Co Waterford - 24th June 2009

People: Me

Duration: 11pm to 3.00 am

Tide: LW at 2.10 am

Weather: Moderate east/southeasterly breeze, dry

Bait: Lug

Rigs: 4/0 pennel, two hook flapper (4/0)

Results: 3 bass, 1 dogfish




Report: Bass have managed to elude me since the 16th despite a lot of effort to catch them over the last week using lures and some bait fishing. With the wind picking up on Tuesday morning I decided that this would be a good time to try some beach fishing. I got set up on the beach by 11 pm. There was a nice surf rolling in so I was hopeful of picking up a few bass but I ran into weed problems straight away. Several times it only took a few seconds after casting for the rods to buckle over under the weight of weed I spent more time cleaning fine weed off the tackle than I did fishing for the first two hours I came very close to packing up at midnight but decided to perservere for a while hoping that it would clear. This beach is typically like that with easterly winds; as the tide ebbs below a rock promontory and the weed that built up on the eastern side of the rocks starts to migrate down the beach but then it clears. I resorted to using just one rod with the 4/0 pennel.

Sure enough by 1 am it was almost weed free. As soon as the weed cleared I spotted a timid bite. I was unsure if it was a fish or just a clump of weed on the line and held the rod until I felt a stronger bite. I struck hooking into a fish that was putting up a strong fight and eventually hauled a 55 cm bass through the surf - my first post-ban bass Unfortunately the fish was very deeply hooked into the gut. So that was one for dinner.

Only a few minutes later I had another subtle knock - again the fish seem to be taking the bait very timidly. When I felt a stronger pull I struck. This time it was a 56 cm bass

About 15 minutes later I had another timid bite. I waited and the fish returned but was still timidly biting on the bait. I struck and hooked into another bass, this one was about 50 cm This was also quite deeply hooked but the hook was easier to remove.

At about 2 am I had another bite but this time it was a dogfish.

I stuck it out for another hour and had one missed bite. This time there was quite a strong knock on the rod but I struck too weakly and the fish came off after a few seconds.

So I eventually managed to get a few post-ban bass - I was beginning to think I had forgotten how to catch them

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nice session rock hunter, a few nice bass there and a nice doggy too.

back in business frank well done

The weed can be a killer at times hey, but glad to see your perseverence paying dividends in the end

Well done Frank, back in action A lot of weed up here also last night.

Nice going Frank,
fished a local mark last night myself.I had 3 in my first few casts all around 5lb mark.Then the weed moved in and that was the end of my fishing session,it was horrendous but at least i know what my rods can handle.
Keep at the lure fishing there are plenty of fish about at the moment i guarantee you you won't look back once you land a few.
tight lines

Nice fishing Frank

well done frank some nice bass there

you thought youd forgotten how to catch bass
i have . bought a new spinnin rod and its always with me and i havnt caught a fish since
i bought it

well done lovely bass

Thanks guys,

Keep at the lure fishing there are plenty of fish about at the moment i guarantee you you won't look back once you land a few.

I will keep at it - I just have to discover what time the fish are at certain rock marks - I have that sussed for certain beaches - that bass the other night were bang on time.

you thought youd forgotten how to catch Bass
i have . bought a new spinnin rod and its always with me and i havnt caught a fish since
i bought it

I got a new spinning rod and reel a few months ago - I was waiting until after the bass ban to give it proper go but like youself I still havn't managed to catch a fish with it, apart from a couple of small pollock.

nice going frank. sometimes it pays to give it that little bit of extra time.

nice fishing well done