Duration:5hrs
Tide:2 1/2 hours to top first day...2 1/2 over bottom second day
Weather:very gusty S/ SE
Bait:Mackerel /Sandeel
Rigs:Pulleys and Pulleys with rotten bottoms
Results:Zero
Catch and Release:: Yes/
Report:
Fished under Tower first day. Started fishing at around 15:20 HW at 17:36. Wind was very gusty from S/SE i think making it hard to get any great distance on casting (was trying to get baits out into main channel).Snagged up first cast so switched to pulley rigs incorporating rotten bottoms.As wind was gusting so severely I deciced to move slightly back from the "point" by the tower (about 40yds or so). This had me casting back towards the skellig hotel into alot calmer water.This surely would surrender a thornback to me.... I thought.
Trouble was .....the amount of crabs in the vicinity.. I was using big mackerel fillets (bound up sausage style) and double sandeel.They were not in the water five minutes when they were attacked by the crabs.But as I knew the forecast was bad for the following day I "had" to put the effort in so I fished two rods alternating baits. Not my day at all.
Next day.. new enthusiasm.
Decided to fish far side of bay (Reenbeg) towards low water this time as I had seen it produce in the past at that time..The rain was absolutely bucketing down and the wind was gusting severely. Southerly again I think because the bay was sheltered when I got to the mark. Although the wind was swirling uprooting my beach buddy many times, the water in the bay was flat calm.
It even "looked" fishy. Surely I'd get my ray today...Only fished one rod because of the weather etc. A simple overhead thump alternating mackerel and sandeel to about 80-90 yds got me fishing. I waited til about an hour into the flood without a touch and finally gave in. Everything seemed to be going wrong for me this weekend.Just wasnt to be. :
I retreated to the hotel bar after a shower and a change to dry clothes (as my old titan gear has had it) disappointed and disheartened. Jesus theres ray in dingle like there's flounder in my home harbour.What happened??
As far as I'm concerned I have never been so organised and prepared, had all my rigs made , pulleys, rotten bottoms, pennells etc but tend to favour pulleys for rays and tope etc.
Will I be back???? To be honest I dont know.
And to rub salt in the wounds lol I went to oceanworld. At least I "saw" a few thornies and a monster stinger....... :