Michael Hennessy from IFI’s Macroom office tells us that what started off as a day’s casual fishing by two mates in Kerry recently turned out to be a once in a lifetime event when William O Connor from  Caherdavin,  Limerick landed a Monkfish (Squatina squatina) from Fenit pier near Tralee…

William was out for a day’s fishing with his buddy Robby Bennet and purchased what could only be described as a child’s fishing rod in Tralee town before heading to Fenit for a spot of Mackerel bashing. As the tide turned and began to flood in William cast his baited feathers towards the lighthouse from the causeway in Fenit.

Almost in - you can even see the mackerel feathers under the weed
Almost in – you can even see the mackerel feathers under the weed

He hooked a huge fish to his surprise and the surprise of his mate Robby. The little 8ft pink rod bent double as he fought the beast for 45 minutes on 8lb breaking strain line before a gathering crowd of onlookers. William was then joined by veteran Kerry angler Chris Ferris who eventually helped him tail the fish out of the water in order to unhook it.

Back in the water after the release
Back in the water after the release

Chris immediately recognised the fish as a Monkfish or Angel shark and encouraged William to release it as he knew it was an endangered species but William didn’t need any encouragement as he had his mind made up that the fish was going back anyway.

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And he’s off…

William slipped the fish gently into the water to jeers and shouts from other anglers on the pier to give it to them but he didn’t care as he knew he was doing the right thing by releasing the fish. Good angler – Good story –Great result.