Kells Beach Co Kerry

People:Just Myself

Duration:Cut Short by Broken Reel

Tide:2 Hours Before High Tide

Weather:Lots of Heavy Showers

Bait:Mackerel Strips

Rigs:2 Up 1 Down

Results:A few dogs




Report:
I got up early and headed for Kells beach, I got there around 07:30 and started to set up. I used a snap swivel with a 2up1down rig attached with an improved clinch knot. I had some mackerel that i had bough frozen and thawed . I cut the head and tail off and chucked it in to the sea. Gutted it then cut the mackerel in to 3 pieces and attached it to the hook.

My 1st cast was not too far only about 30 feet but its deep water there so no need for distance. After about 2 mins i started reeling in and noticed that there was a bit of resistance. To be honest I taught i was snagged on the rocks. It was only when the rod was bent and the line was under strain that I noticed the line was moving from side to side. Then i knew I had hooked my 1st sea fish ever .
It was not to hard to reel the fish in he was about a foot in length. I reeled him up the rocks, lay him on the ground and unhooked him and released him.

I put another mackerel strip on the hook and cast about 30 feet again. After about 5 mins I started to reel slowly again and noticed the resistance I could feel the pull on the line and knew I had another. It was harder to reel this one in so i presumed it was a much bigger fish. In actual fact I Had 2 dogfish on the line After about 10 mins I had them reeled to shore unhooked and released.

I cut another mackerel and cast again. Same thing again after a short time I could feel resistance on the line and knew i had a fish. This one was putting up more of a fight and unfortunately the handle on my reel snapped . After 15 mins of trying to reel the line in with my hand wrapped in a towel this fish became unhooked and I pulled the line in. I did not have a spare reel with me so my trip was cut short

This was my 1st time catching fish and I quiet enjoyed it. Although it was bad luck with the reel breaking I took satisfaction in the fact that my knots were tied correctly and did the job. All of this is new to me and im learning from reading forums and watching youtube videos . On the way back to the car I started talking to 2 guys who had being fishing on the pier for 4 hours and didnt have a single bite so i was quiet happy and looking forward to going again.

A WORD OF WARNING
When i was cutting the mackerel strips of lot of seagulls appeared and started swooping in trying to eat them. This normally would not be too much of a problem but I was fishing from the rocks about 20 feet high. A trip or fall there could cause serious damage or death as the rocks are very jagged so be careful.

Well done on your first session; Dogfish are a good species to begin with.
Pity about your reel, if your buying a new one go for a reel in the 6000-8000 range.
Maybe try the same beach at night' might get ya another few species.

Congratulations on your first session and first specie I'm sure there will be more to come

Well done, great to be catching

Well done on the doggies specially the double shot. As you start to fish and catch more I recommend you work on your fishing stories for non anglers... for example 'at my first successful session I hooked a fish so big my reel exploded' its an integral part of fishing ha ha good luck with the fishing

Chris

I recommend you work on your fishing stories for non anglers... for example 'at my first successful session I hooked a fish so big my reel exploded'
Chris

Ermm I have found myself telling people that the "4th fish must have being a monster as he snapped my reel". I must be a Natural

Well done there on your first outing and the first of many fish I hope..
ps buy a life jacket if you are going to be fishing from rocks and especially from a height - it only takes one slip !

Just watch ur technique of reeling in too, pump and wind being ideal putting less strain on ur reel.

Smoothly Pull the rod up high taking the strain then lower it back down whilst reeling in the line repeat until the fish are in.

Good luck and enjoy.