Nights are getting cold

[Mike Sydney]

Went out tonight on the Cooks river about an hour after high tide. The southerly has been blowing wild all weekend but today it settled down. Despite the sunny day it was a chilly night, 11 degrees at 730pm. Cold enough to mist up the river.

Photos don’t really do the river justice it’s beautiful at night, very peaceful even in the cold.

Tied on a slim swim on a hidden weight 1/16th and had a 30 minute session. Nothing doing for five minutes but then the river just lit up with baitfish that had been invisible suddenly erupting all over the place. I didn’t know if it was jewfish or a tailor school but they were suddenly very fired up. 

I got neither species but two fish in the next two casts, a bream and a flathead both taking the lure on the drop. I guess when the bait are fleeing all the usual suspects take advantage of the commotion.

 

The next two casts caught as well, a plastic bag - always a hassle as they’re so heavy with water and muddy to remove - followed by a face mask, just to remind me where I’m fishing I guess 🤣

After stuffing around getting the lure out of the bag and then out of a wet fabric mask - needing scissors - my next cast caught a hidden snag and busted leader.  
By this time the feeding frenzy had calmed (unlike me) so called it an early night.

Still plenty of bites out there but the temperature is certainly on the way down.

Edited May 19 by Mike Sydney

[Little_Flatty]

Nice one Mike. I’m finding there’s still a few fish around too for this time of the year, but that my be owing to technique changes.

Have you found any more big tailor?

[Mike Sydney]

Thanks @Little_Flatty yeah a couple more on Friday night they’re still around - just a much longer drive vs fishing the local !

[Little_Flatty]

10 hours ago, Mike Sydney said:

Thanks @Little_Flatty yeah a couple more on Friday night they’re still around - just a much longer drive vs fishing the local !

Nothing like having a local! Driving for half an hour to a spot equates to one hour of not fishing!

I haven't fished Meadowbank intensely for a while now, probably won't again till next summer.

[bessell1955]

They are both great looking fish, the by-catch not so good.

[linewetter]

I’ve got to get myself some hidden weight jigheads to try - ever since seeing you use them that one night together I’ve been wanting to get myself a pack but still have too many jigheads to go through to justify the purchase! Great catches! I’ll have to join ya one of these nights on my return and try out the Cooks with you. Have not fished it yet 

[Mike Sydney]

2 hours ago, linewetter said:

I’ve got to get myself some hidden weight jigheads to try - ever since seeing you use them that one night together I’ve been wanting to get myself a pack but still have too many jigheads to go through to justify the purchase! Great catches! I’ll have to join ya one of these nights on my return and try out the Cooks with you. Have not fished it yet 

Hope you’re having a great time in NZ @linewetter. Bet it’s pretty cold there too. See you when you get back!

Edited May 20 by Mike Sydney