Ireland spearing 2008

[stone_shot]

I spear almost exclusively around Dublin and usually see plenty of fish BUT not til later in the season. Around mid-June is when I usually start to see enough fish to bother with, though with the settled warm weather maybe we're in for an early start.

If you're around next weekend Basshunter I'd be on for having a look around Sandycove. I've been to Dalkey a few times and had crap vis but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have one more look.

[sunfish]

headland.JPGIt's time to get the pollack season going. Yesterday I went to try out a headland west of here. Never been before but it looked good on the chart -about a mile to the end with 3 knots of tide going by the tip.
When I got there I realised I'd left my kayak paddle at home so I was going to have to swim it. I also forgot my D3.
When I got to the last part you can see in the photo, this is a bend in the headland and that's where I started seeing fish. First shot I got a decent sized fish but then just tipped the next two, which both tore off. I hate that. When I was near the tip I dropped down 35ft and was waiting for a shoal of 5lb'ers which were slowly getting nearer. Suddenly a huge fish tore up and stopped dead 12 feet from me with fins flared out and staring at me. I lined up the gun in a second but it shot off again just as I was squeezing the trigger. I've never seen a pollack so big while spearfishing.(I'd estimate 12 to 15lbs). I've never had one behave like that either and I must admit, it threw me a bit.
I carried on without trying for any other fish. I wanted that one!
I saw it once more but couldn't get anywhere near it.
I swam a total of three hours. The fish I took weighed 6.7lbs.

[sunfish]

I went back again today of course. I paddled straight to the end but didn't see the giant pollack. There were plenty of normal ones though and I shot fish of 6.8, 5.3, 5.2, 4.2, 2.9 and 1.9 lbs. The last one was a bit of a mistake. It looked bigger at the time. Now I've got the season properly started and plenty of fish in the freezer, I'll be less greedy in future!todays catch.JPGThis is one h*ll of a pollack mark, and I've another lined up to try not too far away!

fillets.JPG

[fcallagy]

Nice fish sunfish. Have just got back from the medes so will be later in the week before I,m out again in Irish waters. Small trip report and pictures here. All on scuba unfortunatly no freediving.
http://forums.deeperblue.net/mediter...tml#post714190

[baldyfish]

well if your into the rod fishing we can do that too. fishing since i could walk!!!

[baldyfish]

nicely done sunfish. must get out thhat way. whats the name of the head? great catch. pity bout that double figure one. next time.....
nice photos too feargus. lived in israel for 6 months and enjoyed the med diving. great diving up that way. Nothing better than the trips to eilat and dahab though!!!!!!!!!

[foxfish]

Fantastic catch mate, very well done I would say

[abusingelves]

nice fish sunfish! great to see them, i love pollock.

there are some pretty big pollock in shallow water around our coast alright.

hopefully i'll land some of them next week myself!

[Old Man Dave]

Nice catch. Well done. That biggest pollack would have been a worthy entrant in May FOM.

Dave

[basilisladias]

Very nice sunfish! The big one I think is only a matter of time!
Nice filets too!

[bass hunter]

Originally Posted by stone_shot

I spear almost exclusively around Dublin and usually see plenty of fish BUT not til later in the season. Around mid-June is when I usually start to see enough fish to bother with, though with the settled warm weather maybe we're in for an early start.

If you're around next weekend Basshunter I'd be on for having a look around Sandycove. I've been to Dalkey a few times and had crap vis but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have one more look.

Hi stone shot,
that sounds good,should be around on sunday.I think it's evening tides next weekend.

[foxfish]

Guys this poll will close very soon http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-...tml#post714282

[ronnybiggs]

great catch Sunfish. The middle fish in the todays_catch.jpg looks like a coalie, or is it just the light?

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by ronnybiggs

great catch Sunfish. The middle fish in the todays_catch.jpg looks like a coalie, or is it just the light?

Hi Ronny, all fish were pollack. The one which looks like a coalie got a bit dried in the sun while laying in the well of the kayak. I must get a cover or maybe I'll string the fish underneath the kayak when it's sunny. I think the seals might get them if I did that though, there're loads of them round here.

[scottwilson]

cracking catch on the pollack sunfish well done mate