I believe it could be, so dust off that gear because from this tidal set onwards the fishing in Jersey just about everywhere should start to see improvment exponentially.

Bass are already starting to show again in area's that for the last month have been devoid. Thin Lipped Mullet are here, White Bream, Red Mullet etc are starting to show themselves to 'in the know' anglers.

Water temps are about 17.5 degree's in general but in shallow gutters in bright sunlight it has been reaching over 20. Oxygen levels in these shallow gutters and light levels are suiting golden grey mullet and lots of undersized to just in size schoolie Bass if you fancy targeting them with barbless LRF gear.

We've just seen 3 or 4 days of strong SSW thru NW winds with medium strength dominant and primary swells but, lest not forget that the swells didn't catch the big tides that we are about to see this week. We are in for a string of 38 and 39ft tides mid week just after the new moon, which you know from reading this site is my very favourite time to go Bassing in the dark.

Search out those area's where weed has collected and rotted as the tides get bigger and put up with the weed. The fish will be there on the flood as new weed is washed out. IF we get any swell hitting the beaches over the big lows then get yourself there on the first few hours of a new flood before the water depth and swell makes fishing too hard. Swells rip food out of the bottom but even more when we get bigger highs and lower lows as new ground is exposed to the pounding of the ocean.

I can tell you, we fished a skish run the other night and there were fish EVERYWHERE !!

We had Bass, lost some Bass but, the percentage we caught to the amount we stood on, bumped into, or left huge holes in the water as they turned down on unsuspecting bait was tiny. It imagine it was like being in a bomb zone as smash after smash was heard as we pushed through the fast glassy water that only showed the reflection of the milkyway above and the ripples left by active fish. We suspect big Mullet had a part to play too but, you learn the difference and of course, we were catching Bass to prove their presence.

Fishing fast water near a vraic field (bladder wrack) Kev took this on a swung paddle tailed soft lure.

I've heard rumours of other guys starting to skish the bays around the Island. Fair play but, be careful. All of the guys I skish with are freedivers (qualified in our case AIDA rated) with navigation, VHF licenced, carrying compasses and we have the experience to use all that gear. I am also a first aider so please, go skishing but be safe. If you can't afford a trip out I'd still rather help you than hear of a skishing accident that will do no one any favours.

Anyway...

I'm still testing the very good ESGII from Monster Tackle. Rods at £200 + can mean people's opinions are often misguided or pre-programmed if you like after they have spent loads of hard earned on a rod. How many people honestly say, I just brought X rod and I hate it ?

Hardly ever.

People instead keep quiet if they feel a purchase has gone wrong to keep in step with popular opinion. I don't care about popular opinion. I do care about quality, reliability, action, weight, bite detection and I look at cosmetics last. Only then do I really worry about the cost.

I have been fortunate to be able to try loads of gear over the years. Much more than many will see in a whole fishing career.
I have no interest in whether a rod becomes saleable. That is the job of the manufacturer and the retailer.

I will tell you that having the trust of people who say "here you go, use this and give me your honest opinion" is a tough donut to chew.
You often find gems at low cost but they fall short on long term tests or, you get the technology giants releasing expensive cutting edge quality stuff that makes people bite their bottom lip when passing over the credit card.

Imagine how it was parting with £350 for a rod without knowing it's pedigree.
I took a look at the ESGII without any interest in it financially. It matters to someone but not to me. Like has been said, there are some great rods out there that just need discovering. Ploughing through the heaps of hype is where the trouble starts. It really is a very good rod and one I can personally recommend if you are looking for a soft lure HRF rod. I guess now I should ask if i can take it in the water ?

LOL, seriously, the rods we use Skishing have held up to 2 years of being submerged in the salt. Lets see how good these ESGII's really are. I'll ask Tom if it's possible because skish rods have a niche requirement too and, the ESGII might just fit the bill IF it stays corrosion free.

I have a few jobs on this week but I have some free time coming so...

I think it's time for an Autumn Bumble guys. Who's game for that late August time ?