Wicklow 17/5/2014

People: Myself, Skelly, Hullo and Cutsy

Duration: 7.30pm - 12.30am

Tide: LW at 8ish I think

Weather: Windy but dry

Bait: Rag, Mack and Crab

Rigs: Flappers, Clipdowns and Pulleys

Results: Codling, Whiting, 3 Bearded Rockling, Dogfish and Spotted Ray




Report:


First report in ages. Havnt been fishing much but after a nice long trip away I was itching to get out so I gave the Skell fella a shout and soon enough a plan was being hatched. A call back the next day confirmed we got the green light, the beach was picked and we were to be joined by two budding young anglers Hullo and Cutsy.

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When we got to the beach the wind was kicking up alright but it wasnt as bad as we thought it would be. It picked up a little as the night progressed. The fish were biting from the off. Whiting, Rockling and Skell was hitting some pan sized Codling at distance. Seeing this I tried lashing some big crab baits out but to no avail. Few Dogs for my efforts. Soon into dark as I was in my shelter baiting up a trace I heard an almighy roar up the beach. "For F"$%S Sake". The Hullo fella had lost a big fish in close. Unlucky pal, better luck next time.

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The fishing quitened down a little then and after getting some fresh rigs in the water, I lit a smoke and took a wander up the beach to chat with the lads. Things were quiet up that end too. Bout 20 minutes later I'm changing bait on one of the rods and as I go to reel in I notice its gone way down the beach. I was holding bottom fine. Reel in the slack, give it a little strike to set the hook if a fishy is swimming around with my 2 hook clipdown and began to reel. Weight! But a dead weight so i thought double dogs until I got it up the ledge and into the shallows where it start fighting. Taking my time and not bullying the fish I brought it in gently with a nice roller. Saw the white underside and thought sweet a Ray. Flipped it over and was even more chuffed when I seen those beautiful spots. My first Spotted Ray. Sounded the alarm to the lads and they came pottering down the beach to take a look and offer their congratulations. Fish was caught on Ragworm tipped with Mackerel and weighed 4lbs 1oz.

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A little after midnight the Dogs came on heavy with Hullo landing a treble, fair play. A quick meeting of the troops seemed the general consensus was to call it a night and head home to our loved ones. Loved ones being our XBoxes, PlayStations and Alcohol haha.

Grand little session to dust the cobwebs off for the coming season. Fishing seems to be quite alive at the moment in most parts. Lets hope its a good sign for better times to come.

God bless.

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Good session lad and well done again on the spotted
And I have to say you can't beat the beach shelters on nights like that

Well done Jay,,,,beautiful fish ,,,,it was chilly enough on the beaches last night,,and you only back from Africa ,,,so much for balmy Summer nights

Good session lad and well done again on the spotted
And I have to say you can't beat the beach shelters on nights like that

Cheers Skell. Couldnt agree more!

Well done Jay,,,,beautiful fish ,,,,it was chilly enough on the beaches last night,,and you only back from Africa ,,,so much for balmy Summer nights

Thanks Dave. Was a shock to the system alright!

I have to say its great seeing ray been caught on the east coast, between Dublin showing a few and now a nice spotted in wicklow... Lets hope its a regular thing..

Well done.

well done on the ray

beaut of a spotted ray, nice session,well done

Well done lads

Great report and session

Fair play on cathching the Spotted, makes for a nice change from the dogs.

Cheers Lads.

Fair play on cathching the Spotted, makes for a nice change from the dogs.

Absolutley!

Nice fishing lads, well done on the ray!

well done Jay great report cracking Ray