1st Leg Summer Accumulator and Sabre Tackle League Match 10 (Report)
Saturday 12th April 2015 - Kelling
The New Season kicked off in grand style with a healthy turn out for the 1st Leg of the John Hardingham Summer Accumulator and Match 10 of the Sabre Tackle Winter/Spring League. With the Muckleburgh Collection now open for the Summer it was none of this meeting at the main gate, instead a gentle drive through the future trappings of the new Dudgeon Wind Farm to our assigned parking slot at this venue. A bright and somewhat chilly morning with a fresh southerly which was forecast to turn more westerly and become rather serious, as it did. Such predictions persuaded “take it easy” to avoid being battered in his right ear at Dunwich and come north although the fate of the “ton” of wrigglers he had was closer to the reason. With such a wind the sea was very flat and no sign of a swell so it looked like being a flattie bashing day which it was although the pesky “tings” were still having a serious say in things.
As usual this report is about to get a little lengthy so if you just want a snap shot of the match switch to Christian's Sabre Tackle report on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SabretackleCromer?fref=ts . Looks like you could be getting a new job CB, cracking report.
Neap tides and this was a real neap, normally shuts down feeding to some extent but fishing over the top does help to liven up the fish as was the case in this match. With such a small tide and with sound reports from “protégé” about catches at the block house, pegging for a change was west of the small cliff up to and just beyond Kelling block house. The pegs nestled nicely in this stretch with a very short section missed out just west of the radar to avoid moans about the “radar phenomena”. This area seems to have a lack of flatties probably due to the apparent bare marl ground although does not deter the round fish but missing it out keeps everyone happy. Fishing over the top on a small tide is always handy as you can stay on the low shingle bank all day, none of this chasing or being chased by the tide as well as a comfortably walk to and from your peg on the sand .
All were soon at their pegs and raring to go although “part time” Clarke was still on motor duty which as you will see later seriously hampered his attempt at top spot. In the 30 mins before the match there is always a serious flurry of activity as the day’s plan of action begins to take shape. Interesting to see these days the techniques and array of baits used, from clip downs, flappers, booms, pulleys and pennels to blow lug, blacks, crab, “waitrose” (well nearly) squid, circa 2014 Cley mackeral and of course those wrigglers. For some it’s all getting a bit too technical but there that’s the way one has to go to do the business. Superimposed on all this activity was the continuing banter which caught a few out at the whistle including “silverfox” but as you will see later this did not dent his performance.
By now everyone knows where to place their bait at Kelling and with the exception of a few this was that gently 60-80 yards chuck with just one or two going to the horizon and likewise some really in the gutter. It wasn’t long before it was soon apparent there would be plenty of fish around particularly as one first cast produced a 61cm dog fish. Dabs and whiting were soon seen coming ashore every cast and even though the whiting were small and a bit of a nuisance they were still matching the small dabs for points on card. Nothing worse than having an empty card when there’s fish around but not a problem in the club’s matches these days when there are plenty of fish around although it can get frustrating when all around are carding treble shots to your single pin whiting. Double and Treble shots was the name of the game for most as the match progressed with some reasonable point scoring dabs and the odd largish whiting.
As high water approached the weed started to show it’s ugly face, just this small stringy stuff that’s a nuisance around your leader knot. Fortunately, this did not deter the fish as they continued to come ashore in numbers and a second even bigger dog fish of 66cm made its way on to a card. Also a rare appearance on a card was a 27cm herring, you never know what might turn up next on our coastline. Slack water for a change did not last too long although there was not too much tide there in the first place. This state of the tide did bring along the usual raft of edibles which could be seen bobbing up as casts were retrieved. The other vermin were active but not like it will get as summer approaches which could indicate that the moult has started. The result in the end surprisingly did not go to the dog fish carders but to those who had recorded a serious number of fish with the odd quality dab amongst them. Top weight was just over 6lb from 35 fish which shows the size of the fish and the activity needed to do the business. In total 397 fish (2 flounders, 130 dabs, 260 whiting, 2 rockling, 2 dog fish and 1 herring) were recorded weighing a total of just under 90lb.
On the individual performances, the close peggers had a distinct advantage of being in one of the known hot spots and end peg man “short walk” Borley (peg 25) on the true Hunn spot was up to his usual tricks of catching fish from the off. With his freshly gathered local peelers he didn’t manage anything serious but with 7 reasonable dabs and 21 small tings he did manage 279 points and a stab at the podium. In contrast, returning from his sabbatical “consultant” Allison (peg 24) had become a bit rusty and couldn’t find the fish in his usual numbers. With just 4 small dabs and 12 tings for 142 he had lost his touch but the 40+cm bass he lost in the “surf” could have completely changed his day. Then there was “part time” Clarke (peg 23) who was an hour late due to work was straight into 2 reasonable 26cm flounders from the start and adding these to 7 good dabs and 16 small tings gave him a respectable total of 279 points. He was certainly in with a shot at the podium and what would have happened if he had fished the whole match. Back in the groove again was “inspector” Morse (peg 22) who was into the fish from the off carding 7 reasonable dabs along with 18 reasonable whiting and that amazing 27cm herring, where did that come from? Managing in total 276 points which was probably just 2 or 3 points short of a podium place. “take it easy” Tovell (peg 19) was the last one in this close stretch and his strategy of distance nearly paid off with 13 quality dabs with a 29cm specimen being the largest flat of the day and just 4 good whiting with the best being 30cm. His 18 fish gave him 251 points which was 2 to 3 fish short of a podium position.
After the radar break “super sub” Brown (peg 18) was on his own mini end peg and managed 7 small dabs along with 22 reasonablr tings and a slug. This gave him 274 points which missed out on a podium slot but worked wonders for his Sabre Tackle League ambitions. Next door was “young catcher” Brown (peg 17) who was struggling with a small dab and 5 tings but then he locked into a 66cm dog fish the heaviest round of the match. He only then managed to add a small dab and ting to his total to give him 185 points but the dog fish made his day, well done Danny! Then there was “large baits” Lake (peg 15) who knows the shingle is not his scene and true to form only managed 1 dab and 7 tings for 105 points but his strategy could have found that elusive bass, it will be a different story at Bacton. Then there was the Carter camp with “steady” Carter putting up a fine performance with 9 reasonable dabs 13 good whiting with one of 31cm giving him 233 points. On next peg “cuddly” Carter (13) was trying her best to find fish ending up with 4 good dabs and 3 small whiting for 70 points and good practice for the Bass Festival. Back from his extended rest was “ex-captain” Ellis (peg 11) who was finding it hard to find anything of quality and his usual quarry of big flounders were rather elusive. He ended up with 5 good dabs and 13 small tings for 181 points. Peg 10 with “earl” Spencer on board was having a mixed day with 15 good dabs up to 27cm and 7 reasonable whiting for 213 points and keeping up his record of good scores.
Then there was that man “silver fox” Neave (peg 8) who may have been slow starting but not at catching fish. There he was hauling in double shots along with the odd treble all of which were good dabs and whitings or reasonable tings. His 2014 Cley mackeral was certainly doing the business with 10 good dabs and 24 whiting plus a slug for 330 points and a certain shot at top spot. Next peg was a rather frustrated “yoda” Thomas (peg 7) who just could not find a rhythm and trying a whole raft of rigs, bait and distances could only find 6 dabs up to 27cm and 18 whiting also up to 27cm for 242 points. Dog man “hokey pokey” Loke (peg 6) thought all his Christmases had come at once as the dog tore away at his bait and then rod on his very first cast. Unfortunately, he could not capitalise on this early 89 points and could only find another 9 dabs up to 27cm and 8 whiting up to 28cm. In contrast, “small hooks” Stannard (peg 5) was working hard to overcome the dog fish deficit and his light gear and tackle eventually paid dividend. With a regular flow of fish and weed throughout he managed 10 good dabs up to 27cm and 17 whiting also up to 27cm plus a slug for a total of 303 points and a shot at that top spot.
“New Girl” Bulch (peg 4) was having her first taste of the Holt scene, welcome aboard Becky! and was at the start showing hubby a thing or two (fishing of course!). A good dab kicked off her card and a 24cm flounder along with 2 further dabs and 3 good whiting up to 27cm gave her 80 points and real good practice for the Bass Festival. As you would expect keeping her company was “blacks” Bulch (peg 3) who preferred the sitting down posture for most of the match. 5 good dabs and 16 whiting up to 27cm gave him a total of 211 points but this may not be enough to keep hold of his top spot in the Sabre Tackle League. Just passed the block house was “taxi” Kendrick (peg 2) who got off to a flying start with a 32cm whiting and then added 5 good dabs up to 28cm and 17 more reasonable tings for 232 points. End peg man was “pikey” Muirhead who was struggling somewhat although he was more concerned about catching tings for his freezer than beating records. With 2 good dabs and 10 whiting up to 27cm these gave him 131 points.
In the end it was the old magic of John “silver fox” Neave that did the business showing the young’uns how to do it with 6lb 14oz from 35 fish. Next was Jeff “small hooks” Stannard with 6lb 5oz from 28 fish who worked hard to find some better fish. Final podium place was shared by Mark “short walk” Borley and Wayne “part time” Clarke both with 5lb 13oz from 28 and 25 fish respectively. Heaviest flat on the day went to Paul Tovell with his 29cm (9 1/3oz) dab and heaviest round to Danny Brown for his 66cm (2lb 8oz) dog fish . These results have influenced the Sabre Tackle League standings slightly with Shane Brown on 276 points now ONE point ahead of Christian Bulch on 275 points and Tony Thomas on 269 point. The final round at Bacton is really going to be an interesting match.
Another excellent match with plenty of fish and plenty of competition. Good to see some Ladies in the thick of it again. A pretty even match stretch and one which we will probably be using at the Bass Festival. Next match is at Bacton on Sunday 19th April fishing 10:30 – 3:30 with draw at Castaways from 8:45.
Club Match Result Top 7
1st John Neave 6lb 14oz (35 Fish)
2nd Jeff Stannard 6lb 5oz (28 Fish)
3rd= Mark Borley 5lb 13oz (28 Fish)
3rd= Wayne Clarke 5lb 13oz (25 Fish)
5th Peter Morse 5lb 12oz (26 Fish)
6th Shane Brown 5lb 11 1/3oz (30 Fish)
7th Peter Loke 5lb 10 2/3oz (18 Fish)
Sabre Tackle League Standings Top 5
1st Shane Brown 276 points
2nd Christian Bulch 275 points
3rd Tony Thomas 269 points
4th Mark Borley 254 points
5th John Neave 235 points
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