I was down there on Monday as it was a nice sort of day; cold but sunny and little wind. At first it seemed quite pleasant in the sunshine but as the sun dropped it did become quite chilly. I reckon temperatures were only 4 or 5C. Fishing with a float and maggots in the middle of the staithe, the first fish I caught was a stonker:-
This 11.5 inch fish looks like a rudd by the colour of its fins and the somewhat upturned mouth, but from the position of its dorsal, pelvic and anal fins I think this is a roach x rudd hybrid. I would guess that this fish weighs between 1lb 2oz and 1lb 4oz. It was certainly a thick-set fish. I caught a similar looking fish late in the day on the 4th November last year:-
This 9 inch fish is not as big and has a more golden appearance. From the layout of its fins I again think this is another roach x rudd hybrid! For comparison, here is a roach that I caught on the 8th November:-
This 10inch fish is, I am pretty sure, a pure roach. As is this 9.5 inch one caught on the same day:-
I think my 11.5inch roach x rudd hybrid is probably an open water (rather than inland lake) personal best for me in the roach-rudd arena.
To end my January day I did a bit of pike fishing too. I have done this before Christmas at this staithe and I caught about a 7 or 8 pounder but I didn't get a picture. The pike are numerous around the dyke and, as you sit by the water, you often see a big swirl as they chase some smaller prey. Occasionally, you get a glimpse of a big tail. I have spoken to fishermen who are pulling out up to 12 pounders and, reportedly (!), there is a 30 pounder lurking in a pool a bit further up the main channel up towards the village. This day I decided to be a bit proactive and trawled a bait round the margins of the dyke up towards the dead end. I had left it up there and had not long sat down in my seat again when I noticed that my float had disappeared and I pulled in this jack:-
This fish is about 24 inches in length and probably weighs 3 to 4lb, so a nice way to end the day.
