Posts Tagged ‘Sea Fishing’
Monday, September 14th, 2015
South Wexford has the ability to deliver quality sea fishing even when the odds are stacked heavily against you. Stalwart supporters and promoters of Irish sea angling Alan Duthie, Daron Lawry, Clive Jones and friends were making their third trip of Summer 2015 to Ireland only for the weather Gods to throw an almighty spanner in the works. Planning a September shore and boat fishing visit strong south easterlies not only forced the boys to stay ashore they also pushed mountains of wrack onto the beaches making shore angling extremely difficult.
Undeterred the lads asked around and plummed on a beach venue free from the worst excesses of floating weed and set about fishing. Using bait supplied by local digger Joe Carley the boys were soon into fish, mainly good sized flounder with the cream reserved for Daron Lawry who caught a grand 55 cm bass.
Not to be outdone the lads beached numerous flounder up to three pound in weight exemplified by the beauty displayed by Clive Jones in the photo above, as they say, out of adversity. Autumn into early Winter is the prime time to shore fish Wexford with resident bass and flounder mixing with codling, coalfish and dab to give wonderful sport which usually lasts until mid to late January. Tight lines………..
Tags: Angling, Bass, Bass fishing, Beach fishing, codling, Fishing, Flounder, Ireland, lugworm, Peeler crab, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Surf casting, Wexford
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Friday, September 11th, 2015
John George is a Pembrokeshire lad who first traveled to Ireland as an 18 year old with the sole intention of catching a Kerry bass way back in 1970, forty five years later he is still coming. Over the years John has seen the changes, from brilliant to bad to good and currently worrying and the man is concerned, like many of us, about the quite obvious and visible decline in bass numbers along Ireland’s southern coastline that has occurred in recent years. Prior to John’s current sojourn he contacted me with regard to getting to know a little about what Wexford has to offer in terms of bass fishing given that to date he has passed through the county on his way to Kerry, not stopping even once.
John informed me that he was bringing live sandeel, a bait that I have no experience of and a plan was formed to give John a Wexford welcome and hopefully a bass too, we would float fish an estuary location. Fast forward and one hour before low water John was briefing me on the set up and approach to this very traditional but effective form of angling. As John iterated, “no lure known to man can emit electrical impulses and that is where live sandeel scores”, boy was John right. Two fish and many more missed as the bass ran through on the first of the flood, it was a grand and extremely informative two hours in great company. Thank you John for getting in touch, safe journey to Kerry, we will definitely fish together again………
For a more detailed account of the day see: Float Fishing Live Sandeel for Bass.
For further Information: For guided bass fishing in South Wales contact John George through his website “Gower Guiding”: http://gowerguiding.co.uk/.
Tags: Angling, Bass, Bass fishing, Fishing, Float fishing, Ireland, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Wexford
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Monday, August 17th, 2015
The inaugural Irish Kayak Fishing Open was held in the beautiful, picturesque West Cork fishing village of Courtmacsherry last Saturday 15th August 2015. Sponsored by Progressive Distribution, Irelands premier distribution source for adventure sports equipment, to the tune of €1750.00 broken down into: (1st prize €1000.00 Wilderness Systems voucher, 2nd prize a voucher from Palm Equipment for €500.00, 3rd prize a €250.00 voucher for Adventure Technology Paddles) plus ancillary prizes from Cox & Rawle , an enthusiastic group of competitors assembled early on Broad Strand to ready for the 11.00 am paddle off.
As usual the Irish weather did not play ball with a forecast light north west breeze increasing to 20 knots making for a hard paddle back to shore. Undeterred the competitors fished away under the watchful eyes of appointed Safety Officer Jeff Cochrane, course director of the Outdoor Adventure Education programme at nearby Kinsale College, with the eventual winner being Waterville, Co. Kerry based Ian Burton who landed seven species to include thornback ray, pollack, whiting, pouting, dogfish, scad and mackerel.
One of many interested spectators, I can only give praise to all concerned as to how this exteremely safe but fun event was structured and ran, it really is a blueprint for the future. To MD Shane Cronin of main sponsor Progressive Distribution, Jeff Cochrane who provided much needed local safety advice on the venue, Courtmacsherry RNLI Coxwain Sean O’Farrell who again gave advice, support and a demonstration on the use of flares, Inland Fisheries Ireland staff and of course to all the competitors who took part, a huge thank you I really enjoyed your company over the weekend.
A special mention must go to Gary Robinson, who is passionate about kayak angling, the added dimension it brings both to the sport of angling and kayaking and of course the pursuits health benefits and ability to bring diverse people together. His passion to highlight the wonderful hobby of kayak fishing is the reason underpinning what will hopefully become an annual event.
Courtmacsherry is a cracking place to hold the competition, great pubs, local eateries and a beautiful rural hinterland. I stayed at Woodpoint B/B run by Patricia and Mark Gannon who also own the Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre. There are fantastic opportunities to shore and boat fish in the locality with bass, flounder, mullet, gilt head bream, pollack, ray, cod, ling, skate and offshore blue shark the main species to target. When you have a free moment get down there, you will have a ball and to the Irish Kayak Fishing Open organisers you can put my name down for next year……………
Tags: Angling, Courtmacsherry, Fishing, Ireland, Irish Kayak Fishing Open 2015, Kayak angling, Kayak fishing, Mackerel, Pollack, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, Thornback ray, West Cork
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2015
The Irish Kayak Fishing Open will take place on Saturday 15th August 2015 at Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork, commencing at 11.00 am with fishing until 16.00 pm. Sponsored by industry leaders in the kayaking field, first placed on the day will receive a €1000.00 Wilderness Systems voucher, second placed a voucher from Palm Equipment for €500.00, with Adventure Technology Paddles donating a €250.00 voucher for third place.
The competition will be open to all anglers over 18 years of age, however every entrant must meet a number of criteria to ensure their own safety and the smooth running of the event. Check in on the day will commence at 09.00 am.
Based in a sheltered venue renowned for its sea angling, the scenic West Cork fishing village of Courtmacsherry enables kayak anglers access to a range of species to include bass, flounder, dab, ray, pollack, wrasse and conger.
Angling writer and event organiser Gary Robinson from the A Kayak Fisherman in Ireland website in advance thanks all those who offered advice and encouragement in helping him put together what promises to be a great day out in a beautiful and prolific sea fishing location.
All enquiries to Gary Robinson at: kayakfishermanireland@gmail.com
Event Details
Irish Kayak Fishing Open, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork, Saturday, August 15th, Fishing 11.00 am – 16.00 pm.
The competition will be open to all anglers over 18 years of age, however every entrant must meet a number of 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.
Competition Rules:
- 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 will be disqualified. Check in from 09.00 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.
Tags: A Kayak Fisherman in Ireland, Adventure Technology Paddles, Angling, Bass, Bass fishing, County Cork, Courtmacsherry, Fishing, Flounder, Gary Robinson, Ireland, Irish Kayak Fishing Open 2015, Kayak angling, Kayak fishing, Lure Fishing, Mackerel, Palm Equipment, Peeler crab, Pollack, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, West Cork, Wilderness Systems
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Thursday, July 16th, 2015
Sea fishing on Ireland’s east coast has literally gone to the dog’s and do not let anybody tell you otherwise. Three evening beach fishing trips to date this summer to once quality locations has resulted in dogfish and immature flat fish, whiting, smooth hound pups and tope pups with no adults of any description to include bass and smooth hound. Make no mistake, this boy can fish, correct baits were employed to include lug and peeler, fishing evening into dark. The powers that be need to kop on, a resource with the potential to create tourism employment and maintain existing service industry jobs is being frittered away for short term gain.
A mid July 2015 session last weekend on Clones Strand, Co. Wexford ended in frustration and disappointment as medium sized dogfish and mini smooth hound, tope and whiting kept taking baits because quite simply commercial over fishing has removed not only the adults but also the multi species biodiversity which used to exist along this stretch of coastline.
Across the water, not 50 miles away, is a market of traveling sea anglers worth €120 million, which is €20 million more in potential tourism angling revenue then Ireland earned in total for 2014 and that from just one angling category in just one country. Does anybody elected to or employed by Government realise this missed opportunity or do they even care?
Further Information see Angling Marks: Clones Strand.
Tags: Angling, Beach fishing, Clone Strand, Fishing, Ireland, lugworm, Peeler crab, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Wexford
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Friday, June 26th, 2015
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
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015
“60 feet below us, rocky bottom boys”, skipper Eamonn Hayes intoned, “fish marking over kelp beds, keep bumping those leads”. Eamonn is a character, in terms of Irish recreational sea angling an institution, who in tandem with his fellow skippers older brother Dick and John Devereaux have firmly placed the fishing village of Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford on the map as a must visit destination for offshore sea anglers.
A full compliment of 12 members from the Welsh Pleasure Anglers and Kayakers Association rubber stamped Eamonn’s decision to head east towards the rough ground south west of Carnsore point. Tides, albeit climbing down from springs, still flowed strongly and tangles given the number of anglers on board would be inevitable if the deeper more turbulent grounds west of the Saltee Islands were fished. Yes, the resident pollack, codling and wrasse most likely would be less numerous and smaller on the shallower eastern grounds, however a combination of Eamonn working hard to find fish and fewer tangles equates to more fishing time and correspondingly plenty of bites.
In recent weeks cod ranging up to 10.lbs have been numerous on the kelp covered inshore reefs which dominate the underwater landscape east and west of the Saltee Island’s. Immediately upon dropping the customary three hook jigs baited with ragworm, sandeel or mackerel (“on the bottom hook only lad’s”, as Eamonn would order.) to the sea bed rods doubled over to the pull of mottled brown codling in the 3 – 5 pound class interspersed with colourful cuckoo wrasse accompanied by hard diving pollack.
With skippers Eamonn, Dick and John D conversing throughout the day as to catch returns, then moving as applicable bites remained steady and correspondingly the species count mounted. Codling, pollack, coalfish, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, poor cod, whiting kept light twenty pound class rods bent and subsequently the crew happy. Winds from the north west slackened throughout the trip, the sun shone and mickey taking abounded. Lines up came too quickly, never mind though, a high stool accompanied by a creamy pint and a bowl of chowder awaited in Mary Barry’s. Heaven…………
Sea fishing off Kilmore Quay gets going at Easter and really takes off from June lasting well into October if the weather holds. An hour and a half from Dublin and a half hour from Rosslare port Kilmore Quay is a modal for short break sea angling trips for both indigenous and UK based sea anglers seeking a quality holiday experience. Knowledgeable friendly skippers, understanding accommodation providers, pubs, restaurants and scenery, its why I keep going back.
To book a day out with skipper Eamonn Hayes click on: Autumn Dream.
For sea angler friendly accommodation click on: The Quay House B&B, Kilmore Quay.
Tags: Angling, Autumn Dream, Boat fishing, codling, Deep Sea Fishing, Eamonn Hayes, Fishing, Ireland, Kilmore Quay, Pollack, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, Wexford
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
Ballymoney strand is a beach that I have never fished. Ironically, most of the beaches south of Arklow I rarely set foot on until the race to catch smooth hound picked up in the early 1980′s. In those days venues such as Morriscastle, Tinnebearna and Blackwater produced amazing catches of ray, spurdog, smooth hound, bass and the odd tope to those anglers who commenced fishing at dusk. Today, while the area can still produce quality bass catches most bites, if they do materialise will come from dogfish.
Digging juicy fat black lugworm the day before I placed them wrapped in newspaper in the fridge to toughen up. The secret with lug when gathering is to separate whole ones from split by utilising two buckets. For some reason also two day old lugworm appears better at attracting fish, with dabs especially partial to sticky black gutless wraps.
Anyhow, back to the fishing. Meeting up as planned with the two David’s and coarse fisher extraordinaire Robbie on Ballymoney strand we set up to the left and commenced fishing round 20.00 pm. Armed with lug, rag and crab, smooth hound were the prime target with bass our secondary option. A light south easterly breeze created a bit of movement in the water which raised our hopes for bass. From the get go rod tops nodded that slow dogfish lean and so it transpired. Doggies homed in on whatever bait adorned the hooks. By half ten although both rods were kept busy I called it a night, catching and releasing dogfish not my ideal cup of tea. On the plus side, I’ve got my seasonal shore fishing hand in………..
Tags: Angling, Bass, Beach fishing, Fishing, Ireland, lugworm, Peeler crab, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Smooth hound, Surf casting, Wexford
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Thursday, November 6th, 2014
The Waterford estuary, a recognised marine nursery area, is presently witnessing a run of codling similar to that which graced it in 2011, anglers hitting marks from Duncannon and Passage upstream are catching fish ranging from a pound up to three pounds with an odd report of codling to seven pound being registered. Crab is the top bait with lug and mussel scoring as well, dusk into dark is the most productive time and ideally choose a neap tide as a big spring makes fishing very difficult as this soldier found out.
Arriving at my chosen location an hour before high water the upstream tidal flow was slowing down. A big four meter full in around 16.00 pm, a light southerly breeze, clear skies and latterly a big full moon hinted at a possible cool evening which is how it transpired, not toe numbing but the constant shelling and wrapping of crab baits made for cold fingers as night closed in. Initially casting at an angle across and uptide my twin paternoster anchored by a six ounce long tail gripper held bottom easily. Within minutes repeated nodding indicated hungry life which manifested as a dab/whiting double, followed next cast by a pound codling, subsequent to that its older larger pound and a half brother.
All caught over the top of the tide as night closed in, then as if somebody had opened a sluice gate all the water which had travelled up the three sister rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir decided it was time to vacate this expansive narrow estuary. Not a slow build to full flow but an immediate about turn, whoosh, in the time it took to reel in and cast out again fishing conditions had changed, holding bottom now became an impossibility exacerbated by floating weed. Persevering for half an hour yours truly decided to call it a night, however two successful codling trips in seven days indicates the potential for some quality fishing between now and Christmas. Next time I’ll pick a neap……….
Tags: Angling, codling, Fishing, Ireland, Peeler crab, River Barrow, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Waterford estuary
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Friday, October 31st, 2014
Autumn in Ireland is when estuary fishing comes into its own and whisper this, we do not concentrate on them enough. Not easy to fish being heavily influenced by tidal movement, muddy, full of pesky bait robbing crabs, expansive in area the angler often faced with limited access points and of course so full of food items that one wonders would the fish be bothered at all taking a random bait. Well brothers and sisters the piscatorial inhabitants of estuaries do take a well presented offering so long as it is the correct one with green shore crab, especially when they are moulting, top of the hit parade.
Targeting flounder yours truly ordered and collected two dozen ready to pop fresh peeler crab from Joe Carley of South East Bait Supplies before heading towards a new location for this angler with exploration in mind. Estuaries by their nature are not designed for static fishing most species moving up and down the main and various side channels with the tide quartering for grub. Usually following a set pattern it is not unusual to meet fish like clockwork at a particular point relative to tidal movements and the time of day, only regular fishing trips unlocking these secrets. Experience will suggest ambush points such as estuary mouths, the main channel and the entrances to creeks and pills and it is these that one should gravitate towards if unfamiliar with a particular estuary location.
Commencing to fish an hour after high water having checked where the main channel was located relative to my chosen mark on “Google Earth”, a flowing two hook paternoster baited with whole peeler was precisely cast into the slowly emptying creek. Setting up another identical rig ten minutes later it happened, down went rod number one, a true wrap around bite delivered with real purpose. No messing here, surf pole in hand leaning into an obviously large angry bass the rod kicked, thirty meters out the surface boiled and thrashed before dicentrachus moving up through the gears exited stage right. Negotiating an inshore bladder wrack bank no sooner did its belly hit the muck then the hook fell out, quick finger under the gill and a 7.lb plus silver beauty lay safely above the tide line.
Lighting up a grey, damp, blustery day estuaries can do this, flounder were the target species however coalies, codling, gilt head bream and bass all in season frequent the same locations creating opportunities for mixed bags and welcome surprises, this fish being no exception, wonderful. Safely returned, it was not long before a good old tap, tap, lean indicated flounder, the first of five it topped a pound and a half in weight. Two quality fish in the space of ten minutes, within an hour as the creek emptied bites ceased necessitating a move to a deeper location and a date with gadus morhua but that’s another story……..
Tags: Angling, Bass, Estuary fishing, Fishing, Flounder, Ireland, Peeler crab, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing
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