Super skate a welcome alternative to blues when the wind blows

Dave Edwards from the West Cork Charters reports that the weather has been playing havoc with offshore charters recently, which has hampered his usual trips after blue shark at this time of year. So he decided to have a day fishing inshore, thinking that some skate might be active. His hunch paid off, and he managed to land three nice skate on the day, all of which were tagged as part of the Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme.

Two of the skate, caught by brothers Conor and Sean Ward, were in the 130lb range.

Go fishing…

West Cork Charters operates the Silver Dawn, a 41′ Rodman 1250 with twin 430 HP Engines out of Courtmacsherry. The range of fishing found within close range of Courtmacsherry is superb, with trips producing anything between 6 and 15 different species as a norm and in excess of 20 is possible if anglers are prepared to change methods and use different baits and lures throughout their trip. As a rule mackerel, pollock, cod and ling are usually encountered but several species of wrasse along with whiting, pouting, coalfish, bull huss, conger and many more are often added to the catch.
If you do choose to head offshore to sample the superb shark fishing available within 10 miles of Courtmacsherry, there is a very strong chance of encountering blue sharks and an increasing chance of bringing a porbeagle shark to the boat.

Address: The Pier, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.
Telephone: +353 (83) 449 1403
Email: [email protected]

Web: www.irelandseaangling.com