Carraroe, Co. Galway, 16-May-2008.
Sat May 17, 2008 4:44 am
People: Just me fishing (partner on photography, refreshments, etc) :lol:
Duration: 1pm tp 5pm.
Tide: Rising (FT approx. 4pm).
Weather: sunny, light southerly
Bait: Fresh mack, frozen lug, sandeel & squid.
Rigs: 2-hook flapper, 1-up/1-down clipped.
Results: 6 thornies.
Report:As the weather was lookin’ good again today, decided to head out for a few hours towards Carraroe. As herself loaded up the picnic stuff, I managed to load up 1 rod (unusual for me to just have just 1 rod onboard). Anyways, I was happy to have the one rod, as I knew I’d be bringing her for a bit of walk after we parked! :roll:
Landed at our spot just before 1pm. I setup my “landing gear” and she setup her lounging gear. The sea looked good and I figured it was a good day for rays. She agreed, as she rubbed in the sun tan lotion.
Got the first cast out and within 10 minutes, got the first tap-tap-tap. Felt a bit dogfish-ish. As it tried to swim away with my cocktail of lug/mack, I pulled up and found a small thorny on the end, (actually, it took the top hook). I didn’t really mind which hook it took - confidence was starting to soar after an early start. :D
Missed a bit shortly afterwards.
Went quiet for about an hour then another rattle. Pulled up another thorny. This one was a little better than the 1st. This guy also preferred the lug, tipped with fresh mack (as opposed to sandeel/squid).
Ok, so I wasn’t taking the pictures.
Shortly afterwards, another good tap. Thorny #3.
30 minutes later, another good rattle resulted in a thorny double! :lol: :lol:
(The smaller one being the only fish of the day to opt for the sandeel!!)
Shortly afterwards, a local lad arrived and threw out a few feathers. He was hitting the 4m mark. Within 10 mins, he had a full house. 5 mins later, another 4 macks.
After I pulled in my rig, I quickly switched to feathers, having visions of filling the freezer with fresh mackerel. Feathering/spinning with a multiplier and 13.5’ rod ain’t fun. Just around now, I realized the value in spinning gear. (Damn, I knew I should have had more than 1 rod with me! :evil: ). After 20 minutes of ”heavy-duty spinning”, my friggin’ arm couldn’t take anymore. :shock: Neither could the local lad as he packed up and headed home. Not because of my casting I might add, but because there were no more macks to be found. :cry:
(Nonetheless, good to see the macks making a shore appearance, albeit brief!)
For a rest, I decided to get back to the bottom of the sea, switched the feathers for my tried and tested 2-hook (1-up, 1 down) clipped rig and lashed out a final cast.
A few more locals lads arrived to try to pull in a few macks.
An otter started poking around, checking out myself and the locals lads. Looked like we were invading his turf. :? (When herself saw him, she nearly sh*t herself). Definitely time for home. :roll: Just as I was reaching for my rod, I got another rattle.
Thorny # 6. Couldn’t have asked for a better finish.
Threw the last few bits of bait on the rocks for a better look at the otter. Sure enough, out he marched to carry away the dished-up grub.
Left as the local lads were tying on their 3rd or 4th set of feathers after a few crack-offs and no macks to show for their efforts. :roll:
:lol: :lol: Very enjoyable session. :lol: :lol:
A few more species would have been nice, but getting out fishing in great weather is great - catching any fish is a bonus…
-Martin.
Duration: 1pm tp 5pm.
Tide: Rising (FT approx. 4pm).
Weather: sunny, light southerly
Bait: Fresh mack, frozen lug, sandeel & squid.
Rigs: 2-hook flapper, 1-up/1-down clipped.
Results: 6 thornies.
Report:As the weather was lookin’ good again today, decided to head out for a few hours towards Carraroe. As herself loaded up the picnic stuff, I managed to load up 1 rod (unusual for me to just have just 1 rod onboard). Anyways, I was happy to have the one rod, as I knew I’d be bringing her for a bit of walk after we parked! :roll:
Landed at our spot just before 1pm. I setup my “landing gear” and she setup her lounging gear. The sea looked good and I figured it was a good day for rays. She agreed, as she rubbed in the sun tan lotion.
Got the first cast out and within 10 minutes, got the first tap-tap-tap. Felt a bit dogfish-ish. As it tried to swim away with my cocktail of lug/mack, I pulled up and found a small thorny on the end, (actually, it took the top hook). I didn’t really mind which hook it took - confidence was starting to soar after an early start. :D
Missed a bit shortly afterwards.
Went quiet for about an hour then another rattle. Pulled up another thorny. This one was a little better than the 1st. This guy also preferred the lug, tipped with fresh mack (as opposed to sandeel/squid).
Ok, so I wasn’t taking the pictures.
Shortly afterwards, another good tap. Thorny #3.
30 minutes later, another good rattle resulted in a thorny double! :lol: :lol:
(The smaller one being the only fish of the day to opt for the sandeel!!)
Shortly afterwards, a local lad arrived and threw out a few feathers. He was hitting the 4m mark. Within 10 mins, he had a full house. 5 mins later, another 4 macks.
After I pulled in my rig, I quickly switched to feathers, having visions of filling the freezer with fresh mackerel. Feathering/spinning with a multiplier and 13.5’ rod ain’t fun. Just around now, I realized the value in spinning gear. (Damn, I knew I should have had more than 1 rod with me! :evil: ). After 20 minutes of ”heavy-duty spinning”, my friggin’ arm couldn’t take anymore. :shock: Neither could the local lad as he packed up and headed home. Not because of my casting I might add, but because there were no more macks to be found. :cry:
(Nonetheless, good to see the macks making a shore appearance, albeit brief!)
For a rest, I decided to get back to the bottom of the sea, switched the feathers for my tried and tested 2-hook (1-up, 1 down) clipped rig and lashed out a final cast.
A few more locals lads arrived to try to pull in a few macks.
An otter started poking around, checking out myself and the locals lads. Looked like we were invading his turf. :? (When herself saw him, she nearly sh*t herself). Definitely time for home. :roll: Just as I was reaching for my rod, I got another rattle.
Thorny # 6. Couldn’t have asked for a better finish.
Threw the last few bits of bait on the rocks for a better look at the otter. Sure enough, out he marched to carry away the dished-up grub.
Left as the local lads were tying on their 3rd or 4th set of feathers after a few crack-offs and no macks to show for their efforts. :roll:
:lol: :lol: Very enjoyable session. :lol: :lol:
A few more species would have been nice, but getting out fishing in great weather is great - catching any fish is a bonus…
-Martin.
Sat May 17, 2008 8:57 am
Sounds like you had a pretty perfect day :D
Sat May 17, 2008 10:16 am
Great session there, well done.
Still to catch a ray myself :(
Still to catch a ray myself :(
Sat May 17, 2008 12:24 pm
well done good fishing :D :D
Sat May 17, 2008 1:33 pm
now even i must admit.. thats a great session for there :shock:, good to see the ray are about in numbers up there. I must head out there some night and see if i can pull a huss or two out of it :D I'm free tonight if anyone is interested
Sat May 17, 2008 2:21 pm
Great Session there - it's put the goo on me so I will be out myself this week looking for a few.
Sat May 17, 2008 3:25 pm
Great session well done!!
Sun May 18, 2008 12:59 am
very nice, very very nice, hope i do as well in Galway next weekend
Mon May 19, 2008 6:05 pm
well martin - glad you had a cracking day - beats a blank in new quay
Mon May 19, 2008 6:10 pm
absolutely....and appreciate the directions :wink:
Mon May 19, 2008 6:26 pm
What a session, well done :lol:
Mon May 19, 2008 9:09 pm
nice session, well done