Dun Laoire West Pier 21/3/09

Me

Mack

Two hook flappers, flattie rigs, Sliding float

8.45am -10.45

Delicious sun shine but deceptively windy

Blank! Aaaaargh!

Was in the area and it was too nice not too wet a line. Had some gear in the boot. So the hunt for bait began, There wasnt any shops at all open in the immediate area so i went to Tesco Ballybrack in the hope of a few frozen prawns, they were just stocking the fresh fish so I bagged a pair of mackerel fillets.

Down to the west pier then, I've had success on the sea side of the pier but it was too cold and windy and I didnt have proper clothing with me. I fished off the bottom and on the float harbour side at the elbow for 45 min or so then decided to move to the end. Zilch going on there and the wind was annoying me/freezing me.

I went back to the elbow then with a flattie rig out and a two hook flapper, As the bites started It was time for me to go, very important work to be done. If I had persevered Im sure I would've got something as I was getting bites on the flattie rig, all pearled up with with blades but I just hadn't time on my side.

Anyway what can you do!

I had a better time sitting on that pier than the 7 hour no fishathon I had for brown trout on the dodder last Wednesday. The sea must be more calming!

Im off to Westport this weekend so expect BIG THINGS! (don't quote me on this)

I got mackerel from Tesco in Ballybrack on Sunday. Fished Bray Harbour with it and even though I got 11 whiting (Jesus spare me from whiting) the majority seemed to be taken on rag in preference to the mac on it's own. I'm not sure how fresh it was when I picked it up.

I had a better time sitting on that pier than the 7 hour no fishathon I had for brown trout on the dodder last Wednesday.

did they not stock the dodder this year

They did but I suspect that a lot got taken out on Paddies day and or the fish went back in but died. My other theory is that the stockies have no interest in staple baits for a week or so. They're used to a diet of pellets and feed. I walked a stretch from Rathfarnham to Donnybrook and saw plenty of small trout in the shallows. I had all sorts of bait right in front of them, worms, sweet corn, maggots and casters but no interest and they swam away from any spinner I used. Even had a go with flies and nymphs but no joy (i was tooled up for the day). At one of the deeper weirs near Milltown a huge fish came right up to the surface after a mepps but never appeared again!

When all the wackos and lager drinkers give up Ill go back.

And that mack was pretty stinky alright! Shouldve gone for prawns! They had Rob Roy anchovie fillets I was tempted to get!

there does be some mad rigs for a few days after paddies day, best i seen was a 4oz grip lead up at rathfarnham , or the swimfeeder full of worms used as a spinner with no hook

unlucky with the blank man, i've given up buying mackeral from the supermarket. on the last 2 occasions it was'nt fit for bait, let alone human consumption