Wicklow Hounds Ray and Huss

So I decided to give myself a kick in the arse and get a hound session or two in before they're gone. After many people telling me how bad they where this year, I wasn't too eager, but the young fella had me driven mad to catch one so I decided on a handy session in wicklow fishing end of the drop and most of the flood. Low water in mind for Ray was part of the plan. Arrived and set up two rods, one at distance and one about 60 yards. Fresh crab baits and some squid and sandeel combos, up and over Pennel rigs fished a treat for us all night. one doggie for the night was fantastic, as the baits were able to settle and get picked up by our target species.

First 3 casts saw us into 3 Hounds, first 2 around 4 to 5 pound mark and 3rd came in at 6.5 lb. Great start ! The young lad was made for the night, mission accomplished. A few more hounds and then things slowed down for an hour. But sure enough, just after slack water we managed a few small thornies and then back into the hounds again. Much better fish coming in this time, plenty of specimens and the biggest 10.6lb. My PB well and truly smashed. After a busy hour it slowed right up and so we decided to use up the remaining bait in close scratching for species to keep himself interested. Whiting, pouting and doggies was the answer. We even managed a little tub gurnard. On his last cast he pulled a triple shot, which was turning him blue in the face reeling it in Me shouting at him come on reel the effin thing its only a few tiddlers. To our surprise a huge Huss broke the water about 10 yards out and we both nearly wet ourselves with the excitement. Turns out the Huss went for one of his hooked whiting which in turn got hooked also. Unfortunately the size 2 match hooks did not cope with the last pull and he done a tumble and snapped the hook clean in half and disappeared into the abyss. A fine huss that looked far bigger than any i have landed on east or west coast. Shocked, excited, disappointed but also amazed we packed up after that and headed home.

A special night fishing that ill never forget, something special about seeing the young lads face as he felt the power of his first decent fish. A moment I got to re-live through him and certainly gave me the bug again for some more sessions.

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Fantastic report and some fine fish, nice!

Class! If that's the stretch I'm thinking of it really can throw up anything!

Fantastic report and some fine fish, nice!

Cheers man

Class! If that's the stretch I'm thinking of it really can throw up anything!

Cheers Dave yea it’s been good to me over the years

Fantastic fishing - great results and another hooked

Fantastic fishing - great results and another hooked

Cheers Corby yea another one to buy loads of fancy gear for too haha

sure its a great excuse to covertly buy yourself a load of gear too

Deadly. Great stuff. great pics too.
One to remember for a long time for the young man!

Deadly. Great stuff. great pics too.
One to remember for a long time for the young man!

Cheers Charlie yes absolutely I was delighted for him a far better first session than I had anyway that’s for sure

great report lad.good meeting ya on courtown how did it fish after,im in recovery now so hope to be back on the beach in january

great report lad.good meeting ya on courtown how did it fish after,im in recovery now so hope to be back on the beach in january

Cheers pete yea likewise mate. Was a poor enough session as far as I remember few small hounds. Hope the recovery goes well, defo see ya down south in the new year

Unbelievable session for Wicklow. Fair play! Not often a ray turns up from the shore!


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Unbelievable session for Wicklow. Fair play! Not often a ray turns up from the shore!


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Cheers man yea I have some great sessions over the years along Wicklow and arklow but can be very hot and miss at times too.

How does it work with the hounds on the east coast? They show around June and then again in October?


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How does it work with the hounds on the east coast? They show around June and then again in October?


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They’re usually well and truly gone by October they normally fish well from July to September with the bigger ones around August on the east coast but this year I had heard from a good few people how poor the hound fishing was on the east coast. To be honest I didn’t put a lot of effort into them this year but had great results when I did fish for them.

You’d wonder does 16 Celsius in November have anything to do with the late showing


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You’d wonder does 16 Celsius in November have anything to do with the late showing


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No wondering about it