Summer the season of heat, joy, beaches, family, fun but most of all unique beautiful exotic species of fish come out of hiding after winter. Probably my favorite of these species has to be the ray. There are many different species of ray in our waters the most well known being the stingray, a powerful, deadly giant of the sea floor. I am fortunate to live in Tralee bay where it is believed they breed every year. The shallow water provides a perfect breeding habitat for these amazing creatures. Although they are the biggest the stingray is not the only species of ray in Tralee bay. There is also Thornback ray, Painted ray and Undulate ray. Extensive research is being done at present on the ray in Tralee bay, as they are thought to be unique to the area
To assist with the research Tralee Bay SAC hold a competition every year. Tag A Ray. Last weekend the event took place and it was its third year running. The objective of the competition is to catch
tag and release ray. The ray must be over the size off 45cm across the
wings to be tagged. Along with the help of Dr. Ken O' Sullivan we are hoping to get the necessary data for a conclusive result. Both boat and shore anglers take part in this competition.This year there was a great turnout and despite difficult weather conditions there was still a great buzz among the anglers.
The weekend was tough and I managed to catch 2 good sized ray off the boat. I was delighted to catch a 19lb stingray, a personal best for me. my second fish was a beautiful 7lb undulate ray which was enough for me to win the juniors for the boat.
Hopefully over the coming months i will get some shore fishing in for these mysterious fish and I really look forward to next years Tag A Ray to meet friends old and new.
Banna Beach Competition Match Report
By Eugene Farrelly
Tralee Bay SAC held its 3rd competition of 2016 last Sunday the 17th of April.
The Competition was meant to be on Barrow the Sunday before but due to adverse weather on the day it was called off. This was our second cancellation this year as Mother Nature has been at it again. However summers on its way and things are looking up for us.
Anyway back to Sundays comp, fishing was always going to be hard as conditions were fairly calm with bright skies. The majority of anglers however caught fish in their first few casts, happy days we thought. This was not the case however as the fish just disappeared, from most pegs.
Eoin Foley was the only angler catching fish and putting all the senior anglers under pressure. Troy and David O Sullivan were catching a few flounder on the higher pegs. The rest of the beach was fishing very poorly and after 3 hours Eoin was miles ahead of everyone.
The last hour things started to change and John Osbourne on peg 1 started catching a few small turbot and flounder. It looked like it was going to be Johns day, I myself Eugene Farrelly also started to get a few. I was still a few fish behind John until one of those crazy casts when I pulled in a treble flounder followed by a single. Poor John was sick as it was enough to win the comp.
Tag A Ray is coming up very soon 7th and 8th of May and this year looks like it will be the best one yet. RTE’S nationwide will be filming on the Saturday this year which is great for the event. There are only a few boat places left so first come first serve.
The 2nd leg of the Munster’s is taking place in Waterford next Sunday and the club wishes all our talented anglers taking part in it all the best.
North Kerry Sac are hosting the Munster open this Saturday 23rd of April. All club members should try their best to support the event as it’s great to have such a prestigious event in Kerry. Best of luck North Kerry Sac the weekend.
Results of the Banna Beach competition
Junior Results:
1st Eoin Foley 153pts.
2nd Finn Healy 59pts.
3rd Sean Clifford.
Junior Results:
1st Eoin Foley 153pts.
2nd Finn Healy 59pts.
3rd Sean Clifford.
Senior Results:
1st Eugene Farrelly 175pts.
2nd John Osbourne 125pts.
3rd David O Sullivan 108pts.
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