Connacht Open (Gurteen) 18 Nov 07

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#1 Post by **Bradan** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:11 pm

People:Me, Seaniebo, Rampant Wreckfish, Mac + 7 others I think

Duration: 1500-2000

Tide: LT ~ 1730

Weather: Northerly wind, cool, showery

Bait: Mack, sandeel, squid

Rigs:3 hook clipped

Results: Dogs, dogs, more dogs

Catch and Release:: Yes

Report: Met the lads at JPs house Sunday morning, they were sorting out rods for Mac, who had somehow contrived to leave his behind in Garryvoe on Saturday night...:oops: luckily a phone call to a mate worked out, the rods were still there where he'd left them!
Arrived at Gurteen with an hour to spare, plenty of time to get set up. Mac was pegged next to Seanie so they were able to share a tripod, JP was a couple of pegs away, I was away off at peg 19, with one guy beside me on 20, and a big gap back to 12 I think.
Fishing started off slow enough, I had 1 dog before dark, the lad beside me pulled in a few more. Lost a few hooks to spider crabs :evil: which meant my clipped rigs were converted to flappers!
As it began to get dark the dogs started feeding, and for the last 2 hours the 2 of us at the end had hectic sport, for a while I literally couldn't keep up, soon as you began baiting up a spare rig the rod tip was going.
I finished with 12 dogs and a 20cm whiting, beaten by the lad beside me with 19 doggies. Fish were definitely coming from that side and hitting our baits first, he was getting treble shots where I was getting doubles, but the lads up the beach weren't getting many fish at all.
JP had the longest fish, a pollack of 30cm or so. Only other species caught were LSDs and whiting.
Back to Galway via Supermacs in Oughterard, where someone had the bright idea of going for pints later. Lets just say I wished this morning that we hadn't! :lol:

#2 Post by **corbyeire** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:28 pm

and you didnt go to alcazar - shame on you

nice fishing - some change from the last day for you!

paulocallaghan · #3 Post by **paulocallaghan** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:37 pm

only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

#4 Post by **donal domeney** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:56 pm

paulocallaghan wrote:only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

They heard the SAI boys were turning up :D

As for Mac's :oops: :oops: rods, I got the call 11.05, made a quick call to Joe Muir and by 11.30 the rods were stored in Joe's house. If that's not lucky what is ?.

#5 Post by **stevecrow74** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:12 pm

paulocallaghan wrote:only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

there are not that many shore angling clubs in the connaught province compaired to other provinces..

#6 Post by **Bradan** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:35 pm

donal domeney wrote:
paulocallaghan wrote:only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

As for Mac's :oops: :oops: rods, I got the call 11.05, made a quick call to Joe Muir and by 11.30 the rods were stored in Joe's house. If that's not lucky what is ?.

Fair play Donal and Joe, lucky man alright!

corbyeire wrote:and you didnt go to alcazar - shame on you

nice fishing - some change from the last day for you!

After one doggie I was happy, at least it was one more than last week! Great to get the confidence back after a blank :D

paulocallaghan wrote:only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

There were probably more expected but it was my first Connacht open comp so I'm not sure. I know a few lads couldn't make it for various reasons.
Connacht has v few shore comp anglers, guess we have much better game fishing than other provinces so there are way more game anglers. There would be a good few pleasure anglers, but not too many club or match anglers.
TBH the relaxed comp scene here is a lot more attractive to beginners and club anglers - the competition isn't as cut-throat, there's a lot of banter, you can learn a lot from the guy on the next peg who doesn't mind showing you a few tricks, and finally, there's a lot less incentive for people to cheat! :P

#7 Post by **corbyeire** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:21 pm

paulocallaghan wrote:only 12 anglers in the provincial open :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: is this the norm for connacht comps or was a better tunout expected

i dont think there was many expected

most punters here can barely get their head around, fishing for the craic - dont mind competitions

its for the plate only - must have something to do with the famine :lol:

or no - it was to hell or connaught yer man cromwell

thats why there was so few there