East Cork beach - 30th September 2008

[RockHunter]

People: Me

Duration: 5.30 - 8.00 pm

Tide: HW at 7.00 pm

Weather: Moderate westerly breeze with a few stronger gusts, a few short showers

Bait: Rag, mackerel, razor

Rigs: 3/0 pennel pulley, 2 hook flapper (size 1/0, 3/0), 3 hook flapper (size 4, 1, 1/0)

Results: 1 bass, 1 flounder




Report: Having got back from Lanzarote on Saturday night I was itching to get out and do some proper fishing (in the cold, wind and rain as opposed to sunshine, heat, warm water etc). I dug some rag at lunch time. It had got quite breezy so I decided to head to my usual East Cork beach thinking there would a good chance of a bass. I got there about 5.30 pm and there was a moderate surf rolling in and the weed was not a problem at that stage.

I set up three rods at different distances, with one in close with the smaller hook flapper aiming for flounder. Shortly after setting up there was a knock on the rod out furthest but nothing hooked, but most of the rag worm was gone. I rebaited the pennel with another long thick rag and cast out to about the same position. About 6.00 pm I got a strong knock on the same rod - but as I was retriving the line went slack - I thought the fish was gone - it was only when it about 10 m from the shore that it suddenly put up a struggle - I hauled it through the surf to find a plump 45 cm bass, just under 3 lb. He looked like he had been feeding well over the summer.

It was quite after that. Close to high tide it got quite weedy as the tide lifted a lot of weed that was lying on the beach around the high tide mark - I was beginning to pack up, and had taken one rod down when there was a knock on the rod in close - a 36 cm flounder weighing 1.5 lb. I was surprized at getting that as usually on that beach the flounder show up an hour or so before high tide.

[Danny M.]

Nice result on your first outing back in the parish.

3 rods

That waould keep you busy lad !

[saltydog]

Back into it nicely i see

[RockHunter]

Thanks guys,
Danny - With that beach I find that you really need three rods as it is difficult to predict where the fish are. Most of the bass I have caught there have been in close or at moderate distance, but like yesterday sometimes they are a bit further out. The flounder can be in close or at moderate distance. So I find it best to use three rods so that you can cover a broad range. At least it keeps you busy between bites.

[eyesreilly]

Thanks guys,
So I find it best to use three rods so that you can cover a broad range. At least it keeps you busy between bites.

I find it hard enough using 2 rods , as darkness falls i usually pack the second one away . Welcome back Rockhunter,,,, a bass and a flounder on your first outing ,, well done!!! I was down your way a few weekends ago,,,,,,,Youghal,,, it rained the two days i was there, never wet a line after bringing the gear with me ,,, sun only came out on the trip back to Dublin. Got some great booklets (free) from the southern region fisheries board, on fishing the local area in the tourist office in youghal. Gave all the marks, baits ,etc, with good maps. Maybe next time

[RockHunter]

Thanks Dave,

Sorry to hear your trip to Youghal was a washout - that sounds like the weekend I went to Beara - washed out there too.

Next time you are down this way give me a shout, I will show you a few of my favourite marks.

[eyesreilly]

Thanks Dave,

Sorry to hear your trip to Youghal was a washout - that sounds like the weekend I went to Beara - washed out there too.

Next time you are down this way give me a shout, I will show you a few of my favourite marks.

Trip was great, 2 great nights craic down there ( brother was home from Canada with his Bodhran looking for seisiuns ) , but the fishing was a washout, i'll give you a call next time, thanks for the offer .

[tom1]

Good session again frank