Weather over the last week was still not 100% but I was able to get out fishing again! I was not fishing every day and the fishing I did was with different groups in for day trips.
I did 2 days where we were just fishing in the estuary and although on the second day the fisherman were not the most experienced we probably had the better days fishing. Not sure if this was because as the seas settled the conditions at the bottom were improving or if it was because of the state of the tide or was it just plain luck!! Any way there were a few Mackerel still up in the estuary above Carrigaholt and with them as bait we caught quite a few Thornback ray to 8lbs and our share of Doggies. There were also a few small Pollack on some rough in the deepest parts.
Then last Saturday I managed to get out for a shark drift. We were not sure if this would go ahead till we went out to have a look but as the lads were happy to just fish the estuary if conditions were not suitable we went ahead and tried. As it turned out conditions, once clear of the land, were not bad although the water temperature had fallen back to 13.5’C. Once in position I set the drift and we had a good run quite quickly. This turned out to be a Blue Shark around the 80lb mark but it gave a fight more normal with a bigger shark. Then we had a second lighter run and when we got the fish to the boat it turned out it was a small Porbeagle Shark of 30 to 35lb. It was great to see one of these about. There is no doubt that the cooler water is cutting the number of shark about but I also wondered if it was because of this that the Blue put up such a fight and that we caught the Porbeagle?
At the moment I have a group in for a few days fishing and today I had my first “normal” days fishing on the reefs west of the Loop in 3 weeks! This was a very good day with lots of fish of all types about and we had fish coming to the boat continually all day. Indeed the fishing was as good as it gets!
Luke Aston
Clare Dragoon, LOCHIN 366, 650HP.
Carrigaholt Co. Clare
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