All round angler and specimen hunter Craig Murphy wrote in to tell us of this rare catch on the east coast:
Over the weekend, my family and I were fishing off Wicklow Pier, hoping to add a few more species to our list for the Southside Angling Species hunt. The usual suspects were making an appearance, pollock, corkwing, whiting, pouting, when something unexpected took us all by surprise.
My dad, Martin Murphy, got a good bite on his rod, and as he reeled it in, we noticed what looked like bones sticking out of a clump of weed. It wasn’t until the fish broke the surface that we realised what it was: a John Dory, a first for him, and a species none of us had ever seen caught on this side of the country.
They are typically found in deeper, warmer waters off Ireland’s south and west coasts, so landing one from the east, especially from shore, is highly unusual. It was a fantastic moment and a highlight of the weekend.
There is still plenty of time to sign up for the Southside Angling Species hunt. It runs until mid-June 2026. We have a seniors and juniors category, as well as a separate lure-only category, this year.
Links below
Tight lines
Craig murphy
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CENFzh1eR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/southside_angling_species_hunt/?igsh=ZmhrdnN5bGtnMWQ%3D&utm_source=qr#
Go Fishing…
