Sligo and Donegal Beaches, 15/11/2014

[johnwest]

People:Me

Duration:6.5 hrs

Tide:ebb and flood

Weather:Fine, dry, sunny, light wind

Bait:Frozen mackerel and prawns

Rigs:2 and 3 hook flappers

Results:Flounder, coalfish, whiting




Report:
With the threat of some home decorating looming on the near horizon, I thought I better make use of the good weather and get out while I can. Unfortunately the sunny weather and light winds had produced a mass emergence of surfers and kayakers at my first choice of mark so I did what too many of those guys don’t when they arrive at a beach with anglers, I went somewhere else. There was the possibility of returning at night; God help us if ever they start equipping surfboards with headlights. I had the second choice mark to myself, apart from a raft of about 80 – 90 eider duck just out in front of me, though 2 more anglers arrived just as I was taking my first cast. The sea was almost calm but every 10 – 15 mins a set of 3 – 4 swells would come in and I got a salt shower or two as they broke against the rocks. That was the limit of excitement sadly, not a bite even from a crab on 2 rods at various distances for a period of 3 hours. I could have finished with the same pieces of bait I started with. Even as darkness descended the anticipated small coalfish failed to show. Stomach to brain; “Feed me!” So off for a burger, chips and coffee and on to pastures new. I returned to the same spot where I had success on my last trip. Conditions looked similar with a little more wave action. First cast produced a small coalfish, then another, then a whiting but eventually a flounder showed up. There was to be no glut this time, 4 flounder in total with the best reaching 31cm. Among the small coalfish was the odd bigger one hitting 30cm and an occasional smaller whiting. Perhaps there will be a few more whiting this winter, they were scarce last year. As the tide came in it started to bring in a late harvest of weed, big stalks of kelp which threatened to pull the rod out of the stand and with one mass causing a break, I decided that would do me for now. Not such a busy night but it sure beats painting and papering.

[m.b3]

I did what too many of those guys don’t when they arrive at a beach with anglers

anglers are always the fall guys on this one...

[MC]

enjoy the decorating, i shall miss your reports but on the plus side loads of brownie points

[corbyeire]

in places some surfers dont even give up at night

[johnwest]

enjoy the decorating, i shall miss your reports but on the plus side loads of brownie points

I'll put up a report on the decorating just for you.

in places some surfers dont even give up at night

Not what I wanted to hear, anyone know where I can get a Barrett M107 with infra red night sights?