Wicklow Pier 02/06/2009

People:Myself, Tony Fella and Hank

Duration:4 till 9pm

Tide: Rising

Weather: Mediterranean Conditions 27 Degrees in the car on the way down

Bait: Rag on some of Tony's mack

Rigs: Mini Rigs and flattie rigs

Results: Usual great mix from this mark




Report: I had promised Hank (13) that I'd bring him fishing yesterday as he had no school and I was away at the weekend. And to be honest when I finished work yesterday morning I was in no more the humour to drive down the N11 after the traffic at the weekend.But a promise to a kid is a promise so I collected him at about 2pm picked up some rag and a 5 foot jerk bait rod I'd ordered for the mini's. Typical it comes in after I'm broke from the weekend

I called Tony to see if he was heading out and he was on his way down already. When we arrived the place was packed! There was loads of kids swimming and running about enjoying the heat.We spotted Tony and set up beside him. Tony was already into the mini's with a nice new rod. I started to slag him about getting a mini rod while I set up mine. It didn't take him long to spot mine though

Between the three of us we were getting the usual collection of wrasse, blenny's and a nice jet black Pouting for Hank! A man beside Tony had brought his young lad fishing for the first time and was having little luck. Tony tied the lad a rig with a smaller hook which I thought was very of nice of him. After a couple of nice Pollock the poor boy did not get a luck in as his dad was becoming hooked on this fishing lark!

We set up our beach casters then and Tony got two doubles of a dog and a dab. The dab's were nearly 30cm!! Really nice fish. Then Hank pulled in a nice fat Flounder just shy of 30cm. I on the other hand was having no luck with the flats. I really wanted a place to add to my list but any fish would have done by now. I even retied up the rid with a longer snood and different beads.

Then after loosing my third mini rig I gave up and packed up the mini rod. Some scuba divers came along soon after and a couple of lads snorkelling with them. I asked them to get my 30,000 weights I've lost but they just laughed. I wasn't messing Tony packed up soon after and hit the road. I decided on one last cast and using the last four rags I baited up two to a snood and cast out. A man came over to me with a new rod he had just bought. He was cracking off every cast so I looked at the line and it was very weak. I gave him some line and tried to tie on a bit of shock leader for him. Do you think I could remember how With that Big Sod arrived and thankfully sorted the lad out with with a knot. The man insisted on giving me a tenner and we nearly came to blows over it! So he put it in my tackle box. I was just happy to help out but I've given the tenner to my wife towards childline who she did the mini marathon for. So Thanks if you read this.

Then while chatting to Sod I reeled in my last cast. I felt some weight on the line and thought I'd a doggie on. At least my distance cast had finally picked up a fish! To my shock and surprise I reeled in a Red Gunard! I was thrilled and let out a roar! I got some look from people but could not care less! I was made up with catching one they are such a deadly fish. A good size at 30cm it took ages for pic as he jumped and wriggled with me. I managed a few and popped him back in. He swam around for a bit and then headed off. What a sight it was seeing him swim they are such a beautiful fish. Poor hank had to listen to me all the way home

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well done, new species and people throwing money at ya

some nice fish there man,, far from being minis the gurnard is a cracker what's that old addage, "do good things and good things will happen" bet he looked class in the water

Great session there, a gurnard from shore's good going. If it wasn't for other anglers passing on tips and knowledge to others we'd never learn a thing. Fair play to ya

Great report pal. U could set up a wee stall at the pier lol. Gunards are cracking looking fish. I got a tub up in fahan a couple of years back. it was a pretty big one as far as I remember. great creatures. well done pal

Sounds like you had a great session there alright and good work on the Gurnard. I was half thinking of trying to get down there over the weekend to try for the Plaice myself but I wouldnt mind a Gurnard, well done.

Cheers lads. It's a cracking spot alright. Any reason to go and I'm packed in minutes.

I was half thinking of trying to get down there over the weekend to try for the Plaice myself but I wouldnt mind a Gurnard, well done.

My brother has had a couple in different sessions Dave. I'm just unlucky

I got a tub up in fahan a couple of years back. it was a pretty big one as far as I remember. great creatures. well done pal

Thanks Thornie yeah they are deadly looking. I was only sorry I did not get a better pic of the fins. They were really blue and the crawlers are mad looking. He was out a while so I thought best get him back.

Great session there, a gurnard from shore's good going. If it wasn't for other anglers passing on tips and knowledge to others we'd never learn a thing. Fair play to ya

Cormac I just remember people helping me and they still do! I'm not proud when it comes to getting advice from people. Except my solicitor cause he charges the hell out of me

some nice fish there man,, far from being minis the gurnard is a cracker what's that old addage, "do good things and good things will happen" bet he looked class in the water

Thanks Al yeah he swam around for a bit so I got to enjoy seeing him. It really makes all the effort worth while when you enjoy seeing the fish swimming in the water. One of Tony's dog did the same. He hung around for a bit and then swam off with his head sticking out of the water.

well done, new species and people throwing money at ya

Seanie with this recession I might just have to go back

your red gurnard is a tub gurnard, even better

your red gurnard is a tub gurnard, even better

Thanks Eric, Tub it is so.

nice fish, going tonight hope i have your karma with me

Well done on the Tub Gurnard

Here hold on is that not the gurnard i asked you to put back....?

Tony your one was shaped like a baby shark with black spots and really rough skin

Well done Conor, lovely gurnard, congrats, see what you got for doing a good deed with that kid

Here hold on is that not the gurnard i asked you to put back....?

Tony your one was shaped like a baby shark with black spots and really rough skin

No more like Blonde, taned, tall and in a in a white dress

No more like Blonde, taned, tall and in a in a white dress

Had the wrong bait with me for her. Think you need a big Merc and a bag of cash!

No more like Blonde, taned, tall and in a in a white dress

Had the wrong bait with me for her. Think you need a big Merc and a bag of cash!

Don't cut yourself short lads fine thing she was i could of had her there and then..........................................................................with a 8/0 hook and a mackrell head