Dublin Bass mark 2/08/08

People: Me

Duration: 19.30-21.30

Tide: LW 18.30

Weather: fine

Bait: rag

Rigs: 2 hook flapper

Results: Crabs and weed :roll:




Report:

Had to dig some rag for a session in wicklow tomorrow so put the gear in the car and thought I'd chance a few hours at the scene of my first Bass 2 weeks ago.m Fished the ebb last time at this mark so was looking forward to fishing the flood. Given the nature of the venue I was only gonna get a couple of hours in, but to drive 1/2 an hour to dig bait it would be rude not to wet a line even for just 2 hours.

Arrived to find the local seal population soaking up the evening sun.

They looked very lethargic and extremely well fed.....perhaps not a good sign for me, but at least they wouldnt be in my swim for the duration of my short session.

Having found the crabs to be a real pain in the backside last time I was here, I was intending to try a few different rigs and tactics to see if I could give myself a better chance.

Started off with a 2 hook flapper with longish snoods and cast out, giving the reel a few turns every 5 minutes. This didnt stop the crabs getting to the bait. Shortened the snoods considerably and tried the same again. This didnt stop the crabs either.

Knowing the weed here is a problem I reluctantly decided to lift the bait of the bottom and put a few small pieces of cork above each hook, I also changed the grip lead for a plain pear-shaped lead, thinking that the tide would take the lead up....in theory this would reduce the effect of the weed as the rig would be moving with the flow. I dropped the rig into the water in front of me to ensure it was giving enough bouyancy......it did.

Cast out, and as expected the rig did flow with the tide, but unfortunately it was still gathering weed.....only positive was the baits were not getting ravaged by the crabs.

Gave it a few more casts, with the same results, but by now the tide had beaten me and it was time to pack up.

From low water up you only really have a 3 hour fishing window here, so I'll try the mark again and fish both the ebb and the flood to give me more time to experiment.

I can't remember the last time I had 3 blanks in a row :oops:, so I'd better put the demons behind me for Sunday's trip to Wicklow :wink:

try 5 or 6 in a row mark :lol:

good luck