Cobh SAC report on the final of the Light Lines…
That’s it for the 2025/2026 Light Lines. 5 rounds successfully completed, 45 anglers competed, the average attendance was 30, and a total of 836 hours were fished.
Sarah Lynch took the win in Round 1, with father Dan taking Round 2 leaving them on equal points. Dark horse Jim Mellis won Round 3 with Dan and Sarah still joint first in the Series. Sean Og “Ginger Ninja” McShane was back on form winning Round 4 with Dan taking the lead in the Lynch Clan clash.
It was all to play for going into the final day, with the top 8 fishing on the same boat. In beautiful sunshine, Dan Lynch, Sarah Lynch, Stephen Hurley, Paul O’Callaghan, Tomasz Kujawa, John Dennehy, Sean Og McShane and John Angles launched aboard Osprey to determine the Series winner.
As expected, the time of year, combined with the lack of visibility and freshwater in the harbour, resulted in tough fishing. Deora De stayed inside the forts while Camden Mist, Ospey and Lagosta steamed to the harbour mouth and beyond. Runaway winner of the final round was Jamie Murphy on Deora De with 75 fish, followed by Terry Boyle on Lagosta – 58 fish, Paul O’Callaghan on Ospery – 50 fish, Kevin Roche on Camden Mist – 33 fish.
Back on shore it was the usual scramble to find out the scores from the other boats. Scores on Osprey were so tight that the entire crew finished the round in the top 13 of the 31 who fished.
As with every Light Lines Series, all money collected from entries, less the expense of boat hire, is distributed in the prizes. The prize giving was held at the Commodore Hotel, a regular sponsor of the Series.
Top 3:
- 1st First time winner Sarah Lynch
- 2nd Two time winner Dan Lynch
- 3rd Former winner Paul O’Callaghan.
Under 21 & Under 16:
1st U21 Noah Tahran
1st U16 Tom Cunningham
Other prizes:
Everyone in the top 23 won something. It’s not all about where you finish, loyalty prizes went to Lee Griffin, John Warner and Michael Crudge who fished all 5 rounds and finished outside the main prizes.
Longest Fish:
€100 Longest Ray – John Angles 74cm Thornback
€100 Longest Whiting – John Dennehy 50cm
€50 each, Longest Dab – Kevin Roche and Dave Jolly 32cm
€300 Longest Cod – none caught.
Thank you to:
All who joined us on the water, particularly those who travelled from afar, Josie Barrett, Dave Cherry, Padraig Munnelly, Terry Boyle, Colm & Conan Slater, Brian Whelan and Peter McKeon.
Our skippers, Alan Kennedy of Lagosta, Jim Lenihan of Deora De, Tony Lane of Camden Mist, Dylan Geary (on behalf of John Barry) on Cuan Bawn, and Alan Tracey who has skippered Osprey this season.
Our generous sponsors, the Commodore Hotel Cobh, and Dan Lynch of Halfway Angling Centre and www.TackleDirectIreland.ie
The organisers, Piotrek Nowakowski and John Warner. Without you there would be no event.
What now?
For the 3rd series in a row not a single cod, of any size, has been caught. Including the annual Fundraiser which is held each December, there has been 1 caught in approximately 3,000 hours of fishing and that was caught at a fundraiser, south of Roches Point. For the Light Lines 2026/2027 the longest cod prize won’t be rolled over, it will return to €100 and the existing balance will be put towards other prizes.
Go fishing…
Dates for the 2026/2027 series are 15th November, 13th December, 17th January, 14th February and 14th March (Saturday). The annual fundraiser is 28th December 2026.
The 7 Cobh SAC club competitions will be held monthly on Sundays commencing 26th April and ending 18th October
Cobh SAC is a very active club with a great series of competitions across the year.
The club is very welcoming to new members.
If you are interested in joining the club or fishing any of their competitions contact them via Facebook.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
