Dingle Peninsular 5-12/09/09

Got back last Sunday morning from a week on the Dingle Peninsular but not had time to post. Travelled down overnight the previous Friday and stopped off in Tralee Saturday lunch time and stocked up on some frozen bait at Landers. On to the cottage at Brandon where the fridge was stocked for when the pub shut



Woke up Sunday to some heavy rain and went to dig some bait. Had to dig a hole for the bucket and fill it with sand to stop it blowing away. After lunch we met up with the lads from Tralee Bay SAC for some chat and I have to say no egos there, just pleasant chat and lots of tips from some really helpful lads. Went off to fish high water at Castlegregory in the hope of some painted ray. They didn't show however I got a start with a flounder on one of the ray baits



There were doggies too for the lads



Monday was a continuation of the summers rain and we decided on Dingle. Me and Matty set off for the lighthouse leaving Fred and Roger to fish the beach in the bay. We only managed doggies, Matty had a take on the conger rig but it managed to rip off the bait. Trooping back the lads had had some thornbacks and we arrived just in time to see Roger land one around 6-7lb



Tuesday was spent around Brandon so we didn't have to drive. Fred and Roger had a couple of flounder from the beach opposite the harbour while me and Matty walked a bit north and tried the bay and rocks with plugs and spinners without any luck. It was starting to fair and I tried ledgering sandeels off the beach but no takers. After tea the other lads tried a bit of spinning and plugging the mouth of the creek with no luck and only a flounder to show from the beach. I tried behind the pier for conger without a take but managed to be plagued with small pollock on the light gear.

The water was still full of grass and rubbish spilling out the rivers and mackerel were hard to come by. A 2 hour session might only produce two or three.

A much better day started on Wednesday and we started at Ventry around low water. Nothing doing me and Matty moved back to Dingle. Fishing again at the lighthouse I was into ray once the flood got going. First went 5lb 13oz



There was a smaller one and doggies and then a better one at 6lb 6oz



The ray dropped off and I got a pollock on the float about 2lb and a take on the float that shot off. The float came back minus the sandeel. A pollock then took the ray baits



The fishing died off and the conger didn't show so it was time to head back to John Benny's for tea again. First glimpse of the week of the lovely sunsets



Thursday morning it was up early to catch the sunrise for some photos



Then it was a couple of hours spinning, plugging off the rocks but nothing to show. Mackerel were still thin on the ground

We had a look at Brandon Creek but as on our last climb down there we decided the swells were too much and gave it a miss. The last time we endured the climb only to be pushed up the cliffs be huge swells breaking and pushing way up to us so a few photos and onwards



We then headed out and and fished the bottom of the tide and start of the flood at Slea Head. Cracking sesssion for pollock with Matty smashed up with a good fish straight from the off on a spinner. I opted for the float while he spun. Mackerel strip proving more successful than the sandeel and moving the bait inducing takes. Plenty fish following baits and jumping out of the water or taking them on the surface. Plent fish from 1lb - 2 1/2lb. My best 3lb 8oz and Matty's 4lb 6oz. They were delivered to the local lady for tea as requested.



Friday was the last fishing day so we decided Rays and Conger from the now reliable mark at Dingle. Light rods were left at home and one rod out each with ray baits while we tackled the conger. Rays didn't show only doggies but the conger put in an appearance. First blood to Matty with one about 7lb



and then I got my PB and got one out at last 17 1/2lb





Managed another strap about 5lb and then it was home.

A brilliant trip and looking forward to another visit when I can. Lovely place, lovely people and well worth the effort.

wow thats a good session lots of fish well done.in the your holdin a sonik wat they like as im thinking of getting one

Cheers. Just got the Sonik, it's an SK4. Apart from a couple of chucks that week was the first chance to really have a go. I'm very impressed with it. Had thought about getting one for the winter so had a look at it at the warehouse and was tempted so when I smashed rings on my Nemesis Plus I got one to go away with while my old one was rebuilt. It is much lighter and slimmer than the Conoflex. It picked up the bite of the flattie no problem at all and you could feel small fish picking at conger baits. Put a Penn 535 on and fished it for the conger no problem. Will be testing it over the winter in different situations but got to say a great all rounder when roving. Will cope with rock fishing with big baits but it is sensitive when picking up smaller fish. Nice smooth casting rod as well. I'm no big hitter but compresses nicely with no snatch in the cast. I'm more than happy with it.

Fantastic report and a great advert for fishing in Ireland! Weldone gents, do call again soon, really enjoyed reading that and the pics are superb!

Regards,

Well done lads, nice report and photos, glad you had a good time

Nice fishin lads Great report and pics, well done. Must have been all that bait in the fridge that done the trick.

great report lads and some super photos
looked like a good week all round

[list=][/list]excellent fishing and great photos...i have to commend you on keeping away from brandon creek with a swell...that sign is for a reason...a lot of poeple have drowned here...my buddy got swallowed by a freak wave....and under the shadow of brandon...there aint no coming out....excelent conger by the way..love the county of Kerry....but not on sunday hehehe

well done lads brilliant report and pics,glad ye enjoyed the week,next time come west we can show ye a few cracking spots down this side of the country!

Some fantastic fishing there lads and from a great spot as well

Thanks for the comments lads and thanks for the hospitality. We'll be back!

Some great fishing done there lads and great pics as well

Regards

Seamus

well done lads great session,some fine fish there,lovely conger