Wicklow rock mark, 05-06-10

People:me

Duration:4-30pm-10pm

Tide:risins, high at 7pm approx

Weather:nice

Bait:rag and lug

Rigs:2 hook flappers and 1 hook mini rig

Results:Ballan wrasse, blenny, dogs, flounder, dabs,




Report:Was lucky to get some bait at the last minute as I had committed the Cardinal sin of not pre ordering it .Got 20 lug and 20 rag so headed off to Dun Laoghaire in search of a Goldsinney wrasse . It was packed to the gills there, to use a fishy phrase, so I daid "Hump this!", or words to that effect and kept driving , up around Dalkey,what a lovely spot ,and I went on to settle for a rock mark I occassionally frequent in County Wicklow .Lovely day out but I put on my jumper as it was breezy enough by the sea ,and the skies overhead promised some showers, or worse, luckily I had my rainjacket handy. I cast out a 2 hook flapper baited with lug and on my second cast I was lucky enough to land a Dab . He wasnt even hooked but just had the bait in his mouth and wouldnt let go .




I had a mini rig in close for wrasse among the rocks baited with a small piece of rag, but there didnt seem to be much doing. I had bought a pair of polarised sunglasses in Aldi for a fiver and they were definitely a help as I tried different spots among the rocks. I also bought a new spinning reel ,a Tubertini Sirio 4000, which I was testing out on my small rod. Very solid construction. Thankfully I had the rod in my hand when I got a wallop of a take from a decent wrasse. He tried to pull me down under the rocks and I had a job keeping his head up , but I landed him and was delighted to measuse him at 32cms, my best yet from that mark .






The battle had attracted some attention and when I put him back in at a lower spot nearer the waterline a guy asked me where he could get some bait. He went off to buy mackeral somewhere and I saw him later on landing some doggies . Next up was another dab at distance on lug followed by a couple of doggies.




2 seals appeared next and in my haste to retrieve another doggie I lost him at the base of the rocks. Swimmers and kayakers were next up but it was all very civilised and polite , with them being very careful to avoid where I was casting to. I got a gentle bite in close and when I went to retrieve found myself snagged. I tried to retrieve from a different angle but it was no use .Worst of all ,there was a fish on and I could see a long silvery/white shape appearing out from under the rocks every now and again,small conger maybe ,anyways had to pull for a break eventually . Next up on the mini rig was a blenny, which took me three attempts as he was a cute hoor and kept getting away. I unhooked him and he did his best to bite me, snapping onto my towel and not letting go. I'll definitely keep my pinkies away from those little jaws .




Got a large crab next on the distance rod,took a pic as he was bigger than the normal ones you sometimes pull in. Maybe he was an edible one,,,,and he still is as I put him back .





Reading these reports,,,it always seems busier than when youre actually out there fishing, cos you miss out on all the boring bits in between catching the fish
, but yesterday there was lots of entertainment all around to spice up those boring bits. Bagpipes on the nearby beach provided the soundtrack to an enjoyable session. The stars of the show however, were a pod of dolphins/porpoises whe worked the sea in front of me for about 20 mins,at times no more than 40 yds offshore. I felt blessed to see then up close and other onlookers just savoured the moment.







Later on I met Ecofish from the site who had also witnessed the pod.He set up and soon had a doggie landed. We passed a pleasant couple of hours, both ending up on flatties, Flounder for Aidan, and a Dab/Flounder double for me, with me getting my smallest Dab yet.


Aidans Dab







A decent session and one , in fairness ,that I shouldnt have had,seeing as I was out twice already the previous few days. Chauffeur picked me up at 10-30pm and I went home to enjoy a few beers. 20th wedding anniversary on Tuesday,,on the way home I was thinking that I didnt make a bad choice
Dave

ps ,sorry for all the pics but i'm fiddling around with photobucket trying things out

That was a good session eyes and good report and photos. I am in the market for a new fixed spool reel so will be interested to see how you get on with your new one. Looks good after that session of yours.

Photobucket is deadly Dave and great for here as you only need to post the link. Saves you resizing and having two of every pic on your PC Very nice to see the dolphins in so close. Wonder were they chasing mac?

Good man Riley, were blessed to witness nature with this past time of ours

Thanks Dave for a really great report - superb photos and not a lie told in the text!

Good to fish and chat with you : next time maybe we'll bring along one of those take away BBQ units and cook the ones that go away?
A joy to share such a tranquil evening with you and sunset and those porpoise - who needs to go to Dingle, Daingean or whatever it's called : forgot Fungy, we got Purpose in Greystones?!!

Cu you soon,
Aidan

Well done Dave. A very busy session and entertainment and music in the background, makes a nice change from Neill chirping in your ear .Great report and pics, well done.
Congrats on the wedding anniversary.

Well done Dave. A very busy session and entertainment and music in the background, makes a nice change from Neill chirping in your ear .Great report and pics, well done.
Congrats on the wedding anniversary.

Cheers Ivan

Thanks Dave for a really great report - superb photos and not a lie told in the text!

Good to fish and chat with you : next time maybe we'll bring along one of those take away BBQ units and cook the ones that go away?
A joy to share such a tranquil evening with you and sunset and those porpoise - who needs to go to Dingle, Daingean or whatever it's called : forgot Fungy, we got Purpose in Greystones?!!

Cu you soon,
Aidan

It was a special evening alright Aidan, I reported the sightings and sent pics to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and have just received a reply confirming that they were indeed Bottlenose Dolphins,,, i thought they were too big to be porpoises alright .

Good man Riley, were blessed to witness nature with this past time of ours

Ive seen some sights alright Cormdogg

Photobucket is deadly Dave and great for here as you only need to post the link. Saves you resizing and having two of every pic on your PC Very nice to see the dolphins in so close. Wonder were they chasing mac?

I was wondering that myself Conor

That was a good session eyes and good report and photos. I am in the market for a new fixed spool reel so will be interested to see how you get on with your new one. Looks good after that session of yours.

We'll see if it stands up to the saltwater test,I always rinse my reels after each trip to be safe

Excellent report, pictures and fishing Dave as always, well done mate.
I would have loved to have seen the dolphins myself, they are class!
Me and K2 must start getting busy fishing for the mackerel that we promised you for bait, I had nearly forgotten about that. That will come in handy to you on one of your many sessions you'll be out on this year and will save you a fortune buying them - not that you would the price of them these days!

excellent report and pics as always dave. great read. one of the things we have come to really appreciate when we're out fishing is all the other wildlife you would never normally see if you were'nt out chasing fish

exellent report,session and photos dave very well done .nice to see the dolphins.

Excellent report, pictures and fishing Dave as always, well done mate.
I would have loved to have seen the dolphins myself, they are class!
Me and K2 must start getting busy fishing for the mackerel that we promised you for bait, I had nearly forgotten about that. That will come in handy to you on one of your many sessions you'll be out on this year and will save you a fortune buying them - not that you would the price of them these days!

Thanks Paula, was an awesome sight as my Canadian brother would say

excellent report and pics as always dave. great read. one of the things we have come to really appreciate when we're out fishing is all the other wildlife you would never normally see if you were'nt out chasing fish

Thanks Al It made a nice change from those other furry friends i usually encounter at that spot

exellent report,session and photos dave very well done .nice to see the dolphins.

cheers Beachcaster,mucho appreciado ,,,nice not to see the rats

Great report & pics dave nothing better than catching fish & taken in the wildlife

nice one dave... great report and pictures ... like the one with the hook sticking out the wrong way... nice one.....

Brilliant report and a great session well done.

Wow!! Great fishing Dave. Loved all the photos really brings out the good time you were having on that session.