Mullet Down West: Review of 2020

This year has certainly been a strange one for us all but, in terms of the fishing, things haven't really gone as expected. If I had to describe the year using only one word, it would be "hollow". It all started off quite well as my first ever January fish slid into the net on the 18th with frost on the grass behind me. Extremely bad weather throughout February made this a very challenging month and I had to wait until the 29th to get one in the net, taken from the jaws of storm Jorge (remember that one?) Thank heavens for leap years. Further fish followed in March, then Covid-19 hit and the national lockdown put the brakes on the proceedings. We all then had to sit at home staring out of the window at the unseasonably good weather. When things did resume, a good run of fish in May and June put me back on track and it looked like another decent total was on the cards. But then the wheels came off as July, August and September failed to deliver. For some inexplicable reason, during what should have been the best months, I was struggling to put together any sort of success. Bites were at a premium and, to make matters worse, many hooked fish were lost. The last quarter just sort of petered out with December a complete washout, the rivers mostly unfishable. The final result was a rather disappointing total, falling well short of the previous 2 years although slightly up on 2016 and 2017.

The overall size distribution of fish was quite similar to 2019, just significantly lower values for all size bands.

January, May and June produced totals exceeding the previous year but all other months fell short resulting in a total for the year of 33. This represents a 40% reduction compared to 2019 and 17.5% down on 2018.

The total number of trips and the hours spent were both similar to the previous year meaning that a lot more trips resulted in blanks, almost twice as many in fact.

Successes

It wasn't all doom and gloom and some important milestones were passed.

Most significantly, a new PB fish of 4/10 was landed on 22/08/20 and a second one at the same weight taken on 25/10/20. Encouragingly, these two fish came from different locations.

Another 'venue best' arrived in the shape of the year's final fish on 21/11/20.

Earliest ever fish on 18/01/20 completing a successive run of 12 months.

Best 'top 5' weight of 20/07.

Fish caught from 2 new locations.

Average size coming in at 2/08, identical to that of 2019.

10 fish over 3lb with 2 over 4lb.

Failures

Obviously, this year has been a struggle and this has been reflected in the greatly reduced number of fish caught. The reason for this is not clear but is definitely not attributed to a lack of effort. What is apparent is something that was put quite succinctly by Andy Burt in a recent NMC newsletter. That is, that after many years spent chasing this elusive species, I have learned... nothing.

The other noticeable disappointment this year has been the number of fish lost, the worst on record. Some of these were the result of pure stupidity on my part but mostly just the fickle finger of fate.

Some previously productive locations have been unresponsive this season and others have under-performed for no apparent reason. Moving goal posts seem to be the norm for these most frustrating fish. A total of 8 locations produced fish compared to 10 last year.

Another area of concern is the number of locations that have become unavailable meaning that I will need to re-double my efforts to find new opportunities. Some of these limitations have come about as a result of increased usage by people escaping the town/city in search of outdoor pursuits.

No thin-lips or golden-greys again this year.

Other Changes and Additions

Not much to report here except that I am now using size 10 Kamasan Animal eyed / barbless hooks for my float rigs. This has been reasonably successful although too early to form any reliable conclusions. I am also now using a hook tyer for the attachment of said hooks. This is much simpler, quicker and forms, what I believe to be, more reliable connections.

One recent addition is a 5m landing net handle for use on high quays. This has already proved invaluable and eliminates the need to drag fish long distances to find netting spots. More importantly, it opens up locations I've previously tended to avoid for that very reason. It also extends viable fishing time as tides drop.

Last updated 04.01.21