I enjoyed a couple of hours wondering a rocky North Devon shore line with the lures. The windy conditions proving a good test for my recently acquired Snowbee Raptor rod and reel. I had loaded the reel with Sufix Braid that has a breaking strain of 26lb and diameter of 10lb b.s. I had also purchased a couple of Patchinko surface lures and had decided I would give these a fair trial.

The trek to the mark was punctuated with fishing chat with my fishing buddy Rob Scoines who had also been tempted by the Patchinko‘s at High Street Tackle. On arrival at the first section of coast we were met with a very strong westerly breeze. The water however looked perfect with good clarity and a little fizz created by the strong wind. On went the lures and out into the head wind. The Patchinko sailed out surprisingly well with the thin braid cutting through the wind. On the second cast the water erupted as a bass slashed at the lure. No contact this time but the next cast brought a repeat performance and this time a small bass of close to a pound.

Twenty five yards away I heard an excited call from Rob who had also missed a bass. The next twenty minutes saw a few missed takes but no hook ups. With the wind strength climbing we decided to head for a more sheltered area. Hopping across the boulders casting here and there we made our way along the shoreline. I clambered up on a high boulder flicked the lure and started an erratic retrieve. A big swirl behind the lure first cast. Next cast another swirl; third cast and wallop a good solid take and a good scrap as a bass of between three and four pound battled for freedom. After a quick picture I slipped the silver prize back into her home.

The next stop casting out around forty yards Rob and I caught a steady succession of school bass to just over a pound. All on the Patchinko.

Before coming out I had carried out an experiment showing Pauline a Patchinko and a cheaper copy. “Which one would you take if you were a bass” I asked? Obviously sharing the bass’s expensive taste Pauline selected the genuine article at close to £20 instead of the £5.99 alternative.