Well, it had to happen.

All change at the top of the Shore section of the first shore Wrasse on soft lures comp.

Let me tell you a story about the new leader.

Here is a shot of the fish.

5lb 9oz of solid hard fighting Rockfish.

Luke Lewis had only seen one Wrasse in the flesh before landing this beauty. I took Simon and Luke to a known hotspot the day before to show them the HRF ropes. Unfortunately, small tides, strong winds and building swells made the fishing nigh on impossible and to be frank, it was very hard indeed. Right at the death I managed an LRF Rockpiglet of about a 1lb.

We all had bites and some good ones but, the fishing was poor. I was gutted really as I take great pleasure showing guys how this HRF and LRF stuff can enhance their fishing but, sadly, it wasn't to be.

However...

It seems that the lesson in jig control and dead and shake presentation didn't go amiss.

I went home with my tail between my legs a bit as I felt the event had been a failure. I hate tough sessions especially when you can't quite pin down the reasons why most species are tight lipped. This morning, I'm doing my dry apnea training (breath hold training for next seasons 30 meter freedive attempt) when the mobile fires up. It's Simon.

"Keith, Luke has hammered a big Pig !"....

"Yea, Yea, Yea....Simon, rub it in m8. Look, I'm sorry bout yesterday m8...", "No m8, serious !!"

It took a good 10 minutes before I started to realise this might not be a wind up. Simon and Luke had just entered the Wrasse comp the day before knowing the luck many have had...

Seriously, we've heard stories of people HRF fishing the first time out and nailing BIG fish, only for them to not qualify in the comp. Simon coughed up the tenner. They were IN, just in case the big one came. As explained, it didn't.

Now, stunned as I was on the phone, breath just coming back, I immediately realised we had a new leader. Mark Sleep (Jersey) had held top spot with another soft lure caught Wrasse of 5lb 8oz for the duration of the comp. The new fish at 5lb 9oz just pips him at the post but I know he'll be made up for Luke as we all are. What a special fish and, what a special angler. First Wrasse ever, on a lure, in a comp, on foriegn turf using a method learned less than 24 hours ago !

Oh yea, and he's 8 years old !

What ? Yep, 8 years old and the youngest, most successful HRF exponent out there. He also has Bass to over 5lb and Pike to 8lb plus to his credit. He nailed LRF Pollack on his last Jersey visit so this kid ain't no one hit wonder.

Luke fished dead and shake HRF with a 5g jighead, 4" std sized Emeraude Xlayer to fine Rovex braid, Tenryu 16lb Fluro, 5g Jig Power Head and matched the tackle up with his trusty 7ft Savagegear Bushwhacker. There are numerous articles here on the blog regards HRF Rockfishing and HERE is another that contains pertinent information and a great link to Russ Bassdozers site.

I think this is a fantastic story and one that shows that HRF is doable by anyone. Incredible result young Luke and well done indeed.

Leader in the shore comp is

Luke Lewis 5lb 9oz, with (2nd) Mark Sleep 5lb 8oz, (3rd) Paul B 4lb 11oz.

Boat/Skish

Liam Harrison 5lb 6oz, (2nd) Dicky Smith 4lb 1oz (J3)'Skish' Keith/Kevin White 3lb 8oz

Comp runs until Dec 1 2010. Still time to enter and the above story just proves, anything is possible.

So, until next time....

Thanks for reading.