Sea Fishing in Ireland, Wicklow Style

A four meter evening tide coupled with a warm southerly puts fish onto my local marks. Having stored away a couple of dozen lugworm from the Wexford trip, I ventured down to put a couple of hours in up to dark. On arrival the sea was perfect, rolling in but falling as the wind decreased and backed around to the south west. The water although coloured carried little floating weed. Using one rod I doubled up the lug on a two hook paternoster and lobbed the rig fifty meters into the lively sea.

School bass from a County Wicklow beach

A double knock and a quick strike led to a spirited tussle from a stocky little schoolie bass returned to fight another day. “Go and get your mother”. Ten minutes later a shake of the rod tip followed by a purposeful lunge indicated just one species, smooth hound. Pulling the beach caster into its fighting curve the hound tore off to the left towards a weed bank. Applying pressure it turned on a sixpence and scooted to the right. Now swimming up the shingle bank within the wave wash the hound ran this way and that before being beached. Turbo charged fighters smooth hound really are a worthy quarry, great fun on light gear.

Smooth hound caught surf casting from a County Wicklow strand

A short but productive session due to the small amount of bait but worth the journey. This mark always produces, not many fish, however they are usually of a good stamp. Dab, flounder, codling, gurnard, bass, smooth hound, dogfish, number the species to date. Roll on the next set of tides.

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