Specimen Hunters Diary 2017

A look back over the trials, tribulations and memories of the season past.

As usual at this time of year, whilst watching the blizzards and rainfall beating against the windows, and feeling sorry for myself, I tend to reminisce of my angling memories created the previous season. As a dedicated specimen hunter, the emphasis is always placed on the spectacular catch, that “fish of a life-time”, but that shouldn’t detract from a fun days fishing either.

Still looking for that elusive twelve pound Pollack!

If you missed the blog, click here!

I once fell into the trap of feeling extremely dissatisfied if I hadn’t landed that “lunker” of one particular species or another each trip, but thankfully I have managed to move on from that dark place. I still chase the elusive monsters of course, but importantly, I still appreciate a day on the water and all that it offers. The serenity, the chance to un-wind, surrounded by nature in all its glory and of course, good friends to share the experience with. This is Mother Nature’s gift to us all.

This year (2017), with a lot going on at home, I didn’t push myself so hard, and this was reflected in the specimen tally, but I mostly enjoyed my angling opportunities when I did venture out. My Pike campaign at the beginning of 2017 failed to produce anything sizeable. Un-favourable weather conditions and poor water levels led to many wasted journeys, so I turned my attention to Roach and Roach-Rudd Hybrids as we moved into spring.

A specimen Roach-Rudd Hybrid, a great deal of effort to find this two-pounder

The venue had been illegally electro-fished by guess who? Obviously this had a detrimental effect on the stocks, and after many trips I managed to tempt and land a single specimen among the many small fish. I was delighted of course, but it was really too much work for too little. The days of a dozen specimen Roach in one session are no longer possible on this venue. These are the trials and tribulations I speak of in the title.

If you missed the Cuckoo Wrasse blog, click here!

Inclement weather put paid to “big trips” down south for now, and as the seas finally settled in the north, I turned my attention to off-shore reefs. One area I discovered put me in touch with large shoals of wonderfully coloured Cuckoo Wrasse, many nudging the specimen barrier. Rather than over-fish this mark, I left it to simmer through the summer months, vowing to return when the males had packed on some summer fat.

A good idea to leave this mark until late summer, a specimen of 1lbs 10 oz

By late summer, I returned to this tiny reef, still over-flowing with Cuckoo Wrasse. In the space of a couple of hours they queued to be caught, with four specimens among them along with Codling and Pollack that put a healthy bend in the light boat rod. A great afternoon for the angling memory banks.

My on-going sponsorship with Pure Fishing gave the opportunity to play with a rod and reel from the Hardy Tackle stables. Their agent, my friend David Wilson, suggested the new Zephrus Fly Rod was un-breakable and a leap forward in rod development. I love a challenge, and with the invite to have a play with the rod, teamed up with the incredible Fortuna Fly reel, I put my thinking cap on and looked about for worthy trophy fish.

If you missed the blog, click here!

Putting the combo through its paces against six-pound Pollack was surprisingly “wee buns” as they say around here. The kit is as light as a feather and the twelve-weight rod felt like an eight-weight in the hand! I thought it would be no match against a feisty Pollack, but how wrong can you be! Anyone that has targeted Pollack on the fly in fast tidal currents will know what I’m talking about here, many fish over 5lbs are easily lost through sheer turn of speed and fighting power. I now needed something larger to test the kit!

Finally, a Blue on the amazing Hardy Zephrus Fly Rod

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This was soon rectified when my good friend Sidney Kennedy offered a Shark trip out of Cork Harbour. He successfully targeted Sharks on the fly last year, and had gained some useful knowledge on these new tactics. I loaded the Fortuna Reel with 300 yards of Nano-fil Braid, 200 yards of 80lb nylon and 50 yards of 250lb rubbing trace, plus a yard of biting wire. The reel capacity is awesome on this 12 weight. Drifting fourteen miles off-shore, our chum slick attracted eager “Blues” to the boat, and the Zephrus had a true test landing fish to over 40lbs, it could have easily conquered bigger! The sustained drag system on the reel is second to none!

Specimen Mullet, Golden Greys, Bass and Gilt Head Bream on the Greys Toreon Float rod

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Finally, by mid-summer, the southern shores beckoned with settled weather reports and the magnetic draw to West Cork worked its magic on me, an area I always feel at home in. The jeep was packed to capacity with camping gear, and tackle to deal with Mullet, Gilt Head Bream, Bass and Carp!

The weather held and the Mullet gods gave up their treasures, and I soon managed to stalk and land many specimens. Some bonus Golden-Grey Mullet graced me with their presence, as did Bass and Gilt-Head Bream, all taken whilst tackle testing the Greys Toreon float rod that proved its pedigree. I always fall in love with West Cork and its challenging, but rewarding angling.

The delicate Golden-Grey Mullet, a decent specimen at 1lb 10oz

Before returning home, I paid a visit to Cork City and the famous “Lough” and joined Sidney Kennedy in pursuit of Carp, and we found them. I’m only a part-time “Carper” but love the experience, and use the opportunity for a good rest before the long drive home!

Specimen Carp session, if you missed the blog, click here!

Back home, the weather held and the off-shore reefs were calling. I purposely ignored the Spur dogs, and targeted large Pollack in an attempt to find that magical twelve-pounder that has eluded me my entire life. Landing many mid-sized Pollack but no monsters, a stray specimen Spur dog took the bait; it’s funny how specimen hunting turns out sometimes, but I wasn’t complaining! Any specimen is a bonus and gratefully received.

During the summer months, I met a lovely angling couple, Samantha and Michael. They are addicted to angling and great fun, and I am happy to say, we have become good friends. It was my pleasure to take them out on my Fast Fisher for a few hours, landing decent sized Pollack on light gear, and a bonus Cuckoo Wrasse for Sam. Great fun when a seal tried to grab a Pollack and almost jumped into the boat after it! Un-forgettable memories.

Samantha and Michael, always sweet to meet up with like-minded friends

Another invite took me back to Cork and out over the off-shore reefs in search of double-figure Coalfish. Dismay at finding nets over the wrecks forty miles off the coast, but the skipper managed to put us over decent fish with Ling showing to over twenty pounds. Very enjoyable trip.

My good friend Ross Macklin with a 20lb+ wreck Ling

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As the weather broke down towards the end of the year, angling opportunities have been rare, but the Pike gear has been dusted down and ready to go, and maybe a crack at the Rocklings if I feel up to it.

Pike on the Hardy Zephrus Fly Rod, if you missed the blog, click here!

I look in the corner of the room and see the new Tuna kit from Penn Tackle Company waiting to be christened. This is a sponsorship deal that has me committed to visiting the west coast throughout the summer months of 2018, to see how the kit performs. Who knows, this time next year, if God spares me, I may have a Blue Fin memory and some photographs to chat about!

Sid Kennedy, my angling kindred spirit with a fine specimen "Goldie"

I always wonder how each following year will pan out, with many un-sustainable commercial ventures chasing what is left of our stocks, sea bed destruction and poaching of our freshwater species, but at the minute, I’m feeling good, I’ve got the bit between my teeth once again, and can’t wait to get out there for new adventures and fresh memories. Tight Lines angling friends.