western beach south mayo 21.10.18

three lads I know fished this mark on a western storm beach. Back is killing me atm, so no driving on s*** roads much less beach casting.

baits was squid, mack and freshly (and apparently very hard won) lugworm. Spot near Murrish (abbey) needs to be left alone to recover, said to be in a poor state.

Sea was calm, almost no weed but bites were few and far between until last light (getting for 8 pm), which coincided with high tide.
Flounder dominated the initial catches, with fish of 13 18 21 22 23 and one decent fish of 27 cms.
They had been hoping for a silver fella...

once darkness came, coalfish showed up with lots of small fish around 20-25 cms taken. Best fish was 31 cms which is smallish for Mayo.
once decent flounder was taken on a whole sandeel catch well out behind the rips, weighed in around 2.5 lbs (34 cms). Small eyed rays have been taken there.

Guys gave it up around 10 pm (it being a Sunday) when the dogs started to show. One whiting also taken, very small. One strap conger (probably silver eel) as its near a river.
5 rods took 29 fish in 4 hours or thereabouts, so a pretty good return.

Hope to get out over the bank holiday, even if its off a pier.

Nice fishing

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Nice fishing. Interesting to hear about the painted rays. Don't see many up this way. Reports of some from a beach in Sligo also at this time of year. Are you lads getting many bass in mayo?

Hi

Painted rays have shown here, often mis-identified! Tend to come inshore in winter, as elsewhere. Suspect now is ideal time but distance casting required, typically along with wading out to waist height. Saw one landed, taken a few thornbacks myself but alas not myself and not sure I will be targeting them for a while...

bass, well, that's another story but I hope to get out a bit more this winter...

Good report, sounds like a great evening of fishing, well done!