Wicklow Beach 19/8/2011

People: Myself

Duration: 19:30 - 01:00ish
:

Tide: HW @ 01:00

Weather: Windy to start with but then died down to a nice calm night

Bait: Rag, Lug & crab

Rigs: Pulley & 2 hook flapper

Results: 3 smoothies, 1 doggie and a Bass




Report:

Arrived down to beach at around 19:00ish . There was a nice southerly wind blowing and a good surf but there goes my chances of a hound I thought. Fished one rod at distance for the first 2 hours with no bites. Got the second one setup and fished it short in the surf with some nice lug. All quiet for the next hour until the small rod started nodding,picked it up and connected with a fish. Not much of a fight and shortly after I had a nice 45cm bar of silver on the beach Was just over 2lb. Phew, blank saved so now I could relax a bit !!! Well I say relax but with two rods on the go and changing bait regularly I really didn't have much time for sitting down. The wind had long since died down and with the sea looking calmer I thought the smoothies might be venturing close to shore now.

It was 2 hours since the Bass and I was rebaiting the 2 hook flapper rod when suddenly I heard a clatter behind me which gave me a fright . I looked to see as I thought I had kicked over the rod or something but I hadn't. Shone the light down to see an empty Monopod !!! Ran down to it and lucky my rod was just there lying in front of it. Picked it up and took in the slack, slowly reeled in and then felt a good weight, this has to be a smut as it was starting to make it's way down Wexford direction. Adjusted the drag and let him run a bit. I managed to turn it and then it started heading the other direction. After 5 minutes of zig zagging I got it closer to shore, got a glimpse of it and it then made one last dash for it stripping some more line, shortly after I had my first decent sized smoothie on the beach - mission accomplished ! Weighed 5lb and after a few pics I sent him back on his way. Now that was fun , I can't remember the last time I actually had to play a fish !! Not long after I had a slack liner and connected with another smut(3lb). Not as much of a fight from this one, so got him in quick enough. Quick pic and back he went. It was nearing 01:00 HW and as usual I was dreading packing up all the gear (anyone else feel the same?). Took one rod in and started putting away the shelter with one eye always on the the other rod that was left out. Rod tip bent over, dropped everything,grabbed rod and reeled in to a nice fish. Cue the zig zagging and not long after I had a nice starry smut this time ! Another 5lb'er - Quick pic and back he went. I have to say they really are an impressive looking fish and could really feel the strength they have when was putting them back.

Anyway that was my best nights fishing this year and it made up for all those blanks Drove home a happy man !


later
steve

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Nice session I hate packing up as well, at least when you have a good session it not so bad!

i think i was fishing next to you ?did you have a blue shelter? nice to get a bass and a few hounds

Yea, twas me alright! Looks like it was a good night's fishing had by all.

Excellent fishing!bass smoothounds what more could you ask for!definetly made up for those blanks welldone!
tightlines
fergal

nice fishing mate good result and nice smuts

Nice report and good pictures.

Well done on your fishing mate, and a big well done on staying thru the first few hours, that swell was pretty rough and hard to see any bites, I was the guy up one from Roger, I had a truly great nite to!

well done on putting in the hours

Fairplay man, my 2 favourite fish rite there man, have to say well done!!!!!!!!!!!

good man stick,great report and fine fish
oh i hear you might be after me cup!!!!!!!

talk soon

Cheers leadhead. A plan is being hatched alright - you can hold off engraving the cup yet !