Red Gill, Cork Harbour - 13th August

People:Me

Duration:7:30pm - 10:15pm

Tide:HT 18:54pm

Weather:Drizzle, fog & rain, but not the F6 forecast, gentle SE

Bait:Mackeral

Rigs:10ft Leger, plugs

Results:Scad, mackeral, pilchard (?), bass

Report:Headed out after tea to target bass and fished for 1/2 hr into darkness. Eventhough, I had fresh mackeral from this morning I decided to mess around for the first hour for mackeral. Besides I needed a bit of a run on the tide. There were plenty of mackeral breaks and other activity on the surface. Straight away I had a decent scad on the Hayabusa sabiki's, but after that failed to find the macks. Picked up what looks like a pilchard on the small hooks (picture below). About 8:30pm decided enough was enough - I'll fish with this morning's bait. Anchored up at my chosen spot. As there was a lot of surface activity here I decided to set my spinning rod up with a toby. Working it slowly against the tide I soon started picking up a steady stream of mackeral which were dispatched to the live-well. Selecting the liveliest, he was soon despatched to the bottom to seek out Mr. Bass. I put this in the rod rest and set up a green mackeral rebel on the spinning rod. All the time while plugging there was plenty of mackeral activity on the surface, particularly in a small bay ahead of me. After 3/4 hour I decided to head upto this spot. I was just about to pick up the rod, when suddenly line screeched off the drag. I struck, set the hook, and was into a good fish. Classic bass fight, the fish quickly took the line upstream. Unfortunately, when I landed him I had to keep him as the hook was right down his throat. First casualty of the season! This was a handsome fish. I had no scales but at 57cms I estimate its weight at 5lbs. I rebaited with a lively mackeral and sent it down to the same spot. No interest over the next twenty minutes. As there was still plenty of activity in the bay ahead I decided to give this spot a go. Within 10 minutes of anchoring here I was into a fish again. This fish only tentatively took the bait. The drag just slightly moved. I gave line and as it tightened I struck. Again a good fish and it also took the line upstream. This fish measured 55cm and again I would estimate its weight at 5lbs. Although well hooked there was no damage to this fish and I was able to return him alive. It was now pitch dark and there were no more indication of mackeral feeding. I gave it another 1/2 hr but with no further bites called it a night.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Nice fish Pat,
What type of rig and size hook are you using for live baiting..do you think it would be possible to use this set-up for shore fishing ? cheers, rory

nice report pat.

1 casualty for the pot out of many ain't bad well done.
that pilchard you caught might be a young herring :wink: .

Used a 10ft running leger with a size 1 treble. You need a good run of tide to make sure the mackeral does not come back up your line and make a mess. You could also freeline the mackeral especially in slack tides and/or on the drift. Theoretically, you could also freeline the mackeral from the shore but I'd say it could be tricky. In shallow water you'd have your fish going all over the place and possible around obstructions.

thanks Pat...good advice there

nice fish pat.
think they look alike

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I think you're spot on Art. Is that the Sammy lure?

yep thats the one, would like to get same in smaller sizes, all the fish i,ve had/missed on it have been over 4lb.