North Wicklow 15-11-11

People:me

Duration:11pm-3-30am

Tide:rising, hw 2-30am approx

Weather:slight southeasterly

Bait:crab,lug,mack,squid

Rigs:pulleys and flappers

Results:1 x 3 Beard Rockling




Report:Got my first 3 Beard Rockling last night, beautifully marked fish . I had gone out late after a bit of a kip after work and arrived at the mark refreshed and raring to go. Two anglers were already there and had some success including some decent rockling and pouting. One introduced himself as Joeflan off the site and we had a nice chat. Joe told me that I had a lucky escape as Fishface had been there previously "testing" out a new rod and reel. I explained that when he blanks he was just "testing" his rod, not actually fishing . Joe and his buddy left about 11-30pm and I was on my own. I had crab on the distance rod and on retrieval there was a nice 3 beard rockling on it. I cant say that I saw a bite or that he gave a good account of himself as I was just concentrating on hauling him in at full speed to avoid getting snagged. There was plenty of weed about,,that stringy stuff that catches everywhere . Boycie and Shane then arrived and I showed Boycie a piccie of my latest catch. My pride was shortlived as he showed me a piccie of one at least twice the size of mine . From then on I had a bit of a disaster Next cast in close got snagged ,,,,,,,,,,,and as I retrieved the distance rod the leader gave way as it hit the top eye,,,even worse I was sure there was a decent fish on. Shane had a nice codling and Boycie had a rockling but I had snag after snag. The lads left at about 2-30pam but I stayed another hour to lose some more gear. On the positive side I convinced myself that if I hadn't gone out late I wouldnt have got a new species so it was worth it . I'm sticking with this story now .(This is where I copy the report so as I wont get all annoyed with myself if I lose it and start all that screaming again ). I'll post a couple of pics of the 3 beardie to make it look a bit better than it was
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well done on the new species dave

it was hard fishing alright

fairplay to you dave for sticking it out its not easy when your getting snagged.

Ah sure who cares about the hard session or the size of the fish a new species mighty well worth all the snags!
tightlines
fergal

Nice 3-beardy Well done on the new species, great reward for ploughing on through the weed.

fair play for sticking it out many others would have gave up inc myself well done on the 3 beard rockling

I was half thinking of going out myself but thought the tide would be against me so stayed put. Well done for sticking it out.

Fair play for sticking it out and well done on da new species

nice r/ling dave much better than the slugs i get .

Well done Dave, not only for the hard fishin and a new fishy, but also avoiding ol Fish Face I think we should all chip in and get you a shield or something

Ive started using the weight lifters over snaggy ground and I find they really do work, was in Skerries in the rocky horrible ground (blanked) but didnt lose any gear with it!

At least you got a new species for the list Dave happy days

lovely pics of the 3 beardy dave . another species notched up for 2011
as for losing the rigs. sure it just means you can tie up new ones with shiney new sharp hooks for better hook ups on your next trip