Against all odds on the Copper Coast

After meeting Kenny and Jonny at the Irish Bass Festival 2012 we decided to team-up and head for the Copper Coast / Wexford for another trip this year. After giving some consideration to the tides and moon phases the date was set.

Little did we know at this stage that the weather would kick up and provide us with a challenge. We knew the conditions would be tricky but we had all committed by this stage and going back wasn't an option - it was always going to be tough from the outset.

We geared-up, grabbed a very limited amount of sleep and set off.

On arrival we did the usual - call into Absolute Fishing to pick up Jonny's new rod, get a chat and a much needed coffee to lift the spirits and then set off to check out the coastline. Needless to say the reports were 100% correct. The swell was huge and the water clarity was milky but thankfully not dirty (yet!)

We fished hard the first day but as everyone knows, your expectation levels on the first day are always low due to the travel and tiredness. We all knew day two would be the big one.

First fish of the trip

We headed out for the first mark and fished it down the tide - no luck. The lads were impressed by the ground and it looked fishy but no takes. We went back to the drawing board and moved. I could see the water was milky but clean and weed free on arrival. It was looking promising. The tide was starting to push and there was more than enough life in the water. We took up our spots and began working the water. Third cast and the rod lurched over and I was attached to a nice hard fighting Bass - FISH ON!

It scrapped around tight at my feet while Jonny ran down the rock to help me land it. The fish was determined to run around every possible snag making it a very tense couple of minutes. The swell was making it tricky to land but after a few hairy moments, Jonny got the Boga grip into the mouth and the fish was safely unhooked.

(The first Bass of the trip - would there be more?)

It was looking like we were going to be into a good session - we fished hard the rest of the day. The lads had a few hits but no more hooks ups. Other than a pounding from some serious swells and conditions that was the only action to be had all day. A welcome one nonetheless. We left chuffed at landing a Bass in the conditions and the spirits were lifted.

After a few pictures the fish was returned safely to the water - a few kicks of the tail and away it bolted through the surf and back to the rocky reef from which it had nailed my lure.

The wind was now picking up and we knew our luck was about to run out fast! The swell picked up and the water turned from milky to just pure filth. Weed was ripped up and washed in while the sediment lifted and muddied up the water. Things were looking grim but we fished on the third day and pushed hard. A few rattles but no serious indications of any fish about.

At this stage it was looking like it was going to all down to the last day for Jonny and Kenny to get a fish but I have to hand it to the lads, their spirits never dampened and their determination is commendable - many an angler would have given up and written it off by this stage.

(Two very wet anglers contemplating the next move)

The call was made between us to pack up and leave the Copper Coast. We had talked to a few lads and everyone was getting it tough. Fishing on may have produced fish but this is where experience would kick in and sadly we lacked the knowledge. We decided to head to Wexford - where my knowledge is still limited but better than previous location.

We tucked away on a little rock mark as the light began to fall and fished into darkness. Jonny had one rise to the mighty Patchinko but it wasn't to be. Would the boys get a fish on their last day?

The weed was just silly on the shore .... was it going to be a complete wash out?

Triple Hook Ups!

We headed out to a mark which we all knew would be vaguely cleaner than the rest of the coast line but even then this was a gamble. 

Bright blue sky, strong breeze and a bit of colour in the water - it was looking good. 

Jonny fished down the stretch first with a Smoke/Pearl Senko. I watched him as the lure bounced down the current - FISH ON!

His new Graphiteleader Argento slammed over and the fish began to run with the current. A nice battle and his first fish of the trip was landed.

(Jonny's first Bass on Graphiteleader Argento)

Obviously Jonny was delighted with getting his first Bass on the new rod and landing a fish before we headed for home.

After it was returned the only question was, could we get Kenny his fish?

We fished on and about 10 minutes later when my lure (Smoke/Pearl Senko) stopped in the current - dead weight. I struck and the fish took off down tide of me. I backed up and chased it down the bank gaining back line and began to fight it towards me.

Kenny helped me land the fish weighing just over 4.5lbs.

Off it went and our thoughts now turned to Kenny - would he get his Bass?

This was it, Jonny and I stood hoping Kenny would bag the Bass which he had worked so hard for over the trip. Surely things would go our way for a change and we would all leave content.

As we were discussing the previous two fish we looked over to see Kenny's rod pulsing and then the shouts as he battled the fish in the rough water. As it got into the shallows, we both got a glimpse of the lure - a nice Chartreuse Senko was dangling out of the stunning silver devil at our feet. One swift move and the fish was on the Boga and unhooked.

The three of us stood there with huge grins on our faces. Not only had we all got lovely fish but it all happened in the space of half an hour! We couldn't believe it. All that work the past few days had paid off. 

The tiredness, damp clothes and anti-social hours all became a distant memory as we slipped Kenny's fish back into the water and watched it kick off into the water.

This was the first time we had fished together and I have to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. To fish with like minded anglers is superb and especially ones who are as enthusiastic as these two. I will be very surprised if we do not make this an annual pilgrimage! 

We packed up, headed for home three very happy lads - many things had been learnt from the trip but perhaps the key point that we all took away from it was to persevere, fish hard and the rewards will come. Although you will get the dreaded yet inevitable blank, as anglers, we are always prepared for those days.

Watch this space - you may see more of the three of us soon enough out wetting a line.

Tight Lines