Carraroe, Co. Galway, 27-May-2008.

People: Me.

Duration: 1 hour

Tide: Falling (neap)

Weather: Some bright spells, strong Easterly.

Bait: N/A

Rigs: 3-hook Hookai

Results: 3 pollack




Report:

Out around Carraroe direction today decided to head for the shoreline as I had an hour to spare and just happened to have my spinning rod in the car. :roll: Was curious to see if the macks were showing. Nope, but the pollack were making the odd appearance (~1-1.5lb). Shortly after I had caught the second fish, 2 FN’s arrived with their feathers. Didn’t realize they had discovered this mark :shock: .

First guy had a 3ft rod about as thin as a pencil and rigged-up with 6 feathers. :roll: Was hoping to see him hook a few macks or pollack, just to see what would happen next. :twisted: He didn’t make it that far – first rig snagged on a submerged ledge. Did the same thing with his second and third set. :? He cast aside the miniature rod to try some hand lining. Messed that up as well. (First time I ever saw anyone birdie a handline :lol: ). That ended his fishing session.

Meanwhile the other guy had a slightly longer rod (~5ft) and the biggest beachcasting FS reel I ever saw :shock: . He pulled in 2 small pollack. Thought he was going to his kit (plastic bag & penknife) to unhook ‘em, only to discover he used his penknife to kill them. I couldn’t believe my eyes. (Ok, I’m on my soapbox now). These fish couldn’t have been any longer than 9 or 10cm. I was p*ssed, big time. :evil: :evil: :evil: I was tempted to say something, but held my tongue. Just don’t know some people will react if you challenge them. Ten minutes later he hooked another little one. Making his way to his bag, I had to say something. I had no idea if he understood English, but I tried to tell him they were too small. He glared at me, spoke some words I didn’t understand and returned the fish to the water, thankfully. He wasn’t impressed, but got the message all the same. :D

I pulled in another pollack. You’d want to see the look of shock on their faces as I put my monster pollack back in the water. A quick timecheck and it was time for me to head off.

Picking up my gear, the first guy was bagging the small pollack killed earlier. Their feather packaging was blowing around the place. Now, this was like a red rag to a bull. :evil: Pointing at the packaging with my rod, I said “that’s your rubbish, don’t leave it there”. Another glare, but to my surprise, he went and picked it up and put into the bag with the pollack. :o Phew!

Now, it generally takes a lot to get me fired-up, but these a**holes, really ticked me off. At least I had the satisfaction of pointing out their (IMHO) wrongdoings. (Deep breath - time for a coffee I think!). Ok, got that off my chest. I’m glad I spoke up, although at one stage, I thought I might end up in the sea. (Off my soapbox again – end of rant. Apologies to all if this doesn't really belong in a Shore Report :oops:).

Not sure I’d have wanted to stay any longer, even if I had more time.
By the time I was leaving, I had forgotten about the fact that there were no macks about. Soon, hopefully…

nice pollock.. pity about the pillock :? :?

pity i wasnt there.. some swimming lessons could have been called for :shock:

if your out there at low tide :wink: you know what i mean :wink:

nice pollock.. pity about the pillock :? :?

pity i wasnt there.. some swimming lessons could have been called for :shock:

if your out there at low tide :wink: you know what i mean :wink:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Yep, you'd have come in handy today :lol:

don't take any risks if you're outnumbered. some people have had knives put to their throats over a few bream.

Yep, you'd have come in handy today :lol:

how steve has a bad back and gammy knees, what would he do, he doest even look scary :twisted:

Yep, you'd have come in handy today :lol:

how steve has a bad back and gammy knees, what would he do, he doest even look scary :twisted:

Ya, but I could have stood behind him :lol: :lol:

[/quote]how steve has a bad back and gammy knees, what would he do, he doest even look scary :twisted:[/quote]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: 8) 8)

Well done on the pollock Martin :) It's such a shame to see such lack of respect for both the fish and an area of such natural beauty :( . Land owners who give access to marks could start denying access due to these idiots :evil: :evil: !!

don't take any risks if you're outnumbered. some people have had knives put to their throats over a few bream.

Ya, I take your point (no pun intended). The thought did cross my mind today I have to admit :?

...It's such a shame to see such lack of respect for both the fish and an area of such natural beauty...

Unfortunately Conor, this attitude seems to be fairly widespread. Hard to know what the fix is. :? :?

fair play to you martin

it was one thing to tell them about the sizes but to head over again and tell them to take their rubbish with them was great courage - very easy just to sit back and say ive done my bit

i know there are dangers, but we have to lead by example and encourage a change of mindset :D