Red Strand, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

People:Myself, Phanover & Connor
Duration:12.30-8.00pm

Tide:LW at around 2ish I think.

Weather:Breezy but calmed

Bait:Lug, Peeler, Sandeel, Mack, Razor

Rigs:Mostly 2 hook flappers and 3/0 Pennells

Results:Not a lot!


Report:

Fished Red Strand for the first time on Friday, Conditions looked superb with a nice surf running on a rising tide, hopes were high of connecting with a Bass or two. Unfortunately that was not to be, there were 3 of us fishing 5 rods in total with every combination of the above baits going out.

Nobody had a bite until dusk started to fall and Connor landed a palm sized turbot, an interesting start. Despite conditions looking perfect, fishing into darkness on a rising tide, the bass (if there were any!) steadfastly refused to play ball. We had a steady succession of 4oz coalies and that proved to be it. Most frustrating, every combination of bait was tried, fished short, fished long, big baits, small baits, fresh bait, smelly bait....to no avail, just coalies. Only bait I didnt try was a live bait of one of those coalies, anyone ever try that?

A lesson in humility perhaps after me giving the Donegal lads a touch last week about blanking! :D

Still the scenery was lovely....... :D

Karma. I love it. :lol:

Hi Peter

Have you ever tried fishing it on the ebbing tide for the bass?
What was the water colour like? And where exactly is red strand?
I know Clon reasonably well, worked there for several years...

Thanks m8

Ebbing tide, Eureka, now we have it! Had never fished it before but will certainly give that a try next time. Water was somewhat coloured alright with the southwesterlys we had over past few days.

Its not too far away from Galley head if that helps, I just followed signposts from Clon so didnt pay too much attention. Beautiful spot it has to be said, just disappointing results. Fished out the back of the jeep in comfort all day so wasnt too bad, lot to be said for that! Place looked perfect, really Bassy, small beach, flanked by rocks either side, good surf running and a small stream running about a third of the way across. Next time.........

Hi

Get a hold of Bob Moss' books, lots of useful general information that apply equally to Cork. Dunno what the weather was like down there in the last week but we've had very heavy rain and if that stream was in spate, all the fresh water can drive the bass away as well.

I've also found that in Cork heavily coloured water is not good for bass - they hunt as much by sight as by scent or vibration during daylight so lots of sediment in the water can put them off, same goes for the flatties.

HTH

we fish thered strand reguraly and it only fishes well for the last 2 hours before high water and an hour and a half after.has to be under darkness. the bass fishing in the area has quietened off a lot in the last month. have had very few since the start of janruary. also if there is a few bass going the coalies are giving them no chance at getting at the bait. by the way what was the turbot taken on. theres a nice rock mark to the west of the baech. when you drive down from a western direction theres a small bay next to the road. to the right of this is a nice rock mark fishing onto sand.

West, East, not sure! Arrived there direct from Clon so is that rock mark before Red Strand or after? Looks to be some v interesting marks down that neck of the woods alright. Cheers for the info Lumpy, will bear that in mind for next time. Small Coalies are a pain but they did save the blank. (sort of...) Small turbot was as far as I recall (fell to Connor) taken on a size 1 or 2 hook on a flattie rig on lug tipped with squid.

the west end is the end to the left of the beach. to the right of the beach out on the headland is a rock point where 20lb + huss have been taken on long lines not far off the shore. have to try it in the summer

Give us a shout on email/pm if ya ever fancy teaming up, its an area Id like to get to grips with as it looks like has excellent potential alright but as ever, local knowledge is key!