But with bait being very scarce at the moment we headed out near Malin head for a bait hunt on Saturday afternoon.
Sodding weather.
As the general theme this year. The weather for cast was a bit out and it was considerably breezier than we had hoped for.
But we got out and fished away until the weather made it to uncomfortable to fish. We done well and we all had some fine coalies and I managed 1 mackerel. But the beer and steaks made up for weather. It's looking like it will be a great year for it all going well. we are well set up now.
Mackerel.
Sunday came way to quick as we may still have been recovering from the refreshments from the night before. But up at 7am and out we went in search of bait. We gave it 2hrs and I only found 2 mackerel. A lonely grey gurnard. And a good helping of some fine coalies. I had my mark3 live bait tube out on trial again to see if putting the floats inside would help stream line it will paddling. It ended up not too bad and still works very well. This 2lb coalie was in it for well over an hour while I paddled around.
He was returned after his little trip around the area. So with that, we had enough bait and away went went. The lads were under pressure and didn't have time to hang around. So I was heading out on my own for the tope.
Time to try the tope.
Oh I was busting to hit the tope and with the lads catching some on Lough Swilly I had high hopes.
So 3 nice fresh mackerel and some more coalies things were looking good.
I was launching close to time low water so it was out asap and anchor down.
I had the new fin nor lethal 100 out to see what it was like and the usual tope set up on the other. So 2 lovely mackerel fillets on pulley rigs and even though the fillets were fresh I couldn't resist give them a dose of Bio Edge sardine oil. I didn't have a bag to marinade them in so I just stuck the nozzle into the mackerel fillet a few times squeezed some in and it had a great scent trail coming off it.
Time was ticking and would the bad weather come in before the tope.
By now the lines had been in about 30 mins and not a tap and the tide was easing off. Normally I would be hitting tope by now if they where around. But my fears eased as the rod tope got a classic bob,bob take. The heart was near jumping out of my chest waiting for some thing to happen.
But no nothing. After a few minutes I lifted it and there was a couple of nicks at the edge of the bait so it definitly was a tope. Line down again and 10mins later the bait on the rod with the new beast of a reel got a take.
Doesn't matter how many tope you catch, the first of the year is epic. Pure tension, excitement and delight all rolled into one.
A bonus flounder while trying for bait.
The take.
Sorry got side tracked there lol. Ye the take. I had the Fin nor drag set very light so the tope could take the bait with no resistance. As he took the bait and started to go I sank the hook. I had my finger on the spool so he could run a bit. But the drag was a bit light. So a I quickly turned the drag 1 full turn and, well I kind of over done it and stopped a tope in full run dead in his tracks lol.
He wasn't happy he turned and gave a mad close hand fight and rolled the trace all around him. The bugger was mental. I also had the water wolf camera on and he mangled that. Bent the wire and all sorts. But it is still working, thankfully.
So a mental tope along side the kayak , wrapped in my trace and still full of life. In he came and as every year their sheer power amazes me every year. Pure muscle and power.
So that was my first tope of the year. Oh it was great to have one in and released to start the season. But I had hopes of more but the weather rolled in. You can see from the time on the photo's how quick it changed. In less than an hour it went from a light breeze to strong breeze. I had to up anchor and make a run for shore and dodge the yachts as I went , or they dodged me lol.
So That was it, tope account opened and ready for more.
Until the next time tight lines and thanks for reading.
Also don't forget. Boat angling Ireland tope meet greenore co. Louth 10th/11th/June
Tope 80lbs possible all welcome Find us on face book
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