Donegal rock marks 19/05/12

People: Me and couple of mates

Duration: all day

Tide:out and in

Weather: sunny

Bait: lures, mac

Rigs: pulley

Results: pollack, dab, conger eel




Report:

Decide to hit some rock marks of Donegal as weather forecast was good just east winds could be not too good, but still thought was worth to try. So first we deside to try one of the marks where usualy good on low and rising tides. This particular mark is quite shallow over the low water and full of kelps. First few micro lure casts didn't produced any fish, so decide to wait for more water and try bottom fishin at the meantime. After half an houre first bait of the day, and small dab showed up. It was good sign after several very poor sessions, so I continued keep a bait rod working. Waters was rising and I made another few casts with micro lure to see wether anything came up and it did, small pollack up to one pound start to come one after another and it was good sport with light spining rod. But short after I noticed that the baited rods line went slack, well, there is the doggy I thought as this mark usualy producing them in high numbers, but there was no doggy at the short reeling distance conger eel appeared on the surface, it wasn't monster, however it was good to see him I consider it was between 4-6lb as I didn't even lift him up, I just shake him of the hook.
Shortly after that we decide to go elswhere to the much deeper waters believing to meet some bigger fish. Arrived at the new spot we thougt this is gonna be a briliant time as first we noticed that the water was teeming with sand eels and launce and this is usual prey for pollack and other predatory fish, however this excitement was quite short as first couple of hours of testing all gear that we had gave no result apart of few launce accidently hood with feathers. Well one thing was swinging in my brain was what to do now? Then I start to combine all possible lures with strips of mackerel and launce to make them more attractive and smelly, but even this didn't made sence. Ok, no lures worked so all I was left to do is try the very last but not least method, just a single ledhead and very long and tiny strip of mackerel as this worked from the boat when fish is not active, and rigt after first cast to the hedge of the kelps produced a pollack, again not a monster, just around 3lb, but it was really welcome at this time. We spend about couple of hours after that and another small pollack were cought using this very simple method.
So for conclusion there was a good session after very lond winter and if the weather stays wormer fishing will be better too. However can consider that fish are back to the usual marks, but still not in great numbers, and there is something to cath right now and it's good indeed. Fingers crossed for a good and dry weather.
Sorry lads I have no pictures, my camera was left at home, anyway it wasn't much to show, just thought may someone are interesting what is happening up this way.

Grady

At least you caught a few Grady, the next few weeks should kick all the rock marks in to action you can be sure the big fish wont be to far away from the prey!!

..a single ledhead and very long and tiny strip of mackerel.....very simple method..

Simple, but extremely effective!

Well done Grady great day to be out and a few fish for your efforts. Fair play mate

Thanks for the report Grady. You worked hard for the fish, well done

Well done Grady, 2 fellas caught 57 pollock between themselves in a different part of the country from a kayak so hopefully this is the start of it.

Well done Grady, 2 fellas caught 57 pollock between themselves in a different part of the country from a kayak so hopefully this is the start of it.

Well done Grady, 2 fellas caught 57 pollock between themselves in a different part of the country from a kayak so hopefully this is the start of it.

A friend has kayaks, was gonna try this, do they go out far?

Good to see the rock marks showing...

Depends upon the kayak that your paddling. A kayak 12 foot or more is easier to paddle for inshore marks. Usually I don't have to go any more than 2 k's from the launch pt. At times I stay a lot closer to shore for certain marks. Over 2 days last year in Galway I had 50 pollock and coulda had more. Had a codling and a few wrasse and macs thrown in during that time. The kayak is definitely a handy job for getting to certain places. The kayak that I paddle is nearly 16 ft, the longer the better

cheers for the report Grady. Nice to bag a few fish.....

At least you caught a few Grady, the next few weeks should kick all the rock marks in to action you can be sure the big fish wont be to far away from the prey!!

Thanks Brian, there is very little need just 1 or 2 degree water to worm up for fish to move to shallow waters as all anglers struggle to fit into short distance of the marks with deep waters.

Well done Grady great day to be out and a few fish for your efforts. Fair play mate

Cheers Dave, it's good to see some fish at all.

Thanks for the report Grady. You worked hard for the fish, well done

Thanks mate, hope very soon less and less effort will be need to put in order to catch a fish.

Well done Grady, 2 fellas caught 57 pollock between themselves in a different part of the country from a kayak so hopefully this is the start of it.

Cheers, I heard that another side of the country is producing much better than west, but soon things will change, well I hope.

Good to see the rock marks showing...

Thanks man, it was long - awaited moment.

cheers for the report Grady. Nice to bag a few fish.....

Thanks Joe, someone may need bit of that.