dbrock v thescotsman in the VEALS/DAIWA LMS comp

Venue: Ballybrannigan, Co Cork

People: Lee, Dennis (and Eric)

Duration: 15:00-20:00

Tide: HW 17:00ish

Weather: sunny, warm, calm

Bait: mackerel, sandeel, lug, rag

Rigs: 3 hook flappers, 3 hook clipdowns, single hook clip down and flyers

Results: Lee - 4 undersize turbot, 26cm flounder
Dennis - 2 undersize turbot, 27cm flounder, 1 Dogfish

(Eric - technical blank)

Report:

Well, for my leg of the comp had decided that a spot of flat bashing was in order, given that Dennis had told me he hates fishing for flats. Bit of a gamble on my part as I can be a bit hit and miss fishing for flats myself, but got a few pointers from Pete beforehand, and given that the place was stuffed with flats the previous couple of years at this time, thought I'd be OK. Also with the daylight, thought I'd keep Dennis out of the dogs etc.

Beautiful day, bright sunshine, not too many people on the beach. Put the lads on a forced march along the beach lugging their gear (I was travelling light ) - was being accused of all sorts of things at this point

We got set up no problem and Eric kicked us off at 3. First cast I got an undersized turbot, putting me into the lead by 2 points -whoo hoo! Was expecting a lot of small turbot and flounder, so thought it was all to the good. Kept in close to shore where normally the flats would be, and was rewarded with another couple of turbot on my third and fifth casts.

Eric meanwhile had fired out one long (with sandeel) and one in close. His distance rod started kicking and after a big slack line bite he managed to get a bass of around 3lbs to within inches of his grasp before it managed to throw the hook and swim off. It was the closest he got to a fish for the rest of the day.

I'm sure Dennis will elaborate on what he was doing, but he seemed to be hedging his bets and had one hook out long for bass/doggies and was fishing a flier close in. He picked up a small turbot (his first of the year) around about my second or thrid one. Things went very quiet at this point, baits coming back untouched etc, so it was looking like my plan was backfiring a bit so Dennis was happy enough as only 4 points separated us.

Long quiet spell, with only another turbot to me. We amused ourselves with an old barrel lid as a frisbee, Eric presenting a natural target for Dennis, who is a deadly shot with the frisbee from range. We had to stop when the lid started fraying and ripping our fingers . A spot of stone throwing target practice kept us amused for a while longer through the lean spell.

After this, thought I spotted a twitch on my rod, so I deliberately left it a while longer and was rewarded five minutes later with a flounder of 26cm. I think Dennis got another undersized turbot around this time. Thought I was onto a winner as we were pretty sure the odd fish was going to win out the day.

So it remained until it started darkening. Dennis had opted to go long with all three hooks, looking for a doggie. I followed suit for the last 20/25 minutes as no sign of any more flats and was worried that he'd get one. Anyway, no sign of any bites.

Eric called time at 8. I started reeling and felt a bit of bend in my rod, Dennis was looking over and think he was bit worried that I had another fish. I was sure I had one too, but when it came in there was nothing, probably just caught up in a bit of weed, or possibly dropped one.

I wandered over to Dennis who was doing a bit of a slow retrieve just in time to find him with a double shot of a 27cm flounder and a doggie. Done on the last cast - gutted . Wish I'd started at 2 instead of 3

Anyway, not too bad, only a fish in it between us, and it could easily have gone either way given the way it was fishing. Anyway, it'll make for a bit of excitement up in Dennis's venue. Still all to play for.

Fair play to Dennis and Eric for coming down and making it an enjoyable day, just wish there had been more fish to reward their travelling.

Nice report! Sounds like a very close match! I'd say the two of ya's were sweating towards the end

Ballybrannigan can be a bit unpredictable alright - I have found that the two or three hours before high tide are the best - the flounder generally sweep through sometime in that interval. Once the tide starts dropping the fish are usually gone. I don't think I have ever caught anything there more than an hour after high tide (although I have usually packed up by then so maybe thats not an accurate comment).

Interesting to see turbot showing up - I have heard of a few others been caught there recently. I must have a crack at them the next time I fish there. What size hooks did you get the turbot on?

Ballybrannigan can be a bit unpredictable alright - I have found that the two or three hours before high tide are the best - the flounder generally sweep through sometime in that interval. Once the tide starts dropping the fish are usually gone. I don't think I have ever caught anything there more than an hour after high tide (although I have usually packed up by then so maybe thats not an accurate comment).

not fished it that often, but we got four of the fish on the drop. No flounder until tide was receding, Dennis' flounder coming at distance. Went off for the turbot around high tide.

Interesting to see turbot showing up - I have heard of a few others been caught there recently. I must have a crack at them the next time I fish there. What size hooks did you get the turbot on?

The place is full of small turbot, I was using size 4s and 6s and you'd want longer snoods (2-2.5 feet I was advised), fished there before with short snoods and got just one, while Pete fishing beside me had about 20. Just throw in a few yards, they can be anywhere from right at the edge to 20yds out, but you'd want it to be relatively flat. Most are around the 15/16cm size (or smaller ) but there are some above the 20cm (not that I've ever got a counter).

Lee is right, there is normally plenty of small turbot here. Certain spots on the beach can fish very well on the drop. I have a particular favourite mark that I fish from the 3rd hour down to low water.

I must stick it out a bit longer then - I have usually packed up once the tide started to drop about an hour after high tide.

Thanks for the advice on the turbot.

oh yeah, use thin mackerel strips as bait