A1Fisher of Boat-Angling-Ireland.com reports on a very hectic kayak fishing session:
The forecasts were all looking poor in the end but doable for a few hours before the stronger winds were to come in so a short session was in order.
I arrived in Dunaff to meet a reasonable day not too breezy and dead low tide.
Fly rod and my new rod the sonic sk3 12lb to 20lb class. Seems a very nice rod but mine seems to have a flaw in it but I’m getting it sorted hopefully.
Out I went and did a quick search for the coalies, looking for a tight shoal but not a sign of them. So feathers down and I started to troll around to see if there were any straglers about. After a decent troll about, I got 1 1lb coalie, so I changed to the Tsunami rig to try for herring and after a little while I managed 1 herring another straggler.
Soon followed by another 1lb coalie. A lot more trolling and no more coalies or herring to be seen.
So I went out to the 70ft of water and anchored up to see could I bag a few species to try and out of the minus figures .
I had limited gear with me so the small hooked tsunami rig went down with small pieces of the fresh caught herring. Down it went with hardly a sniff for 30 mins and as the wind and cold set in I was tempted to head for home.
But very soon after that taught went through my head I got a good take and as I lifted into it a very strong power full fish made a short run. I was thinking of my tiny hooks and light rig so I played it gently but on its 3rd run POP out came the hook and found it straightened when I reeled in .
I thought it might be a big ray or small skate as it was the spot where Darren had his skate. I changed to the bigger stronger hokai type rig bigger baits and down again. I was hoping he would come back but I wasn’t sure he would. Hardly 2 mins later bang fish on, 3 or 4 good power full short runs and again he was off .
Oh I was near inconsolable . Right that was it ! Into the lure box and I got the biggest strongest hook I had. which was a 3/0 O’shaugassey hook on a jig.
Half a fillet of herring down and it went attached to the hokai rig. So I sat there in vain hope of his return.
Well I sat there for about 30mins more and the breeze and cold was really starting to get to me so home was the plan and again the rod leaned over very nicely. Again a very strong fish was there. Well this time I let the rod go down and I struck hard as hell to set the hook. Fish on and a dam good scrap ensued.
I was delighted and terrified at the same time, terrified I would loose it. As yet I had no idea what it was. Could it be tope, spur dog, big thornie or even a small common skate
As the line came up it was heading for my anchor so I unclipped it and let my kayak drift away from the anchor line and as the trace came to the surface A shape started to appear skate, ray It was a brute of a conger. My best conger yet it was good 20lb plus and the bugger took the hokai hook and missed the bigger bait . In any way I had a decent conger beside the kayak with 3 hooks hanging from its gob. I was not keen to lift a conger in with 3 hooks hanging from his mouth.
So I held the trace and got the camera out, and with that a decent swell and a big head shake and he was off before I could get a photo ,But I was happy enough I got to see what the fish was as it would have drove me mad wondering what could have been.
Report courtesy of www.boat-angling-ireland.com
