connemara, 3rd august

[corbyeire]

People: myself and rolly later gfkelly

Duration: 6- 10ish

Tide: HW about 6

Weather: showers, mist, heavier showers, windy

Bait: manky mac and sandeels, fresh mac

Rigs: 1 hook pats, baited feathers, pulley

Results: ray, dogs, mackeral

Report: had wanted to fish for ray with rolly now for a long while - was planning to hit the northside of the bay but the weather forecast said otherwise

wind was from the south west - but when we got there its was ESE!

had gotten specific directions off saltydog as to how to fish it - but for the first 2 hours - 5oz didnt seem enough - thought it was currents then spider crabs that were moving it etc.

but not much sense to it - think it was a range of current with the ebb

started to bash on the baited feathers - first cast a big mac!

then rolly got one on the retrieve of his rig

had a few more cast and got another - but in the wind it was too much like hard work

in the mean time back to the other rod - line was slack reeled in but got caught on mussel etc. line shredded and broke

but the rest was stuck and within reach - so que another galway trawler moment and handlining it in and there was a good plump dog on the end

put the biated feathers out again - and again a bit of movement but got it in and a dog was on

at this stage it seemed the dogs were bringing the baits in close to our feet and bringing the line in contact with weed and rough ground

a rock was now exposed that salty told me to get to - and i duely started casting as he said to the right

the wind had died down so i was getting it out - just had the give it 30 mins conversation and the line was slack - could see weed on it and thought that was it - but then the weight didnt give with the weed hanging on the line out of the water - it was the pull of a ray

had one more cast and gave up the ghost - wet through with 2 jacketts on!

gf had 2 dogs as far as i remember

it was great to finally put a face to a name and learn so much about the local area

hopefully i can return the favour

rolly as ever needs to get more gear - but was happy to see a ray in and seems to have a taste to get out there again and get one

satisfactory end to the long weekend - vaughans on the way home couldnt be avoided

[corbyeire]

download/file.php?id=11030

[doggie3131]

well done lads for going out in that weather and well done on the ray

[saltydog]

a rock was now exposed that salty told me to get to - and i duely started casting as he said to the right

well done on the Ray any size?

[corbyeire]

3.5lb no more - looked bigger than he was

click the link for the picture - have a look yourself

rain drops in the way say it all

[saltydog]

3.5lb no more - looked bigger than he was

click the link for the picture - have a look yourself

rain drops in the way say it all

might be just me but the link isn't working....

[corbyeire]

another attempt

[saltydog]

Nice Raymond

[nige]

nice ray brian

[zeke]

well done lads....luvly ray you got brian

[yorkshire man]

Nice one Brian when you up this way again ? or if your in north Mayo and want to give the wind tunnel a bash let us know

[corbyeire]

thanks all

yorkshire man i should be up that side round the 18th or 19th - will confirm again

[fishermannum1]

nice ray corbyeire well done

[gfkelly1969]

it was great to meet yourself and rolly as well,thanks for all the info and tips

i was happy to see you get the ray as i never caught any there before,never caught any fish of any kind there,i think i broke of that spot with the 2 dogs,i went back on high tide yesterday and got 1 dog 6 mackerel and 5 pollack

the mackerel and pollack were to the left of where you did the bit of handlining on the dog

if ye are out again try the spot on the north side and rolly is sure to get a ray


hope to see ye out this side for a session again