Carmal Olivia, Bunbeg, 17 Feb 08

People: Magheraroarty & Islands SAC

Duration: 11:00 to 16:00

Tide: didn't notice

Weather: Fantastic, sea conditions great

Bait: Saw mackerel, sand eels, mussel, crab, limpet & periwinkle go over the side

Rigs: Pirks, flying collars, paternosters

Results: Hard to find pollack, coalies and 3 Ballan Wrasses

Report: A short notice standby trip for when weather conditions allowed. Weather conditions were fantastic so off we went with a Crew of 8 anglers.

First stop was about 20 mins out, the wreck Boniface. "Loinnir" was already out at it and finding fish, so hopes were high. 20 fishless minutes later hopes were lower, so away to Bloody Foreland we go. Fishless again. Go in closer, still no fish.

Off to Inish Oirr, which remained fishless. Further in closer, still fishless. Apart from one pollock caught be the skipper who just started fishing to show us how to do it. Annoying but typical Skipper's trick everywhere.

Away to a reef, Conal's Rocks or so I could make out from the Gaelic speakers. Fishless. Spotted a seal in the water which was a hopeful sign. Why else would he be there if there wasn't the chance of a fish?

Changed the angle of drift past the reef, hooray fish! Pollock started to show along with a plump Ballan Wrasse that took a Hokkai for Pete the Plumber. Returned alive, good man.

More drifts produced more pollock, a few scattered Glassan and another couple of Ballan Wrasse, taken on small hardback crab. The fish weren't of a fantastic size, in fact they were all on the small size. I reckon the biggun's are away having fun breeding and left the juveniles at home.......

I blanked. I stuck with tatics that tried to pick out a decent stamp of fish. Couldn't be bothered with small pollock/Coalies coming in on feathers. So I remained fishless.

Still and all, a lovely day out in fantastic weather. Good omens for the coming season.

nice report. i coming to accept february is called the hungry month for a reason

Nice report... Seems like it's tough all over this time. Nice to get out all the same.

Kev

Gerry with yours and Ronald's i wonder do the wrasse ever leave the shore. Conditions must have been ideal out there, bay down here has been flat since the weekend

sorry pete, just spotted your post.

Yup, conditions were perfect. Cold, but I was wrapped up in layers topped with a float suit. Sea state was long rolling swells, no chop at all. Perfect for drifting.

I was surprised to see the Ballans all right. Maybe they've left and come back, maybe they haven't left yet. Maybe they're not going to leave. Who knows? Fish are weird. Soon as you think you're got them figured out, they turn it all around on you. They were in very good condition, though. Pollock were feeding on pipefish.