Wicklow Boat Charters skipper Kit Dunne reports on another weekend of great catches from the Wicklow fishing grounds. After 2 consecutive weekends of recording specimen Smooth-Hounds from Wicklow the focus switched to Tope for a party from Kells. A mixed group of 8 anglers from the Kells area set off on Sunday morning on what turned out to be an exceptional day. The forecast and tides were good and the keen group made the early start to give themselves the best opportunity of great fishing.

The group who were relatively new to animal fishing were delighted with a good start to the day with Ray and Bull-Huss caught in the first hour in a dying Ebb tide to slack water. After the slack and as the tide picked up slowly the fish still kept coming, baiting up big to snare the tope the lads were persistent in their efforts to bag a Tope.

Dave had a thing going on with Huss, this one took a whole squid.
Dave had a thing going on with Huss, this one took a whole squid.

 

John  O Connor took this fine tope on a half mackerel bait, after a 15 minute battle.
John O Connor took this fine tope on a half mackerel bait, after a 15 minute battle.

 

The persistence paid off as Tope came during the run followed by a more Bull-Huss. As the strength in tide began to drop again there was a notable increase in catches with more tope and Smooth-hounds in numbers. The day ended with a hectic last 2 hours of Tope and Hound action, the dogfish went off and with a few big baits out the Tope came into their own. All in all the group caught and released, 11 Tope up to 40lb weight, 4 BullHuss, 13 Smooth-Hounds, (with only 12 peeler crab onboard), 2 Ray and over 80 Dogfish – Not bad for a days enjoyment ! The Kells boys look forward to another date booked for July.

Smooth-Hound made a burst in the last 2 hours.
Smooth-Hound made a burst in the last 2 hours.

 

This fine Thornback was taken in the slack.
This fine Thornback was taken in the slack.

 

Wicklow Boat Charters

Skipper : Kit Dunne

Base: Wicklow Harbour Operational area: Wicklow, Arklow, Bray, Dun Laoghaire, and Courtown – 20 miles from ports of departure.

Telephone: +353 (0)87 6832179 +353 (0)404 67031
Email: [email protected] Website: www.wicklowboatchaters.ie