Tweet
Had a trip down to the Dingle area in September with Matty.T but haven't got round to posting a report yet so here goes.
Had another very enjoyable trip down there, staying in Tralee. I have to say everyone was helpful and friendly again but haven't things changed in two years.
Thursday 30/08
First thing off to Landers for mackerel and sandeel and a chat to see what was happening. The help throughout the week off the lads was much appreciated.
Decided we would start off at Reenbeg for Rays and hope to float for mullet higher up the tide. Got doggies early on which was a start but quickly weeded up despite moving around. The NW breeze put a chop on the water and no sign of mullet feeding.
Time to pack up for the first of a few enjoyable lunches at John Benny's.
Off up to Castlegregory for the evening high tide in the hope of the reported painted ray. Unfortunately they didn't show but kept busy with some hungry flounders which were even taking pennelled mackerel and sandeel intended for the rays
Friday 31/08
Up to Fenit Pier to try and get some fresh mackerel however they were not out to play. A couple of chucks on the bottom but nothing doing so off to Spa for a couple hours on the flood. Again the doggies were there but it was a squally day
Still managed to collect a few small crabs for the following day.
Stopped to speak to some lads from Dublin who had been fishing the point further along. They had flounder and had caught a few schoolies. Unfortunately their van had been broken into and tent and clothing stolen with some gear.
Off home for another late night, lovely food and lovely Guinness
Saturday 01/09
A bit of a late start after driving around looking for some shelter and deep water due to the tide. In the end we went to the lighthouse at Dingle and was suprised to find it empty. Floats were put out for wrasse and spinners for pollock, none showed. Big rod out in the channel and withing 5 minutes I was into a ray.
Well chuffed and my biggest fish to date, tipping the scales at 9lb 8oz. Bait was Mackerel/sandeel on 2/0 pennel pulley. Fish only lip hooked and returned safely. Had another run on next cast but came to nothing. It went quiet after that.
Sunday 02/09
Another stop at Fenit for fresh bait, again nothing so off to Brandon. Fished the rocks to the left of the pier from the little bay round. No sign of mackerel but plenty small pollock to floats and spinners. Matty started getting Garfish taking his spinners further along but were dropping on the lift. A stop for tea and down onto the pier for a disaster hour. First dropped my Abu Sports Mag putting it on the rod. Realised the spindle is bent when it struggled later on pulling in mackerel for bait. Matty then had the tip of his bass rod snap on a cast. a costly bait gathering trip that.
Spent the rest of the night fishing the beach oppsite the pier at Brandon. Big rods out for ray which never showed. Mackerel were taking huge mackerel baits on the bottom though. We had a session spinning and surface popping along the beach and across the rocks into darkness but nothing showed.
Monday 03/09
We decided to wait until afternoon and fish from low water up back at the lighthouse. Spinning rods were left at the car and ray gear was taken. The difference in the weather was remarkable. Wind dropped and sun was out. Baits out and the mullet were cruising at our feet, no light tackle to go for them. Then the conger started to show swimming in and out of the weed. On with the stronger traces and in with the mackerel. Not 5 minutes had gone when I had a take, went to hit it and leader snapped. Not enough time to put fresh line on the reel before the trip, lesson learned.
Never mind soon after Matty was into one and the first came out, not big but a success.
It was shortly followed by a smaller one and the evening ended after a quiet spell with a better fish which went to the scales 11lb 8oz. All safely returned. Picture to follow when I get it as my battery went flat.
A lovely sunset ended the night.
Tuesday 04/09
Final day and it was presents for the kids before a final feed at John Benny's. Another shot at the lighthouse but this time with bread and groundbait for the mullet. Made the groundbait from bread, weetabix, mackerel and old lugworms. Still haven't got a mullet to my name, don't get many opportunities to fish for them. Had a nice one I would say about 4lb going for my bread when a shadow from Matty's rod spooked it. Matty then had one about the same size mouthing just in front of his bait for what seemed like ages before turning away. Saw a decent sized Triggerfish come out to feed when the groundbait was going in. A bubble float and some fish and worm didn't tempt him out though. As the tide flooded got plenty small pollock on the feed but nothing of any size. No sign of wrasse and the conger didn't show that night. Late on Matty got a thornback about 8lb which unfortunately dropped off on the lift. It was followed by a strap.
Late on a mackerel took float fished strip which was quickly converted to a fresh flapper to try one last tempt of conger but no luck.
Now in darkness and with cases to pack for an early drive back to Dublin it was back for beer and a sandwich. Unfortunately this is where the trip got expensive as I pranged the hatch of Vicki's car. Good news for her when I got back.
Will put some more photos up when I get them off Matty this week including his biggest conger.
Had another very enjoyable trip down there, staying in Tralee. I have to say everyone was helpful and friendly again but haven't things changed in two years.
Thursday 30/08
First thing off to Landers for mackerel and sandeel and a chat to see what was happening. The help throughout the week off the lads was much appreciated.
Decided we would start off at Reenbeg for Rays and hope to float for mullet higher up the tide. Got doggies early on which was a start but quickly weeded up despite moving around. The NW breeze put a chop on the water and no sign of mullet feeding.
Time to pack up for the first of a few enjoyable lunches at John Benny's.
Off up to Castlegregory for the evening high tide in the hope of the reported painted ray. Unfortunately they didn't show but kept busy with some hungry flounders which were even taking pennelled mackerel and sandeel intended for the rays
Friday 31/08
Up to Fenit Pier to try and get some fresh mackerel however they were not out to play. A couple of chucks on the bottom but nothing doing so off to Spa for a couple hours on the flood. Again the doggies were there but it was a squally day
Still managed to collect a few small crabs for the following day.
Stopped to speak to some lads from Dublin who had been fishing the point further along. They had flounder and had caught a few schoolies. Unfortunately their van had been broken into and tent and clothing stolen with some gear.
Off home for another late night, lovely food and lovely Guinness
Saturday 01/09
A bit of a late start after driving around looking for some shelter and deep water due to the tide. In the end we went to the lighthouse at Dingle and was suprised to find it empty. Floats were put out for wrasse and spinners for pollock, none showed. Big rod out in the channel and withing 5 minutes I was into a ray.
Well chuffed and my biggest fish to date, tipping the scales at 9lb 8oz. Bait was Mackerel/sandeel on 2/0 pennel pulley. Fish only lip hooked and returned safely. Had another run on next cast but came to nothing. It went quiet after that.
Sunday 02/09
Another stop at Fenit for fresh bait, again nothing so off to Brandon. Fished the rocks to the left of the pier from the little bay round. No sign of mackerel but plenty small pollock to floats and spinners. Matty started getting Garfish taking his spinners further along but were dropping on the lift. A stop for tea and down onto the pier for a disaster hour. First dropped my Abu Sports Mag putting it on the rod. Realised the spindle is bent when it struggled later on pulling in mackerel for bait. Matty then had the tip of his bass rod snap on a cast. a costly bait gathering trip that.
Spent the rest of the night fishing the beach oppsite the pier at Brandon. Big rods out for ray which never showed. Mackerel were taking huge mackerel baits on the bottom though. We had a session spinning and surface popping along the beach and across the rocks into darkness but nothing showed.
Monday 03/09
We decided to wait until afternoon and fish from low water up back at the lighthouse. Spinning rods were left at the car and ray gear was taken. The difference in the weather was remarkable. Wind dropped and sun was out. Baits out and the mullet were cruising at our feet, no light tackle to go for them. Then the conger started to show swimming in and out of the weed. On with the stronger traces and in with the mackerel. Not 5 minutes had gone when I had a take, went to hit it and leader snapped. Not enough time to put fresh line on the reel before the trip, lesson learned.
Never mind soon after Matty was into one and the first came out, not big but a success.
It was shortly followed by a smaller one and the evening ended after a quiet spell with a better fish which went to the scales 11lb 8oz. All safely returned. Picture to follow when I get it as my battery went flat.
A lovely sunset ended the night.
Tuesday 04/09
Final day and it was presents for the kids before a final feed at John Benny's. Another shot at the lighthouse but this time with bread and groundbait for the mullet. Made the groundbait from bread, weetabix, mackerel and old lugworms. Still haven't got a mullet to my name, don't get many opportunities to fish for them. Had a nice one I would say about 4lb going for my bread when a shadow from Matty's rod spooked it. Matty then had one about the same size mouthing just in front of his bait for what seemed like ages before turning away. Saw a decent sized Triggerfish come out to feed when the groundbait was going in. A bubble float and some fish and worm didn't tempt him out though. As the tide flooded got plenty small pollock on the feed but nothing of any size. No sign of wrasse and the conger didn't show that night. Late on Matty got a thornback about 8lb which unfortunately dropped off on the lift. It was followed by a strap.
Late on a mackerel took float fished strip which was quickly converted to a fresh flapper to try one last tempt of conger but no luck.
Now in darkness and with cases to pack for an early drive back to Dublin it was back for beer and a sandwich. Unfortunately this is where the trip got expensive as I pranged the hatch of Vicki's car. Good news for her when I got back.
Will put some more photos up when I get them off Matty this week including his biggest conger.
Comment