frist trip of 2024

[MC]

with getting a zulcron bass rod for Christmas I was itching to get out and christen it. So with casting cancelled on Sunday due to flooding I raided the freezer on Saturday afternoon and checked tide times. The only tide that suited was for a north west Donegal beach that I used to fish a lot, so plans made and car packed I went to bed for an hours kip. Did not sleep much as the excitement of getting fishing was so great I could hardly contain myself. SO after a short sleep and a few cups of coffee I set off. I arrived at the mark around low water , 9.30pm, got suited and booted, set the rods up and walked the 100 yards or so to the beach. The beach had changed since last year some of the dunes had been washed away durning the storms and I could make out a few new depressions in the beach, new flounder holding spots I hoped. Anyway made my first cast and cast the anyfish anywhere pro match2 out as far as i could, using a 2 hook loop rig and 5oz grip lead baited with sandeel. The zulron bass was sent out about 4o yards with a Wessex rig and a 2oz bomb so it could roll around in the tide, baited with sandeel and mussel. It didnt take long for the match rod to show a bite so it was wound in and I had hooked a doggie and a whiting, both released and I rebaited and launched it skyward again. On returning to the rod rest the bass rod had a slack line so I tightened up and the rod pulled over and after a brief fight a nice seatrout lay at my feet, what a way to christen the new rod. It continued like this with every other cast landing fish, but only when it was sandeel and black lug, the crab and mussel didnt get a touch. By the end of the night my tally was 5 coalies, 2 whiting, 2 lsds, 2 flounder best 32cm, 1 turbot and 2 seatrout. I packed up just before high water at 3.30am as this marks usually goes quiet then, besides I was getting tired and had a good night so far.

[saving private brian]

MC

Well done on getting out. I enjoyed reading your post and you landed plenty of fish for this time of the year

I find crab and mussel no use on our beaches. Down south and east yes. Only if you are targeting maybe smoothies with the crab in west Donegal/Sligo otherwise i find it useless over this side... It proves very effective from the boat alright for the likes of ling and cod etc

Mussel on the beach is useless too i find. Possibly after a good storm it may be of more use. i would not go out on the boat without it thou

To get the best out of them baits would be to fish slightly more rougher terrain in the hope that a codling or bass would in the location. deeper water sand marks may also prove interesting with them being used

Anyway good fishing for 2024 and HNY

Brian

[MC]

cheers for the info lad and happy new year

[Teegerstk]

What a wonderful way to start the new year and christen the new bass rod. Great variety of species too!

[johnwest]

A new bass rod, a slackliner, I was expecting a bass! Maybe get yourself a seatrout rod and see what happens?

[MC]

A new bass rod, a slackliner, I was expecting a bass! Maybe get yourself a seatrout rod and see what happens?

must admit I thought bass once it tore off down the beach, but a seatrout is a welcome site. As for getting another rod the missus wont let me