Annascaul rock mark, Co.Kerry 19th April

People:Me and mate

Duration: 7pm to 9.30pm

Tide:High water bout 6pm

Weather:Sweet evening, calm with only little swell

Bait:Spinning

Rigs:Jellies, shrimpers, jensen pirks

Results:Pollock 6, Ballan Wrasse 1, Coalfish 1, Mackerel 5

Catch and Release:: Yes but kept mackerel



Report:Made the most of the calm conditions and headed out to rocky promontory near Annascaul. Spun for pollock and immediately lost a fish of around 5lb at top of water...after this all I could manage were slight smaller fish of around 2lb until I got one of 3lb as the light started to go. The mate got a better fish of aroun 5 1/4lb at the same time, his fell to a firetail.

Was delighted though to catch the mackerel, always a real pleasure to see them again after the long winter. Surprise of the session was a 3lb wrasse that took a shine to my pirk lure, hooked him at around 45 yards and was sure I'd a good pollock on until he popped up on the surface. Rarely seen this happen, only twice ever I think.

Summers here :D

Are you doing any work whatsoever down that way at all Pete?? Nice fishing mate, good to see the wrasse, pollack and macks coming on...its a good sign.

Nice one Pete, glad to see you had some good fishing down here.
Sean,

Nice fishing there! I once caught a wrasse on a jellyworm years ago was very surprised at that :shock:

Hi

Male wrasse become extremely territorial at this time of year and make a "nest" in a crack or crevice in the rocks in which to persuade the female to make her home. Once the deed is done, she is ejected from the nest and the male (ah I feel his pain!) is left to look after the children all on his own for the rest of the year until they fly the "nest". Damn good thing my wife does not read these boards! :D

As a consequence male wrasse become extremely aggressive and will attack anything invading their "space" including passing plugs and pirks. The trick AFAIK is to cast several times to the same space and fish it slightly higher in the water but at the same speed each time...

FWIW...

good fishing pete well done

Nice fishing Pete. My brother once caught a Wrasse on a jointed plug fishing 6 inches below the surface in about 20 feet of water.

Kev

Once had a wrasse take a white redgill while spinning from the shore. Great to hear mackeral being caught.

I had several big ballans last year out from Kilmore Quay in the SAI comp to a small 2 inch Shad that I fished at the top as part of a team of 3 jellys when Gilling.

Had several large ballans last year during the Sai comp from Kilmore Quay to a small 2 inch shad fished as part of a team of 3 lures Gilling.

I had several large ballans to a small 2 inch shad that I was gilling with on a trace along with 2 jelly worms from Kilmore Quay last year.

And I had several ballans to sandeels on a flowing trace during last saisac comp(meant for pollack, I cursed them!)

jd

Kieran I think you might have a point there, the other times I have seen them take lures has been around this time of the year also.

Great buzz to see macs again...up on the top of the water, pullin like mad when you hook them. Had a few for lunch and as alway dam tasty :)

Great report!
Nice to hear of all the action.

On the wrasse, I was amazed last year to haul one in after a firm take on a blue/silver toby. That was August 1st last year near Clifden.

At the time sprats were everywhere, and all the kelp dwellers, as well as scad and macks were going mad for them, including this fella? He took the lure anyway :D
[img:1270:952]http://usera.imagecave.com/blackiemc/Gunner0608002a.jpg[/img]

On the macks, nice to hear you got some, no sign of them when I fished in Cork, or Connemara last week. I did hear they were in Clifden Bay but not taking

Blackie