Heading home today, some tough bass fishing conditions but some pretty epic pollack fishing

I’ve said it on here loads - anglers are mostly really good people, and we tend to luck out with this guiding work and have some thoroughly nice lads coming along who tend to “get” Ireland and what this glorious country can offer visitors. The anglers we have had out here this time around have been fantastic, and although the bass fishing conditions have been really tough, they have fished their socks off. I like to think they have learnt loads that they can take back home for their more local fishing, and when we went out lure fishing for the crash-diving Irish pollack we had a serious blast………….

Yesterday morning was a great example. John and I took our four lads to an open coast mark in some very calm conditions, and because the sea was so flat and none of those Atlantic swells were rolling in, we were able to put the lads onto some rock ledges we rarely get to access. The result was some spectacular pollack fishing surrounded by wonderful scenery and a complete lack of other anglers as always. The only paths we sometimes follow out to a mark like that are made by livestock, and it’s always a good feeling to know that when we are done with the fishing there’s a very good chance the local pollack population won’t see another lure until John and I are next out there. How good is that?

The best pollock of yesterday’s session was a cracking 9lb 11oz for Mark above, and it came to a lure that somebody put me onto a while back - the cheap as chips DAM Kick-S Weedless Minnow. They just work. Unfortunately this particular pollack swallowed the lure right down, and if you know pollack you will understand how they aren’t anywhere near as tough as bass when it comes to returning them. No fish get wasted out here though, indeed the lads had fish for supper the night before and when asked to guess not one of them said it was pollack. John and Lynn are amazing cooks and the food on these trips is outstanding.

We did have another crack at the bass after the pollack fishing yesterday, but only the one fish was landed in some bright and calm conditions. Our lads have worked hard and I like to think they have had a blast with us. I’m putting this blog post up and then packing my Epic Berlingo up and heading for home. If all goes to plan then I should be crawling into bed around 3am and then getting up at about 7am to get myself together and head off to our local Park Run with my wife and girls - and no, I am not running! As ever it’s been an absolute privilege to spend more time out here in Kerry doing this co-guiding work with John. Thanks to our lads for coming along, roll on 2022, you all have a good weekend and please can I now have some half-decent conditions when I get home so I can fish my socks off until at least the end of the year…………….

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