Was the right Plaice to go.

[Hightower]

Not really an upcoming cruise, but had a little cruise today. Was a loverly Sunny one too!

Popped my head out of Portsmouth Harbour today for a little fishing trip out to the Blocks area by Horsesands Fort. I thought I'd be one of a few boats fishing, I was wrong. I counted 75 boats, absolutly unbelievable. I've never seen so many fishing in one area.

On first drop I had 2 Plaice, one was a 1.5lber and the other was a 2.5lber, then I had to wait two and a half hours for the next 2. Both weighed in at 2lb, sorry no photo's as I left the camera at home and telephone in the car

What a cracking day out and beats my last trip out last Wednesday, when I blanked.

Sorry I missed the cruise over to Wooten Creek yesterday, perhaps later in the year.

[Bigmuz7]

What was your bait for those down your neck of the woods Andy ?

[Hightower]

Caught the first two on 5 day old rag I locally dug in Portsmouth Harbour and the other 2 on shop bought rag.

I have heard that a thin strip of Squid on the tip with rag up the shank and line works well to, but the plaice fishing hasn't really kicked off yet. Started this weekend really.

[wavelength]

that thin strip of squid really does work but we have just started catching a few plaice up on the solway using tesco's frozen peeled prawns-they seem to like them better than worms-and if ya dont catch plaice ya can always take the bait home and cook it

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by wavelength

that thin strip of squid really does work but we have just started catching a few plaice up on the solway using tesco's frozen peeled prawns-they seem to like them better than worms-and if ya dont catch plaice ya can always take the bait home and cook it

And I though Rag was expensive! How much do them Prawns cost you?

[Avocet]

Originally Posted by Hightower

And I though Rag was expensive! How much do them Prawns cost you?

Nothing if they're in 'place' of the fish that you would have caught!

[willk]

Hey, great catch! Potentially silly question: Will Plaice take a lugworm bait? What is the best type of ground/depth for them?

[Avocet]

Potentially silly answer: the depth of water that you're trolling over!

[wavelength]

How much do them Prawns cost you?

I put them on the boat's food bill so the company pay for them!

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by wavelength

I put them on the boat's food bill so the company pay for them!

So next time you're in the Solent, you're taking me out for a meal

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by willk

Hey, great catch! Potentially silly question: Will Plaice take a lugworm bait? What is the best type of ground/depth for them?

Was anchored up. I fish some mussel/Welk beds just off of Southsea. These are basicly a flat seabed and feels shingley/sandy. Do some forum hunting and find out where the area's are up by you.

I used lug on Wednesday and had no luck, but I see no reason why they wouldn't take it. Even though there were over70 boats out today, not all caught. I was listening to the Radio and there were plenty that didn't catch.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Avocet

Nothing if they're in 'place' of the fish that you would have caught!

Assuming you catch something

[wavelength]

So next time you're in the Solent, you're taking me out for a meal

only if you are the guy who is paying me to sit on this boat fishing for most of the day and feeds me and the crew (and the plaice)

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by wavelength

only if you are the guy who is paying me to sit on this boat fishing for most of the day and feeds me and the crew (and the plaice)

Eeeer, that sound's like a raw deal to me

[willk]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Was anchored up. I fish some mussel/Welk beds just off of Southsea. These are basicly a flat seabed and feels shingley/sandy.

That reminds me of a couple of spots - thanks for the info!

[Maximus]

Good catch!...can't beat fresh fish by you're own endevour,from your're own boat [R.I.B] nice one.The Bass are just beginning to show in Lyme bay,so I'll soon be joining you in the hunt for piscitorial protien!Hope you have a good season!

[Hightower]

Haven't really decided how to cook em yet. I usually shallow fry them in seasond flour or egg and breakcrumbs. Might try putting a knob of butter, ground pepper, squirt of lemon and some Thyme and ground ginger in a foil parcel and baking them in the oven.

Any other suggestions out there?

[Bigmuz7]

I like flatties fried best , but as you say , dry em off.. egg 'em, then I make a breadcrumb mix (from old ends in the bread bin) with some mixed herbs and garlic salt.

I use oil and a butter mix then cook on a low heat so the crumb goes brown and doesnt burn .. IMHO you wont have to go tell anyone its time for tea ,.. they will come looking for you

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I like flatties fried best , but as you say , dry em off.. egg 'em, then I make a breadcrumb mix (from old ends in the bread bin) with some mixed herbs and garlic salt.

I use oil and a butter mix then cook on a low heat so the crumb goes brown and doesnt burn .. IMHO you wont have to go tell anyone its time for tea ,.. they will come looking for you

I like the Idea of the herbs and garlic.

I cooked ours tonight by poaching in the oven. That way they all got served at the same time. My one was cooked in the thyme, gound pepper, lemon juice and ginger with a knob of butter. Was delicous! The others I cooked with just the butter, lemon and thyme, just to be safe.

Hopfully tomorrows plaice will be big enough to take some fillets from.

[Hightower]

Though I would report on the trip today. Was a loverly day, warm and flat calm. Caught Two flatties, the one in the pic is the larger of the two and weighs in at 2.5lbs.