Ringsend Irishtown Angling Club held the sixth leg of their Master Angler series last weekend at Clone Strand in Wexford:
Seventeen anglers turned up on Clone Strand for the sixth leg of our Master Angler competition, with 14 seniors and 3 juniors taking part. Conditions were testing, as a strong southerly wind made the fishing slightly uncomfortable, though certainly not impossible. Fishing was from 6pm until 11pm, with high hopes for good catches as the light changed into the evening.
From the first cast, fish were being landed, with gurnard and weavers making up the bulk of the catches. Some quality flatfish also showed, with plaice featuring among the returns.
A highlight of the evening came from young Sean Kinsella, who was the only angler to land a bass – and he managed two of them, much to the envy of others who had been targeting bass without success.
Fishing proved steady for some, slower for others, but one thing was certain: weaver fish were in abundance. Wayne Hamilton learned this the hard way when he was pricked while unhooking one, and James Kinsella also had a narrow escape. It was a timely reminder that extreme care must be taken with weavers, as their sting can cause painful and sometimes serious health issues.
Surprisingly, as darkness fell and the tide pushed in, fishing seemed to slow dramatically. Theories ranged from tope hunting close inshore to simple changes in fish behaviour – but whatever the cause, some anglers were left scratching their heads and switching tactics in search of a last-minute sizeable fish.
Results
- Stephen Byrne: 12 fish, 231 points (An outstanding effort, particularly as Stephen was unwell on the day but still fished through it.)
- James Kinsella: 10 fish, 198 points
- Conor Clancy: 9 fish, 159 points
Special Pools
- Longest Roundfish: Mikey Byrne with a superb 95cm smooth hound – by far the largest fish of the day. Unfortunately, no photo was taken as Mikey prioritised a safe release before re-baiting and getting back into the action.
- Longest Flatfish: Wayne Hamilton with a 26cm flounder – a great result considering he was nursing his weaver sting at the time!
Despite the challenges, it was an enjoyable evening all around. Many had set off from a rain-soaked Dublin only to be greeted by sunshine in the sunny southeast, making the day even more memorable.
Juniors
A special mention must go to our junior anglers – Scott Andrews, Luke Kinsella, and Sean Kinsella – who continue to show great commitment by turning up to matches and giving the seniors a run for their money. Looking ahead to 2026, we hope to grow our junior section further, with plans for junior-only competitions and possibly a dedicated Junior Anglers Tournament. Encouraging the next generation is vital to keeping our sport alive and thriving.
