Out and about in Cork, 30/09, 01/10, 02/10

Just a quick report to summarise the past 3 days.

30/09

Munster Closed, 2nd Leg

Managed to get pegged on the "good" beach and also right beside the Domeney fella too to renew the rivalrys once again... :D There was a nice chop in the water however it was a little weedy. I attempted for the first couple of casts to fish in close and try and fluke a flat ( :D ) given the large prize pool available for longest flat but weed soon ruled that out of the equation. A 3 hook clipdown to size 2s, 2 mack sausage baits and one crab on the bottom snood and belted as far as I could was to be the order of the day in hope of coalies, dogs, ray and possible bass and codling. Donal had managed a dog at range and there were reports of one or two fish coming in on the beach. A few missed bites and a fish dropped yards from shore prior to darkness were all I had to show for my efforts however until maybe an hour after dark. A slack line bite signalled a possible ray and indeed, following the merry weed in the shockleader knot, jammed tip ring dance back up the beach I had my first ever painted ray, not a biggie at 47cm but great to get one, a welcome surprise below was a 33cm coalie on the bottom snood..... :D

With enthusiasm renewed, 3 hooks winged their way out once again and 10 minutes later, a nice doggie was added to my card. Things were going well at this stage, however, that I'm afraid was to be that. Donal beside me managed a second doggie late in the day and with weed in nightmarish proportions for the last 45 minutes or so I was glad to get off the beach. Cards handed in and with a few of us on 3 fish, I ended up 6th in the zone, pipped to the prize table by 6cms. Ho hum.... Next time....

Lee (Scotsman) had done well in his zone (Ballinwilling AKA "The Hungry Acre"... :D ) to scoop out 2 fish and take 5th place there for his troubles. An enjoyable evenings fishing all the same apart from that massive influx of weed at the finish.

Monkstown Wall 01/10/07

Popped down to De Wall on Monday afternoon as Paul Hanover and his mate Steve were giving it a try for the first time this year. Although I only popped down to say hello and see what was happening, the presence of rods in the back of the jeep and memories of halcyonic days from last year proved a mite too much for me and it wasnt 2 minutes before I had my rod set up and head buried in Pauls bait bucket scrounging a rig or two full.... :D 3 casts I had and 3 whiting were the result. Hmmmm.... No sign of the golden fellas yet although it was a long shot. 45 minutes was enough before the tide began to rip through and with an unexpected cast or two under my belt, I went home happy enough.

Ballycrenane 02/10/07

Joined up with G.Wyse, SeanCelt and Scotsman to return to Ballycrenane to hopefully renew my aquaintance with the Painted Ray. Gav and Derek had been fishing at Caravan Gap earlier in the evening but weed there was too much to deal with. It was with some surprise that Ballycrenane seemed totally clear of it. Sea conditions were a mite too calm really but sure you cant have everything! 3 crab baits on size 1s wellied out and a whole crab on a 4/0 also belted out. I didnt have long to wait for the first sign of life as the 3 hook rig trundled off up the beach..... Lifting into it met brief resistance for a second or two and then the fish was gone. Whilst in the process of casting this rod out again, the other rod nearly took the tripod and all with it as one massive hit hooped the rod over. I couldnt get back to it fast enough to set the hooks and unfortunately, the fish was gone.... :evil: Plenty of action early doors but still nothing to show for it.... Some time passed and having watched some barely perceptible nodding on the 3 hook rig, curiosity finally got the better of me and I lifted into considerable weight. A double of a Strap Conger and a plump dogfish came to the sand. It was quite a while before the next fish came along however, following several more casts, I watched as the rod tip nodded once, then twice then all went slack as a fish moved off with the baits. Typical ray fashion and I wasn't disappointed as I had a decent battle with a feisty painted ray of 55cms or so. Beautiful fish these and nice to see them go back so well too.

2 minutes later, my fourth fish of the day and last as it happens, a doggie which took some well marinated (ie left in car for two days) razorfish fished at around 60 yards.

A pleasant evenings fishing with plenty of banter with the lads. They all did their bit for conservation by refusing to catch fish, opting instead to marvel at the beautiful electric green phosphorescence light show every time a wave broke.... :wink: Sand hoppers that must have been eating it were also glowing green... :shock: Nice conditions to fish in however, a bit more of a chop would have been nice. A note to anyone fishing here by the way, if you dont like creepy crawlies, stay away as this beach is sand hopper city.... The place is moving with them, armies of them looking to carry off bait and tackle boxes and everything. I wouldnt like to fall asleep on this beach...... :D

fair play on the painted ray.. havent caught one of those in yeas now.. its another species to add to the list too for ya :D