Gary Robinson of Kayak Fisherman Ireland seeks solitude at sea before the humans arrive….. He reports:
With a couple of hours to spare before visitors landed for the week I decided to spend the time on the water. With the tide against me I headed for deeper water.
Reaching the launch point I was delighted to be greeted by a glassy bay with not a wave or ripple in sight. This was going to be easy, so I thought. On rounding the point I found the complete opposite; large swells that were fine for drifting and jigging but not the best for dropping anchor and sending baits to the bottom. I took the sensible option and sought out the sheltered water in behind an island where anchoring would be a little more comfortable.
I started out by jigging and that produced the expected few mackerel for bait and a few small pollock for sport. Nothing sizable though as the swell prevented me from getting in too close to the rocks. Once I had a couple of fresh mackerel to use as bait as a compliment to the peeler and sandeel I was carrying it was time to drop anchor.
Settling over an area that was 12 metres deep with a little bit of rough ground adjacent to sand, I dropped anchor and started sending baits to the bottom. I started with some sandeel wrapped in mackerel fillet, bound together with bait elastic. The first bite was tentative and when I lifted into it I felt a couple of head shakes and then everything locked up. No matter how much pressure was applied the hook wouldn’t budge. I suspect a conger had pulled my bait into a snag.
The next few offerings of peeler crab, sandeel, mackerel and combinations of all three produced nothing but dogfish for the hour that I sat over them. I am not a fan of feeding dogfish but at least they kept me busy for the short time I had on the water. I hauled anchor and headed for home and to greet the visitors that had already arrived by the time I made it back.
With a hurricane allegedly approaching due to hit at the weekend, it looks like a trip out on the sea will be off the cards. Inland freshwater fishing is the alternative option; it may even be land based!!!
Gary Robinson
kayakfishermanireland.com
Kayak angling in Ireland
Gary discovered the thrill, freedom and pure joy of kayak fishing almost by accident. After purchasing kayaks with the intention of paddling trips with his long-suffering partner, he started to assess the suitability of such a craft as a fishing platform. Some internet searches showed him that he was not alone in his thoughts. America and Australia already had blossoming populations of kayak anglers. Needing no more encouragement, he set about rigging his first sit on top kayak and transforming it into a fishing platform to gain access to some of the more inaccessible waters. .
Find out more about Gary and his adventures at www.kayakfishermanireland.com
DISCLAIMER NOTE: Inland Fisheries Ireland do not support any brand over another.
