Dublin Bay Smoothhound 26-06-09

People: Just me

Duration: 23-00 - 05.30

Tide: very far out, then all the way in, then a bit of the ebb

Weather: fine, warm, short shower

Bait: King rag, Lug

Rigs: Pennel Pulleys, 3 hook flapper

Results: 1 Starry Smooth Hound




Report:

Tried another spot in the bay looking for Bass. Arrived to see the tide well out, and realised I had got my timing a bit wrong. Not deterred, I had a wander all the way out to the water with my tripod, rod and bait bucket. Cast a flapper out, more in hope than expectation. The weed had quickly made a nuisance of its self as the rod tip was giving that familiar nod.

Left it out there for a good soak and was rewarded with a nice plump flounder around 30cm.

The weed was too much for me after the night befores fishing, so I decided to head back to my station at the hw mark and sit it out until the tide came in further.

After what seemed like an age, the tide was sufficently in for me to cast a few baits out, 1 with lug, 1 with rag - both pullys.

Had only had the 2 rods in the water when another angler came to the spot and set up 100 yards to my right - nice guy, and very helpful regarding optimum conditions for fishing in the bay.

It wasnt too long before he was into a decent fish, but I couldnt see what it was.

No action for me yet though, and baits coming back stripped by the crabs.

A while passed, and the lad down from me was in again, seemed a better fish so I had a wander down to see what was happening. It was his 2nd smut, and around 5 - 5 1/2lb I would say. All taken on a crab and lug cocktail aimed at the bass.

Still no action for me, the weed had subsided, but the fish just were not around.

Around 4am, a bunch of 9 drunken teenagers turned up, and after much shouting, debating and egging each other on 7 of them decided it would be good fun to go swimming 20 yards to my right

I though they'd be out as quick as they were in, but to my amazement they lasted a full 20 minutes before deciding a) it was too cold, and b) it wasnt safe to be swimming in the sea while blind drunk.

At this stage I had kinda given up hope of catching, but my rod tip started tapping away, good pulls, got the rod in hand, waited for the next pull and struck.......

Jaysus, this thing took off, firstly charging straight at me then left then right........

I honestly thought I had a double figure bass on, and couldnt wait to see a fish that big in the flesh.

After a few more runs both left and right, I finally got him close enough to see to my suprise that it was actually a smoothie.....happy days, 1st one of the year.

It was great to show the kids whats lurking out in the depths of Dublin bay...not too sure they'll be swimming there again

Weighed in at 4lb 2oz,m but scrapped like he was twice that size He took a whole king rag.

Had then seen a few bass jumping, which gave me a little hope I might get one, but it seemed to be a false dawn, and only served to keep me out an extra hour.

Weed was coming back now we were into the ebb, so decided to call it a day at 5.30am.

My hands are it bits with all the line cuts given 2 nights fishing with bad weed conditions

Where has all this weed come from

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Nice one they do give a great scrap well done

Well done Mark , congrats on the smut, great result.

Nice one they do give a great scrap well done

Even more so when your only fishing into 2ft of water

well done,great report.

nice one

well done on the smut
i take it your fishin southside
tried along the stony beach out that way during the week with plugs
plenty of sea trout seen but alas no takes from bass

well done fine catch

Thanks lads, it made the long session worthwhile.....just

ken, I presume you were fishing shankill/killiney area?

I was a bit nearer to the city than that

i was indeed
goin to give the plugs a good go northside from this week on
had to change my new rod and ive just got the replacement
hope to get a few bends on it soon

Fair play you realy put in the hours

Well done Mark paid off in the end nice Smut

Thanks lad's.

Still cant get over the scrap that wee fella put up, immense.

ken, pm me your number, i'd be up for a lure session this week.