snatcher
16-06-08, 11:26 PM
Tom (Toonfireman) and I had planned to launch at Sandhead at noon but I got a call from Tom to arrive earlier due to expected worsening winds!!!
Now Tom has got this launching thing down to a tee so his good lady Karen duly backed the boat into the water and took the jeep and trailer back to Toms van - luxury. my chesties just stayed back in my car parked outside Toms caravan.
We headed out to the yellow bouy off Ardwell for the mackerel. They turned up on cue and we fairly quickly got enough for the rubby-dubby and hook baits.My new mackerel trace fell to bits after about three "full houses" but bare silver hooks still done the biz.
Next it was a slow plough over to the Sandhead platform. We moored about 500 yds seaward of it and put down the rubby-dubby.The wind had picked up pace by this time and it was getting quite "lumpy".
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope4.jpg
We had decided to strike the runs asap and Tom was first in.It was a really small tope but a tope nonthelesthess and it gave a spirited fight,especially when it seen the boat.It really was a bonny wee fish and was duly photographed and released asap.After that the action slowed to zilch!!! but he patter and tall stories filled the gap!
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope1.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope2.jpg
I did have one really good run and on striking felt heavy resistance - for a few seconds then nothing.The wind gods were really starting to whip up the waves at our end of Luce bay by this time and we were close to packing in for the day.
Tom then got into his second tope of the day,it was only doggy size but it was nice to see that the tope appear to be breeding/thriving ok.For the last 5 mins I gave my bait a bit jig which resulted in two tentative bites
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope3.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope5.jpg
It was then anchor up and a well bumpy ride back to Sandhead ramp.Karen was on the beach waiting for us and like a well oiled machine we were outside Toms van in a few minutes.
As far as a tope fishing trip it was poor but as far as a day out with a mate it was mint. We plan to reconvene on Wednesday for another bash at those guys
Snatcher/Toonfireman
Now Tom has got this launching thing down to a tee so his good lady Karen duly backed the boat into the water and took the jeep and trailer back to Toms van - luxury. my chesties just stayed back in my car parked outside Toms caravan.
We headed out to the yellow bouy off Ardwell for the mackerel. They turned up on cue and we fairly quickly got enough for the rubby-dubby and hook baits.My new mackerel trace fell to bits after about three "full houses" but bare silver hooks still done the biz.
Next it was a slow plough over to the Sandhead platform. We moored about 500 yds seaward of it and put down the rubby-dubby.The wind had picked up pace by this time and it was getting quite "lumpy".
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope4.jpg
We had decided to strike the runs asap and Tom was first in.It was a really small tope but a tope nonthelesthess and it gave a spirited fight,especially when it seen the boat.It really was a bonny wee fish and was duly photographed and released asap.After that the action slowed to zilch!!! but he patter and tall stories filled the gap!
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope1.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope2.jpg
I did have one really good run and on striking felt heavy resistance - for a few seconds then nothing.The wind gods were really starting to whip up the waves at our end of Luce bay by this time and we were close to packing in for the day.
Tom then got into his second tope of the day,it was only doggy size but it was nice to see that the tope appear to be breeding/thriving ok.For the last 5 mins I gave my bait a bit jig which resulted in two tentative bites
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope3.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope5.jpg
It was then anchor up and a well bumpy ride back to Sandhead ramp.Karen was on the beach waiting for us and like a well oiled machine we were outside Toms van in a few minutes.
As far as a tope fishing trip it was poor but as far as a day out with a mate it was mint. We plan to reconvene on Wednesday for another bash at those guys
Snatcher/Toonfireman