Take a Friend Fishing, Donegal Bay, 17th September 2014

[johnwest]

People:Myself and Don

Duration:6 hours

Tide:3 hrs either side of high tide

Weather:Sunshine and calm

Bait:Feathers, mackerel

Rigs:Sliding boom and long trace

Results:Mackerel, Rays, Dogfish

Report:

I have a friend who has never fished in his life but has often asked me what it is about fishing that I like. I thought the easiest way to explain was to invite him out for a day and let him form his own conclusions and Wednesday was the day.
The day started off quite grey and gloomy with a breeze that I hoped wouldn’t get any stronger; a beginner would find it difficult to appreciate the joys of fishing while renewing acquaintance with his breakfast. However we launched and almost at once the breeze started to die away. First drift over the mackerel mark and Don was into fish, 3 mackerel. Next 2 drops were full houses of 5 mackerel so that was the bait sorted. He was greatly impressed by what mackerel really look like, green, black and silver. Next we rigged up to drift with sliding boom, long trace and slices of mackerel and before long he had the first of 7 thornbacks. These were interrupted by 3 dogfish and then a little spotted ray came along. Don suffers from an artistic streak and was intrigued by the thornies eyes. By now the sun had broken through and he was beginning to understand how a day out fishing could be so enjoyable. He didn’t even feel disappointed when I pulled in the best fish of the day; a 10lb specimen painted ray. Between us we had caught 19 thornbacks, 3 spotted rays, 1 painted ray and 6 dogfish and 13 mackerel and it was time to head in.
“Let’s do it again”
was his parting shot. Perhaps we will and I'll take him to the Dark Side!

[chuckaroo]

He didn’t even feel disappointed when I pulled in the best fish of the day; a 10lb specimen painted ray.

very good JW

nice report

[Determined Dan]

Great fishing another man hooked . Dose he know how lucky he is holding a spotted ray. I've hunted for them for years and no luck. Great report and well done on the PB .