Dim Mynadd

"Dim mynadd"is a Welsh phrase which translates roughly, "can't be bothered" in English and its a phrase that would sort of sum up my lure fishing so far this year. I am not sure quite whats up, but I just do not seem to be getting into it as much at the moment, I think to some degree my pursuit of a PB Bass last year and failure to meet that target has knocked me quite a bit. 

I have had a few futile attempts at catching Bass and while I realise it is still early for them, I feel a bit like jacking it in already, its a very strange feeling to be honest.

I have actually been doing a bit more bait fishing this year and that has been quite a nice change, its been relaxing too. I haven't caught anything of note really, small Turbot, Flounder and Dogfish, but I have enjoyed just sitting back and watching my tip lights dance. I do expect to do a bit more of it this year and I am currently considering a new blog, I feel it would be out of place putting bait reports on here, we'll see though.

I did get a few hours light gaming in yesterday, I was fishing for mini species and for the most part used  hooks no bigger than #10.

Again I can see myself investing more time into my light game throughout 2014 and I am currently looking to upgrade some kit, there will be more on that at a later date.

Here's a few photo's I quite like from yesterdays session;

Winners!

Today I received something I have been eager to get my hands on for a little while now; my TLF Team  Bass Trophy!

The Team Bass competition is run on The Lure Forum and is mainly just a bit of fun, however, with such an amount of serious Bass anglers on board, it is fun with a game face.

The Bass teams are made up of four random forum members, so each year you'll have different team mates. 50cm is the qualifying size for entry and the final count is taken from the length of the teams three best fish.

Well this year I was on a team with some cracking anglers, guys who really know their game and boy did they land some fish!

We all had qualifiers, all had fish on the board at various times and all fished our socks off, having some serious fun while at it. 

Sadly I didn't have a fish in the final count but mine was superseded by such an awesome specimen its impossible to feel sour!

So lets see the fish.

Simon Lewis was the first to get a fish on the board and what a stonker at 78cm.

Simon is a serious specimen hunter and I think he has been on the winning team three times in a row now!

Beautiful fish and well deserving of a win.

Next up was David Ansell who caught his fish in Ireland, coming in at a very respectable 64cm.

A lovely fish that no doubt made for a memorable session! 

Lastly; there was Simon Kenny who actually beat his PB three times in one night, culminating in a fine specimen that well and truly knocked my fish off the board.

75cm of prime Silver! Hugely well done too, an amazing team and some exceptional fishing!

The competition was a very enjoyable part of 2013 and is I feel, an integral part of being a member of The Lure Forum.

I would like to extend an invite to you too, do you fancy joining in the fun?
Maybe Bass isn't your thing, well I have good news! There is also a Wrasse comp, a Pollock comp, Perch comp and a few others to satiate your competitive side.

Check it out by registering here; www.thelureforum.com/register.php

Tight lines

Skid Stiks

Admittedly in my last post I did say that I didn't like blogging about tackle, but there are times when I do get slightly excited about new purchases, my latest purchase is just one of these.

The Sussex anglers known as and associated with the Bass Junkies have been using Skid Stiks for some time, and have been successfully nailing European Sea Bass on them for a couple of years now. 

They are primarily a top water lure designed for US gamefish such as Striper Bass and Blues, they look and feel insanely good value for money, in fact I purchased three of them for the price of a standard Japanese Bass lure, that's including delivery!

Also included were a few for field testing purposes and as soon as this truly awful weather passes I will be out with them, I am positive they'll nail some Welsh silver soon.

There are several colours in the range and they come in 8, 5 and 4 inch lengths, the ones I have are the later two and weigh in at 3/4oz and 1/2oz respectively.

You can view the range here; fishinmagicianlures.com and can be purchased from here;  fishermansline.com

I have to say I really like the 4" Rainbow Smelt pattern, I think it would be a good summer Pike lure in Trout reservoirs too.