Porthkerris, Cornwall, England

Last weekend a small meet was organised in Cornwall SW England at . As per usual this has been copied and pastied from a UK forum.


I set off early Thursday morning and after an uneventful journey down, I
arrived at Portkerris in the early afternoon. The weather quickly turned
drizzly and breezy and as I was knackered I had a nap. When I awoke I
spotted Kevin at the top of the field and after a chat, I headed down
the footpath to Porthallow, for a pint and a bite to eat.



Later in the evening Kevin joined me and we talked fishing and stuff
till closing time.
The following morning the weather had not improved and I sat in the car
looking out over a murky sea until I couldn't stand it any longer and
decided to launch anyway.



We caught a few mackerel and small pollack, but overall the fishing was
poor on the Friday. Back at the camping field people were turning up and
braving the foul weather. The barbecue was flashed up and burgers,
kebabs and sausages were slowly burnt to the accompaniment of beer.




The drizzle turned to rain and we decided to commandeer a tent that
appeared to be abandoned. There was much beer and laughter until after
midnight.
The following day the weather had not improved but to hell with it we
were there to fish and have a good time. Early afternoon saw 'The
Mackerel race' A dozen of us lined up on the beach and set off in search
of 2 mackerel. With my best tinsel feathers and deep water close in I
was confident that a mackerel or two would soon be swinging on board.
The wind was quite strong further out and by the time I had caught 2 I
had drifted down towards Porthallow. I began the paddle back and with no
one yet back on the beach I was going to win easy.I even took time to
have a breather and switch off the echo sounder. But I was overconfident
becouse behind me, like a silent assassin, came a stealth drive hobbie,
being peddled like Lance Armstrong in the tour de France. I was beaten
by a kayaks length. Great fun.



After getting my breath back and catching up with people on the beach. A
plan was hatched to fish for gurnard, in the next bay after
porthoustock. We set off into the tide and wind and as we rounded the
rocks off of Porthoustock the going got harder. The wind picked up and
the sea got snottier. Even Nobby Nuts the sea dog retreated back from
the bow of his kayak at one point he fell off and had to be hauled back
on board.




We then headed for the beach to have a rest and drink before heading out
to fish. By then the weather had not improved and as the tide was soon
due to turn I headed back. It took a fraction of the time with the sail
up and the tide in my favour.
I fished some more closer to portkerris but caught little. The evening
saw more beer, but this time it was mainly fish on the barbecue. We even
tried sashimi [ raw fish ] Tasty.



The next morning saw some head out early, but not me, although I was up
in time to see a pod of dolphins swim past. The weather was much better
on the Sunday. The sun came out and the sea was calm.



First I tried jigging a shad over the rough ground between Portkerriss
and Porthoustock. But all I managed was a small Cod.



With sea so calm and a neap tide I decided to head out to the manacles
reef. Not too far off shore and pretty spectacular on the echo sounder.
I tried drifting with the shad again but had no joy. So I paddled over
to a pot buoy and tied of to that. I am more happy fishing on the bottom
anyway to be honest. I had the two mackerel left over from the race and
lashed a chunk to a 5'o hook. It was well passed its best and was
falling to pieces but I was confident I could feather up some fresh. Yet
again I was overconfident and could only manage a scad. But the bottom
rod came to life anyway and I reeled in a Ling then a Dogfish. I gave it
another half hour and with the tide about to turn, decided to call it a
day. I had seen no bite on my bottom rod. But when I reeled it in there
was something hanging on the end and it did not want to take a trip up
to the surface. A journey of 95ft. After a bit of huffing and puffing a
strap Conger came up from the depths. Yay! A great way to finish the
meet off. I paddled over to a nearby beach for a pee and then headed
back to Portkerris.




Just as we were getting the yaks on the cars the rain returned and this
time it wasn't a shower, it rained all the way home to Kent.
It was a good meet. Well done to Jason for organising it and all the
others for making the effort to come in less than promising conditions.
Cornwall offers some great fishing, superb scenery and good beer. Oh yes
and the company was top notch, roll on Portkerris 2011.       

You guys are hardcore!  Sorry you lost the kayak race to a "stealthy" Hobie    Thanks for another great report and excellent video & pictures Todd.  You made my day!!!

Mueller just dropped the hammer down on some nice fish!  That's the most fish porn I've seen from you, Man.  WTG! 

Was the big long "conger" not a good eating fish?  I think it's time someone sends our UK buddy a gaff, bonker and Hawg Trough, and let's get him signed up as honorary AOTY participant overseas. 

You rock.   

Love it!

& thanks for the stills BlackAb!

Great report

If you're ever in California for a salmon season pm me and we'll hook up

Thanks for the encouragement guys  . Next report is the 'Wedding meet' where over 40 yakers plus their families are due to attend a venue on the south coast   

I always enjoy these reports from the other side of the pond. Keep em coming! 

TY, aka-Kimo

Thank you for sharing your report from overseas!! It's so great to see the types of fish that reside there. No matter where we're from, fishing bonds us all together!!

Awesome report as always TM. Thanks for sharing.

Jedmo

Today, Mueller had the hot-stick!!  and lost by a yak length   You guys seem to have fun even without the sun.  WTHookEm Ol'Boy! 

Great report!  I loved the pictures and videos.  It's cool to see and hear about what other kayak fishermen & women are doing around the world.