With a break in the weather last weekend Terry Jackson took the opportunity to visit Donegal. He had intended to fish for Porgies but an angling friend told him he had best change his plans as a large pod of Orca’s that had arrived in the area. So instead he headed for an off-shore reef which was absolutely thick with Coalfish and small Pollack. As Terry says ” If I was a Porbeagle, that’s where I would be, especially with the current lack of mackerel around our coastline !”
He tells us ” With a bag of “chum” providing the scent trail, we thought we had an outside chance of finding a stray porgy. After five hours, we threw in the towel. I guess you can’t win them all, and realistically, a prize Porbeagle is always going to be a bit of a long shot. To avoid a wasted trip, I headed for a Tope mark and we weren’t disappointed.
The only down-side was there were plenty of Tope, but no bait to catch them with. Persevering with small Pollack and Coalfish, we tempted a few, but I am in no doubt that a few fresh mackerel would have made the world of difference. I realise that our seas are running a little colder than average for this time of year, but it is extremely worrying when the Mackerel shoals are slow to arrive. Without them, we will be lost! I only hope the “powers that be” know what they are doing regarding Mackerel quotas; they are playing a very risky game!”
Compliments of:
Terry Jackson.
Terry Jackson goes fishing.
Web: Terry Jackson blog
Rogues Gallery
Specimen Album
Terry has created a gallery of the specimens he has had in recent times. There are some great Irish fish featured in it and it is well worth a look –Specimen Fish Album
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee over-sees the verification of Irish Record and Specimen Fish captures. Interesting information on species, where and when caught, and best baits or lures can be found athttp://www.irish-trophy-fish.com/.
