Dun Laoghaire 22/01/2009

People: The Marino Tight Lines (Gearoid, Hank and myself)

Duration: 7pm till 11pm

Tide: High at 9:30pm

Weather: Little bit of rain but very mild.

Bait: Lug and Mack

Rigs: Ha used everything I had.

Results: One (yes just one) whiting to me




Report: I’m under strict instructions from her in doors not to leave the greater Dublin area as she is due in the next few weeks. Hence the reason I’m not in Ennereilly today.

So I have decided to fish on and hit different Dublin spots. I have to admit I was not very hopeful and my fears came to light following this session. We parked up and headed down to the end of the East Pier. We set up near the very end fishing off the side into Dublin Bay. The target species was Collies and Pouting. With extra marks for a Pollock or a Doggie. I had made up a few three hook flappers that morning using a size 1 at the bottom, size 1/0 and a 2/0 at the top with floating beads. First cast I got snagged and boom my rig was gone. Second cast same. Third cast I reeled it in with a small whiting about 20cm. By then between us we had lost about 8 rigs to snagging. Poor little Hank had used up all the rigs me and him had made up at the weekend. By this stage I was using some 2 hook paters I had in my bag from before and Hank had lost two more.

Frustrated to hell we decided to move around to the front of the pier and fish into the harbour. Not a word of a lie first cast I was into a big fish about 3lb and lost it as I tried to lift him. Not sure what it was but I was fit to curse the gods at this stage. We tried for a little while longer but when the seal’s popped up we decided to head for home. It’s a long walk back that pier with a blank hanging over you. Poor Hank had last been out with us in Wicklow Harbour and had a ball pulling out whiting all night. His little heart was broken the poor sod.

So at least we tried it and my tour of Dublin will have to continue until we have our baby.

P.S. I'm late posting because NTL were working outside the other day and knocked off my phone lines. It took Eircom 3 days to reconnect me

Well, at least ye got out...

That back of the east pier can be a real tackle graveyard alright with weed, pots, etc., etc.

And bad luck on that lost fish. Any guesses what is was?

It had a very distinct white belly. My heart says codling but that stupid brain keeps telling me Pollock!!!!!

At least you didn't blank.
But it sounds like a session from hell alright - nothing worse than loosing a brand new rig that you have just made up without ever catching a fish on it.
Shame about the 3 lber you lost.

Well done Conor, at least you checked out a new mark,,and didnt blank. The one that got away,,,,at least you saw him Better luck next time

I always fish of the first elbow on the east pier. I just use one hook and a lead lift and dont loose much gear. Reel as fast possible to get over the weed.

its a good few years since i fished it but the slipway on the back of the pier just past the bandstand was always pretty good. a lead lift is a tackle and fish saver here.

dont listen to your brain listen to your heart,,,, it could have easily been a codling ive caught a few down the end by the lighthouse wall,,,,,

when

unlucky with the lost tackle and fish man but at least you're getting out and doing a bit

when

bout 3, 4 years ago but i did

uuuuhhh

Cheers lads. Yeah was good to get out for a while. Think Howth is calling me tonight or tomorrow evening. Has to be done

I fish the end of that pier quite often and have never had a bite off a 3lb'er! It's always pin whiting, pollock to about a pound or small dabs this time of year.

As it was a big enough fish alright, my pal was beside me and say it too. Mind you I would only get a big one due to my beginner status!

Did you try Howth out? I'm tempted to try it out. I've heard it's a good spot for Mackerel in the summer, but haven't heard what it's like in winter.

I fished it during the summer a few times with no results at all. Oh well a star fish! I wanted to head there tonight but my that stupid thing called life keeps getting in the way. I'm hoping to go out Saturday night but deffo not Howth. I might squeeze it in on Wednesday or Thursday night.

that side of pier is a nightmare fished there a few times before i learned, brought my bro there trying to convince him that fishing was the new footie, we had a blank i lost about 8 rigs and he got blisters on his feet, he hasnt been fishing since, you might want to try the rocks at portrane at least if you geta blank you wont lose your gear into the bargain

you might want to try the rocks at portrane

It's on the to do list

the seaward facing pier at howth can be good in winter, fish off the broken rocks just before the elbow, very rough ground but always a cod or 2 about, fish it from low tide up