John Dennehy reports on the recent Munster Open Boat Competition:
Irish Federation of Sea Anglers club, Carrigaline Deep Sea Anglers, hosted the Munster Open Boat Competition on Sunday last. Twenty-eight anglers from Cork, Kerry, Dublin and Mayo took to the sea on local charter boats, Lagosta 11, Camden Mist, and Osprey 11 and a total of 674 fish were captured and returned. The weather in the morning was drizzly and later turned fresh northwesterly and two 3 hour sessions were fished, the first at anchor and the second at drift. The winner of the Captain Paul Saul Memorial salver was Stephen Hurley of Carrigaline DSAC, second was John Dennehy, and third place was Jamie Murphy all from Carrigaline DSAC. Fish counts were 61, 59 and 30 respectively.
1 of 6
The team event which is always hotly contested between the harbour clubs, was won by Carrigaline A team consisting of Stephen Hurley, John Dennehy, Jamie Murphy and Pat Condon, with 594 points. Second were Cobh A with 384 points and third were Crosshaven A with 377 points. Thanks to MPC President Eric Gosnell who presented the silverware and also Crosshaven SAC for the use of their clubhouse. Also thanks to the skippers for making sure everyone had an enjoyable day: Mick, Anthony Lane, and Alan Kennedy.
Skipper Luke Aston reports that mackerel were scarce this week, but it’s early yet, and hopefully they will be back soon. Coalfish were abundant, however, with plenty fish on every drift over reefs. Some nice pollack were caught but it was hard to get down through the coalies!
PollackTwo coalies for this young angler
It was a similar story on the Lady Gwen for skipper Sean Maguire’s crew, but fishing whitefish for the smoker kept them happy, with coalfish and pollack aplenty.
Nice pollackA lovely red gurnard
Go Fishing
Lady Gwen II
Fishing Adventures on Séan Maguire’s Lady Gwen II, a Lochin 33 M265Ti Perkins charterboat which operates 15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush.
Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire. Telephone: +353 (0) 877508758 or +353 (0) 894431182 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishingadventures.ie
Clare Dragoon
Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine, skippered by Luke Aston and operating out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare…
I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke. Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishandstay.com
One of the joys of being a charter skipper is all the maintenance jobs that need to be done, and “minor” repairs that crop up. Skipper John Fleming spent 6 hours in a cramped engine room compartment last week replacing a shaft seal. Well done to anyone who knows what that involves, we haven’t a clue, but it doesn’t sound like fun!
After that day lost, John reported from reasonable fishing on Sunday. Mackerel were around, and the pollack fed sporadically throughout the day until high water, when they really started feeding for a period.
Pollack
The crew had good sport for a while before the pollack suddenly switched off again, then it was time for a “snotty” steam home.
Space on Sunday
Due to a cancellation, John has space on the boat this coming Sunday (21st). Whitefish the probable target, but if the weather comes right (and the forecast looks good) there is the possibility of spurdog fishing. Check the details below and give John a call if you are interested.
Pollack
Go fishing…
To book fishing with John aboard the Brazen Hussy II, give him a call on 087 7571320
A regular day is between 9am- 6pm from either Rossaveal, Spiddal or Galway depending on species being sought after. Fishing on the inshore reefs for pollock, cod, ling, wrasse, conger eel and mackerel can be reached in 10 minutes from departure, while our offshore reef marks are within 45 minutes of departure. Our ground fishing for tope, spurdog, ray, bullhuss, turbot, plaice and the giant common skate can all be reached within the hour which ensures the most amount of time is spent fishing.
The shark season usually starts at the end of June and runs into late October, this is the ultimate angling adrenaline rush with these hard fighting blue and porbeagle sharks all being tagged and released safely.
Package deals available
Ray fishing has been on fire at times over the last few weeks in Tralee Bay, with some amazing fish landed by shore anglers. Tralee Bay is a special place where you can target several species of ray, from the humble thornback, to the beautifully marked undulate, the hard-fighting painted ray, and the mighty sting ray.
On Good Friday Martin McGowan, owner of the Angling Hub tackle shop in Tralee had a session with some friends, which turned out to be what Martin described as “If Carlsberg did fishing trips”! As well as some nice undulate ray, the sting ray were feeding too, and Martin had a cracking 57lbs fish.
Martin with his 57lbs stinger
That wasn’t the best ray of the day, however, that honour going to Aidan O’Sullivan with an amazing 62lbs fish!
Aidan with his fantastic sting rayInteresting bait presentation!
Chris O’Sullivan, who has also featured in these pages on many occasions as the creator of many great videos on The Inshore Angler Youtube channel, also had a specimen undulate ray recently that he made a short video about. Check it out below or over on Youtube here.
That’s not the half of the good fishing news, however. It’s not every day we hear of angel shark (also called monkfish) being caught from the shore, but Ger Hennessy did just that, and it wasn’t any old angel shark, it was a monster! Fair play to Ger on a fine capture, and for releasing what is these days a very rare catch.
Well James was fishing with that man again, Ger Hennessy, and they had a fantastic session, landing 5 specimen sting ray, as well as 4 undulate ray. Ger was favoured by the angling gods again with the biggest stinger, a monstyer of 131cm, and the biggest either had ever seen from Tralee Bay!
Look at the size of that ray! Well done Ger
Most of the above anglers also fished the recent Tag-A-Ray competition, hosted by Tralee Bay SAC, which saw anglers fishing all over the bay over 2 days targeting various ray species.
This saw Ian and James, the Irish Angling Adventures guys again, both getting in amongst the fish, with this lovely undulate ray one of Ian’s catch that landed him 3rd on Day 2.
A fine undulate for Ian
James didn’t do too badly either, finishing 3rd overall with a stinger, thornie and undulate ray.
The overall shore prize was won by Fiachra Cronin, who also took the honours for Day 1.
Fiachra with a nice haul for the trophy cabinet
2nd shore angler was that man Chris O’Sullivan, and third was James Raymond.
Fiachra and Chris (1st and 2nd overall) with two nice undulate ray
The leading boat angler was Kieran Crane,, second was Tom McAdam and third was Richie Keller.
The junior section was very generously sponsored by Martin and Tanya in the Angling Hub to the tune of over €500(!). The top prizes in the junior section were as follows:
The Angling Hub is a fantastic tackle shop in Tralee that we have used on many occasions, catering especially to sea anglers but with plenty of gear for other disciplines. For all your bait and tackle needs when visiting the area, look no further, and they have an extensive online catalogue too, with excellent fast delivery.
11/5/2023 I start in the backdate department, my Apologies to Mr. Gerry O’Sullivan of Beenbane, Waterville, for failing to report his fine catch of a fine 8 lbs. Salmon caught on the troll yesterday and as you can see by the photo, or you could say I failed miserably in my duties in reporting, Guilty as charged.
Currane salmon in the net
Now back to the present and I will let the Hampshire hogs have their say on today’s proceedings and I quote. “Hi Vincent, another tough day but Pete had a nice 3lb sea trout, the last few days have been tough but 3 springers in a week isn’t a week to complain about. See you in September. Trevor.” Breaking news from one of the Hampshire Hog’s Gillie, it was reported to me after Pete caught and released his fine 3 lbs Sea Trout, the pressure was on and as you can see by the photo the Hampshire Hogs won by a technical knockout. Wind NNW light and variable followed by good cloud cover.
Currane sea trout ready for release
12/5/2023 Just two boats out today and all quiet on the SW front on this bright and sunny day, followed by a light NNE wind. Now we head for the Villa and at www.thevillawaterville.com and the Hampshire Hogs Party of the Salmon catch of the week and the winner was Hampshire Hog Currane angler Mr. Trevor Dewberry, as you can see by their photos a good party was had by all.
The Hampshire Hogs asked me on their behalf to thank the Villa and at www.thevillawaterville.com management and staff for a great night, they also would like to thank Waterville Boats at [email protected] and their Gillies and especially Clifford’s Bed and Breakfast at www.cliffordbandb.com
13/5/2023 A good few boats out, five to be precise and all reports suggest all their lines were slack. Wind SSW light with reasonable cloud cover.
14/5/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet this day. Wind North and veered NNW light to fresh followed by good cloud cover.
15/5/2023 I start with the sad news that Currane angler Mr. Tommy O’Toole RIP of Tralee sadly passed away in the last few day’s and I can say the Waterville Fishery has lost another great Currane angler to the Heavenly Lakes and rivers. So on behalf of all the Currane anglers and good people of Waterville we send our Sincere Sympathies to all his family and friends.
Now to today’s Currane facts, Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of Waterville Boats and at [email protected] reports there was a good few boats out and between their flies and lures only brownies were on the Currane menu. Wind North light followed by reasonable cloud cover.
16/5/2023 Sea Trout of the day goes to Dutch Currane fly angler, Mr. Wim Woermeije and for good reason, he Caught and released a fine 4 lbs Sea Trout, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com Now we head for Waterville Boats and at [email protected] Michael reported that they caught a few Brownies. Wind NE to the NW light and variable, followed by bright sunshine.
Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.
The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-
the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see:
Notes: Located at Lakelands House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation, on Ireland’s best sea trout lake, Lough Currane. Frank is a professional angling guide and boatman.
Sea angling can be arranged with local operators.
Boat Hire
Boats for hire. All boats and engines are moored on the farm, 300 metres from the house, with easy access from the road with car park and boat shed.
Notes: Having ghillied on Lough Currane for over 30 years Vincent is a great choice for those looking for a guided service or flyfishing instruction on the Lake. All ages are catered for and even experienced anglers will benefit from the watercraft and fly-lore unique to Lough Currane. All tackle is provided and accommodation can be organised if required.
After good bass sessions last week, it finally came time for a serious shore fishing. And the man behind it is again Jonathan Paul Philips.
He and his friend Tom decided to try catch an early shore tope. All previous big game sessions this year ended up with a painful dogfish haul. This time was different. It was the first cast, and not a long wait when Jonathan’s rod bent over, and the reel started to scream. There was a fierce fight and the first reported Wexford shore tope of the year became a reality. Jonathon carefully measured and tagged the beautiful fish of 160cm which swam off strongly.
1 of 2
First tope
the second tope was also a first!
Shortly after the lads had another hookup but the bait was dropped. Just after the dark Tom was landing second fish of the session – his first ever shore tope. This fish was also tagged and safely released to fight another day. What a session lads. Congratulations.
Go fishing…
If anyone fancy a session with Jonathan for bass, smoothounds and later in the season for tope, can drop him a line at [email protected] or on WhatsApp at 0894791052.
East Wicklow Rivers Trust (EWRT) & LAWPRO are coming together to deliver a ‘Blue Dot’ Water Workshop along Ballycreen Brook (Macreddin River), Aughrim.
Riverside Workshop on Wicklow’s Bluedot Rivers.
When: Sunday 21st May, 10am-3pm (Light Lunch Provided)
Well done to Yamil for getting a salmon on a dry fly at Ballycarney
Peter Wadding reports on the second fish from Ballycarney this year…
Conditions on the river are quite good but the fish seem to be few and far between. The very persistent anglers are being rewarded but it’s looking like things are very quiet on the Slaney.
On Thursday 11th of May 2023, Yamil Turcuman managed to catch and release this fine specimen of a spring salmon from the Ballycarney Bridge Beat. The fish weighed in at approximately 11lbs and was released safely to the water.
Well done to Yamil for getting a salmon on a dry fly at Ballycarney
Not only does this fish show that persistence pays off when it comes to chasing spring salmon, but it also shows that sometimes unconventional methods can pay dividends.
Bomber a traditional dry fly for Atlantic salmon on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean
This fish was caught on a bomber skated across the surface of the water. Yamil opted for this tactic once he saw the fish enter the pool he was fishing. He cast the fly across and down, and the fish attacked the fly on the surface. Something we are all sure was a heart stopping moment for him.
Peter Wadding
Fishery Manager Ballycarney Fisheries
Go fishing…
Ballycarney Fisheries consists of 4 beats in the lower River Slaney system. These 4 beats are Moyeady, Monfin, Glass Door and Ballycarney Bridge.
For Ballycarney Fisheries, day permits are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The remainder of the week is reserved for yearly members.
For more information, contact fishery manager Peter Wadding on [email protected]
David Norman of Angling Adventures West Cork tells us it was so good to finally get the guided kayak fishing season underway last week…
First up was Michal Wolas who wanted to get out on the sea with me for the first time before going afloat to fish himself to fish so I biased the trip towards coaching in all areas and of course focused on safety. Highlights of the trip were a season’s worth of Wrasse in a variety of colours, some fun sized Pollock and a Humpback Whale bubble feeding nearby so we headed over for a look and sacrificed some valuable fishing time in the interests of whale watching!
1 of 2
Go fishing…
2023 Bookings are steadily building in my calendar but I still have prime tides available for lure & fly fishing so drop me an email if you’re interested in doing some 1-2-1 guided fishing with me – [email protected]
David has been lure then fly fishing since the mid noughties with some of the best guides and anglers in Ireland and abroad.
Kayak fishing by lure & fly now takes him and his guiding guests beyond the shore to target Pollock, Bass or Wrasse with the chance of other species such as Codling, Coalfish, Mackerel or Garfish.
Shore fishing at night is also a very special experience.
Following up from last week’s surprise bronze while euronymphing it appears as though Longford angler, Gintaras Vosylius has struck gold, or at least that’s how he feels. All week long he has enjoyed consistent bream bites when trout didn’t fancy his nymph presentation, with some super bream ranging from 46cm to 56cm, all giving great sport in the fast flowing waters of the Inny.
But that’s not all, not only did he get to enjoy catching these bronze slabs by himself, he was able to teach his cousin, Zygimantas, and his friend, Scott, both newcomers to euronymphing, how to cover these magnificent fish. The joy in the pictures confirms that they’ve certainly enjoyed their first outing of nymphing for bream on the Inny.
Green gold and bronze on the Inny
Gintaras got to watch the guys catch these fish and all were amazed by their size, and they could not have gotten any better weather for such a good day of fishing.
Not only did the river produce good numbers of proudly held bronze bream it also had one last, and very big, surprise; near the end of the day – a beautiful tench took one of the nymphs and it was landed and then proudly held for a photo by Zygimantas.
It’s fair to say that is was worth toughing it out in the bright sunshine all day for these cracking fish.