Bass Trip Waterford 25th - 27th of August

People: Me and the African

Duration: 3 Days

Tide: Various

Weather: Sunny and Clam

Bait: Plugs & Spinners

Rigs: Braid with Fluro Leader

Results: 10 Bass to 8.25lb A few lost and plenty of Follows

Catch and Release:: Kept one Bass each.



Report:

After many hours of household chores and hours behaving myself, I finally had enough brownie points for a weekend away Bass fishing. I was off to Waterford to see if I could manage my first Bass of the year.

With the weather starting to ease up I decided to go last weekend, even though the tides were slack. The plan was to camp out and fish as hard as I could.

Just to have someone to talk to, I decided that I better bring the bro in law (Ally or the African) along. Not that he'd let me leave him behind anyway. :)

We left Dublin on Friday afternoon, getting to Waterford with just enough time and light to get the tent up.... After a bit of a fight with the tent we had our accomodation set up for the weekend. It was too late to get a throw in, so we decided to have a glass of Vino and set the alarm for an early rise on

Saturday morning.

Note to self.... Bring camping bed next time... the ground was like concrete

Saturday Morning was to be a plugging session on a beach that had produced for me before. We were at the water fishing away for 6am. We tried every plug we could think off, but there was to be no electric start to the weekend. Conditions were nice and I was sure we would get a fish, but it was just not to be. There was some sprat and Mackerel activity a couple of hundred yards out, but other that that there were not any signs of fish around.

We were back to the tent for a bit of brunch at about 11. Ally put together another of his famous sausage and beans dishes.... He was a bit surprised at just how hot my masala sauce was :8 It tasted great, but I knew I was in for some hand stands in the shower that evening.

A quick trip to Argos in Waterford for a couple of camping beds and we were on for the next session.

For the afternoon session we decided to fish in the portabote.... This is a nice option as you can fish a bit further out that you can from the shoreline. You can also cover a lot of water. We were back on the water for 2pm and raring to go. It was very bright, which didn't give us much confidence, but there was a bit of a chop on the water, which always helps on these bright days.

The afternoon session yeilded a few fish. I managed two schoolies and all had a couple of better fish. I lost two decent fish, one being over 5lbs.
Here are a few pics

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00366.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00363.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00360.jpg[/img]

For those interested in tactics, the fish were coming to a varity of plugs. Ally had both his on one of the new thundersticks that henry has in stock.... I think it was a blue and silver, with a black barred effect on the back of the lure. These swim just under the surface.

I had a few follows to a new sandeel type lure I got in John O Briens... I'll post a pic tomorrow. I got both schoolies and lost one fish on the Rapala J13 and lost the decent fish on the J9... both Rapala plugs were the black and white version.
Ally was fishing 20lb Power Pro braid straight through and I was fishing 30lb powerpro with 6 foot of 25lb Flurocarbon leader.

The fishing started to slow in the afternoon and we decided it was time for Dinner. We hit Tramore for some Takeaway and had a Kebab out of the Italian place near the skate park... Decent enough Kebab.

Again feel refreshed it was time to meet up with Coaster (Paul) for a spot of fishing at dusk. On Paul's advice we were to fish a beach that never produced for me before.... However Paul was the man with the plan, so off we went. We arrived, just as the sun had set to see Paul was already on the beach.... Nothing doing yet, but he was sure the Bass would come on the feed quite soon. Kilty lures were the spinner of choice. The 3 of us began fishing and it wasn't long before we hear Ally shouting that he had a fish on..... After a cracking fight, most of it very close in, a nice bass of 8.25lb was beached.

Ally was chuffed to bits as he has shattered his PB by about 3 pounds....... The fish was lifted for a couple of quick pics and slid back into the water.......

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00370.jpg[/img]

While holding the fish Ally got a nice little wave down his shoes.... :D He was that chuffed he barely noticed......

We started fishing again and it was only a couple of mins before Ally was shouting again.... Not the african again, I said to Paul as Ally beached a nice 5 pounder.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00376.jpg[/img]

Paul though it was a seriously bad show of form for Ally to get 2 before the Gillie even had one... :D :D

Over the next hour we all had a couple of bumps and knocks, but no more fish were caught. We headed off back to the tent, with Ally still grinning ear to ear... Flushed with his success Ally decided that we were HAVING a couple of tins when we got back to the tent. Not one to say no to a beer, I totally agreed. :)

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00379.jpg[/img]

After the hectic days fishing and not getting much sleep on Thursday or Friday night, All I needed was 3 beers before I couldn't stay awake any longer...

Much to his delight, the african decided to take a couple of photos.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00383.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00385.jpg[/img]

We decided that a lie in was the way to go on the Sunday so After Breakfast is was straight into the Portabote for an afternoons fishing. We knew straight away that the fishing was going to be tough with Blue skies and not a drop of wind... There was the odd little bit of cloud, but not enough to reduce the light.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00398.jpg[/img]

After a few hours fishing we had a couple of follows but no hook ups... :(

We needed some refreshments so it was back into Tramore for some grub.... we decided to try the Kebab shop beside the Italian this time.... What can I say, what a Kebab... Not for the faint hearted though... We both had a Doner Kebeb that weighted more than a schoolie and 95% of it was meat... I only barely managed to finish the thing....

Sunday evening we decided to hit the same streach of beach again. Conditions were very similar, but the we no Bass to be had. Just a few mackerel and Ally had a nice Pollock about 4lbs.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00403.jpg[/img]

During the team talk on Sunday night over a Beer we decided to get on the Water early Monday morning so we could fish straight through. We would start on the Portabote and head back to Dublin at 1pm.

We were on the water just after sunrise. Light conditions were good. The water was flat calm We were hopeful that there would be a few Bass feeding given that it was early. After about an hour there were no follows at all, and things were looking very quite. The sun was starting to rise and we were loosing hope by the minute. The fishing gods mush have been smiling on us though, because a thin layer of cloud came in front of the sun and dropped the light levels significantly... The water was still flat calm, but at least there was hope...

It was a short while later I saw a few sprats breaking the surface. I quickly threw my lure (Yo-zuri Minnow 15cm Black and Silver) over them and worked it back through them. Fish On!! and after a nice fight I landed a nice 3.5lb fish.

The next couple of hours was just motoring from place to place to see what we could pick up. I had a 2 more fish, one on the J13 B&W and another on the rapala huskey jerk (Ghost, I think). I also lost one on the J9 B&W.

Tactically I think the Fluro leader proved the difference on the calm day, although Ally was doing a lot of fly fishing on the Monday.... He didn't manage any Bass, but was plagued by small Pollock.

I left the camera in the car on Monday, so I don't have any pics of the fish.... Here's a Pollock from the previous day to give you an idea of the size...

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/mcclean2k/Bass%200807/DSC00401.jpg[/img]

Huge fish.... :D

All in all it was a very good days fishing

With the Portabote back on the roof of the car there was time for one more Kebab before we headed back to Dublin.... I can telly you the Shish Kebab was even nicer that the Doner and still weighted about 2lb :)

Great report and pics mac, took my porte bote to malin head, went out in it when it was a bit choppy but it coped well, i still need to get a bit more used to it though, as its alot different in the sea to a lake, the venue you launced your boat looks very nice,
once again top fishing. :wink:

Great report MAC but with all the takeway chat your beginning to sound a bit like Big Pete :lol:

Hi Gravel,
They can be a little arkward to drive into a chop, but drifting is fine... Just Adjust the engine trim to lift the nose a little when your under power.

Hi Pete

After two 2lb Kebabs, I'm starting to look liek him as well..... :roll:
As Davis would say, "you gotta look after yourself" and I did, even if it nearly killed me :lol: :lol:

Kev

sounds like it was worth the drive for the kebabs alone , heaven is kebab sause dripping from both your elbows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

one word EPIC :D
P.S the shimanos catanas are great rods, that makes me you and cortaz.

Well MAC.
Great report. Pity we did not pick up a few more fish but we were going for quality, not quantity :)
Looking forward to your next trip down already but ally is not allowed to fish till I have one on the rocks :lol:

one word EPIC :D
P.S the shimanos catanas are great rods, that makes me you and cortaz.

ME TO :!:

Mac wat do you mean, alter the engine trim, wat i did do was go out in the boat when i thought it was reasonably calm, for malin head, and i was still worse for wear, from the night before,( i was on holiday) and i found the bote hard to stear, wat i found was that the angle from the motor to the bote was not enough and was rubbing on the bottom seal, i was thinking of making the piece of wood on the back of the transom a little thicker , but there again i never took her out, with the motor at a different angle as i was on my own, and a bit glad and i was back on land, with a sore head, also i thought being on your own in the bote the bottom end on full throtle from a 4 hp motor, needed ballancing out with some weight at the front,
I got a tremendous applause from the wife and the daughter when i was out at sea, but i think when your out alone, the bote needs balencing out at the front.
Dont get me wrong this bote is the dogs bollocks, for easy use, in the right conditions, i only wish i could find the same rock marks as youself and catch fish ,
The report and the pics are superb, the large bass looks as though the pic was taken in florida.
All i need now is a couple of life jackets and a bit of confidence, but, there again, i was drawn into the malin head trap, (drink)
On holiday its hard to change things, i hope ill grow out of it, LOL

one word EPIC :D
P.S the shimanos catanas are great rods, that makes me you and cortaz.

ME TO :!:

some nice fishing there lads, good pics.
the "Cantana Club".......... it,s got a nice ring to it. 8)

Nice report there Kev and some cracking pictures. I must take issue though,

After two 2lb Kebabs, I'm starting to look liek him as well.....

Grow a foot, lose a couple of stone and you might pass for a relative....cheeky B.locks! :D The takeaway info is a great idea, I think we should put a section in the report template for it.... :wink: Got a Catana myself, for the money, you can't go wrong with them, quality bit of kit.

Great report Mac, and weldone to Aly on his PB.

What's the deal with these Cantana's I want 1, where do I get them?

Gimme gimme gimme gimmme!!!

Great report MAC, excellent session, fantastic fish (I imagine even Galway Aquarium being jealous about its size!). Wow!

good stuff kev.

great report well done matey, sounded like a great weekend :)