A number of charter skippers around the coast are preparing for the start to their fishing seasons come June 8th and the anticipated relaxation of lockdown measures in phase 2 of the roadmap to reopening Ireland.
Many skippers have prepared their own Covid 19 guidelines to ensure that anglers stay safe while on board their vessels.
Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters is taking bookings for the coming month, with June and July being particularly good months for specimen smooth hound fishing on the east coast.
Further down the coast Dungarvan Offshore Charters are afloat since last Saturday with Algerine sporting a new coat of paint. A test run saw plenty of mackerel and a few pollack boated, booking of limited numbers of anglers will be allowed from the 8th. Hand sanitiser and other precautions will be in place on board.
Irish Deep Sea Charters in Glandore will allow 6 anglers on the Chloe Jay and 4 on Rod ‘n’ Reel from next week; this shouldn’t affect their shark trips too much. They will be also running whale watching and family trips if there is sufficient demand on Sundays in June and July. Deck marking will indicate 2 metre distancing and masks are recommended.
In Courtmacsherry, the Lady Patricia has been taking local family groups out fishing since May 20th with some good results and Courtmacsherry Angling should be able to increase their offerings as the phases move on.
Over in Clare, Carrigaholt Sea Angling and the Clare Dragoon are back on the water with limited bookings available from June 8th.
In Donegal, Tuna.ie fishing trips will commence again on ‘Deep Blue’ during Phase 2 of the relaxation of lockdown measures. Angler numbers will be limited to four in order to be compliant with social distancing guidelines. No person will be permitted aboard this season if showing symptoms of a cold, flu or cough. Hand sanitiser must be used upon boarding and leaving the boat, it is recommended that all persons wear face masks or coverings. Masks will be provided if required.
If you are a charter skipper and you want to be included in a post like this then please get in contact with us at [email protected]; we will update posts like this regularly as we move through the phases and get back to angling safely nationwide.
