More West Waterford Bass - 31st August 2009

[RockHunter]

People: Me

Duration: 10.45 pm - 2.30 am

Tide: LW at 10.00 pm

Weather: Dry, clear, strong SSW wind

Bait: Rag, razor

Rigs: 2 hook flappers (4/0 and 1/0 hooks), 4/0 pennel pulley

Results: 2 bass, 1 Five Bearded Rockling




Report: Since I didn't use up all my rag worms on Sunday I decided to head out on Monday night and fish the same beach where I got the 7 lb bass on Sunday, but this time fish it on a rising tide in darkness. When I arrived there was a great surf rolling in and best of all it was weed free

I set up two rods, one with a two hook flapper (1/0 hooks), the other with a 4/0 pennel pulley, both baited with rag. Shortly after the tide began to push forward I had a bite on the rod with the pennel pulley rig. I struck and began to retrieve - then diaster, something went wrong with the handle on the reel - it was jamming and grinding, I thought I was going to loose the fish. The only thing to do was walk back up the beach dragging the fish out of the surf. Several times the line went slack, I thought the fish was gone but when I walked back a bit further I could feel the tension again. Eventually I hauled it out of the surf. It was a 55 cm bass

Before I had a chance to photograph the fish I noticed that the line on the second rod was now running diagonally up the beach to the left. I grabbed the rod and quickly reeled in the slack until I connected with the fish, it then surged in towards the shore but I managed to keep the tension on the line. As it got into the shallows it put up a stronger fight and darted to the right again before I landed it - this one was a 51 cm bass

By the time I had the fish unhooked and photographed the bass had moved on - I had no more bites after that. However, I did get a Five Bearded Rockling - the first one for a few months.

By 2.30 am I was beginning to feel a little tired, and I had an hours drive to get home so I decided to pack up, although I still had some rag left - an excuse to head out again soon

So not bad end to August - Bass fishing had been a bit slow during the month compared to the previous few months, but it ended well, 4 bass from Saturday to Monday, giving me a total of 9 for the month. However, I did spend a couple of weekends wrasse fishing in West Cork and a few days pollock fishing so I hadn't been exclusively bass fishing.

[Al and Jordan]

way to go frank some lovely fish there. the 5 beardy was unexpected too. i have't seen one at any of our marks since the start of the year . any sign of trigger fish down your way this summer? a few of the lads off the sight got some last year, but i have'nt seen a report of one this year yet .

[RockHunter]

he 5 beardy was unexpected too. i have't seen one at any of our marks since the start of the year . any sign of trigger fish down your way this summer? a few of the lads off the sight got some last year, but i have'nt seen a report of one this year yet

Thanks - I was getting a lot of those rocklings earlier in the year - up until March, their reappearance maybe a sign that summer is over, if it ever started
I havn't heard of any trigger fish been caught, but then even mackerel are scarce down here this summer. I havn't heard of any gilthead bream been caught either.

[FisherKing]

Well done some lovely fish.

[Figs]

Nice fishing frank , good to hear the water is fairly weed free

[RockHunter]

Thanks guys,

Nice fishing frank , good to hear the water is fairly weed free

I dont know for how long - there was a fairly strong wind last night, which probably tore up fresh seaweed which is now been washed up on to the beaches. Also I was fishing the western end of the beach - I would guess the the eastern end of most beaches are still fairly weedy.

[red]

nice going frank, good stuff on landing it without a reel .

[eyesreilly]

Lovely fish Frank, well done. quick thinking when disaster struck ,, i see youre using rag now rather than lug, any particular reason Youve had a great year so far with lots of quality fish,, well done

[RockHunter]

i see youre using rag now rather than lug, any particular reason Youve had a great year so far with lots of quality fish,, well done

Thanks Dave, main reason I was using rag the last few sessions was due to the tides - I dug the bait on Friday but as the low tides were weak (1.4 m) the area where I get some big lugs would have been submerged. The rag beds were still above the low tide mark. Second reason is that the rag beds are about 10 minute drive, whereas it is about 25 minutes to the lug beds. Third reason is that I have found a very productive spot for big king rags, I can get a 40 or 50 within about an hour
The rags are plentiful this time of year but become scarse over the winter months so I may as well take advantage of them while they are easy to get.