Ballycotton & Rochestown, Cork, 31-May-2008.

[mga]

People: Just me.

Duration: 3 hours

Tide: Flooding.

Weather: Glorious.

Bait: Fresh peeler, fresh rag.

Rigs: 3-hook flapper.

Results: 1 bass.




Report:
Headed to Ballycotton after picking up fresh rag and peeler from the Cork Angling & Outdoor Centre, organized from the evening before. (Good store that – note to shambobala: they do stock fresh bait ). Both piers were already well occupied with feathers on display so decided not to have a go here…

Heading out of Ballycotton, found a small stretch of sand, shingle and rocks. Looked perfect for flatties. The water was flat and the hazy sunshine was starting to clear, turning into a scorcher (not great for the head I had on me from the night before ).

No bites at all from anything for over 2 hours. Had the 10’ spinning rod propped against a rock, ratchet on. Just before HW, it took a good knock and the ratchet whizzed. Too much of a run for a flattie. Had no idea what the fish was. It fought like a demon. A bass! Now, even if I knew this mark held bass, I certainly wouldn’t have expected one today. The sea was flat. Yes, it was returned alive and well and swam away to fight another day. Packed up shortly after this as the flatties were not out to play…

The next day on the way home, a quick detour by the Rochestown Inn to check out the estuary as I had about two peelers leftover from the day before. No flatties interested in the peelers here either . The place was alive with mullet and they were putting on some display in the flat water. After a few casts, it was time to get on the road and head back to the West…

Thanks to thighlines.com, shambobala and roryfromcork for the pointers to the tackle shops and marks. I didn’t have the time to get to the many other marks. Weather was perfect for the suntan and obviously too bright and hot for the flatties . Maybe next time…

[RockHunter]

Well done on the bass (even if it is the closed season )
Certainly wasn't the conditions you would expect to get a bass. What size was it?

I passed through Ballycotton on Saturday afternoon - I also had a quick look at the pier - but it was swarming with East European mack bashers - not that they seemed to be catching anything. So I went for a pint in the Blackbird instead.

By the way did they have any of those Rapala rulers that you were looking for left in the Cork Angling Centre?

[mga]

Well done on the bass (even if it is the closed season )
Certainly wasn't the conditions you would expect to get a bass. What size was it?

I'd guess around the 3lb mark.

Just for the record, let me be very clear, 'cause I know there are folks out there who think I was targetting bass during the closed season:

1. I was targetting flatties with a 3-hook flapper (size 1 hook)
2. I didn't know this mark held bass
3. The water was flat calm - no surf.
4. I moved off after I accidentally caught the bass

My earlier port of call was Garretstown beach, but when I saw the great surf running there I decided not to fish it, just in case it held bass. The lads in the tackleshop recommended it for flatties, and it would have been much closer to where I was staying. (Again, I don't know anything about this beach either, but didn't want to take the chance).

Ban or no ban, whether from the shore or boat, I return all my fish, with the exception of mackerel which I keep for bait. That's including whiting, cod, ling, flounder, dabs, place, pollack, bass, whatever. It's not that I wont eat them, it's just a personal decision.
I could have said nothing about catching the bass, but decided for completeness, to mention it. I stand over my decision to include it in my report.

Not mentioning catching a bass won't undo the fact it was caught. So, for anyone out there that still wants to think I was targetting bass, all I can say is there's no reasoning with flawed logic.

...
By the way did they have any of those Rapala rulers that you were looking for left in the Cork Angling Centre?

Yes. Got one. In fact, I had just bought one there on the Friday (while arranging bait for Saturday) - €10 and swung 'round Sharkies afterwards for a peek. They also had them. Asked about the price - €6.
Apparently, they're getting out of Rapala stuff (long story), so they're selling off Rapala stock a few €'s cheaper. Good opportunity for anyone that needs one of these measures, or lures, etc.[/b]

[RockHunter]

I would think it was obvious that you were not targetting bass - as I said I passed by that way on Saturday afternoon and the sea was dead calm - not the conditions you would expect to find bass - much more suitable for flat flsh. And you did release it so short of not fishing at all during the closed season there is not much more you could have done.

Glad to hear you got the Rapala measure - If Sharkies are selling them for €6 I must get a new one - I trod on mine and broke off the end hence the red insulating tape holding the end piece on my recent posts.

[shambobala]

well at least you didn't go all that way and blank !

ballycotton is mack basher hell once the sun starts shining alright, good to hear they do fresh bait at the angling centre ... do they have rag do you know ? hate digging the feckers myself, too messy !

[mga]

well at least you didn't go all that way and blank !

ballycotton is mack basher hell once the sun starts shining alright, good to hear they do fresh bait at the angling centre ... do they have rag do you know ? hate digging the feckers myself, too messy !

Fresh peeler, fresh rag & frozen lug...at least that day I was there...

I should be on commission for the Angling Centre, and Sharkies

[shambobala]

cheers

[petekd]

Not mentioning catching a bass won't undo the fact it was caught. So, for anyone out there that still wants to think I was targetting bass, all I can say is there's no reasoning with flawed logic.

Bit of a touchy subject this one. From my own POV, bass are quite an easy fish to catch with an awful lot of them coming in as bycatch when targetting other species, I've lost count of the times I've pulled one in on a size 4 and tiny lug/mack strip bait targetting flats in the suds. Last one I caught (pre ban BTW...) was about 10 yards out in inches of water on a size 6 with some stinking rotten ragworm! You are faced with a decision, do you fish marks that hold bass or not during the closed season? Easy in some parts of the country to avoid them but not down here, pesky things....

Personally, I dont have much of a problem as I tend to concentrate on boat angling during the summer so beach sessions are few and far between. You sound like a responsible angler and I dont think anyone should have cause to criticise you for accidentally catching a bass. You returned it after all. I fished my favourite beach the other evening, chasing flatties that I'd seen swimming in the shallows earlier in the day, its a well known bass mark too. I was fortunate, I got my flats, avoided the silver lads and I'm glad. However, there are some who would suggest you shouldn't fish a mark at all if theres a chance of a bass..... Think of what that would rule out..... No flattie scratching, no spinning for macks on rock/beach marks, no east coast smoothie chasing etc etc.... I think thats taking things a bit too far, fish away and fish sensibly. Big lug, razor and crab baits are a bit of a no no but there are plenty of other fish to be caught. They can be avoided and if you are unfortunate enough to hook one during the close season, forget about the pictures, unhook as quick as possible(preferably in the suds) and slip it back ASAP.

Thats all, sometimes with the best will in the world short of staying at home twiddling your thumbs theres only so much you can do. Just remember, these lads are supposed to be having sex, be really careful with them and they should be ok, you wouldn't perform too well after a punch up after all.....

[jw]

just wondering, what is the evidence that if you catch a bass this time of year and return it quickly that you are doing anything to affect the population? i doubt it