Hythe Beach After Spain – And Connor Becomes new Daddy Dog

After spending over a week fishing and exploring the beautiful Mediterranean coastline of Spain, returning to the UK was always going to feel a little strange.

The memories of Palamós were still fresh in our minds, and if we're being completely honest, both Connor and I were already wishing we could go straight back.

For our first trip back on British shores, we decided to head to one of our favourite local venues, Hythe Beach, and meet up with a few friends for an evening session.

The sea was calm, the weather was warm and for once there was no need for layers of clothing. Sitting on the beach in shorts and a T-shirt while watching the sunset is something we don't get enough opportunities to do in the UK, so it was a welcome change.

Before we even arrived, our friends had already started catching fish.

A few dogfish and spider crabs had been landed, which wasn't exactly setting the world on fire, but it was enough to show there was plenty of activity in front of us.

Not long after getting our rods out, I found myself connected to my first fish of the evening. A dogfish.

Immediately I started fearing another evening of being labelled "Daddy Dog" by Connor and everyone else.

Thankfully, things soon improved.

The standout catch of the night for me was my first smoothhound of the season.

There's always something special about that first smoothhound of the year. They're powerful fish, fantastic fighters and a species I always enjoy catching. This particular fish was of legal size and was destined for the dinner table.

I know keeping fish isn't for everyone, and many anglers prefer catch and release, which is completely understandable. However, for us, part of the enjoyment of fishing is occasionally bringing home sustainable, legal-sized fish to eat.

There's something incredibly satisfying about providing food for your family directly from the sea.

That smoothhound would go on to provide a fantastic lunch the following day.

I also managed to land my very first spider crab.

Although they aren't something we specifically target, I was genuinely pleased to finally catch one myself after seeing so many landed over the years.

Even better, it didn't go to waste.

The crab was prepared and eaten later that evening, making it a memorable first capture.

I also added an eel and several dogfish to my tally, making for a steady and enjoyable session.

While I was celebrating smoothhound and spider crab success, Connor found himself locked in a seemingly endless battle with dogfish.

One after another seemed determined to find his hooks.

By the end of the session he had landed seven dogfish and three spider crabs.

As if that wasn't enough, he also managed to continue his recent habit of recovering lost fishing tackle.

Sure enough, another lost lure found its way into Connor's collection.

At this point, he's probably got enough recovered lures to open his own tackle shop.

Me

1 Smoothhound

1 Eel

1 Spider Crab

3 Dogfish

Connor

7 Dogfish

3 Spider Crabs

1 Lost Lure

With statistics like that, there could only be one outcome.

The title of "Daddy Dog" has officially been passed down to Connor.

A proud moment in family fishing history pmsl

Despite enjoying a productive evening and some decent catches, there was one thing we couldn't stop talking about. Spain.

Throughout the session we found ourselves reminiscing about crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, dentex, harbour fishing and all the adventures we'd recently experienced in Palamós.

Still, fishing local beaches with good friends, enjoying warm weather and catching enough for a meal isn't a bad way to ease yourself back into reality.

It may not have been Spain, but it was exactly the sort of evening that reminds us why we love fishing so much.

Good company.

Good food.

A few fish.

Plenty of laughs.

And memories made along the way.