Clare Area Report by Ken O’Neill

Summary.

Persistent weather conditions and flooding in Rivers are still limiting angling in Clare.  However, Sea Angling is providing some nice returns.

Clare Areas

Sea Area – Fanore – Doonbeg – Shannon Estuary

Very good catches of Wrasse are being caught at the moment on the Shannon Estuary.  For off shore angling, the Shannon Estuary is ideal for the northerly winds that were persisting last week.  Good sized Conger Eels are also being caught.  A 34lb Tope was caught on the Shannon.  Small Pollack are being caught but not in great numbers – however, there is an abundance of large Mackerel off shore at the moment.

The Shore angling is not as good at the moment.  The persistent rainfall is flooding the shorelines with fresh water and the brown water is suspected as keeping the Mackerel and Bass etc away around the Doonbeg area.  However, in other areas, large pods (~30) of porpoises that are resident near the shoreline are suspected of hunting the Mackerel away from the shorelines and limiting the angling returns there.

The upcoming Doonbeg Seafood Festival is one to watch.  It will be held on the 20th – 22nd July and it will have a number of events including boat trips / fishing trips from Doonbeg Pier.  For more information on this checkout the website [http://www.doonbegseafoodfestival.com/]

Owen Kelly with fine Flounder
Owen Kelly with fine Flounder

 

A delighted Kaylah Kelly with another noble Flounder
A delighted Kaylah Kelly with another noble Flounder

 

Mathew O'Looney with a whopping great 4lb Mullett caught at the Fanore SAC Juvenile Competition last Sunday (8th July 2012)
Mathew O'Looney with a whopping great 4lb Mullett caught at the Fanore SAC Juvenile Competition last Sunday (8th July 2012)

The Fanore sea angling area is fishing a little better with a 4Kg Conger, as well as a 4Kg Busshuss being caught at Arkeen, near Black Head.  At a recent Juvenile Beach Casting Competition (8th July), ten juveniles accompanied by their parents, participated in spite of the unsettled weather conditions.  Six Flounder were caught and a 4lb Mullett was also caught.