Duration:6pm-11pm
Tide:dropping
Weather:nice, bit cool
Bait:lug,rag,squid,mack, frozen crab
Rigs:pulley rig at distance and flappers in close
Results:pup smoothound, flounder, whiting
Report:Saturday began with an early start for me, in work at 4am
, finishing at 10-30am. When we found a bait-tray in the long grass of the N7 I was hoping that there might be some juicy lug or rag in it but unfortunately it was taped closed, packed with screws and nails, and had wires and batteries connected to a doughlike substance . This aroused our suspicions and not wishing to make a drama out of a crisis we called the Gardai, who in turn called the Bomb Squad.! Both sides of the carriageway were closed off for a couple of hours while a robot dealt with the device,,,,,,which was said to have been a hoax ,but I’m not convinced!. 
Having come through a near death experience I decided to try my luck later on at one of the North Wicklow beaches (not the one with all the rubbish on it as has been reported). Fishface sent me a text saying that he couldn’t make it so things were looking up already!
After a few hours kip I felt refreshed and set off for the mark hopeful for a last minute bass or a smoothie. On arrival the North westerly wind had flattened the sea so I hoped for a smoothie or two. Fishface rang and despite all my protests he insisted on dropping down to “watch” me. That’s Fishfacespeak for checking out my bait and having a cast or two with my gear cos he’s no bait! 
In truth I was worried that a man of his advanced age might have difficulty accessing this difficult mark, which should be left to younger and fitter guys like meself .With 2 rods in the water, one at distance, pulley rig baited with crab, and the other a 3 hook flapper in close with various lug/squid/mack combos, I hadnt a touch by the time Fishface arrived 
Worst case scenario was for him to have a "practice cast" with my gear and bag himself a biggie 
Luckily that didnt happen and with his cigarette lighter not working I knew that it wouldnt be long before his addiction kicked in and he left the beach for his car and its lighter
Almost as soon as he left I got a tug on the distance rod and reeled in a small pup smoothie who had gone for the crab. I also noticed that I was getting bites on the other rod and reeled in a double of pin whiting,,,,,,,not what I had hoped for but welcome enough after 3.5 hours without a bite. This was followed by some more whiting and a flounder and I'd say that I might have done ok but I was hitting the Wall at that stage and started to pack up . Hard to stay awake when youve been up since 3am . Still, the smoothie pup ticks that species off the list for another year 
!
nice one Dave & a good story for the pub