West Waterford (Small) Turbot

Location: West Waterford

Tide: Spring flood

Rigs: 1 hook clipped down

Bait: Rag, mackeral

Having taken the brother-in-law and the nephew on a flounder bashing trip on the Blackwater a while back, they'd been pestering me to get out again. I needed no convincing, but as the ladies and the kids would be coming too, we had to work something out that would suit everyone. So, when the weather looked good this weekend, we settled on Sunday for a trip to a West Waterford surf beach. As the sun was splitting the stones, I reckoned we'd get nothing; but blanking is so central to the fishing experience that the novices would have to learn it sooner or later ...

I went down early to the beach to check it out; thankfully, there was no real weed, which was plaguing all the other local marks. That said, there was a really stiff breeze that had a nasty habit of pushing the rod rest over if you were careless. Was joined half and hour later by the brother-in-law, who's a pleasure to fish with as he really wants to learn and won't let you do anything twice for him. The nephew (8) kept at it for a while, but a sandy beach on a sunny day has too many distractions, so he only lasted so long.

Notthing happened for an hour until the brother-in-law reeled in a small turbot about the size of your hand. The size might have been nothing great, but I'd never heard of turbot being caught from that beach––and worse, had never caught one before myself. Pah! Beginners luck, I reckoned. Thankfully, picked up a slightly larger specimen just after that myself, so my dignity was restored. Both were released and took off without any need of help from us. Kept fishing for another hour or two, but the kids started to get cranky, so when I had a crack off on a cast we decided to pack it in.

All in all, a pleasant day. The fish themselves were small, but now I know they're there and can be caught from the shore, I'm going to set about targeting them properly. I reckon a night session is in order soon, where I'll have more of a free hand; will post up anything substantial. See pics below for evidence of the day.

Lodore

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that is the nice little turbots hapy days

nice fishin well done

well done lodore on getting your first turbot at the mark

if i cud get a turbot have that size id be happy.i cant seem to catch 1.poor me.well done u

that is the nice little turbots hapy days

nice fishin well done

well done lodore on getting your first turbot at the mark

Cheers guys. The fish themselves were nothing remarkable, but was great to add a new species to the list.

if i cud get a turbot have that size id be happy.i cant seem to catch 1.poor me.well done u

Well Brian, I hope you brought a crossword: I had to wait 15 years for my first turbot

Nice one Lodore, sounds like a nice day was had on the beach with a couple of nice wee turbots caught , well done.
I reckon if you go back and try the same place at night you might find you'll do better with bigger fish coming on the feed.
Maybe not but it would be worth a try. Great report also

good to see a few different species showing up well done

Nice one Lodore, sounds like a nice day was had on the beach with a couple of nice wee turbots caught , well done. I reckon if you go back and try the same place at night you might find you'll do better with bigger fish coming on the feed.
Maybe not but it would be worth a try. Great report also

I reckon so too Kerry; only one way to find out! Cheers!

good to see a few different species showing up well done

Thanks Seanie; hope you can get out soon for a session. We might try for some turbos if the bass aren't biting: I think you know where we might go

Well done, the Turbot is a fish which has yet to grace my rod with its presence

good to see a few different species showing up well done

Thanks Seanie; hope you can get out soon for a session. We might try for some turbos if the Bass aren't biting: I think you know where we might go

sounds good if its where i think it is i was there at 5am this morning on the rocks........give me a week or 2 for the baby to dry

2 turbot off a W.W beach is a rear catch, going to try for 1 myself in the next week or so, if i get 1 i,l be happy

Well done, the Turbot is a fish which has yet to grace my rod with its presence

Well, Eyes, If I can get one big enough to grace my plate I'll be the happy boy.

sounds good if its where i think it is i was there at 5am this morning on the rocks........give me a week or 2 for the baby to dry

Hope you got lucky Sean––and more importantly, congrats on the baby!

2 turbot off a W.W beach is a rear catch, going to try for 1 myself in the next week or so, if i get 1 i,l be happy

Well Cortaz, I reckon of you went fishing the the kitchen sink, you'd have a better chance of a fish than most people on a beach Going to give it a determined go myself all the same, though.