Maurice Castle Strand

Alright guys, coming over to fish a match on May 15th. The venue is Maurice Castle Strand on the east coast, north of Wexford.
This is what I’ve been told so far. Main species expected at this time of the year should be flounders, dabs and bass with the probability of dogfish and smoothounds, various other species could be caught including rockling, coalfish and ray. The main baits required will be rag, lug, crab, mackerel and sandeel, harbour rag (maddies/creeper) will help for close in fishing.
I have a funny feeling I actually fished here about 8 or 9 years ago and the main species was dogs at range, is there a harbour/wall to the left of the venue; could be wrong. Anyway any more information would be greatly appreciated.

Have posted this else where so sorry if it looks familiar. All help appreciated.
Iain.

Hi Iain,
Best of luck in the comp, however can I just bring one thing to your attention. Targeting & Catching of Bass is illegal between 15th May & 15th June in Ireland. Therefore they cannot count in your match. See Quote from fisheries board:
"There is a closed season for bass from the 15th of May to the 15th of June each year. If you accidentally catch a bass during this period, just return him alive to the sea."
Hope this helps
JK

Hi

Morris castle strand is a long long long beach, miles long, directly off the coast from Kilmuckridge. If there is a southerly or northerly you'll be in a sand storm!

Your info is almost spot on, however i wouldnt expect rockling codling or coalies this time of year. By the way Morriscastle is the beach your fishing.

No harbour wall at Morriscastle so it must have been another venue you fished before. Morriscastle is a stretch of the (almost) uninterrupted beach that stretches between Cahore Point and Wexford Harbour. Cahore and Wexford are the nearest harbours (cahore is just a small pier).

Hi Iain,

doggies and more doggies will probably make up the bulk of the catch, bring sandeels for sure!

what competition is that your fishing?

hi iain,
there should be a good show of dogs straight sandeel is your man
small hounds that will make the measuer crab or rag
blackraps tiped with mac for the dabs ,if fishing at night under your feet
there should be a good show of flounders maddies allso rockling
best of luck hope the wind doesnt go easterlly

Thanks all, lots to think about there.
Bass - oh, not sure what the organisers will do there, does it matter if its catch and release?
Match - its the civil service national shore finals.
LSD's - thats what I wanted to hear, good!!

Iain.

Thanks all, lots to think about there.
Bass - oh, not sure what the organisers will do there, does it matter if its catch and release?
Match - its the civil service national shore finals.
LSD's - thats what I wanted to hear, good!!

Iain.

AFAIK during the bass ban any bass caught at a competition are not counted, this saves people targeting them for extra points.

Another thread on this forum states the match at the weekend was won with floundera and a small turbot, no dogs?? Are there spots that produce certiain species? I don't know where abouts on the venue we are fishing yet, so if its a big venue that produces diferent species at different ends i will need to prepare for all possibilities.

One more quick question; footwear, chesties, wellies or just trainers? What's best on this venue, is it sandy of shingle, tide go out far etc.

When ever I fished this venue during the summer when it was dry out I wore trainers and if its raining just wear wellies it drops off v fast so no need of waders really great venue to fish all right :D

Bring Chesties mate, it's a small tide this weekend but there's a small channel that fills at high water and if you are wearing trainers you are taking 25 yards off your cast straight away, it'll be dogs & dabs all the way i'd say. best of luck

Cheers guys, off to the ferry now.
Thanks,
Iain.

Well your advice paid off, thanks. Was an easterly wind that put fishing off a tad but we caught flounder and dogs, had 11 lsd and 2 flounder to win individual and Scotland won team event.

Found a wee gem as well, Courtoun Harbour Sea Angling Centre. Great wee shop stocked to the gunnels with tackle. Not often that a wee shop of that size has everything you could look for but this one does, well worth a visit if ou are in the area.

Well your advice paid off, thanks. Was an easterly wind that put fishing off a tad but we caught flounder and dogs, had 11 lsd and 2 flounder to win individual and Scotland won team event.

Found a wee gem as well, Courtoun Harbour Sea Angling Centre. Great wee shop stocked to the gunnels with tackle. Not often that a wee shop of that size has everything you could look for but this one does, well worth a visit if ou are in the area.