november-2026-free-line-part-2 - Flipbook - Page 82
FREE LINE / FIELD JOURNAL
JAMES COTTEE
FIELD NOTES
The mighty Shoulders was mine! After a quick sort out of the scales
and the sling, I lifted her ashore and got the scores on the doors before
zipping her back up in the retainer sling to have a little sulk. Just for the
record she pulled the needle round to 41lb 6oz. Pukka! First night and
one of the big girls had all ready decided to pay me a visit.
I phoned Nathan to see if I could get him round for some first light
shots. I think he thought I was pulling his leg at first, as it was only
the evening before that I d said to him I want to catch Shoulders, but
hopefully it doesn t come to early, as over the next few years, the lake
is going to produce some seriously awesome fish and I still want to be
fishing there. I mean, honestly, what are the chances? Sometimes it s
better to be lucky than good, and if you can talk them into the net
First light quickly arrived, and as soon as it did, I had the two rods
positioned back on the area. Nath nailed the photos shortly afterwards,
and she went back kicking strong. I left the rods to their own devices
throughout the day, but no other bite was to be had even after seeing
fish in the area. I left it till late afternoon/early evening before putting
another bucket of bait back over the area with the Spomb.
A freshen up of hookbaits and a rechuck was in order shortly after, as I
genuinely felt like I should have had a bite. Maybe they had cleaned me
out. Maybe the rigs weren t sitting right who knows? Two rods back on
the corner, and a new solid bag was tied and sent out 80 yards into open
water where there was a well-known spot and also where I had seen fish
showing within the vicinity. Once again, I went to bed confident as any
angler could be with fish caught and more rolling over the spot.
1.30am, and once again I was awoken, but this time to an absolute
one-toner on the solid bag rod. As soon as I picked up the rod, I knew
it was a lot smaller than the previous bites, shaking its head the whole
way back to the net.
FREE LINE
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