It was this time last year that I was just thinking about my first yak trip of 2010 – a time to blow away a few cobwebs and get some paddling, and more importantly fishing, under my belt. I really had hoped to get out over this winter and try for some winter species but it has been impossible with my current workload and family commitments. C’est la vie!
Anyhow, looking back at that first trip last year I thought I’d share with you a few pictures of that first session. My mate Nobby and I had managed to snatch a day to get ourselves on the water and although the fishing was slow it was a cracking day out. We decided we were going to head to Dorset and see what was about and in particular somewhere along the Purbeck coast. After stop offs at Kimmeridge Bay and Lulworth Cove we eventually ended up at a new venue for us a bit further along the coast at Ringstead Bay. It was a cracking early Spring day and a smashing venue with a small inshore reef.
Here are the yaks on their way down to the waters edge…
We were fishing on the drift and as I’ve already said the fishing was mighty slow but the coastline around here is very scenic so it was pleasant watching it pass us by. We drifted to the east as far as Osmington Mills and then back west as far as the headland you can see in the first photo. The ground here is a mixed bag – rocky in places and then clear ground as you head out a bit further.
Here’s Nobby doing his stuff…
After a fruitless time using live worms I had switched to fishing with a soft plastic one and unbelievably it paid dividends if with a slightly surprising result. Here is my first yak caught plaice and a definite first catching one on a soft plastic worm – it turned out to be the only fish we managed between us all day!
Despite our best efforts that was it and mid-afternoon we decided to call it a day and headed back to shore for a brew before heading home.
It was a great early Spring paddle and nice to look back at this as I’m itching to get out again now! Hopefully, I will have a window the weekend after next as long as the weather plays ball – even if it is just a local session to get me back in the swing of things!
Until next time……
Hooks, Lines & Sinkers 