Valentia island

b]People[/b] Me and occasionally the other half

Duration:Various

Tide:various

Weather:Lovely

Bait:Mackerel, sandeel, Lug, Razor

Rigs:Various

Results:Conger, Pollock, Mackerel, Huss and dogs




Report:I fished a good number of locations around the island over the week. with a good deal of sucess. The favourite was Coloo head but not the main location that is frequented by the macky bashing fraternity but a more western spot which allows better access to the water without trying to lift fish up a cliff face, I got some cracking pollock to arounf 5 lb with one memorable evening when everytime I put a lure in the water it got hit. I did'nt always land the fish and a lot of the time it won the war diving into the kelp and leaving me hanging. Most of the time here I either spun with a silver coloured lure or leadhead black with red tail the best, I did ground fish here but after losing some good fish on the bottom because I was too busy with the light stuff I decided one or the other and stuck to the light stuff.

The fort light house provided good pollock again up to 5 lb and a small conger 5-7 lb, yes I had brought a rapala digital scales but it plays up just when you need it most. This area provide good sport but it was hard to find a good spot with easy access and anyone who respects their vehicle should give this one a miss. I would also say that if you are unsure of your footing keep away. this area looked really good.

The other main location I tried was the channel between Potrmagee and Cahirciveen and this produced dogs and small huss. It has to be noted that this is not a deep channel and I fished this area in calm conditions with a blazing sun and still caught fish, There was a problem with weed but it must hold more at night, its mixed ground and I cant think of any reason that ray wont show here.

Overall a great week with just one blemish on Friday when I could not do a thing right. Even though the mackerel were in front of me I couldnt even catch one of them.

I have some limited photos as my camera went for a swim on day 2 and refused to work after that which I will sort out.

well done sir :D :D :D :D

i am off to the dingle on friday for a couple of days hope it fishes half as good :D :D

Hi Pat,
nice report, Sorry, but I should have mentioned about the state of the road down to the light house. Beautiful place to fish though. Did you have any trouble with Mink?

Were the mackerel skimming the top of the water, with their noses out of the water. Sometimes when there is a high plankton count in the water they will sip plankton and ignore baits. A phenomenon we used to call
" Smoking". Unusual for them to be doing this at this time of the year though but given the mini heat wave last week then its a possibility.

Hi keeper there were a few basking shark in the area and all close in so the plankton must have been really thick. I watched one down near the old pier at the fort lighthouse no more tha 100 M out. Some of the mackerel were really big and I saw some really big launce, thought they were gars at first. Thanks for the info.

I was at culoo on Saturday, There were big shoals of mackeral skimming the surface extactly as you described. Amazing to see, as water was flat calm under sheltered ledges. They were taking feathers but not as keenly as they usually do. I couldnt catch a pollack which was surprising :cry: :cry: :cry:
Mackeral also had big launce in with them a few of which I caught for bait :) :)