The weather gods despise us at the moment, but we’re still working away out here

When the weather gods are angry they don’t half let their displeasure be known upon us bass anglers! Two days left with our last group of lads and after a much nicer day yesterday (their first day was as wet as I have ever seen out here), I am typing this and I can hear the wind blowing and the rain lashing down again outside. The amount of freshwater running into the bay out here is incredible, and it has produced a lot of coloured water which is somewhat restricting where we can fish. The swell was also really building up throughout yesterday which puts another factor into the mix, but there are always a few options out here and I am about to go and meet the lads to head out and fish a reef mark that was producing the other day and where we should find some half-decent conditions………

You could honestly not have a nicer bunch of anglers, and even with some tough fishing and unpleasant weather there is so much laughter and giggling and funny banter. At supper last night we were literally crying. I love how fishing brings people together and how quickly they can bond over their shared experiences. They are fishing so hard and a few bass have been coming out, but this is a tough one and there isn’t anything we can do about the weather having a complete hissy fit! At least we can be out there and get a chance at a fish.

We tried a spot first thing yesterday morning but the water was bad and we quickly made a move somewhere else. I grabbed one of the lads and walked him right along the rocks into the corner of a bay where I was sure we would find good water. The closer we got the more convinced I was, so I asked him to clip on one of my SG Slap Walker 125 surface lures I was carrying with me - a big time go-to surface lure for John Quinlan and I these days - and bang it out over some very likely looking ground. First cast and there was an almighty swirl on the lure but the bass didn’t connect (I think I might have uttered a few choice words at the bass!). A few casts later and this lad had another big swirl which briefly connected but then didn’t. He then got some interest a couple more times but the fish refused to commit. A stunning bit of water, amazing ground, me almost in tears of frustration behind the angler who was fishing really well, when the weather gods are against you they seem to gang up with the fishing gods as well!

Today’s weather rolling in yesterday afternoon!

Another one of our lads has fished out here a number of times now, and because he has done so well on the SG Sandeel Pencil 90 and 125 and various SG Seekers, these lures are literally welded to his clip almost anywhere we go. You know as well as I do how much confidence plays in lure fishing, and although the bass which he is playing in the photo above came off yesterday afternoon, yet again the Seeker was the lure that got him a hit. We had some beautiful surfing waves rolling and we were having to keep a close eye on the sea and make sure to be safe, but he chose well and he got the hit. Yet again I will return home in a few days with the feeling that the Sandeel Pencil is a misunderstood lure which we choose to turn to again and again out here because it keeps on producing bass. I love how easy it is to fish with and how frigging deadly and versatile it is.

The Savage Gear Sandeel Pencil SW 125 in cotton candy, it’s done rather well for us out here

Anyway, I had better get going and see what the day will bring. The forecast is pretty vile but we shall be out there giving it a go. On a personal note I am really pleased how I am not having to pull back and rest during the days out here. For sure I need a decent night’s sleep and late nights ain’t part of my routine at the moment, but I am feeling great. Yesterday morning I ran my fastest 5k since my heart attack (at an average heart rate which my psychologist wants at the moment) and I was then out all day with our lads and doing plenty of walking etc. You all have a good weekend and enjoy the rugby at the weekend. I still can’t quite work out how England are in the semi-final of the World Cup - gutted for Ireland and France - and I fear what could happen against the mighty Boks. Pressure is a funny thing though and you never know I suppose. There you go, dreaming again, but there has to be a chance, surely?

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