How do I get more bang for the buck?

[paddymac]

Hi All

I ‘m just new to the forum, and a rookie. Have been fishing this summer and last of the shore at Tara Cove Wexford just north of Courtown.
I use lug or rag and 3 oz weight.

I’ve seen mixed reports on this forum, for some poor fishing this summer as was my case.
June, and early July good but drew quite a few blanks since then.

I’ve been told the best time is at dusk and dawn. So I had too contrasting experiences last week.
Tuesday morning down on beach at 5.40 am, within minutes rod was rattling, 3 dogs caught over the next hour, then nothing till 7.50 pm got a nice small bass about 8” long. Left it at that then, quite happy.
That evening went down an hour before dark around 7.30 pm got a reasonable size dab and small bass. Left at 9pm. All in all a successful days fishing I felt.
Then Friday at dusk for 1 ½ hours, zip except an eel.
Up at dawn sat morning on beach at 6 am not a nibble. I left at 8 pm.

So here are my questions.

When is a good time to fish?
How long should I be prepared to stay at it?
Am I using the right bait?
Am I casting out far enough (about 20 yards)?
Is there a better time of the year?
Or is it just hit or miss sometimes and you can have a run of bad luck?

Cheers

Paddy

[corbyeire]

if we knew the answers to those questions this fishing would be no fun

[doggie3131]

So here are my questions.

1 When is a good time to fish?
2 How long should I be prepared to stay at it?
3 Am I using the right bait?
4 Am I casting out far enough (about 20 yards)?
5 Is there a better time of the year?
6 Or is it just hit or miss sometimes and you can have a run of bad luck?

Cheers Paddy[/quote]

wellcome to the site paddy,heres some answers to your questions

1 depends on the fish, but 2 hours up to high tide and 2 hours on the ebb is the best time to fish.
2 as long as it takes,but an eight hour session is prob long enough
3 again depends on the fish,lug and rag will take most,but id also have sandeel.squid,and mackerel.
4 for flounder and bass,yes,for other species you need to be futher out if on a beach,if rock fishing then have one in close,and another out futher.
5 depends on the species your after.
6 yes,but you get to know your marks,and which fishes best at different times, or at different states of tides.

hope this answers a few questions,im sure others will give you tips,and marks to try,hope the fishing goes well for you during the winter.



Paddy[/quote]