Cod In The Fog

A half day at work meant we could get out out for another shot at the cod this afternoon. The forecast was for light winds and unfortunately fog but we were going all the same. Dale and Olly came along in a second boat for a go at the cod too - always a good idea to buddy up in weather like this.
With a maximum viz of 200 yards it took a little longer than usual to get to where we wanted. It was nice to count half a dozen boats in close proximity that should at least show up as something on a stray container ships radar.
It was pretty quiet (apart from the fog horns) to start with. A few dogs showing here and there before the first fish with a bit of fight in it made it's way to the boat. Too lively for a cod, Dave called this bass before it hit the surface....

Not long after another lively fish came to the net, a little better at 6lb.

Meanwhile, Dale and Olly had snuck out a 15lb cod that we failed to notice as the fog got thicker. As the tide run eased back I had a decent bite on each rod and had to make the call on which one I wanted. Turned out to be the right decision as my uptide rod loaded up and started to thump around. This one had to be a cod, not very weighty but certainly doing what cod do. Suspicions were confirmed when a very skinny looking 8lb'er came to the surface. Still it was a cod and what we came for.

On the swing round, we decided to give it ten before a move inshore - a call to Dale and Olly revealed they had pulled out another two smaller cod - good work lads! 
Just before lines up I had a lovely classic cod bite that was well away with the bait. As I wound like a mad man trying to catch up with the fish at the other end, the rod just didn't load up......just hate it when you drop one like that :-(
We still had the ebb to go though and expectations were high. A move inshore produced an eel before the fog came in really thick. Less than 30 yards visibility, darkness, rumbling container ships and loud fog horns had us on edge. We soon agreed that we might be chancing our luck where we were and headed right into the bay for safety.
An hour or so saw pout, dogs and a couple of big congers before we gave in and opted for an early retreat to shore.
I think we would have had a few more if it wasn't for the weather but better safe than sorry.......there is always a next time.