Cork Beach, 24/09/2007

People: Me and John Andrew

Duration: 18:00 - 23:00

Tide: LW 23:00ish

Weather: patchy cloud, calm, bright almost full moon

Bait: Fresh lug

Rigs: 2 hook flappers

Results: 1 GH Bream, 4 Bass, 1 Plaice, 13 Coalies, 1 Pollack, 1 whiting :)

Catch and Release:: Yes except GH


Report: Back to the usual haunt, with John who hadn't fished there since last year. He is a lug man, so we headed off in the morning to dig some for the evening session. Boy, am I glad we did.

It was still light when we got there. The sea was calm, so I wasn't particularly enthused, but with lug, not razor was hoping it be a bit better.

First cast John was into the gilt head. Great to see one there, know they were being caught in the general area, but hadn't heard of any from here. I immediately switched one of my rods close to where he'd been casting in the hope there was a shoal of them, but nothing.

His second cast had barely hit the water when it was jumping around and he landed the first bass of the night. I of course had no action on my rod, pulled them in to check and my bait had been stripped.

John had a quiet spell for a while, when I started landing a coalie a cast just as it was getting dark - with gilt heads and bass around I wasn't particularly happy, but in retrospect it was good to catch that many fish and they were all decent sized - would have been great if I was in a comp :)

About 7.30ish, the coalies cooled off a bit and I got my first bass. Soon followed by a small pollack and another bass.

John landed the plaice about this time, and then after another coalie I got a good bite and was into a strong fish. Turned out to be my best bass of the year (so far...... :wink: ), somewhere between 6 and 7 lbs I'd say. Gave me a good fight coming in and while I was trying to get a photo for posterity. (I'll post it up with the gilt head when John sends on the photos).

Quietened down after that, a coalfish each, a couple of missed bites and stripped baits.

John left about 21.30, I stayed on for Pete who might have been joining us, but as well he didn't as from then on, my baits were coming back untouched, apart from my last cast when I got my first shore whiting since last winter - slightly depressing as it means winter is almost here again :cry:.

Great night anyway - love nights like this - John always catches the most exotic fish - first time I took him in the boat he got a John Dory in the most unlikely place. Lug and John seem to be a good combination for a nights fishing, my catch rate seems to improve when he is around for some strange reason.

All the fish took lug, and all were relatively close in, an easy lob cast away anyway.

Cracking session mate, well done on the bass!

An awkward 2 year old put paid to my hopes of geting down there so I spent the evening peeling a few crabs instead.....

GUTTED!!!! :evil:

Great fishing lads.

Cheers guys, was very enjoyable, if only every trip could be like that! :D

Anyone know if you get gilt heads in the dark, or do you need daylight - was getting towards dusk when we got there? (already planning my next outing so it'd be nice to know so I can increase my chances of getting one).

Myself and a mate had giltheads in the dark earlier in the year so its possible alright.

cheers Marty

Wow that seems to have been some night! What size were the other bass? Well done to you guys seems the outgoing tide is worth a go too! there musnt have been a dull moment for the night patk

the other bass were all schoolies Pat, 1.5lb or thereabouts.
where we were the tide doesn't seem to matter as long as it is moving, fishing seems to go off hour/hour and a half or so either side of tide there when it is barely moving.
I don't really have the luxury of fishing to the tide unfortunately, just have to go when I can go :( Everywhere is different, but personally think it is always worth a go.

here's the fish, not the most flattering of shots :roll:

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The picture might not be earth-shattering but the smile sure is :D
Nice catch!

you should have seen the smile when I got my 9lber a couple of years back :D * 10

Well done Lee, really good session there by the sounds of it