Hooked from the Start: Seán’s First Day Sea Fishing
A recent ESB club outing to the scenic beaches of Wexford turned out to be more than just a relaxing day by the sea — it became the setting for a young angler’s unforgettable introduction to the world of fishing.
One of the members had brought along his 13-year-old son, Seán, in the hopes of sparking a bit of interest in the sport. Excited to get started, they arrived on the sand only to realise they’d forgotten one fairly crucial item: their fishing rods. Fortunately, a couple of spare rods stashed away in the back of another member’s car meant their day wasn’t over before it began.
With gear sorted and lines in the water, John Higgins spent the day guiding Seán and his dad through baiting hooks, setting up rigs, and getting a feel for beach casting. Seán took to it quickly and showed plenty of enthusiasm — but none of us expected what happened next.
Before long, Seán hooked into his first fish — a lively 1lb sea bass that put up a decent fight. The smile on his face said it all. We’d just finished taking a quick measurement when, out of nowhere, the second rod went flying off the tripod and skidded across the sand. Without hesitation, Seán grabbed it and leaned into what was clearly a much stronger fish.
After a long energetic battle, he landed a second bass — this one a real beauty, measuring just over 76.5cm. It was a proud moment not just for Seán and his dad, but for everyone there to witness it. In one day, he went from curious onlooker to enthusiastic angler, landing two bass, one Flounder and a cracking fishing story to boot.
Days like this remind us why we love the sport — not just for the fish, but for the memories made along the way. Something tells us this won’t be Seán’s last time casting a line.
