Castletownbere 27/28th September
Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:14 pm
People – Myself And Paul (Pollack Fishing) Just Me (Bantry Airstrip)
Duration – Friday 12.30pm-4.30pm (Rock Mark), Saturday 11am-12pm (Rock Mark) 1.30pm-3.30pm (Bantry Airstrip)
Tide – High Tide At 4.30pm Friday
Weather – Friday Beautiful, A bit windy but fishing from a sheltered location.
Saturday- Lovely on the Rocks, Moderate Westerly Blowing at Bantry Airstrip.
Bait – Sand eel, Squid + lots of Soft Plastics.
Rigs – Pulley Pennell’s for the Bait Rod, Standard Spinning Setup, 1oz rolling lead above swivel, Hook length to Desired Lure, 3/0-4/0 Hook!
Results – Pollack (PB) by a country mile And Dogfish.
I haven’t posted a report for ages but I have to throw up a few lines on my recent short stay in Castletownbere.
I booked an overnight stay in Adrigole staying with fishing guide Paul Harris, the man who knows everything there is to know about fishing around the Peninsula. Every mark and how it is fishing and what you’re likely to expect. I was geared up for some Pollock and or Wrasse fishing.
We arrived for about 11.30 am on the Friday and after a quick chat decided on a Mark that I haven’t fished down that way before. Not surprising it would take a lifetime to explore the fishing Potential the area holds. We stocked up on Bait mainly sand eel and Squid but also took Mackerel and Crab from Pauls well stocked Bait shop. A huge plus not stinking out the car with the hum of mackerel, Especially since I was with the parents. Always shocked at the size of the sand eels he gets in bloody massive.
So while my Parents were happy out off exploring the beauty of the countryside. We Arrived at our mark at 12.30pm or there abouts. Lovely weather and whatever bit of wind there was we were sheltered from it.
Now being honest as I told Paul before I got to the Beara, I’m utterly useless at fishing soft plastics well judging by my past Pollack Sessions that is, and I have no confidence whatsoever with a spinning rod in hand. There was a point where I thought I was cursed. Absolutely no knowledge of where my lure was in the water how best to retrieve etc so yes quite inexperienced. Year round I’m bait fishing in some form around Cork harbour and rely on public transport to get about so I Rarely get to rock marks, Anyway once this was cleared up he knew he had his hands full.
We got rigged up Paul with a Sidewinder Shimmer Sand eel on a 3/0-4/0.Sure enough on the first cast Paul was straight into a fish while I was observing and trying to get a few vital tips from him. Christ a fish on first cast I couldn’t believe it and a lovely Pollock he was to. Wasting No time whatsoever I began fishing and putting into practice a few of the tips Paul had pointed out. Fishing with someone as experienced as Paul had me a bit nervous in case I made a tit of myself (which I Probably did) but his friendly nature and banter put me at ease and made me feel more than comfortable at least I didn’t hit him in the head with my rod during a cast which was one of the scenarios I was fearing
Now these are probably very basic to most anglers but just incase anyone else is reading this who it could help. This is what dramatically improved my Fishing (Or whatever I was doing wrong in the past) tenfold in my short session.
1. Adjust the Drag Correctly so that if a fish makes a dive, or is a strong fighter it will take line as it needs while your still in control of the fish, also he won’t snap your line.
2. We were fishing a deep water mark. So how to tell when your lure is at the bottom and to stay in touch with your lure. As soon as you’re Weight/Plastic hits the water. Hold you’re mainline with your finger against the spool and let the line come off as the lead sinks once it stops close the bale arm and Start your retrieve. In this case with a 1oz Rolling Lead it took 20-25seconds to hit bottom. You’re in touch you’re your end tackle and Aware now where your lure is on the bottom job done. No More Crazy Bows in the line.
3. Keep your rod LOW POINTED DOWNWARD if you’re working the lure along the bottom as you make a steady retrieve. I was given a few firm slaps on the back of the head until I was doing what I was advised to
4. Dont Panic When you feel a fish Nibbling away on the other End Instinct reaction is to strike. But be patient and continue your retrieve until you feel a more solid bite.
If you don’t ask you will never know, Even if like me you are a wee bit embarrassed about what you’re asking! By God was I delighted to learn a few Very important basics before my lure hit the water!
So in a nutshell I had a unbelievable session I will never forget, The fishing was slow enough (By Pauls Standards) but it was dynamite in my opinion taking 5 Pollack over the 4 hours and Paul Had A few, with a gorgeous 4lb Pollock which took his Sand eel on a Pulley Pennell if I caught that one fish anywhere near that size I would have been over the moon. He was trying out different styles going for wrasse which weren’t obliging on the day etc, The notion of wrasse for me went out the window once I caught the first Pollock.(Wrasse without doubt are one of my favourite fish to catch)
The first 3 Pollock were around 1.5-2.5lb the fourth was much bigger a 3 lb Plus Pollock a beautiful bronze flanked fish, I was dancing at this stage having had so little success in the past what a great feeling, I could have done cartwheels on the rocks. Whatever Paul had told me to do was working and I was fishing with more confidence than I had in the past with a spinning rod in hand.
The 5th Pollack was one of the best fish of my Angling career a 6lb Pollack taken on a Berkley Fire tail with a Pink Tail/Paddle tail. A dream Come true! I won’t go into all the details ill be here all day, but I’m still shaking, the rod was doubled over at stages when the fish decided on making a few kamikaze dives to get under a Rockledge a few yards out, tearing line off my reel with the drag set quite tight. I was Praying Paul wasn’t watching or worse going to say something and break my fragile concentration. I could see the fish and he was big coming in. I almost had a heart attack and fell over when I saw what had taken my plastic.
By some divine miracle through the nerves of loosing the fish and self doubt, I landed him in a unique style sort of, You should with the help of the waves ease the fish in on a incoming wave which Paul had said in the background. I was not very receptive at the time just after avoiding the Rockledge 5 yards out and making sure to keep the tension on the line and fish. I somehow managed to get him onto some rocks below us with the waves still coming over him half threatening to sweep him back into the depths. My shaky legs kicked into overdrive and scurried down to the fish and got a firm grip on his body and lip before the next wave came in. soaked up to my Knees and quickly got him to safety. All the fish by my standards were big. Not to mind a 6lb fish on my last cast, the stuff you could only imagine in your wildest dreams Lucky there was a Rock Pool next to us. After staring at him for a minute or 2 I was still in disbelief. The strangest thing was I could feel his heart beating in my hands almost faster than mine. I tried to have a fag to calm me down a bit, I think I could have swallowed it who knows. A few Pictures and off he went.
4 of the Pollock were taken on Soft plastics! The 1st on a Sidewinder shimmer sand eel, The 2nd on a Berkley Fire tail Soft plastic, The only action my Baited Rod with sand eel saw was my 3rd Pollock which gave a great scrap very surprised at just how powerful Pollock are. The 4th also fell to a Berkley Fire tail as did the fifth. Blessed with the weather, Blessed with the Company and Haunted With the Sublime fishing.
September 29th- (Rock Mark) and (Bantry Airstrip)
A quick Hour at the same rock mark as yesterday for another go at the Pollock not a nibble, the tide was at its lowest. I had to give it another go but not to be. So onto (Bantry Airstrip) 3 Dogfish, All taken on Sand eel in just over a 2 hour session. Quite happy with that although a first Ray would have been magic given my previous torture fishing that mark ill try again without doubt!
Another fantastic stay At the Beara although quite short I learned a lot and caught a fish I won’t forget anytime soon. Again Paul thank you for your Hospitality and more importantly your wisdom hope to see you again soon.
Sin é
Duration – Friday 12.30pm-4.30pm (Rock Mark), Saturday 11am-12pm (Rock Mark) 1.30pm-3.30pm (Bantry Airstrip)
Tide – High Tide At 4.30pm Friday
Weather – Friday Beautiful, A bit windy but fishing from a sheltered location.
Saturday- Lovely on the Rocks, Moderate Westerly Blowing at Bantry Airstrip.
Bait – Sand eel, Squid + lots of Soft Plastics.
Rigs – Pulley Pennell’s for the Bait Rod, Standard Spinning Setup, 1oz rolling lead above swivel, Hook length to Desired Lure, 3/0-4/0 Hook!
Results – Pollack (PB) by a country mile And Dogfish.
I haven’t posted a report for ages but I have to throw up a few lines on my recent short stay in Castletownbere.
I booked an overnight stay in Adrigole staying with fishing guide Paul Harris, the man who knows everything there is to know about fishing around the Peninsula. Every mark and how it is fishing and what you’re likely to expect. I was geared up for some Pollock and or Wrasse fishing.
We arrived for about 11.30 am on the Friday and after a quick chat decided on a Mark that I haven’t fished down that way before. Not surprising it would take a lifetime to explore the fishing Potential the area holds. We stocked up on Bait mainly sand eel and Squid but also took Mackerel and Crab from Pauls well stocked Bait shop. A huge plus not stinking out the car with the hum of mackerel, Especially since I was with the parents. Always shocked at the size of the sand eels he gets in bloody massive.
So while my Parents were happy out off exploring the beauty of the countryside. We Arrived at our mark at 12.30pm or there abouts. Lovely weather and whatever bit of wind there was we were sheltered from it.
Now being honest as I told Paul before I got to the Beara, I’m utterly useless at fishing soft plastics well judging by my past Pollack Sessions that is, and I have no confidence whatsoever with a spinning rod in hand. There was a point where I thought I was cursed. Absolutely no knowledge of where my lure was in the water how best to retrieve etc so yes quite inexperienced. Year round I’m bait fishing in some form around Cork harbour and rely on public transport to get about so I Rarely get to rock marks, Anyway once this was cleared up he knew he had his hands full.
We got rigged up Paul with a Sidewinder Shimmer Sand eel on a 3/0-4/0.Sure enough on the first cast Paul was straight into a fish while I was observing and trying to get a few vital tips from him. Christ a fish on first cast I couldn’t believe it and a lovely Pollock he was to. Wasting No time whatsoever I began fishing and putting into practice a few of the tips Paul had pointed out. Fishing with someone as experienced as Paul had me a bit nervous in case I made a tit of myself (which I Probably did) but his friendly nature and banter put me at ease and made me feel more than comfortable at least I didn’t hit him in the head with my rod during a cast which was one of the scenarios I was fearing
Now these are probably very basic to most anglers but just incase anyone else is reading this who it could help. This is what dramatically improved my Fishing (Or whatever I was doing wrong in the past) tenfold in my short session.
1. Adjust the Drag Correctly so that if a fish makes a dive, or is a strong fighter it will take line as it needs while your still in control of the fish, also he won’t snap your line.
2. We were fishing a deep water mark. So how to tell when your lure is at the bottom and to stay in touch with your lure. As soon as you’re Weight/Plastic hits the water. Hold you’re mainline with your finger against the spool and let the line come off as the lead sinks once it stops close the bale arm and Start your retrieve. In this case with a 1oz Rolling Lead it took 20-25seconds to hit bottom. You’re in touch you’re your end tackle and Aware now where your lure is on the bottom job done. No More Crazy Bows in the line.
3. Keep your rod LOW POINTED DOWNWARD if you’re working the lure along the bottom as you make a steady retrieve. I was given a few firm slaps on the back of the head until I was doing what I was advised to
4. Dont Panic When you feel a fish Nibbling away on the other End Instinct reaction is to strike. But be patient and continue your retrieve until you feel a more solid bite.
If you don’t ask you will never know, Even if like me you are a wee bit embarrassed about what you’re asking! By God was I delighted to learn a few Very important basics before my lure hit the water!
So in a nutshell I had a unbelievable session I will never forget, The fishing was slow enough (By Pauls Standards) but it was dynamite in my opinion taking 5 Pollack over the 4 hours and Paul Had A few, with a gorgeous 4lb Pollock which took his Sand eel on a Pulley Pennell if I caught that one fish anywhere near that size I would have been over the moon. He was trying out different styles going for wrasse which weren’t obliging on the day etc, The notion of wrasse for me went out the window once I caught the first Pollock.(Wrasse without doubt are one of my favourite fish to catch)
The first 3 Pollock were around 1.5-2.5lb the fourth was much bigger a 3 lb Plus Pollock a beautiful bronze flanked fish, I was dancing at this stage having had so little success in the past what a great feeling, I could have done cartwheels on the rocks. Whatever Paul had told me to do was working and I was fishing with more confidence than I had in the past with a spinning rod in hand.
The 5th Pollack was one of the best fish of my Angling career a 6lb Pollack taken on a Berkley Fire tail with a Pink Tail/Paddle tail. A dream Come true! I won’t go into all the details ill be here all day, but I’m still shaking, the rod was doubled over at stages when the fish decided on making a few kamikaze dives to get under a Rockledge a few yards out, tearing line off my reel with the drag set quite tight. I was Praying Paul wasn’t watching or worse going to say something and break my fragile concentration. I could see the fish and he was big coming in. I almost had a heart attack and fell over when I saw what had taken my plastic.
By some divine miracle through the nerves of loosing the fish and self doubt, I landed him in a unique style sort of, You should with the help of the waves ease the fish in on a incoming wave which Paul had said in the background. I was not very receptive at the time just after avoiding the Rockledge 5 yards out and making sure to keep the tension on the line and fish. I somehow managed to get him onto some rocks below us with the waves still coming over him half threatening to sweep him back into the depths. My shaky legs kicked into overdrive and scurried down to the fish and got a firm grip on his body and lip before the next wave came in. soaked up to my Knees and quickly got him to safety. All the fish by my standards were big. Not to mind a 6lb fish on my last cast, the stuff you could only imagine in your wildest dreams Lucky there was a Rock Pool next to us. After staring at him for a minute or 2 I was still in disbelief. The strangest thing was I could feel his heart beating in my hands almost faster than mine. I tried to have a fag to calm me down a bit, I think I could have swallowed it who knows. A few Pictures and off he went.
4 of the Pollock were taken on Soft plastics! The 1st on a Sidewinder shimmer sand eel, The 2nd on a Berkley Fire tail Soft plastic, The only action my Baited Rod with sand eel saw was my 3rd Pollock which gave a great scrap very surprised at just how powerful Pollock are. The 4th also fell to a Berkley Fire tail as did the fifth. Blessed with the weather, Blessed with the Company and Haunted With the Sublime fishing.
September 29th- (Rock Mark) and (Bantry Airstrip)
A quick Hour at the same rock mark as yesterday for another go at the Pollock not a nibble, the tide was at its lowest. I had to give it another go but not to be. So onto (Bantry Airstrip) 3 Dogfish, All taken on Sand eel in just over a 2 hour session. Quite happy with that although a first Ray would have been magic given my previous torture fishing that mark ill try again without doubt!
Another fantastic stay At the Beara although quite short I learned a lot and caught a fish I won’t forget anytime soon. Again Paul thank you for your Hospitality and more importantly your wisdom hope to see you again soon.
Sin é
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Last edited by fishy1987 on Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:25 pm
A Few More!
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Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:34 pm
Great report and it always good to see a PB.Well done
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:47 pm
nice fishin boy.........u shuda taken that first fish to the cash for gold lol............ some colour on him!!!!!
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:14 pm
Nice fish man well done!
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:17 am
Sometimes when I looked at the reports I am not sure am I living ireland too.Look at the weather sunshine litlle bit breeze and all.I start to belive poseidon have some issue with me if goes like that i have to giving out him to zeus...
good photos mate,good fishesss too well done ...
good photos mate,good fishesss too well done ...
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:18 am
Well done,,,,,,,,,,an excellent report 
,and great photos too,,,,,,what more could we ask for 
,and great photos too,,,,,,what more could we ask for
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:29 am
Great report on a great session. Good stuff man 
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:01 am
Nice detailed report and lovely pollock 
That'll get the confidence up on the SPs!
That'll get the confidence up on the SPs!
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:27 am
Serious fishing! Great to see a beauty like that got from the shore on SP's, one to remember for a good while Congrats on the PB and the excellent report, fair play! 
Congrats on the PB and the excellent report, fair play!
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:48 am
Brilliant report and great fishing! Well done. You're right about Paul too. Dropped in there a couple of times for bait and advice and he was really helpfull.
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:51 am
like the report,,,nice photos and looks a cracking rock mark,,,,well done
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:04 am
Good report and some nice fishies too
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:56 pm
declan65 wrote:Good report and some nice fishies too
Thanks Very Much Declan,
thanks a million ric i hope the fishing around kinsale is treating you well at the moment tightlines fergalsaving private brian wrote:like the report,,,nice photos and looks a cracking rock mark,,,,well doneI mightn't have done myself justice highlighting the one area of my fishing that was in dire need of improvement nonetheless i hope it might be able to help someone.Cheers Brian,Hope the fishing is Going Well for you.Wouldnt mind being back in Nz ehsaving private brian wrote:like the report,,,nice photos and looks a cracking rock mark,,,,well done
Thank you Davey,i know unbelievable Gentleman,even passing through picking up bait on a way to a mark further away, he has always gone out of the way to help with info on a selected mark etc.daveyboy wrote:Brilliant report and great fishing! Well done. You're right about Paul too. Dropped in there a couple of times for bait and advice and he was really helpfull.The Austrian wrote:Serious fishing! Great to see a beauty like that got from the shore on SP's, one to remember for a good whileoh has it whatSweetwrasse wrote:Nice detailed report and lovely pollocksailnfish wrote:Great report on a great session. Good stuff man
eyesreilly wrote:Well done,,,,,,,,,,an excellent reportYes we were really fortunate with the weather for once,i felt like i was in a different country aswell lolonur wrote:Sometimes when I looked at the reports I am not sure am I living ireland too.Look at the weather sunshine litlle bit breeze and all.I start to belive poseidon have some issue with me if goes like that i have to giving out him to zeus...
good photos mate,good fishesss too well done ...
Thanks a MillionTipp john wrote:Nice fish man well done!lmaolugworm wrote:nice fishin boy.........u shuda taken that first fish to the cash for gold lol............ some colour on him!!!!!Ric0shay wrote:Great report and it always good to see a PB.Well done
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:04 pm
Some nice pollock there,,worth the trip down 
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:24 pm
What can I say fair play to you lovely Pollock and great weather to be fishing in.... Looks a great rock mark. Fair play on the PB.
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:10 pm
Very nice Pollock & report well done
& report well done
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:37 pm
well done fergal cracker of a pollock hope to be down that way next week for a few days if things go to plan
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:27 pm
that was a great read, thanks fergal , nice fish too..
Re: Castletownbere 27/28th September
Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:27 pm
that was a great read, thanks fergal , nice fish too..