Cork 3 Day Bonanza - blue and bass

[chuckaroo]

People: myself and a mate (with simplywabs and son shark fishing)

Duration: 3 days

Tide: yip. but low tides

Weather: great

Bait: mack

Rigs: all

Report:

I had a mate coming back home to the UK from Zambia for a month and I talked him into coming over for some bass fishing on the south coast; I wanted to try and get my first one. He was well up for it but, true to form, he was more interested in targeting blue shark... to add to his long list of big species.. We were both also interested in going for a species hunt - to try and target decent cod, Pollack, ling etc, so, with a bit of organising, I had 3days in Cork planned!

Day 1 Targeting Blue Shark
I put an advert up in the forum here to see if anyone was interested in joining us for the shark fishing and was pleased to hear that simplywabs and his son would be joining us for the day Left on Monday morning onboard Deora De out of Cobh, weather was flat calm, hot and sunny The mackerel turned up in force and we had 2 boxes of bait filled in no time. On the way out we chopped and mashed the mack and prepared rubbydubby bags; we started fishing as soon as we hit the mark.
It was a slow long day before any action happened but in the afternoon we were all soon to jump from our slumber when my mate exclaimed “theres a shark!” happy days . He was first on the rod and before long we had a very nice 81lb blue shark onboard. Great stuff. That was about the height of it unfortunately though, no other shark were caught that day - the conditions were blamed in that there was very little effective slick as the boat was drifting very very slowly. We had been trying for garfish too during the day, and dropping baits to the bottom, but not much joy there either – just a few small mack and whiting and the like Another shark did make an appearance on the surface however towards the end of the day but despite our best efforts waiting for it to take, it never did.
All-in-all a great day despite myself and simplywabs not getting a fish But thats fishing i suppose. Next time!
Thanks to Jim Lenihan for all his hard work and expertise, he really did put the effort in. A great skipper that I would thoroughly recommend.
(btw, also, at the end of the day when we got back on shore we actually tried for bass off a rock mark well into dark. There was a fish caught about 5lb but not by myself or my mate..)

Day 2 Species Hunt
Just myself, my mate, and a guide this day. We hired a boat for the day and headed out in high hopes after hearing and being promised the world of how a lot of decent fish could/would be caught..... But all-in-all a very average day, if a little disappointing We tried several marks and various methods and were rewarded with just a good few doggies, small cod around the 1.5lb mark, a few small ling, red gurnard, pouting and mack. Oh and one haddock. Not the best.

Day 3 Bass Hunt
My initial plan was to try and get wind of a few decent marks from the shore and to spend the day travelling around and working them. However, we were staying at the Commodore Hotel in Cobh and we got an offer from Pat to head out with him on his boat for the day in and around Cork Harbour. Pat is a renowned bass fisherman along the Cork coast with many years of experience and success!!.. - were weren’t going to let this opportunity slip past!...
It was another sunny day, if a little breezy, but with the occasional heavy downpour. Pat took charge and we tried a number of marks. I was the first into a fish!! Yes!! my first bass was soon onboard! I caught it on a soft plastic on light gear. It weighed in around the 3lb mark. Happy days - we could all relax now and see what else was going to crop up. We caught 5 fish in total but by far the best fish of the day was............... MY 8lb 6oz BASS
What a fantastic day. Thanks again Pat.

We had a great three days. All credit to all the lads down there that helped us make it so successful and memorable. Seriously, very decent men, all fanatical about their fishing and all who couldn’t have done more for us
Brilliant stuff. I hope to get back sooner rather than later.

All fish returned in one piece
Photos below...

Last edited by chuckaroo on Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:36 pm, edited 7 times in total.

sharking..

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shark and bass..

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dont you just love it when a plan works out .well done on the report and the bass

whooo the daddy..

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magic report - wishin I was fishin I'm housebound, me poor car being banjaxed again

Superb bass Charlie, what a stonker. Tip top condition, nice blue shark there too for Mark but the bass would be more my cup of tea!

Great photos,

Cathal.

Great few days of fishing Charlie... Me and my son had a great time with you last Monday!!! It was quite an experience and hopefully we can go back and do it again. The Bass session was really envious and would probably hit some marks again to get some great photos.

By the way I forgot to take a photo of my first Cod we caught!!!

8) dont you just love it when a plan works out .well done on the report and the Bass

absolutely, cant complain! bloody great bass for only my ever second one. well chuffed. thanks.

8) magic report - wishin I was fishin I'm housebound, me poor car being banjaxed again

cheers mate. get that car fixed!

Superb Bass Charlie, what a stonker. Tip top condition, nice blue shark there too for Mark but the Bass would be more my cup of tea!

Great photos,

Cathal.

cheers Cathal. a stonker bass indeed, couldnt believe my luck. ive added another photo here (couldnt help it.. ) that shows the condition of the fish even better i reckon. beauty.

Great few days of fishing Charlie... Me and my son had a great time with you last Monday!!! It was quite an experience and hopefully we can go back and do it again. The Bass session was really envious and would probably hit some marks again to get some great photos.

By the way I forgot to take a photo of my first Cod we caught!!!

yeah, i suggested that you to take a quick snap of the cod! but then again, when the shark came on-board the cod paled into insignificance somewhat....
Great that you made the effort mate and im glad that you enjoyed it. pity no shark for you, me, or your son, but hey, defo next time!



one more photo....:

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Great report and photos too, well done... crackin bass there!

Great report and photos too, well done... crackin Bass there!

cheers Declan!

That was a crackin' bass alright - many people wait years to get one like that, Charlie. Well done!!!

Top notch Sounds like a great few days and great report too.

That was a crackin' Bass alright - many people wait years to get one like that, Charlie. Well done!!!

Pat, all credit to the skipper!! im still well chuffed! need that wee bit of luck too i suppose.. cheers

Top notch Sounds like a great few days and great report too.

cheers mate. twas 3 days of intensive fishing. had a great time

Just shows you what a difference tides can make Charlie....yesterday I had 16 bass with the best going to 74cm (9lb 5oz) on a Zonk!

Just shows you what a difference tides can make Charlie....yesterday I had 16 Bass with the best going to 74cm (9lb 5oz) on a Zonk!

16 ?! christ! nice 1 Pat! and thats a cracker - over 9lb - brilliant.
were you out in the boat or off the shore? the tides made a difference then?
you should have a go at them with the fly

On the boat!

excellent fishing nice one on a magnificant session
tightlines
fergal

excellent fishing nice one on a magnificant session
tightlines
fergal

cheers fergal. tightlines yourself