The settled weather at the end of last week saw some great angling activity for boats based in Cork Harbour. Small boat anglers had excellent pollack fishing on shads and soft lures.

In an earlier report this week it was all about the fly, when young Haley Burger got his first pollack on fly with guide Richie Ryan, but it was the the turn of the lure anglers to show what they’ve got this time.

A change to bait saw small ling and some lovely cuckoo wrasse brought to the boat. Ian O’Shea of Bellavista Angling Centre was fishing with Declan Collins and Co and he was impressed by the consistent stream of pollack over 5lb that came to the boat in the slack tides.

Charter boat skipper Joe Lynch of the Wreck Hunter (087-2302362 or check out the Wreck Hunter) reported a group of anglers fishing with him had over 200 pollack in a day last week. Joe reckons that settled weather at this time of year can produce some exceptional fishing.

This sentiment was echoed by Peter Manning of the charter boat Cleona in Ballycotton (+353 (0)86 8124922). He skippered for a club competition that was won by Pat Condon with over 700 points. He had a busy day on the boat and never had a chance to put the score cards down. Amongst the mix of species were a couple of dozen fine codling of 4lb or so.

Shore angling in the general area saw an improvement too. Pat O’Shea, Commodore Hotel, hadn’t fished in months but managed to get out on Tuesday evening and got his first bass of the year. Which was then followed by 11 others!