Waterford - 18th January 2009

[RockHunter]

People: Me

Duration: 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm

Tide: HW at 11.00 pm

Weather: Strong westerly wind, a few heavy showers

Bait: Lug, rag, razor, mackerel, squid, mussel

Rigs: 2 hook flapper, 3/0 pennel pulley, single hook trace (size 4)

Results: 1 Pouting, 20 Dogfish, 10 Whiting




Report: I was undecided whether to fish a more sheltered mark or beach. I headed to a Waterford beach first but the westerly winds had flattened out the surf. The wind was also quite cold so I reckoned it might keep the fish away from the shore. I thought it best to try the pier that I fished last weekend.

Got to the pier then discovered that I did not bring the new three hook flappers that I had made up the other evening (after loosing a bunch in Cork Harbour on Thursday night). I had a two hook flapper with size 1/0 hooks - and plenty of 3/0 pennels. I set up two rods baited with rag/mack and lug/mack. On the first cast I got a strong knock on the rod with the two hook flapper - as I started to retrieve it felt a sizable fish - not a whiting. It was a 35 cm Pouting - a new species for 2009 - and the first one I have ever caught

I had a few whiting after that - but nothing over 25 cm.

After dark the dogfish came on the feed - for a while it was non-stop - no sooner would I cast out then there was a knock on the rod - I missed quite a few bites particularly on the 3/0 pennel - I should have been using smaller hooks. I had the occasional whiting, a couple of doubles with dogfish. I caught at least 10 whiting and the biggest was 28 cm. However, the whiting disappeared after 7.30 pm, but the dogfish kept coming, although there was a quite period between 8-9.30 but then another doggie onslaught commenced. Close to high tide the bites slackened off again. I had at least 20 dogfish - mackerel and squid strips were the most productive bait for the dogfish, the whiting were taking anything.

I packed up at 11 pm coinciding with high tide as another heavy shower started. I was happy with the days fishing, 31 fish and a new species bringing my species tally to 10 for 2009 - better than January 2008 when all I managed to catch was a single solitary coalfish

[diego]

Great session RockHunter, well done.
Nice Pouting! I only caught one myself; tiny fella compared to this one.

Diego

[uvox]

good job. nice variety there.

[dfella25]

Another great session RockHunter well done. I remember dog fish from many years ago! Who knows maybe I'll get on this year.

[youngrod]

Thats a super session and welldone on the pout

[corbyeire]

thats a nice pout from the shore!

[thighlinescork.com]

nice count of fish frank headed down to carilisle with Frans last night we got a few whiting but got washed out of it .

[RockHunter]

Thanks guys,
I was well pleased with the pouting alright, I had never caught one before so it was nice to get one that size.

I did alright considering I left the three hook flappers at home - if I had remembered to bring them I am sure the total would have been a fair bit more as I did miss a lot of bites on the 3/0 pennel.

[RockHunter]

nice count of fish frank headed down to carilisle with Frans last night we got a few whiting but got washed out of it .

Rather you than me - thats not the place to be when there is a stiff cold westerly wind blowing

[thighlinescork.com]

thought we would have been graced with few cod for fishing such woeful conditions you know

[RockHunter]

thought we would have been graced with few cod for fishing such woeful conditions

You would definitely have deserved a few for that. I fished there last June with a westerly blowing and it was cold - I can hardly imagine what it was like last night

[craigo]

Well done rockhunter thats great fishing .
Ive never fished the pier before , Ive heard of a few nice bass being caught there during the summer.

[eyesreilly]

Well done on another new species Frank,,,,thats some pouting by the way ,,,ive only caught much smaller ones. 31 fish is a great session,i havent seen a doggie in months

[fishermannum1]

great session there rockhunter'
i love it when the doggies come on the feed, great crack, and a very nice pounting too!!!

[RockHunter]

Thanks guys,

Well done on another new species Frank,,,,thats some pouting by the way ,,,ive only caught much smaller ones. 31 fish is a great session,i havent seen a doggie in months

As I was reeling it in the last few meters it was on the surface and I was wondering what the hell it was. I guessed a pouting (as I couldn't think of anything else it could be) and confirmed with the species guide against my photo when I got home.
That mark is the only one that I have got dogfish at recently - probably because it is sheltered - I presume they prefer relatively calm conditions.
I havn't see a report from yourself for a while Dave, have you been grounded by the missus?

Ive never fished the pier before , Ive heard of a few nice Bass being caught there during the summer.

Its a good mark, access to deepish water and good clean ground. I will have to give it a cast in the summer provided its not swarming with mack bashers.

[hughcronin]

fished the pier last night-in a relaxed humour and met few dogs and whiting. No shortage of em in that particular bay. Maybe the potters down that direction don't fancy dogs ans crab bait!

[round_ourway]

Well done fella, u were kept busy anyway. Im going doggie hunting this weekend hopefully

[Al and Jordan]

excellent session frank that pouting is a stonker you gotta love the dogs. would love to have a session getting that many of em . well done mate.