Archive for July, 2013

The Direct Value of Irish Sea Angling is €127.5 million.

Monday, July 29th, 2013

Sea angling in Ireland based on average participation figures for domestic and tourist sea anglers across all species including bass is worth €70.5 million directly into the Irish economy. Converted into Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) or jobs to you and I, sea angling supports 2538 individuals directly.

Charter boat fishing off Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

The figure for average annual domestic expenditure by all those who participate in sea angling throughout Ireland across all channels including fishing tackle works out at €94.5 million. Combine this with tourist sea angler receipts and Ireland benefits directly from sea angling to the tune of €127.5 million, that’s 4590 jobs (FTE’s).

Derived from the recently published “Socio-Economic Study of Recreational Angling in Ireland”, commissioned by Inland Fisheries Ireland and conducted by Tourism Development International, these figures are a true and accurate record of the monetary contribution sea angling makes for this country.

As a counter balance relative to the commercial fishing sector, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) figures for 2012 show that the pelagic fleet contributed €213.8 million and whitefish €49.2 million generating between fishermen and processing 7,800 FTE’s.

It is clear from these figures that sea angling has to be considered on an equal footing with commercial sea fishing regarding future policy decisions attributable to Ireland’s marine resource……….

An Educational Evening at Cullenstown

Sunday, July 28th, 2013

Spent a lazy but informative Saturday evening on Cullenstown strand, Co. Wexford. Earlier while digging black lug at Duncannon I was regularly approached by interested observers eager to see what “that bloke is doing” burrowing away on the beach with his fork and bucket on a hot and sunny afternoon when every other sane person is paddling, playing with the kids, or just sunning themselves. Happy to give the spontaneous marine biology lesson, to a man, woman, and child the people were genuinely fascinated at the size of the worms, their life cycle, and how they engage within their sandy, tidal environment.

Digging black lugworm on Duncannon strand, Co. Wexford.

After a post getting the breath back meal and pint in the Strand Bar plan A was put into operation and the car was pointed towards Cullenstown, if plan B had been followed a 9.5 lb bass could have been mine, well done to a certain Frank Flanagan. As it transpired the primary decision paid off in spades due to the people I met, the varied conversations, shared information, and of particular interest a third party perspective on the current state of Irish sea angling both locally and nationally.

Paddy Barnwell of the Kilmore SAC with a typical South Wexford smooth hound.

On a practical level the main entrance to Cullenstown estuary has moved a few hundred yards east of the parking area creating an open ended lagoon off the main flow which still utilises the old entrance, an evening rising tide pushing in quite strongly. Ground fishing the entrance was hard work due to floating weed, however moving onto the beach west of the bar resulted in a few hounds being caught to crab and lug baits as night drew in. To bass lure fisherman Anthony and match angler Paddy Barnwell, nice to meet and spend time with you the discussions across a range of sea angling and marine issues were interesting and informative. Until we meet again tight lines………..

 

Heatwaves and Tope

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

The Azores high centered over Ireland, four weeks of continuous sunshine, blue skies, slack winds, and regular 20 degree plus temperatures, what more can three pale skinned Irishmen do but go tope fishing of course. Greeted on the harbour slip by a millpond sea, Gary, David, and I prepared Jean Anne before embarking to catch the last of a very neap ebb tide in the deep channel east of the Moulditch bouy.

Gary Robinson displays a fine male tope.

Gathering enough fresh mackerel for bait, year on year becoming an increasingly bigger issue raised its head yet again. In a repeat of last weeks struggle three anglers boated four mackerel in two hours flitting between various known drops off Bray Head. Well into slack water and really wanting to put David, who had never caught one of these sleek marine athletes, over a fish I decided to make a run for our chosen mark anchor up and catch the flood as it picked up.

Gary Robinson playing a good tope off Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

In a repeat of last week Gary had no sooner lowered fresh whole mackerel into Davy Jones locker when his ABU 7000 started purring. Off the tope went only this time everything went according to plan which was wonderful as David, still to land his first tope, had a grandstand view of not only what these fish are capable of but their graceful beauty as well. Scissors hooked, quick photo and away, a fine male tope that certainly looked and felt 30 pound plus.

David Murphy with his first ever tope.

Enthused by the spectacle David had to wait a further four hours before his wish came to life. Having been teased by an earlier dropped run just as the flood tide was easing Dave’s ratchet buzzed. Rod now in hand 10 seconds in David leaned and the fish tore off. Adrenaline flowing everyone on Jean Anne wanted this encounter to end happily which thankfully it did. Five minutes later the smile said it all as the female tope swished her tail and glided back into the depths…….

See also: Tope Antics off Greystones.

Click on: Tope Alley.

Tope Antics off Greystones

Friday, July 12th, 2013

A double knock registers, zzzzzz, zzzzzz, the ratchet emits audible staccato clicks, a four meter tide flows strongly past the anchored Jean Anne. Old yella now in hand, brain runs through a split second check list. Ratchet disengaged, reel disengaged, drag pre set, “cool”, thumb controled line strips from the narrow spool Penn 4, rhythmic banging transmits along taught braid as a heavy female tope powers away down tide. The run develops, ten seconds counted lean back no need to strike the fishes momentum will do the needful, in an instant fifth gear, old yella takes the strain.

A Greystones, Co. Wicklow tope swims alongside before being lifted carefully aboard.

Powerfully running towards Bray Head the wily female turns on a sixpence and doubles back uptide. Reeling like blazes the old glassfibre twenty pound class rod heels over as contact is made yet again, whoosh she veers left and the equally old Penn reluctantly feeds line. So it continues for five minutes in the rushing tidal flow, giving and taking, taking and giving until grudgingly the large female swims alongside ready for tailing. Not quite, a sight of the boat and off she goes, pre set drag whines,  now she’s sulking three fathoms down. Carefully pumping, the tope rises into view, no admiring this time. Gary grabs the running leader to gain control before swiftly transfering his hands to her dorsal fin and tail wrist, with all his strength he hoists the twitching, writhing, teeth knashing tope over the gunwale.

Thirty pounds plus of angry female tope.

Back in 2011 Gary and I set forth on four occasions in search of these underwater cheetahs before eventually striking it lucky at the fifth attempt, fast forward to July 2013 and we connect first drop, well almost. Motoring through the harbour mouth at 05.45am to catch the start of the flood our immediate concern was catching mackerel. Two hours later and with only four in the bucket I pointed Jean Anne towards a mark north east of the Moulditch ridge. Anchoring up we lowered our hard won bait to the seabed 10 fathoms below. Five minutes in Gary’s reel started to sing.

Mackerel, a top bait for tope.

Leaning into the fast running tope Gary connected preceeding to play the fish for around two minutes then nothing. Retrieving his line all became clear, a crimp had given way. Sods law but at least they’re about. However sod didn’t stop there, later while retrieving Gary gets hit again.  This time the tope powered off midwater before letting go after ten seconds. Reeling to the surface there she is following the bait, will she, won’t she, flick of her tail and she’s gone. Immediately lowering the rig within seconds a very determined run develops, she’s persistant but so was Gary’s bad luck, sod strikes three, now baitless we call it quits.

Playing a tope off Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

What a day it had been, glorious sunshine the result of a blocking high centered over Ireland creating clear blue skies and searing heat with inland temperatures hitting 30 degrees. One fish in the boat, four runs, a bull huss and a tope swimming up sixty foot to say hello, nature in full view. Firing up the engine I point Jean Anne towards Greystones, the high stool and a welcome pint in the beach house………

See also: Screaming Reels.

Click on: Heatwaves and Tope.

Choosing Ireland as a Sea Fishing/Angling Holiday Destination

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

Sea fishing in West Cork Ireland.

A key element of a destination marketing project I am undertaking to evaluate what motivates tourist sea anglers/fishers to first consider, then choose, and finally travel to a particular destination. With Ireland in mind I would be very grateful for any views/comment/opinion received under the following headings;

  • What is your primary motive/reason for considering a destination sea angling/fishing holiday?
  • What do you look for in a sea angling/fishing destination holiday?
  • Which is more important to your decision making process, trade advertising or word of mouth?
  • Which are more relevant to your information search, trade magazine articles, internet articles, or word of mouth?
  • Is Irish angling holiday information easy to access and accurate?
  • Do you prefer traveling as an individual or within a group?
  • What is your optimum length of sea angling/fishing holiday and what time of year suits best?
  • How much of a factor is cost?
  • Why choose Ireland?
  • If you have previous experience of a sea angling/fishing holiday in Ireland might you supply a brief overview of how your actual experience matched your pre – holiday expectations.
  • If you have previously had a sea angling/fishing holiday within Ireland, have you returned and why?

Relative to this project a tourist angler includes Irish nationals and non nationals permanently resident abroad, and all those resident in Ireland who travel and fish within Ireland spending at least one bed night away. Any information received will be treated with the strictest confidence. Please also supply name, age, country of origin, and number of years angling.

Email information to: anirishanglersworld@gmail.com.

An alternative user option, click on link to Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TFNTQ6W.

As a third option I have left the comments box open.

Hoping to reach a quorum of 100 individual returns, your input is much appreciated.

Thank you to all respondents.

Ashley