The program of our stay
This trip was decided 6 months ago, after hearing friends talk about this mythical sea-fishing destination.
We've taken the time to organize it as well as possible. It will be spread over 2 weeks, and we'll have the chance to be very mobile since we'll be leaving in a camper van. This has many advantages, starting with mobility. We'll be able to choose our fishing zones according to weather conditions, and whether or not we want to linger in certain areas.
Transporting equipment will not be a constraint, and believe me, we won't be short of equipment! I'll tell you all about it later.
Heading for the county of kerry
Arrival is scheduled for Rosslare, and we'll head straight for County Kerry, in the extreme south-west of Ireland. Up to Cork, no fishing sessions are planned. It's only after visiting Cork that we'll get down to business.
This will be a first for us, but we're fortunate to be very well informed by people who have been there many times over the last 15 years, and who have generously agreed to share valuable information with us.
Just drive along the coastal roads and you'll see that there are fishing spots everywhere. Every part of the coastline is a temptation for anglers to dip their lines in.
In Ireland, many fishing spots are indicated along the roads. After a sign and a little digging on the web, you'll find this kind of map that we don't find here.
The Irish are much more talkative than we are when it comes to fishing spots. If you look around on the net, you'll find a number of sites that give detailed descriptions of certain spots.
I share one with you via this link .
My selection of rods for the fishing trip to Ireland
Over there, there aren't many fishing shops, which means we have to be as proactive as possible when it comes to packing our fishing gear.
I have selected 5 Rodhouse rods to accompany me on this trip:
- An NFC SJ 804 Delta
This 2.43 m rod, rated at 15/40 g, has a fairly round action and is surely the most versatile. Its length makes it ideal for long casting distances. Its power range is relatively versatile. - The NFC SJ 803
Like the 804, it measures 2.43 m, but has a lower power range. Ideal for lures from 7 to 20 grams, I selected it for its ability to cast small lures very far. I'm going to use a fairly fine PE 0.8 braid. - Rodbuilders Republic Statement 724
With this rod, I'm packing one of the most resonant products available. With a length of 2.18 m and a power of 5/25 grams, it will be perfect for soft lure fishing, either scratching or line fishing. - NFC SJ 706 IM
This will be my 4x4 of the trip. This 2.13 m blank is a real Swiss Army knife, capable of animating both surface and soft lures. It offers a power range from 10 to 50 grams. The only negative point: its length obliges me to use a fine braid to optimize casting. - NFC MB 739 IM
Ireland is well known for its large yellows that can take surface lures. It's with this rod that I hope to have the chance to hook some on the surface. It measures 2.21 m and offers a power range from 20 to 60 grams. It will be the strongest rod I'll use, also designed for jigs.
With this bundle, I'll cover a wide range of fishing spots and types. Whether it's soft lures, jigs or hard lures, I'm bound to find the right rod for every technique.
Focus on selected lures
One thing's for sure, I'm not running out of lures for this trip. Not knowing exactly what to expect or the weather conditions I'll encounter, I've opted for a fairly wide selection.
As far as soft lures are concerned, I mainly selected shads. Feedback from regulars in the sector confirms that at this time of year, lures measuring around ten centimetres clearly stand out from the crowd.
Illex's Nitro Shad 90 and 120, Crazy Paddle Tail in 120 and 150 mm, Black Minnow in 105, 120 and 140 mm will be on hand.
I'm taking along a few Crazy in sizes 120 and 150 from Fiiish as well as the brand-new Master Shad.
All these lures come in many different colors and weights. I carry lead heads ranging from 10 to 55 grams.
In France, I'm not used to fishing from shore with jigs. Over there, it seems that this technique is very effective, and I've equipped myself accordingly. Some of the deeper areas, combined with a fairly strong wind, have led me to select jigs between 20 and 60 grams. I've mainly opted for casting jigs fitted with assist hooks.
Finally, I'm taking along a selection of hard lures, both swimbaits and surface lures. Obviously, Asturias ranging from 110 to 150, but also the timeless Super Spook and Fiiish Biotop. A few feed poppers complete the range.
As far as swimming fish are concerned, we'll be using Duo Hacker, as well as the Rafale de Trèfle Création, which has the advantage of casting very far.
