship to the U.K. unless you suffer expensive shipment costs.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
As soon as I had posted the above reply I looked up the "Basspro" website and searched for "Timber Doodles". They had plenty in both sizes and a range of colours. I went through the procedure of buying some "Doodles", but on reaching "checkout" it was made plain that they only officially ship to Canada and Japan, and a shipping cost of a minimum of 40 plus $'s was the standard fee for shipping to other countries including the U.K. Needless to say, that put an end to that source...I will try other U.S. lure supplier sites, but I get the impression that some U.S. companies are no longer keen to supply U.K.. I had a similar problem with "Askari" in Germany from whom I have bought stuff in the past, but are no longer providing the facility to ship to the U.K. unless you suffer expensive shipment costs.
Best regards,
Ticker (Derek)
Good Morning Derek - I too have found "BASS PRO" shipping has increased since the 8o's (when I bought a lot of fishing gear off them)
also they no longer offer the option of "surface shipping" only "air mail".
I recently bought some "fold up waders" off eBay USA- if you search the site some sellers offer very reasonable shipping costs ! that might be another option ?
all the best in your hunt - Gwyn
also they no longer offer the option of "surface shipping" only "air mail".
I recently bought some "fold up waders" off eBay USA- if you search the site some sellers offer very reasonable shipping costs ! that might be another option ?
all the best in your hunt - Gwyn
1 - 20 of 237 Posts
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