First time i fished this venue in 17years, its a lot shallower now and filled up with sand. seems the once decent peeler crab grounds are all but disappeared now
Looking out towards the wind farms, i noticed the Hoyle Bank has shifted a lot to the right since i was here last, it now seems level with Mockbeggars Bay (Leasowe Castle), and edge of it creates a large wide gulley that sweeps around from the right to the left filling the Gutter on an incoming tide approx 3 hours before high.
DAY 1 : 8th May -Tide 26ft 0 – High @ 9.16am
The day before i popped into to see Johnny at the Shack Bait & Tackle, as i heard he had just got fresh peeler crab instock, had a good natter on where’s fishing where’s not, Johnny was not convinced of my choice of venue as they had a match there the previous week and a lot had blanked, anyway last time i fished there was many moons ago, seemed to do ok on Peeler for Flounder. so bought 8 peeler and a couple of pre-made (and very well made!) 2 hook flapper rigs from the Shack.
Next morning i was up bright and early @ 6am and set off, arrived just as the gulley was filling up.
2 Hook Flappers baited up with the peeler, claws/legs n’ all (best bit), noticed the tide was running fast so 6oz grip leads are a must to hold bottom on the initial run.
Nothing for about 30 mins, then the Flounder arrived.! Dunno what the lads where fishing with at the match the previous week, but Flounder are still here and in numbers! forgive the pic 1st fish in 17years from this venue! a plump 40cm Flounder.
No need to lash your bait into the sun at this venue, gentle flick 10-20m straight into the middle of gully is all that’s needed! Next chuck, double header on the Crab!
And The Flounder kept coming, next cast a nice single @ 42cm
Total so far 4! next 2 casts produced 2 double headers in quick concession
Last cast (Ran out of Peeler!) a single !
Final scores on the doors 9 flounder ! , @ 42-40-38-38-36-35-35-34-29 cm , for a Total length of 327cm.
Very happy to see that using same bait, same rigs, same date/tide/time still produces the goods, all fished returned 😉
DAY 2 : 11th May -Tide 28.9ft 0 – High @ 11.17am
Floundered out from the previous session, this time i decided to switch tactics and target Bass. as i know they sometimes run up the gulley on the flood this time of year, problem is they prefer fresh black lug or large blow lug over Peeler Crab,
So the day before off i went out from Leasowe with my trusty bait pump, to see if i’ve still got it? , hopefully snare a few Black Lug, phew it was a grueller! , aching back & muscle groups i forgot i had.. its been a been a while, but good to knock the cobwebs off. (Backup plan was to visit Shack Bait & Tackle again as Johnny had just got some fresh black in.)
The Classic “Leasowe Linford”
Not bad, still need practice but managed a decent haul first time out in a long while.
Bait sorted! . Onto the Fishing!
Managed to drag my daughter away from Tiktok and the internet, First time out for her, and she really enjoyed it!
Rigs used was a 3/0 pulley pennel it try to keep the bait off the bottom, as hungry Crabs love tucking into black lug also.
Fishing was slow and the sun was beating down like a baseball bat., with baits being stripped in 5 mins! very high crab activity , but an hour before high my daughter snared this little fella.
Of course she wouldn’t hold it for a photo “Too Spikey” so i obliged !
30 mins after high caught a larger School Bass, great to see they are here!
Happy Days! , All fish Returned! Great to get the daughter out , i think shes hooked and was asking when are we going again, ! I will try for some larger Bass from the Hoyle when the tides drop a bit next week.