Giant Bluefin Tuna - Part 3

[Norfolkboy]

Good luck all

[Omahayank]

Good luck and take pix for us.

[Old Smoothound]

Hi Fellas,

Well we are all back safe and sound from Donegal. What a trip. It started very early on Friday morning meeting Tommy A and Tommy A senior at the Airport. Short flight to Belfast, then a 2.5hour drive to Donegal.

On arrival at our cottage we stowed our gear I collected the bait I had stashed in the skippers freezer on my last trip and then we took time out to admire the local scenery and boy is it fantastic!



After a mind blowing drive around the tiny coastal road we came to our destination and a good 30 minute walk to Ravedy Island…



…a noted hotspot for Pollack, Gurnards, Wrasse, Plaice and Dabs, or so we thought!

We fished the tide up and over, but apart from “Tommy A” senior catching Two Starfish and a rare Sea Cucumber…yes Sea Cucumber! We caught Bugger all!!!

So we got off the Island just in time to get changed and go and have something to eat and drown our sorrows at the local “Bar” before it closed……

After a few good laughs and a couple of drops of the black stuff we tucked ourselves up ready for the mornings trip out on the boat. We awoke with expectations running high as the skipper had told us he was in amongst them 2 days before and they were all around the boat. So off we went to catch some live joey Mackie to use as our bait for the day. In about 20 mins circa 20 odd joeys were in the live bait barrel..

Then we headed for the spot the skipper had the Tuna “bustin” around him 2 days earlier.

All I can say is that the 3.5 metre ground swell coming from the West and the tide ebbing from the East and a force 6/7 wind from the South East did not boded well for a comfortable journey or day for that matter, but as “True Brits” we soldiered on.

The waves were circa 20 plus feet high with the wind wipping the tops of them into spray, we went “up Perescope” a couple times when the bows got covered by waves and the swell. I have been in some heavy seas before but nothing like this!!! We spotted some Gannets that were following the Giant Bluefins but they did not start diving nor did we see any Tuna….but after 20 odd years of fishing the weather conditions started to take its toll! Yes you guessed it the dreaded sickness…me first… hot flushes followed by you know what…..then Tommy was struck down…he had gone quiet! We headed for some shelter behind an island and rock outcrop known as Inishtrahull and Tor rocks just to get a break. I was still feeling unwell but we had some species to catch…COALIES! Another shift and we sent our lures down and up came a full string of Coalies for myself and Tommy A…..sadly Tommy sent his back over the side before we could get a photo………but I can vouch for his catch.



A quick photo of mine and we were underway again in double quick time back to Mulroy Bay to a secret mark for Cuckoo Rays, Spotted Rays, Tub Gurnard, Dabs and maybe anything else Tommy A and myself needed for the species hunt!

All kitted out courtesy of the skipper, and a whisper to me from him that we would defo get a Cuckoo Ray, we started fishing, and within a few minutes yep you guessed it Tommy is into a decent fish and the skipper shouts it’s defo a Ray he’s got on, smiling at me at the same time.

More tension and the Ray comes over the side and it’s a bloody Cuckoo!!! Would you believe it! They are as rare as rocking horse teeth, and bloody well done Tommy 1.5 points mate!

My first drop down and it’s a Grey Gurnard…second drop down and it’s a nice little Tub Gurnard…



........1.5 points, then more grey gurnards interspersed with a couple of Doggies and it happens ….Tommy is into another decent Ray. This time it’s a lovely spotted Ray…that nearly gets a chunk out of Tommy’s thumb! Well done Tom, another nice fish mate.

Then I get a thump on the rod tip then another then another I lift the rod and set the hook…fish on! Having just woken up after 3 hours of sea sickness my strength is a bit sapped, so it takes a bit for me to bring it to the surface, the skipper nets it and shouts to me…"Would you believe it, it’s a bloody Thornie!!!!"
My jaw drops as he knows we are on a species hunt…then he turns and says naaaaa it’s a Homolyn Ray….Spotted Ray to you and I. Brilliant, another 1.5 points…hehe.



So we fish on a bit more Tommy’s Dad is crowned Grey Gurnard King of the millennium! He certainly knows how to catch them!! Tommy has a few more fish and I hook into a nice Turbot of circa 3.5 –4lbs a nice way to end the day.




We steam back into harbour and clamber onto terra firma after a great day even though I spent most of it being ill!!

Our skipper was superb a real gent great company, great crack extremely knowledgeable about his area and passionate about his fishing and a great host, what more could you want….to see and hook a couple of Giant Bluefin Tuna would have been nice…but that’s fishing for you…unpredictable I suppose that’s why its not called “catching”!

But there is always a next time….

Tommy will no doubt post a little something for you all to read.

Here’s to the next time ……Tight Lines……

[pingu]

well done on sticking it out, conditions sounded awfull, and well done on report and read , great picks as ever

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Sounds like a great time if a bit lumpy

great read and picks again mate and well done

[Charter Skipper]

Well done guys,some nice fish there!.....and the tuna will come,anyday soon...

[wellyfish]

nice one shaun , looks like a beautiful place to stay for the weekend , i must join you on the next trip

[tommy a]

Well what can I say that Shaun hasnt already posted ....

A brilliant trip and a top skipper who really was one of the nicest blokes you can meet. Good fun fishing the first day especially with Smoothy loosing a weight every cast whilst the old man and I watched on in hysterics - no fish but great scenary.

The trip on the boat was great - I had two tablets before we went out and largely because of them I survived with only one five minute spell of sickness - seas were around a force 7 with waves reaching over 20feet !! Watching the boat career down the waves and the bow dissappear a few times was quite remarkable and an experience I dont think any of us will ever forget. That was the worst seas Michael would take anyone out in and in truth its only because he knew Shaun that we went out anyway - so no complaints about the tuna just bloody good fun trying to stand up !!

The day ended with some good fish coming aboard and Im afarid I cant repeat Shauns words of encouragement when I landed the Cuckoo - followed by a spotted ray - his face was a right picture.

All in all the boat day was fabulous - I kept Shaun company outside for a lot of the trip getting soaked but feeling some what better for the fresh air and shower, whilst the old man kept Michael company talking about the boat and eating their lunch and ours .......

Brilliant company, fantastic scenary and an experience I will DEF be repeating - the old man loved every second and will post a thought or two if I can encourage him to use a PC !!

Pictures to follow !!

[Portland Pirate]

Jealous would be an understatement.

Well done lads.

[Norfolkboy]

Great report Shaun, sounds like you had a great time apart form that groundbaiting