The Long Walk and the Turn of the Tide

Conditions:

• Tide: Low 08:53 (0.8m) – High 15:08 (3.9m), slack at dawn

• Pressure: 1036 mb, steady early, easing slightly mid-day

• Wind: Light N/NE, 5–8 km/h

• Swell: 0.2–0.5 m, calm sea state

• Water Temp: 15 °C

• Moon: Waxing Gibbous, 90 % illumination

Left the house at 6:30 this morning and was on the shore by 8 after a long walk in. The water was like glass — proper slack — and not a sign of life early on. I knew it was going to be slow going; it always is there with a northerly, no matter how gentle.

Tried a few top waters to wake them up but nothing doing, so I switched to the Samson Lures Compact Shad to search at distance. Just as the tide turned at 9, bang — a solid 48 that gave a great little scrap.

After that it went dead quiet again, cast after cast with nothing showing. Swapped over onto the 150 mm Pirate Lures Teaser, hoping the bigger profile and thump of the paddle would draw something in. Had one on not long after, but it threw the hook right in front of me — typical.

Tried a few different soft plastics after that, still nothing. Just mullet sliding through the calm. Clipped on a Pirate Lures Baitfish Corsair to go really finesse and managed another — a smaller 35 cm around half-ten. When it’s flat and still like that, that subtle little Corsair can save a session.

Hard going but nice to get a couple and stretch the legs. 🎣🏴‍☠️

Reflection:

Some mornings remind you how fine the margins are. The slightest tide push, the faintest flick of current, can be the difference between lifeless water and a hit that makes the whole trip worth it. Flat calm and a northerly isn’t a mix anyone loves, but a couple of fish landed after a long walk and a quiet start still count as a win. The storm can wait — I’ll be back when the water stirs again.