East Cork 30 Oct 22 : PB Dab

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I initially went to a beach mark in East Cork last night but the conditions when I got there was desperate. Blowing a gale into my face and huge breakers crashing on the beach. I was hoping for a pleasant breeze and a nice steady surf!

I decided on a change of plan and went to the shelter of Ballycotton pier 4/0 pennel pulley in the hope of a cod. The lighter rod went out with a 2 up 2/0 flapper with sandeel on one hook and crab on the other to see what else might be about. It was just after high tide

After a bit I got a really good rattly bite on the big rig and reeled in. It was fighting well shaking and diving a lot as I pulled it in. When I got it in I thought I had landed a nice flounder, it was going on for a pound and was about 30 cm in length. However on inspection, the skin was rough all over , when rubbed from tail to head, not just on the spine, meaning this was actually a great dab. It was definitely a PB for me, twice the size of the last dab I caught years ago. It had taken the smaller hook on the pennel rig.

I was happy with this and was looking forward to catching more of the same but at this point the dogs had other ideas. For the next few hours it was dog after dog. They were taking the lug. They were taking the crab. They were taking lug/squid cocktails. Crab/Squid cocktails. You name it. In fairness some of them fought well enough in the tide. One was actually giving head shakes, leading me to believe I had a codling. Of course others I didnt even know I had a bite until I reeled in what I thought was a big lump of weed.

The one bait the dogs seemed to leave alone was the sandeel. So not long before I had to go I whipped a double sandeel onto the pennel rig and fired it out. nNot long after the rod tip sprung up straight: a slack line bite. This was no dog, I thought. I reeled in quick and got back in contact to feel a decent pull going this way and that in the tide. Up onto the pier came a nice thornback ray, always nice to see. At that point it was very late and time to pack up. Nice to salvage a few fish from what I thought was going to be a washout.

[johnwest]

Potential washout yields a P.B., good way to get back in action!

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I know it was only a dab, but a PB is a PB. And I reckon that's a decent dab in anyone's money!

[chuckaroo]

Nice session. Good effort
Pity that dogs weren't easier to prepare.. and tastier to eat

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What are they like to eat? I never ate one. I'd actually be happy to learn how to prepare them if they tasted good

[gearoid mc s.]

What are they like to eat? I never ate one. I'd actually be happy to learn how to prepare them if they tasted good

Equal to plaice IMO