East Cork - 30th November 2009

People: Marlinman and Me

Duration: 7.45 pm - 1.00 am

Tide: LW at 10.00 pm

Weather: Cold, clear, SSW wind picking up later

Bait: Lug, razor, crab

Rigs: 4/0 pennel pulley, 2 hook flapper (1/0 hooks)

Results: Me: 1 bass; Marlinman: 1 bass, 1 flounder




Report: After a very dismal two weeks of fishing with not much to show for it other than a few small coalfish and a turbot I was hoping that the last day of the month might prove to be more successful. We headed to a beach where I had been quite successful this time last year with similar cold, calm conditions and tides so I reckoned that this was the best chance of picking up a bass or two.

The geometry of the beach has changed quite a bit after all the storms. We got set up, I had a big lug bait on the 4/0 pennel pulley on one rod cast out to distance and lug and crab on the two hook flapper on the other rod cast in closer. At first I was using a rolling weight on one and a gripper on the other, but later changed to rolling weights on both as I was casting across a sandbank and wanted the bait to settle on the far side. However, it remained quite for a long time. Mike got a small flounder on lug I think, but I was getting nothing apart from the occasional small nibble.

At about 10 pm I thought I had a knock on one rod and picked it up but then Mike spotted a strong pull on my other rod, the one cast out far. I grabbed it but felt nothing - I started to retrived and thought whatever it was had gone - then suddenly it took off - dragging the line to one side towards the rocks. It was putting a strong bend in the rod as it tried to haul it in. Then diaster - the line snapped - probably from abrasion against the rocks as it didn't look like the leader knot had come undone.
I was kicking myself for not retriving faster initially and giving the fish too much slack so that it could get in amongst the rocks.

It was quite again for a while after that. The tide was beginning to surge forward. I cast one rod in close to the gulley on the landward side of the sandbank as I thought fish would probably be coming in with the tide around the flank of the bank rather than over its crest. Sure enough - not long afterwards there was a strong knock - again I have Mike to thank for spotting it as I was struggling with a snag on the other rod. This time there was no chance of the fish getting out to the rocks - it pulled a slackliner for a few seconds and I thought I had lost it but when I retrieved the slack the fish was still there, and I eventually hauled it on to the sand - a 52 cm bass The fish had taken the crab on the upper hook of the flapper rig.

Next cast I aimed for the same gulley. I had a few nibbles but no more bites.

A bit later Mike got himself a bass - a bit smaller.

We continued for an hour or so but there were no more bites.

So after a very lean two weeks I has delighted to get a bass at last - that went some way to make up for loosing the big one earlier.
Let's hope fishing in December is an improvement.

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hi there bud i just read about your last 2 weeks of fishing,where was it you was fishing because i have had the best month of the year fishing here in cork.do you belong to a club?

lovely bass well done

Cracking bass Frank well done you can put the last 2 weeks behind you now ,the cod
should start showing down your way real soon they should keep you busy

Ya nice to be out last night chasing silver fellas with you,lovely evening despite the cold.Felt bad for you though with the one that got away as judging by the bend in the rod and the take it was a BIGGIE .None the less fair play to sticking at it as if it was me id be a bit peeved and would have gone home for a warm cuppa of barry's tea.I'd say the reel is been replenished with new line as we speak,that fish really put the foot on the gas when it sped away to the rocks obviously knew where it was going
Hopefully the change in winds will bring the fish on .By the way had a close call heading home the saying bambi on ice means nothing thank goodness for having everything bar the kitchen sink in the boot .
Tight lines

Hard luck on the one that got away Frank and nice to see you back among the bass Lovely fish

cracking bass mate after such a long spell

unlucky on the big one frank but at least ye both got a fish.

Thanks guys,

the cod
should start showing down your way real soon they should keep you busy

I heard a few are showing up alright.

Felt bad for you though with the one that got away as judging by the bend in the rod and the take it was a BIGGIE .None the less fair play to sticking at it as if it was me id be a bit peeved and would have gone home for a warm cuppa of barry's tea.I'd say the reel is been replenished with new line as we speak,that fish really put the foot on the gas when it sped away to the rocks obviously knew where it was going

I was happy enough to get a smaller one in the end - but now I know there is a big one lurking around there - next time

as always frank an excellent report always full of detail when you were describing the bite and the bend on the rod i felt i was standing be side you well done on the bass the one that got away he will be there waiting for you next time

lovely looking fish rock your a lucky man

Unlucky with the big un Frank but great to see some nice Bass caught well done

nice fish frank was out myself last 2 nites and nothing bar a few whiting think its defo cod fishing time from here on in