West Donegal Rock Mark - 21st Jan

Message

#1 Post by **pete** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:30 pm

People:Mate Dave and myself

Duration:4.30pm to 9.30pm

Tide:Dropping

Weather:Calm (for once), big moon and only light northerly

Bait:Mackerel, sandeel, blk lug

Rigs:Two hooked clipped, 1 hook rotten bottom

Results:Dabs 13, Whiting 4, Pollock 1, Coalfish 1, Poor Cod 2, Conger 1, Shore Rockling 1

Report: Went to target whiting but in keeping with all things fishy they decided not to bother turning up, put it down to the massive flush of freshwater that was pushing down the nearby estuary. Dabs though were plentiful and three or four double shots were swung up along with a few other bits and pieces.

Using the mini rod straight took a shore rockling although I'm having probs with seperating them from three beard rockling, seems to be a few distinct variations on colour scheme of shores. Sub species maybe?
Also took one of the biggest poor cod I've seen in years, big pot belly on the fecker. Annoyed i didn't take a picture. Good to get out onto the rocks again.

#2 Post by **Ronald** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:59 pm

at least you got a few fish pete , I'll have to get a few photos of shore rockling variations and stick them up for ye :lol:

#3 Post by MC » Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:41 am

Ronald wrote:at least you got a few fish pete , I'll have to get a few photos of shore rockling variations and stick them up for ye :lol:

help me loads too

#4 Post by **corbyeire** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:50 am

good spread of fish there alright

#5 Post by **Ronald** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:57 am

heres a few photos of shore rockling from the species hunt

#6 Post by **Ronald** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:59 am

and a 3 bearded for comparison also from species hunt last year.

#7 Post by **Ronald** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:00 pm

5 bearded rockling

#8 Post by **pete** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:45 pm

Good man Ronald, going on the top two pics the mottling on the dorsal surface seems to confirm its a shore rockling. Still if thats the case are three beards then a lot rarer than people think, as anyone catching a rockling with three beards presumes its a three beard(i've done it myself in the past). Interesting stuff, has anybody ever come across really small three beards?