Winter is definitely here for anglers struggling to fish venues on inland waters and at sea in the past week.  However, anglers are a hardy bunch in any weather and catches of pike, rainbow trout and bass and skate from the sea show that where there is a way to catch fish in any weather the hardy angler will surely find.  My advice, wrap up well and get fishing. There is still plenty of sport to be enjoyed all around Ireland.

Crab was the key bait for bass anglers reporting fish to 7 lb. taken on the shore in East Cork.  Similar bass fishing was reported in many areas of West Cork where shad lures were catching some nice fish.  Well known bass angling guide Jim Hendrick extols the virtues to anglers of “Leave no trace” while they enjoy the sport of fishing. Gerard Doran reported that he had super bass fishing in the south east in the past week.  Up in Northern Ireland there was some fine skate recorded at “the Maidens” by angler’s small boat fishing.  Congratulations are in order to Warren Doyle and the rest of the  European Federation of Sea Anglers (EFSA) team  on their gold medal winning performance for retaining the  2013 Shore Championships in the Heinkenszand, Zeeland area of Northern Holland from the 28th of October to November 1st 2013.

Luke Fitzpatrick with his 30 lb 2 oz pike from one of Monaghan’s lakes wins our ‘Catch of the Week’. Well done Luke!
Luke Fitzpatrick with his 30 lb 2 oz pike from one of Monaghan’s lakes wins our ‘Catch of the Week’. Well done Luke!

Angling guide Mick Flanagan reports that the pike and perch in Lough Ennell have gone deeper and hard to catch as water temperatures plummet but expects good sport in the weeks ahead.  Mick found it was pretty much the same on nearby Lough Derravarragh but he enjoyed some good sport on the River Inny near the lough.  Up in Lough Key the annual pike awards for the anglers of the year were announced. It is nice to report some good pike caught on lures on the canal outside of Dublin up to 10 lb. 15 oz.  Several venues around Co. Monaghan were in the pike news this week including some nice double figure fish reported taken on deadbaits.  The best fish however of 30 lb. 2 oz. was taken by 14 year old Luke Fitzpatrick on a ledgered herring and wins our ‘Catch of the Week‘.

Good rainbow trout fishing was reported at Curragh Springs where many anglers using lures, nymphs and wetflies were enjoying good sport. Rainbow trout to 8 lb. were reported at the Courtland Trout Fishery as they announce their winter league competitions schedule for the coming months.

Tight lines especially in Ireland,

Paul Bourke
Angling Information Officer

Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].

Headlines

Pike fishing reports

Salmon fishing reports

Sea angling reports

Trout fishing reports

News clippings

Other news

Photo compliments of Gerard Doran , South East Angling Services
Photo compliments of Gerard Doran , South East Angling Services