The curtain has closed on the inaugural Irish Kayak Fishing Open. A first of it’s kind event in the country, a lot of work was put into creating and running this event.

Courtmacsherry in Cork was chosen for the event as it offers good fishing opportunities for a range of species within relatively sheltered confines. A multitude of species are on offer along with a wide selection of launching points.

A modest but eager crowd of attendees arrived at Broadstrand Beach on the morning of 15th August from approximately 09.00. The idea was to have the fishing run from 11.00 until 16.00 and the main concern was the weather conditions, especially after experiencing the worst July on record. As it happened, we arrived to a bay that looked like it had been capped with a sheet of glass – conditions were ideal.

Following registration and a brief explanation of the rules we were then treated to a talk and pyrotechnics display from a member of the local RNLI crew. Following that, the competitors were free to leave the beach to start fishing. All the while a crowd of locals had gathered to look over and marvel at the plastic boats that these intrepid anglers were going to be tackling the sea with. Many questions were asked and many answers and explanations were given about the ever-growing sport that is kayak angling.

All the while the competitors were out on the water, trying to amass a number of different species of fish, the competitor with the most species caught at the end being the winner. A few of the usual suspects, mackerel and shad, were picked up using standard methods on the way to deeper marks. Anchoring up and using a selection of baits to pick up other fish was the method of choice over deeper water. The range of species returned almost matched the range of baits used to try to tempt them!

Competitors fished hard in worsening conditions. The wind picked up over the course of the morning and although conditions were far from dangerous, with the wind being offshore it did make for an uncomfortable and energy sapping paddle back to the launch point. All the time we were under the watchful eyes of the safety craft that were manned by Inland Fisheries Ireland staff.

Back on the beach and the waiting crowd of locals the scores were tallied and the photographic evidence was checked. After a round up of all entries we had a clear winner with seven species caught on the day. I suspect that had we access to deeper fishing grounds just a bit further offshore that we could have added to that tally but the offshore wind deterred anybody travelling out that far, the thoughts of the paddle back into the wind enough to keep them within the bay!

The winners for the Irish Kayak Fishing Open are as follows;

1st – Ian Burton

2nd – Mark Burton

3rd – Paul Deane

Well done lads on a good result as anglers and for helping to make the event become a reality. Big oaks grow from small acorns and on the back of the feedback from anglers and the public the consensus is that the event can and should be grown into something bigger and better in 2016. Watch this space.

The hosting, running and organising of any event can only be made possible with the help and input of a good team. Bearing this in mind I would like to thank in no particular order; Shane Cronin from Progressive Distributions, Wilderness Systems, Palm Equipment, Adventure Technology Paddles, Cox & Rawle, Sea Angler, Micheal Hennesey and Inland Fisheries Ireland, Cork County Council, Courtmacsherry RNLI, Jeff Cochrane, Ashley Hayden from An Irish Angler’s World, Ed Gibson from South Wales Kayak Anglers for his advice and guidance, Trish and Mark Gannon in Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre. Thank you all for your help in the run up to this event and here’s to improving into the future.

Gary Robinson
kayakfishermanireland.com

Kayak angling in Ireland

Gary discovered the thrill, freedom and pure joy of kayak fishing almost by accident. After purchasing kayaks with the intention of paddling trips with his long-suffering partner, he started to assess the suitability of such a craft as a fishing platform. Some internet searches showed him that he was not alone in his thoughts. America and Australia already had blossoming populations of kayak anglers. Needing no more encouragement, he set about rigging his first sit on top kayak and transforming it into a fishing platform to gain access to some of the more inaccessible waters. Now into his fifth year of kayak fishing he shows no sign of slowing down.

Find out more about Gary and his adventures at www.kayakfishermanireland.com