Charter skipper Mark Gannon reports from Courtmacsherry where the first blue shark of the year was caught last week…

The fishing the last week has been good with both the inshore, offshore and Estuary producing some great sport for Anglers from Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Lithuania and Poland. Offshore the inshore wrecks producing lots of Ling, Haddock and Whiting  to near Specimen weight, conger to mid 30s, pollack to 11lbs and medium sized Coalfish.

Marcel with a 8kg Cod.
Marcel with a 8kg Cod.
Near Specimen Ling for Isi on light tackle
Near Specimen Ling for Isi on light tackle

Several sharks lurking in the wreck were attacking the fish on the way up and Ronnie de Sobre from Belgium had a great fight on light spinning gear with a blue aprox weight 60lbs while retrieving a Pollack from the wreck. The Blue broke the trace beside the boat but what a fight!

On the reefs plenty Pollack, good size Cod were taken with the best method baited Perks. The heaviest was taken by Marcel Wuyts on a flowing trace on a deepwater reef. Plenty of conger up to the 25lb mark were also landed.

Anthony releasing his blue shark. This fish was a bit camera shy, but it still wins him Catch of the Week
Anthony releasing his blue shark. This fish was a bit camera shy, but it still wins him Catch of the Week

On the day we devoted to sharking the weather conditions were difficult but we managed 5 runs with 2 tagged. The heaviest a fish just over 2m for Anthony Hislop.

The self drives had good Pollack fishing with fish over 10lbs encountered and drifting for thornbacks produced fish to 9lbs,with good dabs as well. In the estuaries of Courtmacsherry and Clonakilty Bass were being caught on sandeel and lures. The heaviest  I heard of was a fish of 6.5lbs, though there were lots of schoolies at the Woodpoint landed on spinners and lures.
Mark Gannon
Lady Patricia and Lady Louise
Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Address: Woodpoint Guest House, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.
Telephone: +353 (0)23 8846427 or +353 (0)86 8250905
Email: [email protected] Web: www.courtmacsherryangling.ie

Haddock of 2.5kg for Isi
Haddock of 2.5kg for Isi