Cork 19th & 20th - Blue Shark attempt

People:Myself Aido and Ally

Duration:Saturday and Sunday

Tide: all sorts

Weather: Saturday a little lumpy and Sunday damn near perfect

Bait: MAcks and other bits

Rigs: 10/0 and the normal bits and pieces

Results: Ohhhhh yeah !!!!!!!!!!!!

Report:

With all these reports of Blue shark and the summer eventually starting to show I decided that I might try a trip to Cork to try for my first Blue Shark. After a chat or two with Dave, Rob and Jim I had some excellent info and I decided to give it a try. I was a bit apprehensive as I had no buddy boat for the day and was a bit nervous about heading that far off shore by myself. Rob and Jim were going to have a practice session for the cork small boats on the lings and assured me that they wouldn't be too far away should anything happen or I get into a big fish.

My crew for the weekend were Aido and Ally. Saturday morning we put in along with a few other boats having a practice for the small boats. First stop was for Mackerel and so were the second and thrid and fourth. Eventually we managed to get amongst them. While I was busy getting macks (mostly under the boat) the lads decided to have a sneaky fish on the bottom..... Ally the fecking Jammy dodger managed Cod of 8 and 9lb..... Jammy feck... Of course I was out for sharks so I fished on for Macks. After the lads managed a few more Cod I pulled rank and it was Macks only for the next bit until we had enough for a for an attempt at sharks.



It took some time but we eventually managed to get enough Macks to give it a try. By the time we were heading out there was a nice South Westerly blowing that meant a bit of uncomfort as we headed out to the Ling Rocks for a chat with Rob and Jim. We also needed to "borrow" some Ballons as Ally managed to leave ours in the Car........ Thanks Lads. It took about 45 mins to get out as I was baby sitting the lads a bit and trying just to keep the boat at planning speed. We dropped out of plane a bit which made the journey that little bit Longer. Also had another GPS hiccup (more on that later) We headed about 2 miles off the back of the Lings to give a Try for these Blues. The lads went about chopping the macks and mixing the Dubby. I went about setting the rods up..... sometimes it's nice to be skipper

We had everything set up and the slick out for about 2:30 I was chatting to Jim via the phone who mentioned that it can be a little while before the Blues move in on the slick and you get your first run. About 5 mins later my rod tore off. I lifted into the run, but felt nothing.......sick... I decided to wait a little incase the bait was dropped..... Nothing much happened so I reeled in for a look. I had half a Mackerel. The fish missed the hook by about 2cm..... ahhh.

I was hopeful with the quick run that we might be in for a bumper day.... nothing happened for some time so I decided to try from some Gars..... First cast and I managed a nice Gar.... I was looking for the scales to weight the fish in case it was worth keeping for an on shore weigh for a specimen claim.... As I was looking for the scales my rod shot off again at a rate of knots... the Garfish went over the shoulder and I picked up the rod. Again I leaned into the fish and brimming ear to ear as the rod (12-20lb) buckled over. The fish fought well, better than I had though after hearing from some that they were dogged as apposeed to a running fish. My fish managed 4 nice long runs stripping line against a decent drag setting and had me crying for the buttpad.

After about 10 mins Ally reached over a grabbed the tail of a 50 - 60lb fish and lifted her into the boat. Man those sharks squirm. I have to say a very difficult fish to handle. When I tried my trick of a damp cloth over the eyes to calm the fish (works great for Tope) This shark started to eat the Rag We managed to get a few pics. Not great shots as I was keen to get the fish back into the water and wasn't thinking straight. The fish was also trying very hard to bite anything it could as I tried to lift her for the pics. After a very short while I lowered her back into the water and she shot off almost immediately.







We Fished on for a little while, but with no more runs and the wind freshening a little from the North I decided that run back to the Harbour was in order. We pulled in after a long day. It would have been nice to get another shark for the lads, but I was well chuffed with my first Blue Shark and in my own boat as well. Couldn't ask more than that.



Sunday was the first day of the small Boats..... waited for all the hustle and bustle to be finished before we arrived at Aghada slip to lauch.....this of course gave me the perfect excuse for a a few extra pints the night before. The Sunday was a cracker near calm seas. We set off from some more Cod. We managed a few, but not to the same size as the day previous. Best was about 3lbs. We then headed off to the Smiths for a scratch around and managed a few bits and pieces. Next it was off to Daunt for a try for a big Pollock. We managed plenty of small Pollock and a few Ballan wrasse. Aido managed a nice Pollock of about 5lbs so I was happy enough with that. Next it was back into the harbour to try for a bass.

After 2 fish less hours I decided to try for a plaice. The tide was ripping hard and the fishing was a bit tough to be honest so I decided to get some fresh Mackerel for my east coast Tope sessions before the tow home. We managed plenty just outside the harbour so I was happy enough.

A long tow home and then the fish were sorted and frozen. What a cracking weekend. If the weather holds out lads, it could be well worth another try.

thinking about it ...................... give it a lash.

Tight lines,

Kev

great report and pics mac well done on your first shark

well done lads great report and lovely pictures

GREAT report and pics wel done on getting your target fish

well done on the target fish