Shannon Estuary - 1 July to 7 July (part 2)

Part 2......

July 1 - I tried a new mark near Carrigaholt today as had been advised by some locals it was really good for Ray and Bass, while leaving Andy on the Pier to do his own thing. All I had were 3 small Flounder. On returning to the Pier after the session, turns out Andy had become a bit of a celebrity! Intentionally fishing for Conger off the end, he hooked into one of about 15lb and landed it all by himself while the tourists were waiting on the Pier for the Dolphin trip. Unfortunately I have no photos, but he does. there were loads of very decent sized Mullet off the end taking small pieces of Mackerel just being thrown in too

Off to our usual Ray mark for an evening session. Again very poor as I only had the one of about 3lb. Perhaps these Neap Tides are the problem?

July 2 - After the events of yesterday and the stories of the Mullet, there was only one option today - back to Carrigaholt and have a go at them. Armed with an old laundry bag, we set about mashing up half a dozen or so smelly Mackerel so as to set up a constant scent trail. It didn't take long for this to attract the fish, but at this stage they were only small Pollack and Smelt. However, the Mullet soon turned up and so the frustration began. One initially sucked in my offering and soon blew it out again before I could react, then would you believe it, it went straight over to Andy's and took his bait more confidently. A quick strike and it was on. Great fun on light gear but the fight didn't last that long for a Mullet and a fine specimen of about 3lb was soon brought on deck.



This seemed to spook the rest though and they never returned until the very end of the day when the remains of the Mackerel were tipped back and then there was a free for all!

In previous years, when we have Mulleted in this fashion before, the scent of the Mackerel drew up a Conger form the deep so it was no surprise to see the same happen this year!



This time there were two though and they cheekily came up and piched the loose Mackerel that we had tied to the bottom of the bag for the little fish to pick from. Obviously this was too good an opportunity to miss, but surely Conger fishing couldn't be this easy? After the third free offering had been taken away, I dropped a hooked head under the bag and given that this was the only available freebie going, surely it had to take it. Sure enough, up it came from the bottom and started nosing around.



I made sure it had taken it down and just as it was backing off to go back down again, I struck. It was on - then it was off again!!! I'd blown my chance and was sure it wouldn't return. How wrong I was though as the smell of the Mackerel was too tempting. Same again, the bait went down and after a few moments the Conger had found it. Being a greedy thing it duly took the bait in and started backing off. Patience...1...2...3..... strike!!!! This time the hook was set firm and a fierce but short battle began as it tried in vein to back away through a gap between the ladder down the side of the Pier. I knew if it managed that I would be in deep trouble. However, I got the upper hand and managed to pull it clear. Not happy at this, the most incredible imitation of a spinning top began. Wow, this thing was really churning up the sea in a bid to get away.

Andy waddled off to get the net, leaving me to hang on for all my worth hoping that the hook, knots, swivel would stand up to the job. Thankfully they did and after quite a few attempts to get it in the net, we eventually succeeded and hauled it on deck.



We think it was the same one as Andy caught the day before, but who knows?! Would be a pretty dumb Conger to get caught twice in two days!!!! The chaps from the blue potting boat had just returned from their day out and they kindly weighed it for me. It pulled the scales down to 18.9lb (call it 19lb), a PB. Thank chaps.



July 3 - An early start for refilling the Mackerel stocks again. Today our attention would turn to Wrasse so a rocky mark was called for. With the exception of Castle Point, this was our one and only veture outside of the Shannon Estuary! Bonfils Creek was to be the venue, but as in previous yeas we wish we hadn't bothered! There seemed to be a drift net cast across the bay so the prosepcts didn't bode well. And this was proved to be the case with only one bite each and one Wrasse each. Oh well, will have to look out for a new mark in the future as this one seems a lost cause.

July 4 - We gave our little local mark a bash again as it still looked as though it had potential and perhaps we had caught it on a bad day previously. Afraid not. Same result and not a single bite between us!

Andy then had the idea of replenishing the fresh Mackerel in order to save a trip out in the morning. Sound idea, but Castle Point on a Saturday evening? This was going to be a laugh!!!! The particular point we fish can accommodate 6, maybe 8 anglers in comfort. When we arrived, there were over 20 all the way along the cliff top!!! However, to our amazement we just strolled up, got the prime position on the left hand side, 30mins and a dozen Mackerel later and we were out of there. Andy had a couple of reasonable Pollack which he gave to an Indian family who were there, and you would have thought they had won the lottery! Well at least the fish were put to use instead of being thrown back to die and we made someone's day.

July 5 - Back to our usual Ray mark to see if it had improved at all, but alas no. Just the two to 3lb, that's all.



July 7 - (No trip on the 6th as it was my turn for an iffy tummy!) Mackerel again at Castle Point and a complete contrast to Saturday evening - I was the only one there!

One more go with Neil at our usual Ray mark, but with a strong NNW blowing, it made fishing very awkward. Weed seemed to be more prevalent than previously and with the coloured water things were not looking good. Neil pulled out a single Dog, but both Andy and myself blanked! Not a good way to end the holiday, but that does mean we'll have to come back to rectify it.

We must thank Neil for his advise on where to fish and also to Michael Bourke in Kilkee for keeping us supplied with bits and pieces. For those in the area, Michael has just opened up a new shop right in the heart of Kilkee (O'Curry Street I think), in addition to the one just outside the Town.



It's postioned between the first two pubs on the right, Naughtons (I think) and Scotts (defintely) and has all the kit you need to fish in the area.



Make sure if you are over that way fishing, pop in for all the help and advice you could ever need.

So, in summary, the target for this holiday was to get some decent Thornback Ray and did we achieve it? Too right we did.

In total we caught the following species:
Mackerel, Pollack, Dogfish, Ray, Whiting, Dab, Flounder, Coalfish, Smelt, Conger, Wrasse, Sandeel, Mullet and a Smoothound!

All fish, bar the Mackerel and a few Pollack were returned alive to fight another day.

Hope to be back again at the end of September.

Last edited by Mr Fishy on Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

well done lads,brilliant report and some great pics,sounds like ye had a great time,bar the dicky tummys hope it is as good next time ye come over.

Great Report and great Fishing!

I had a similar "incident" with a Conger at Carrigaholt Pier!

see -

http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bulletin%20board/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22430

what an adventure you had nice mullet and fine conger ,one fish that deserves a lot of respect and one i,v never seen eric kiss i see that tackle shop does wetsuits very hand for a holiday in the shannon area another belter of a report
WELL DONE

Well done lads, great report and piccies, glad ye enjoyed the holiday

lovely conger,good size,they put up a great fight,another good report,well done

Great report there lads, well done. Looks like you had some great couple of days fishing there.

great report and pics the ones of the conger are just brilliant. Hope you both enjoyed the holiday

Well done lads,cracking report again

Paddy

great report,great fishing,great photos well done