11th Leg Summer Accumulator
Saturday 29th June 2014 - Bacton
After the previous week’s cracking match at Bacton the committee decided to switch this match from Salthouse to Bacton and fishing an almost identical tide to the bottom and just up. However, on arrival we were all informed by “new digger” Ellis that there had been loads of fish at Salthouse in the form of bass and big flounders, had we tried to be too clever by moving to Bacton? A wet, very wet morning greeted the loyal band as everyone was contemplating the rather strong North Westerly coming ashore which was similar but stronger than that previous match. Fortunately, it’s always deceptive at Bacton viewing the sea from the top of the cliff as it always looks rougher and more white water than it really is at sea level. Pegging was as in the previous match, west from the first pipe with plenty of space between pegs to accommodate the sea state. Unfortunately, unlike previous match we had to be content with starting behind the revetments because of the bigger tide and wind but we all knew that it would not be long before we were on the flat beach.
Pegs were soon drawn well before kick-off and even the Ely contingent managed to get there on time. Bacton is always a trolley venue and there were a few around on this day including one in the Carter camp where there was some concern about match apparel. Bright sunshine at departure time had seen them discard wet gear and the sudden down pour had particularly caught out “cuddly” Carter who was most concerned about getting certain parts of her extremities wet. This was soon fixed by hubby and others and all were soon making their way to their allotted stretch of the beach behind the revetments. For once the weather gods were working in our favour as the rain eased and stopped but we still had the strongly North Westerly to contend with. Not really an issue for our sport as we have to put up with whatever nature throws at us, including having to start the match from behind the revetments but we would soon be on the open beach. All were soon ready and raring to go although as would be expected not a brollie or buddy in sight at this stage.
At the whistle it was the strength of the wind at this stage that dictated where the first cast was to be placed. A little white water and a breaking swell meant just behind the 3rd breaker was the optimum place to be able to cast to. However, there were the usual duo who preferred at this early stage to give it some welly. First to show was “take it easy” Tovell (peg 8) who had this time remembered to bring along some worm as he found a reasonable dab and flounder. Another person taking heed of his last match experience was “last cast” Watts (peg 4) who was not this time aiming at the horizon but slightly closer and straight away picked up a 28cm flounder. These were the fortunate ones as it was slow at this stage for everyone else. However, things started to look up as the water dropped and everyone was able to scale the revetments onto the open beach.
Most notably was “ex-captain” Ellis with a couple of point scoring 30cm flounders and “the boss” Morley with a 29cm flounder and a 27cm schoolie bass. Also into some fish was “yoda” Thomas (peg 7) with a reasonably dab and a small sole, where did that come from? However, others were struggling in particular “silver fox” Neave (peg 3) but he notoriously is a slow starter at Bacton and eventually he found a couple of reasonable flatties to get his card marked. The Carter camp was also having a dismal day but “steady” Carter (peg 11) eventually found a couple of small flatties. Not quite the same for his better half “cuddly” Carter (peg 10) and although she had managed to stay dry it was deep into the match before she found a small dab. It was also a torrid day for rookie “big hooks” Raven (peg 12) who was finding nothing even though he was adjacent to the pipe. He was struggling to prevent his line disappearing into the pipe but after decamping to the other side eventually found a 27cm schoolie bass. The person who had really lost his mojo of late was “the consultant” Allison (peg 5) who was fishless well into the match but eventually found a 24cm sole, where did that come from? A good one for the plate but after adding just one more flattie to his total it was not a good day for the current Summer League leader.
With the tide dropping fast and the wind picking up the decent gullies that are now appearing at Bacton were more than evident. “last cast” was taking full advantage of this and his previous match experience and drifting his bait into these areas resulting in some quality flounders up to 34cm along with a 33cm schoolie bass. The bass had at last been switched on with “ex-captain” finding a 38cm specimen, “silver fox” a 42cm version and “yoda” another one of 38cm who also found a nice 36cm flounder. Although he had worm this day “take it easy” could not find a big bass as in previous match and for once even his flatties were small with a 28cm flounder being his biggest. The Carter camp in the form of “steady” managed eventually to find a nice 35cm flounder but the stonking flounder of the day went to “the boss” a 37cm specimen on his last cast whose lack of fish numbers was to let him down. However, it was “last cast” who continued to show the way throughout the match and although his latter fish were not huge he was putting numbers and points on his card.
It was this continuous pressure that gave Mike “last cast” Watts the honours with 6lb 9oz from 18 fish way ahead of Tony “yoda” Thomas who was next on 4lb 9oz from 9 fish. Final podium slot went to Richard “ex-captain” Ellis with 4lb 3oz from 7 fish. Heaviest flat went to Keith “the boss” Morley with his last cast 1lb 4oz (37cm) flounder and heaviest round to “John “silver fox” Neave with his 1lb 9oz (42cm) bass. Super Pools result was same as match result.
Not quite as good as the last match at Bacton but still plenty of action for most. We do seem to have got the state of the tide right at Bacton and a comfortable wind from the north does help to give a nice sea which certainly brings the fish in. Although our Annual Open is more than 3 months away on 26th October our recent experiences at Bacton have convinced the committee to bring this match “Back to Bacton”this year where it traditionally used to be held.
Next match is the 2nd Round of the West Norfolk Challenge at Kings Lynn on the west bank where we hope to continue to find those big flounders and of course those stonking eels.
Club Top 5
1st Mike Watts 6lb 9oz (18 fish)
2nd Tony Thomas 4lb 9oz ( 9 fish)
3rd Richard Ellis 4lb 3oz ( 7 fish)
4th John Neave 3lb 5oz ( 6 fish)
5th Keith Morley 4lb 4oz ( 7 fish)
