East Cork beach - 3rd January 2009

People: Me

Duration: 5 hours

Tide: HW at 9.45 pm

Weather: Light southerly/southwesterly breeze, mild

Bait: Black lug, rag, razor, squid, mackerel

Rigs: 3/0 and 4/0 pennel pulleys, two hook flapper

Results: 1 flounder




Report: The weather forecast for Saturday night was for a change to light southwesterly wind - so after over a week of stiff easterly winds I thought this was about the best chance to get out an catch my first fish of 2009.

Arrived on the beach to find a good surf and it was quite mild I actually felt warm in my multiple winter layers.
I has hoping to start off the year with a bass so set up two rods with pennel pulleys baited with razor/lug and cast them out to moderate distance and close in. A couple of anglers were already there - want over for a chat - they had nothing, not even a bite at that stage - about 3 hours before high tide. But I was hopeful of it picking up close to high tide. However the rods remained motionless.

More or less at high tide I eventually had a small twitch on one of the rods - I waited then there was another timid bite - waited a little longer until there was a firm pull on the line and struck. However, it didn't feel like the bass I was hoping for - I hauled in a 36 cm flounder, quite a plump guy although I didn't weight it. It was cleanly lip hooked on the 4/0 pennel so it was easy to free the hook and release it.

I was hopeful that the fish were finally going to make an appearence - I continued with the pennels for the next hour - but then decided to put on a two hook flapper on one rod in the hope of picking up something small - but not a hint of a bite.

With that short temporary respite from the bitter easterly winds I had been hopeful of a better session but at least it wasn't a blank and I got my first fish for the year.

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well done on getting out and grand flounder. Pity a bass or 2 didn't show, was sure the wind change would see a few caught then again marlinman had one in a bitter north wind last nite so the fishies dont always read the script.

Nice flounder to get you started in 2009 Kinda expecting Bass now every time i open one of your Reports your that prolific

Thanks guys,

Kinda expecting Bass now every time i open one of your Reports

All the netting that took place on the East Cork beaches in early December has probably decimated the bass population on those beaches. I don't know how widely the bass travel along the coast but if they are fairly localized it may take years for those beaches to get back to what they were.

All the netting that took place on the East Cork beaches in early December has probably decimated the Bass population on those beaches. I don't know how widely the Bass travel along the coast but if they are fairly localized it may take years for those beaches to get back to what they were

Very sorry to hear that hope they catch the B@$t@RD$

Hi Frank,
good result with the flattie as any fish this time of year would be a good one.The next few weeks are going to be tough especially if the cold snap stays with us.However if it gets milder a few bass will show,those sonsos did'nt get them all.The beaches around here always get a hammering its just we never here too much about it.Don't worry the bass will return it just might be a bit harder to locate them in good numbers,hence the excuse of going for a walk with herself to find likely spots,might even have to revert to fishing on our own doorsteps especially if that guide from the sixties[compliments to rory],is anything to go by .
Will catch up soon and i hope those bits and pieces i gave you have been of some benefit.
Tight lines

Don't worry the Bass will return it just might be a bit harder to locate them in good numbers,

Lets hope so, if the illegal netting was not going on over the last few years those beaches would really have been great for bass - as good as anywhere along the south coast.

i hope those bits and pieces i gave you have been of some benefit.

Yes some useful information there - thanks very much.