Catching big fish is boring

The people I know who regularly catch big fish do so because they target them, not because they are lucky. Therein lies the problem. If you target big fish, and as we all know they don't happen along very often, what do you do when they are not happening along? That could get boring. So I confess, I don't target big fish, but I would like to catch a big fish now and then (and in the meantime catch a lot of medium-sized fish). You might be surprised just what is lurking under your boat while you are hauling up dogfish, even if you are fairly close to shore. I have the luxury of fishing one or at most two people in my boat so I regularly put out several rods. One targets small and edible species like bream and gurnard; another for bass and ray, and one put out more in hope than expectation with a wire trace, 5/0 hook and half a mackerel for bait.

Often the big bait does nothing all day except pull in a stream of dogfish, but a good many times it comes up trumps. This Friday was just such an example. No more than a mile from shore, I settled down with the usual mix and caught the usual August haul of not very much. Then suddenly I noticed the butt of my big rod where the top should be - it was bent right over with line screaming out right under the boat. Forgot to adjust the drag! I just saved the situation by spinning the drag wheel back and got the rod out of the holder. The fish was heading east and wasn't coming back. After a while I gained a bit of line, then the fish changed it's mind and went deep again. This time the hook gave up the struggle and straightened. Despite the disappointment of losing a tremendous fish, I felt elated. It proved there were good fish close inshore and catchable - with the right tackle and tactics. The lesson for me was - don't get complacent. That big fish may come and when it does, be ready with the drag set, rod secure and with tackle that can handle the fight that will follow.

PS One week to go before the August Quiz deadline with all still to play for - no entries received yet with 100% correct answers! Have a go....(or even two)