North Kerry Strand (03/02/2007)

John Lynch, Gearoid, Derry & Gerry and Eugene from Tralee:

10.30 - 2.30pm:

lw 12.30:

sunny, cold , light easterly breeze:

sandeel, mackerel, black wraps:

All sorts:

12 Ray, 9 dab, 1 flounder and 1 poor cod.
Gearoid 5 ray and a dab
John Lynch 4 ray and 2 dab
Eugene 3 ray 6 dab and 1 flounder
Derry and Gerry drew bad pegs:

Catch and Release:: Yes



Arrived at the mark shortly after 10am, there was a very cold easterly breeze blowing but we wraped up with plenty of layers. Myself and Gearoid were first to arrive.Gerry, Derry and Eugene arrived shortly after.

Gearoid who is 19 today was first to strike with 3 ray and a dab in his first few casts.The rest of us were still to get off the mark. Soon after I got into a few ray and Eugene also. Eugene also began to catch a few dab along with another couple of Ray.

All the fish came at range 150yds +. The ray were not huge ranging from 1.5lbs - 4lbs, but put in a good fight over the sand banks and ledges. The best of the dab was 30cm. Giving the weather conditions it was a reasonable days fishing. I bet gearoid did not think he would be catching 5 ray on his birthday. Fair play to all the lads for getting up early on this frosty morning, its not easy to get out of bet when it is so cold outside.

Gearoid has a few pics, they will follow soon:

Fished here today the 4th-febuary. I hadn't a tap until the tide turned. I then got a 2 ray and a dab all to mackerel. I had both rods bite at the same time for the second ray but I lost one of them pulling up from the last gulley. It was great to christen my new mag elite with ray at distance which was why I bought it. I had a few taps as well that didn't produce any fish probably small dabs. I was using 2/0 hooks in all out wish for ray. As John says the ray are small but they really have to be pulled. Not spectacular fishing but days like this make all the work put into my casting worth it. Though I need a more practice to get results like John and gearoid.

Donagh

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Well done Donagh. Nice pic also. Must get a camera.

I would not fancy my chances at landing a 10 pounder at this mark. I'd give up and cut my line after about 5 mins. We must have a scession at night on this mark soon, although weather for next weekend looks crap.

well done lads , were they all thornies?

have you tried bigger mackerel baits? we used to use smaller mack baits and sandeels at another kerry ray mark and only ever had fish to 5 or 6.

eventually tried really big mack baits like a whole half side on a pulley pennel and it led to the double figure fish coming in. bit of a bitch to cast as far as you seem to need to hit but with the mack well elasticated and a clip down rig you might be ok.

Hi Adam,

They were all thornbacks as far as I'm aware. It seems when you go so far north in kerry there are many painted around. I haven't heard of any here but I'm sure there at least the odd one like in clare. I'd love to catch a painted ray but their pretty rare in the estuary and the SPA is a long drive for me.

This place has a rep for needing very big casts so I for one just couldn't get a big bait that distance. Biggest bait I tried was a fully loaded 2/0 penel but by the time I was catching fish I had a much smaller baits to get the distance. As john says the small ray here can use the banks and gulleys to their advantage and put up one hell of fight.

Donagh

pics

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