Trip to Ireland

peter.m

Well-known member
Got back last Sunday morning from a week on the Dingle Peninsular but not had time to post. Travelled down overnight the previous Friday and stopped off in Tralee Saturday lunch time and stocked up on some frozen bait at Landers. On to the cottage at Brandon where the fridge was stocked for when the pub shut

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Woke up Sunday to some heavy rain and went to dig some bait. Had to dig a hole for the bucket and fill it with sand to stop it blowing away. After lunch we met up with the lads from Tralee Bay SAC for some chat and I have to say no egos there, just pleasant chat and lots of tips from some really helpful lads. Went off to fish high water at Castlegregory in the hope of some painted ray. They didn't show however I got a start with a flounder on one of the ray baits

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There were doggies too for the lads

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Monday was a continuation of the summers rain and we decided on Dingle. Me and Matty set off for the lighthouse leaving Fred and Roger to fish the beach in the bay. We only managed doggies, Matty had a take on the conger rig but it managed to rip off the bait. Trooping back the lads had had some thornbacks and we arrived just in time to see Roger land one around 6-7lb

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Tuseday was spent around Brandon so we didn't have to drive. Fred and Roger had a couple of flounder from the beach opposite the harbour while me and Matty walked a bit north and tried the bay and rocks with plugs and spinners without any luck. It was starting to fair and I tried ledgering sandeels off the beach but no takers. After tea the other lads tried a bit of spinning and plugging the mouth of the creek with no luck and only a flounder to show from the beach. I tried behind the pier for conger without a take but managed to be plagued with small pollock on the light gear.

The water was still full of grass and rubbish spilling out the rivers and mackerel were hard to come by. A 2 hour session might only produce two or three.

A much better day started on Wednesday and we started at Ventry around low water. Nothing doing me and Matty moved back to Dingle. Fishing again at the lighthouse I was into ray once the flood got going. First went 5lb 13oz

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There was a smaller one and doggies and then a better one at 6lb 6oz

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The ray dropped off and I got a pollock on the float about 2lb and a take on the float that shot off. The float came back minus the sandeel. A pollock then took the ray baits

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The fishing died off and the conger didn't show so it was time to head back to John Benny's for tea again. First glimpse of the week of the lovely sunsets

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Thursday morning it was up early to catch the sunrise for some photos

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then it was a couple of hours spinning, plugging off the rocks but nothing to show. Mackerel were still thin on the ground

We had a look at Brandon Creek but as on our last climb down there we decided the swells were too much and gave it a miss. The last time we endured the climb only to be pushed up the cliffs be huge swells breaking and pushing way up to us so a few photos and onwards

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We then headed out and and fished the bottom of the tide and start of the flood at Slea Head. Cracking sesssion for pollock with Matty smashed up with a good fish straight from the off on a spinner. I opted for the float while he spun. Mackerel strip proving more successful than the sandeel and moving the bait inducing takes. Plenty fish following baits and jumping out of the water or taking them on the surface. Plent fish from 1lb - 2 1/2lb. My best 3lb 8oz and Matty's 4lb 6oz. They were delivered to the local lady for tea as requested.

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Friday was the last fishing day so we decided Rays and Conger from the now reliable mark at Dingle. Light rods were left at home and one rod out each with ray baits while we tackled the conger. Rays didn't show only doggies but the conger put in an appearance. First blood to Matty with one about 7lb

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and then I got my PB and got one out at last 17 1/2lb

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Managed another strap about 5lb and then it was home.

A brilliant trip and looking forward to another visit when I can. Lovely place, lovely people and well worth the effort.
 
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excellent report there mate and some pb fish the fridge looked a bit bare for my liking but ya done well for a peter the plod :p
 
Enjoyed your report, great pictures & well done on your conger.
Weather & venue looked brilliant, would love the chance of that one day.
 
That made excellent reading Peter and the pictures were first class mate. It's always nice to get a new PB but that one is one you won't forget in a while I bet, sounds like a great week.

Jim.
 
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spot on that , mate.
personally though, i thought you had a bit too much salad in the fridge and left not enough room for refreshments.
 
Never mind the sun glasses ratty, check out the ear ring!! very 1980's. Think morgs has been spending a bit to much time inspecting the toilets at blyth beach!!;)
 
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Great post and great pics.

Sat here making plans for tomorrow. Load the van and travel to STranrear for an over night stop and catch the early ferry to larne on Monday. Four days of whatever Ireland can offer in the way of fishing.

Hope we do as well as you seem to have and land a few PB's.
 
Cheers lads. Good luck for the trip Dave hope it goes well.

Flatheed, it's not the toilets but the van that parks up next to it haha. I suppose the dark nights are coming it'll be out a bit more. Will have to watch ratty if he's fishing up that way, you know he's got no will power to resist :p
 
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