Duration: 8-11:30 or something of that nature
Tide: dropping from high
Weather: mild, southerly breeze
Bait: me - razor, pete - razor, squid and crab
Rigs: 3/0,4/0 pulley rigs, 3 hook flappers
Results: one seagull, and an aversion to Ballycotton for Pete
Report: After all the cod reports coming in, headed out with high expectations. Four or five other guys also on the beach. One cod caught to the left of us, and four caught further up the beach, with a lot of coalie action early on.
Nothing for myself or Pete, despite conditions (other than the dropping tide) being pretty good.
After a couple of hours and a leisurely debate (neither of us being particularly enthused at this point) we eventually decided to pop along to Ballycotton on the way home.
Initially happy with the conditions at the venue (fish out of the car if you want, pier lighting etc etc) Pete cast out first.
I set up my tripod, turned my back to get my rods only to hear Pete laugh that my tripod had blown in to the sea. Pete eventually managed to hook it with his trace, so thanks Pete.
I stowed the tripod for fear of losing it again and then cast out with probably the longest cast I've ever achieved (helped by accidentally turning my mag off and a following wind). My line birdied right at the end and was immediately followed by a keening cry out to sea. Thought I'd just disturbed some resting seagulls until my rod started tugging. After sorting the reel, I retrieved to find a seagull attached. He didn't seem to appreciate our efforts to release him - although I'd struggle a bit with Pete waving some scissors around in front of me....the seagull went back ok after a bit of a rest near the pier.
Wouldn't mind but that's the second seagull I've hit with a cast from Ballycotton.
One disaster after another follwed, pete birdied, lost his tackle off the end of the pier, I got stuck (eventually freed myself and came back with two extra weights and a trace.
Not a bite to be had. Pete even tried for a pin whiting off the pier to avoid a blank, but it wasn't to be and the congers weren't playing ball either.
We headed home with Pete at swearing never to go back to the beach or Ballycotton again
Should have gone where we were told to go in the first place.... Ah well, next time. Thats 2 occasions now I've fished that beach and 2 blanks to show for it, its becoming a bogey mark for me. 