Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork will host the inaugural Irish Kayak Fishing Open competition on Saturday 15th August 2015. A fun day of fishing, paddling and prizes is planned. The event is open to anybody who likes sea fishing and either owns or has access to a sea going kayak kitted out with basic safety gear. Mark the date and come along for a day of fun and fishing on the water with the chance of carrying home a nice prize from one of the sponsors.
Keep checking www.kayakfishermanireland.com for future and regular updates and register your interest by emailing kayakfishermanireland@gmail.com.
Event Details
The one day event will be held at Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork on Saturday, August 15th.
The competition will be open to all anglers aged 18 years or older. All entrants however must meet a number of certain criteria to ensure their own safety and the smooth running of the event:
- Every competitor must have their own seaworthy kayak, paddle, appropriate clothing, PFD, camera, signalling equipment of some description (VHF, flares, etc.)
- Must be confident in their own fitness levels, self-rescue and paddling skills and be well prepared for a day afloat
- Must register to participate in the competition by sending an email to kayakfishermanireland@gmail.com by the Monday before the competition date
- Must carry a measuring mat (to be provided by Inland Fisheries Ireland) and competitor’s card (distributed at check in on morning of event) as well as a camera.
- Should carry relevant protection from the weather. Ireland has a tendency to throw four seasons at us in one day. With this in mind it would be a good idea to carry at least a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as well as enough food and liquids for the day.
Rules for the competition will include:
- This event is weather dependent. In the event of bad weather an alternative site will be considered but ultimately the event depends on relatively safe weather conditions. Judges will make the appropriate call on the day.
- This is an individual event. There are no team prizes or challenges.
- Entry fee will be small, probably in the region of €10. It is hoped that funds raised can be donated to the RNLI
- Fishing time from 11.00 am – 16.00 pm. Kayaks that do not make it back to the launch point by 16.00 pm will be disqualified. Check in from 09.00 am where gear (kayak, PFD, etc.) will be checked.
- Paddles or pedals only. No motors. This is in the interests of fairness to all competitors. Other electronic equipment such as echo sounders, GPS units and chartplotters, etc may be used.
- No more than two rods may be fished at any one time. Static fishing rigs should have no more than three hooks. Jigging rigs for baitfish should have no more than six hooks.
- Bait or lures – angler’s choice
- The competition is based on the ethos of Catch, Photo, Release. Images, not dead fish, will win prizes. Competitors are free to keep fish as they see fit but for prizewinning purposes it will be the photos only that will be judged. Each competitor will be given a competitor’s token at check in. EACH image submitted for prize consideration must include this token. Photos submitted without the inclusion of this token will not be counted.
- Prizes for species count, 1st, 2nd and 3rd and longest fish categories for selected species.
- Judges decision is final.
Please register your interest or make general enquiries by emailing kayakfishermanireland@gmail.com
Tags: Angling, Courtmacsherry, Fishing, Ireland, Irish Kayak Fishing Open 2015, Kayak angling, Kayak fishing, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, West Cork
