Sunnyrhyl 24hr Helpline

For years I've been going past J35 on the M6 twice a week and promising that one day I'll call in to Morecambe to fish the channel for a Plaice

That day finally came yesterday

I'd looked at the tide times and looked at the weather reports;

Low tide was at 15.00 which was quite doable if I left work in the Lake District about 12.30  

Rain and wind was the forecast although it was saying it would clear up from 14.00

The rain lashed down all the way to the M6 and I changed my mind about ten times whether to go or not but as I approached J35 I could see the skies clearing in the distance so that was it.... It was on

I arrived at the Polo tower as described by Longranger in the Venues Section but seeing that his photos have disappeared ( ) I gave him a ring to make sure I was heading to the right part of the beach.... No answer so I had to call the Sunnyrhyl 24hr helpline



Luckily Andy Lee was managing the switchboard and was able to confirm that I was indeed in the right place



After my call to the Helpline I noticed I had a text from Longranger saying he was in sunnier climes but he too confirmed I was on the right course    
After all how many Polo towers can there be  

It was just as described in the Venue Section, about a seven minute walk across a firm but slightly muddy beach and wellies were definitely needed  



THE FISHING

It wasn't long before I was set up and had my blinged up two hook flapper in the water roughly 40yrds out as Andy on the Helpline had suggested  

Within minutes my line was being pulled giving the rod tip some great knocks  

I left it to develop for a couple of minutes....  



Then brought it in with high hopes of a Plaice



Something had gone desperately wrong
Didn't think it felt very heavy

With the blank out of the way I re-baited and cast out again now thinking that this was going to be another session of Pin bowling and to make matters worse the black clouds were heading in my direction with the promise of a good soaking
Stupidly I'd only brought my waterproof jacket with me and left the leggings in the car



Thankfully I got away with a light shower and the heavier rain passed over out to sea and dumped its load on the Lake District instead of me



An hour had passed since I'd had the Whiting and I'd not had another bite plus the tide was well into the flood now so a change of tactics was needed before I was forced off the beach by the incoming water so I changed from a grip lead to a plain and the effect was  astounding, a bite at last

I left the bite to develop for a few minutes then wound into it but as I couldn't feel any weight for the first few turns of the reel I suspected that it was Pin Whiting attacking my baits just as they had done at Mostyn a couple of weeks ago
Then there was the unmistakable feel of a fish on

As it came to the shore all I could see was its white under belly...



Plaice or Flounder.... I was convinced it would be a Flounder as the Plaice apart from the once has always managed to avoid my hooks even when all me around are catching them so it was with some trepidation that I turned it over to see....



OH YES BACK OF THE NET

It was a lovely plump fish that I guessed was getting on for 2lb



After a couple of photos he went back into the sea to hopefully grow a bit bigger for next time

Another cast was made and five minutes later another Plaice



Not quite as big this time but still very pleasing

This fish also went back for another day which left me with time for one more cast as the sea was reaching the lip of the channel and the helpline advised me that the beach floods very quickly so timing was everything

Another good knock came but now it was time to leave so I wound in to pack up and found this last bite was from another Pin Whiting  



A very successful trip which nearly didn't happen

Thanks Andy on switchboard for your help mate you were SPOT  on

Tight lines folks

Good report owddd nice plaice that first one I wouldn't have put that back lol , well done owdddd

great report and nice set of pics dave . its great when a plan comes together  well done on the plaice

Nice spotties Johnny!

Now youre going to have to publish the helpline number!

An absolutely outstanding report Dave well done

Well done on the fish dave, and great pics

Well worth the turn off after all well done mate

Great report mate

It`s great when a plan comes together

Great report and pics mate some nice fish there only fished it once and got rained of so well done on the fish and for not giving it up because of the weather great report always a good read

Cracking report and pics mate. Well done on the target species.

Well spotted Dave

Excellent report mate. Well done all round

Nice fish Dave, well done.
Brilliant report too.

Great decision!

You do know that help line is a premium rate number don't you!

Notbad wrote:

Great decision!

You do know that help line is a premium rate number don't you!

I've a feeling I'm going to pay for it

Well done Dave on a good report and a nice set of pictures some nice Plaice there mate.

good read Mate well done that man!!!!

Well done Dave,great report mate