The Great Species Race.

I found myself on a beach near Hamble. High tide was faast appoaching. The competition was baout to begin. Two Fisherman ready for battle!
Stefan had setup and already had a rod setup and cast out to sea. I chose my rig options carefully. Rig number one was a simple running ledger. The bait a Gulp fake crab, Stefan mocked my choice, laughing. On my 2nd rig i used a two hook flapper. one hook had ragworm tipped with squid, the other another Gulp crab.

The two beachcasters were quickly cast out. Suddenly the rod bent and tugged. I struck and reeled in. Stefan looked dismayed! Not the fake crab he cried. I laughed. what was the first fish of the season! A ThornBack Ray! What a start to the "The Great Species Race". A species I and Stefan had never caught I was delighted, the Ray was caught on Ragworm much to the relief of Stefan! Fish and species 1 bagged. The Ray was released back.
Why is it when I pour out a cup of tea the fish bite! Still I wasn't complaining fish number two was being landed. A smooth hound caught on the fake crab, Stefan was left reeling and probably wishing he had the fake crab on his hook. a 3lb Smut ( smooth hound) what a result.
two species in the bag for Carlos.
Fish number three turned out to be a Pouting, very unusual as they are a deep water fish.

Three nil to Carlos, Stefan was begining to look like he had swallowed a wasp.

The night was nearly and the only thing biting for Stefan was the crabs. Suddenly Stefan yelled and began reeling in on his spod rod! He landed a Dog fish. Not much later he landed another Pouting.

The night was over. Four species had been caught.