Raying 25/5/15
Wed May 27, 2015 10:19 pm
People: Me, BiL, FGD
Time: 4pm - 9pm, LW 7pm
Rigs: Pulley Pennell 3/0 with size 2 dropper
Baits: mack and sandeel, rag
A late bank holiday tide didn't deter us from loading up and getting on the road well into the afternoon after a quick rag digging session.
Got to the mark in much choppier, cooler conditions than those we left in Belfast. I got set up and cast out (first as always) and had an enquiry as I was setting up the other rod. Knowing I had a big bait on, I left it until the other rod was set up by which point the beggar had gone. BiL having by this time reeled in a scourge made me suspect that as a culprit as opposed to the generally more committal thornie. Had another good bite on the 2nd rod which again didn't develop.
In what seemed like a flash, BiL had bagged 3 rays and 2 scourges. I had stuffed him 2 weeks before 3 to nothing and it now seemed to my horror that the tables were turning on me, despite us being on the same pegs as last time : (
Come slack water I was beginning to lose hope. I'd also been experimenting with a modified pulley rig with a small worm bait fished as a dropper. This was coming back stripped EVERY time.
As the tide turned, BiL got into his 5th ray as myself and FGD stood with our rods motionless.
Eventually I got a good knock shortly into the new tide. This one hung on tight and I landed my first of the day. Unfortunately, amidst the post-landing excitement, I managed to take the tip off my Rampage. It's within warranty but a pain in the hole nonetheless. Anyone have experience dealing with Penn warranties?
Shortly after, the master of the house made the proverbial pair, and on the broken rod. This auld fella' gave a very good account of himself and soon nullified my angst over the broken rod as it turned out to be a PB. Went 54cm, 7lb 5oz in auld money. Still not huge but edging towards that 8lb Shimano badge.
Happy with this in the bag, my focus turned to FGD who I really wanted to land one. The issue with the young lads getting marks handed to them I guess is that they get spoilt. Having caught 2 sizeable bass on his last trip, I didn't want him to blank and lose momentum. A few tips on bait presentation, rod positioning and casting I hope contributed to him finally getting one on literally the last cast. To be fair to him he shifted pegs at slack water of his own volition and he has good angling instincts from his piking days as a wee-un'.
So everyone went home with fish. BiL had his day volume-wise, I got my PB cigar and FGD a maiden ray. Can't be bad to that eh.
Time: 4pm - 9pm, LW 7pm
Rigs: Pulley Pennell 3/0 with size 2 dropper
Baits: mack and sandeel, rag
A late bank holiday tide didn't deter us from loading up and getting on the road well into the afternoon after a quick rag digging session.
Got to the mark in much choppier, cooler conditions than those we left in Belfast. I got set up and cast out (first as always) and had an enquiry as I was setting up the other rod. Knowing I had a big bait on, I left it until the other rod was set up by which point the beggar had gone. BiL having by this time reeled in a scourge made me suspect that as a culprit as opposed to the generally more committal thornie. Had another good bite on the 2nd rod which again didn't develop.
In what seemed like a flash, BiL had bagged 3 rays and 2 scourges. I had stuffed him 2 weeks before 3 to nothing and it now seemed to my horror that the tables were turning on me, despite us being on the same pegs as last time : (
Come slack water I was beginning to lose hope. I'd also been experimenting with a modified pulley rig with a small worm bait fished as a dropper. This was coming back stripped EVERY time.
As the tide turned, BiL got into his 5th ray as myself and FGD stood with our rods motionless.
Eventually I got a good knock shortly into the new tide. This one hung on tight and I landed my first of the day. Unfortunately, amidst the post-landing excitement, I managed to take the tip off my Rampage. It's within warranty but a pain in the hole nonetheless. Anyone have experience dealing with Penn warranties?
Shortly after, the master of the house made the proverbial pair, and on the broken rod. This auld fella' gave a very good account of himself and soon nullified my angst over the broken rod as it turned out to be a PB. Went 54cm, 7lb 5oz in auld money. Still not huge but edging towards that 8lb Shimano badge.
Happy with this in the bag, my focus turned to FGD who I really wanted to land one. The issue with the young lads getting marks handed to them I guess is that they get spoilt. Having caught 2 sizeable bass on his last trip, I didn't want him to blank and lose momentum. A few tips on bait presentation, rod positioning and casting I hope contributed to him finally getting one on literally the last cast. To be fair to him he shifted pegs at slack water of his own volition and he has good angling instincts from his piking days as a wee-un'.
So everyone went home with fish. BiL had his day volume-wise, I got my PB cigar and FGD a maiden ray. Can't be bad to that eh.
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Re: Raying 25/5/15
Wed May 27, 2015 10:46 pm
Good day's fishing when everyone goes home happy. 
Well done.
Yappo
Well done.
Yappo
Re: Raying 25/5/15
Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:42 pm
nice rays!! good stuff! 