The Leinster Pike Angling Club winter league concluded in dramatic fashion last Sunday. Despite recent poor weather making venue selection difficult, the organisers secured a few lakes that remained just about fishable, resulting in a productive day with plenty of fish caught.
Results on the Day
1st: Marty Lawlor – 4 fish for 24.13
2nd: James O’Callaghan – 3 fish for 21.13
3rd: Donagh O’Connell – 5 fish for 20.13
4th: Rodney Gaynor – 5 fish for 17.6
The heaviest fish of the day went to James O’Callaghan, weighing 9.10.
The pools were won by Marty Lawlor and Donagh O’Connell, with a combined bag weight of 45.10.
Winter League Summary
The league standings tightened significantly at the top this year, with Anto Byrne, Rodney Gaynor, and Jan Rutkowski separated by only a single point. After five legs, both Rodney and Anto finished on 132 points, while Jan finished just behind on 131 points.
Since Rodney and Anto were tied, the overall winner was determined by total fish caught across all legs. This too was extremely close, with Anto narrowly securing the victory by catching 32 fish to Rodney’s 31.
Final Standings
Antony Byrne – 132 points
Rodney Gaynor – 132 points
Jan Polish – 131 points
Fran Crosbie – 119 points
Logan Lennon – 113 points
Donagh O’Connell – 113 points
Jay Cooke – 111 points
Marty Lawlor – 109 points
Damo O’Brien – 95 points
James O’Callaghan – 91 points
Anthony Byrne takes the league title after a close competition
Heaviest Fish of the League
Sean O’Brien – 15.10
Logan Lennon – 14.14
David O’Callaghan – 10.10
Angler of the Year
Although Rodney Gaynor missed out on the winter league title by just one fish, he secured the Angler of the Year award for the second consecutive year, finishing with 311 points overall. His closest competitor was once again Jan, who finished the year on 292 points. Both anglers demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the season.
Rodney Gaynor takes the Angler of the Year prize
The club now looks forward to the upcoming season, with the first competition taking place in February. New members are welcome, and anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch.
It’s been a cold and very wet week, though strangely there were a couple of bright days in the mix. The unsettled conditions have impacted angling, many rivers and lakes are in flood, and the oftentimes poor conditions are no doubt putting off many from getting on the water. That solar eruption and geomagnetic storm probably had little impact, but it’s definitely useful as an excuse…
Thankfully, the solar eruption didn’t hit until a couple of days ago, so the weekend’s sport was largely unaffected, and there were some good results recorded at coarse fishing events up and down the country. The Athy Anglers found themselves back in the Marina after conditions underfoot forced a change of venue. The fishing was busy and David Locke took first place with 19lbs 12 oz. CM Lakelands Feeder Club were on Lough Garadice fishing the Grassy Bank and Houghton’s Shore. Nick Richards put on a brilliant display in challenging conditions to win the match with 4.025kg. The 6th round of the Ger Hennesy Winter League was fished on Sunday at Oaklands. The cold conditions saw the fish lie doggo and Adrian Browne did well to weigh in 5.650 kg for the win.
On to sea angling now. There was steady fishing at Cobh SAC’s Light Lines competition at the weekend, where over 2,000 fish were caught and released. Jim Mellis, fishing on Deora De, was the winner. In Wexford, a favourable forecast and building tides set the scene for a highly successful Eddie Bermingham Open, which also marked the opening leg of the 2026 Leinster League on Kilgorman Strand. Noel Fogarty secured both a zone and overall win with a decisive final-cast double of dogfish and spurdog. Last Saturday night saw Northern Ireland’s Carrick Beach & Rockers SAC contest the first leg of their Masters competition at the Limerick Rover venue in Antrim. Despite the harsh weather, fishing proved productive with a wide variety of species landed.
The Deora De coming to shore to collect her anglers on a foggy morning
Galway Bay Sea Angling Club, an active club running competitions and social angling session both in Galway and further afield, are looking to recruit interested anglers into their club. Find out more at Galway Bay SAC calling all anglers; both novice and experienced
Saturday will be another dull and damp day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. These will be heaviest and most persistent over the southern half of the country with the best of any dry spells further north. Moderate to fresh easterly winds, stronger near eastern and southeastern coasts, but easing and becoming variable in the southwest through the day. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9ºC. Sunday morning will be generally cloudy with widespread outbreaks of rain and drizzle. These outbreaks will become less frequent and widespread through the day with some sunny spells developing in places. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9ºC, with moderate to fresh cyclonic variable winds becoming mostly easterly and easing. Next week starts cloudy, breezy, and wet with rain, heavy at times, spreading northeastwards across the country. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9ºC, with moderate to fresh southeasterly winds, stronger on eastern and southeastern coasts. Low pressure continuing to dominate the week, bringing further unsettled and mixed conditions.
Don’t forget to double-check the forecast before heading off, and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.
Charlie Richards ran a match on Sunday on Lough Garadice for the Club.
Eighteen anglers turned up and both the Grassy Bank and Houghtons Shore was used.
The top 3 weights came from Houghtons Shore. First overall was Nick Richards who put in a brilliant display in challenging conditions to easily win the match with 4.025kg. Nick caught a Bream, 2 skimmers and some roach at distance on Houghtons Shore. Second overall was Brenton Sweeney who caught 27 fish which included 3 small skimmers to weigh 2.575kg from Houghtons shore. In third place was Rimantas Kondrackas who caught roach, rudd and an odd hybrid to weigh 2.250kg.
1 of 3
Charlie
Rimantas
Brenton
Charlie Richards won the Grassy bank with a couple of small skimmers and roach to weigh 2.130kg. Irmantas Sriupsa was 2nd on Grassy Bank with 1 skimmer and other bits to weigh 1.510kg.
Other Section winners were Robertas Zilaitis, 2.225kg, and Richard pratt with 2.125kg.
Thanks to Charlie for running the match, he did a very good job.
Go fishing…
Charlie Richards is running a match this Sunday 25th of January on Houghtons Shore and Grassy Bank on garadice.
Young angler Charlie McGee was practising his fly fishing skills at Southern County Fishing Resort in Carlow at the weekend, where he caught & released 8 fine Rainbow trout and enjoyed a great day out with his grandfather Joe Boland.
Despite the fine weather there weren’t many anglers out and they nearly had the run of the place. Charlie was using a selection of flies, mostly nymphs, and had his best results with a black & red pattern.
Angling takes place on over 10aces of water on 3 different lakes. Southern County Fishing Resort encourages both fly fishing and bait fishing but be mindful that each lake requires different fishing skills and provides different challenges to the angler. Also our newly opened club house accommodates a tackle shop for all your fly, bait, rod hire and sale. Southern County Fishing Resort prides itself on the quality of our fish, our lake are stocked on regular basis with fish approximately 2lbs weight. All of our fish are reared in our onsite hatchery farm. Fish size range from 1 lb to 8 lbs in weight and on average are 3 /4lbs.
Vincent Applbey, our Lough Currane correspondent, report that the season started quietly on the lake. There were 8 boats out to mark the 17th of January Opener, but no salmon were hooked. A few kelts gave the impression of a fish, but the thrill quickly faded and the fish were quickly played out and carefully returned. Weather on the day was calm if a bit cool with light winds from the north east.
There’s been at least one boat out in this first week of the season, but as of yet no catches to report
For more information on the daily conditions on Lough Currane, all the craic and news be sure to check out Vincent Appleby’s Salmon and Sea Trout blog for regular reports with back dates, petitions, public consultation notices, readers letters and videos and more of what’s happening in Waterville and beyond
Sea Trout – Catch and release only
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
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.
Irish competitor Brian Connaughton of Team Wild Hunter gives us the lowdown on the next series of Fly vs Jerk:
Fly vs Jerk is one of Europe’s most exciting pike fishing challenges, now running for 17 years. It’s a boat-only competition, fly and lure fishing only, and everything is strictly catch-and-release.
For Fly vs Jerk 17, five teams went head-to-head across Europe:
Team Gator
Team CWC
Team Wild Hunter
Team Decathlon Caperlan
Team Dutch Fly Guys
This season, myself (Brian Connaughton) and Daniel represented Team Wild Hunter, fishing here in Ireland, while the Dutch Fly Guys fished in Holland. The other teams fished in Scandinavia, with Team CWC taking on their session in Finland.
The series will be released on YouTube, with the first episode airing on Friday, 6 February, and a total of six episodes in the season. The final episode will be shown at Sportfiskemässan in Sweden, which runs from the 13th to the 15th of March, with the episode being played on the last day of the show (the 15th).
What makes Fly vs Jerk so intense is the points format. In each episode there are three points up for grabs:
Longest five fish (combined length)
Heaviest fish
Most fish caught
That means a team can score anywhere from 0 to 3 points per episode, so every decision on the water matters.
Like everyone else, we won’t know the final overall outcome until the episodes air. We had some updates early on, but after the first part of the season it went quiet, so we’re genuinely in the dark on how the other teams finished.
Now it’s just a waiting game — and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
If you want a preview of what it’s all about, check out the trailer for Series 16 below:
Galway Bay Sea Angling Club are an active club running competitions and social angling session both in Galway and further afield. They are looking to recruit interested anglers into their club, and it doesn’t matter whether you are experienced or inexperienced, young or old, they are happy to take all-comers. See details below and on their Facebook Page.
They have also just released their Master Angler Calendar for 2026, with seven legs fished between January and September. See details below:
A quick reminder that IFPAC is running a Boat Competition on Sunday, February 15th. Building on the success of last year’s event, the upcoming competition is expected to be even stronger, featuring improved organisation, an excellent venue and the same enjoyable atmosphere that made the previous outing so popular. Anglers of all experience levels are invited to take part, test their skills and enjoy a friendly, competitive day on the water with pike anglers from across the country.
Full event details — including date, venue and entry information — are provided on the official poster. Participants will meet afterwards in Murtagh’s Pub in Aughnacliffe.
A favourable forecast and building tides set the scene for a highly successful Eddie Bermingham Open, which also marked the opening leg of the 2026 Leinster League on Kilgorman Strand. The event commemorated Eddie Bermingham, a founding member of Southshore SAC and a widely respected gentleman within the angling community. The Bermingham Family were warmly thanked for their generous sponsorship.
Sixty anglers representing ten Leinster clubs, along with competitors from Munster and Ulster, took part. A lively atmosphere greeted anglers at check-in, with optimism and banter in equal measure. Conditions on the day were excellent, with a steady sea roll and good water colour following southerly winds. Target species included dabs and whiting, with flounder, dogfish and spurdog also featuring.
In Zone A, experienced anglers made strong starts, with Mick Dixon and Frank Lawlor recording quality flounders. Alby Allan and James Ryan also featured prominently. As the match progressed, the final hour proved decisive, with James Ryan securing the zone on his last cast with a double spurdog, narrowly edging Allan. Dixon finished a close third.
Zone B saw fluctuating fortunes throughout. Tom McAdam and Wayne Hamilton both featured strongly, but it was a late surge that proved decisive. Young Sean Keane delivered an outstanding performance, topping the beach with 12 fish and the highest overall score of 240 points, an exceptional achievement for the newly qualified Ireland U-16 international.
Ultimately, the Eddie Bermingham Memorial Trophy went to Noel Fogarty, who secured both the zone and overall win with a decisive final-cast double of dogfish and spurdog. Wayne Hamilton finished second in Zone B, with McAdam third. Fogarty’s win added another title to a family long associated with Irish match fishing success.
In the junior category, Sean Keane claimed first place, followed by Phillip Kennedy Ryan and Daniel Gricius. The pools prizes went to Connor Clancy in Zone A for both whiting and flounder, while in Zone B Noel Fogarty won the whiting pool and Eamonn Bermingham the flounder pool.
Thanks were extended to all participants, with anticipation already building for the second leg of the Leinster League, hosted by Howth SAC on 18 April.
We recently met a new guiding outfit on Lough Derg, Dirk and Florent of Pike Pro Ireland, and it’s great to see another guiding and accommodation business set up on one of Ireland’d premier fishing lakes.
Florent has written a brief introduction to the business, and also given us some tips on winter perch fishing. We look forward to more contributions from Dirk and Florent, and wish them every success. Check out their website below with details on how to book.
Introducing Pike Pro Ireland
Pike Pro Ireland, a company dedicated to organising pike fishing holidays in Ireland, based on one of the country’s most renowned fishing areas: Lough Derg and its surrounding waters.
Our aim is to offer authentic, well-organised and productive fishing experiences, whether for experienced anglers or for those discovering Irish pike fishing for the first time. With a strong knowledge of the local waters and seasonal conditions, we help anglers make the most of the exceptional pike fishing Ireland is famous for.
We provide tailor-made, turnkey fishing stays, including comfortable accommodation, access to selected fishing spots, either independently or with professional guidance.
Every stay is designed to combine efficiency, comfort and enjoyment in a preserved natural environment.
We place great importance on personal service, reliability and a genuine passion for fishing, ensuring each guest enjoys a memorable and rewarding angling experience in Ireland.
We also offer the rental of fully equipped boats and belly boats, perfectly adapted for pike fishing in Irish waters. Each boat is carefully prepared to ensure safety, comfort and efficiency on the water, and all the essential equipment needed for a successful fishing session. ( live jacket, pliers, net, measuring board, sonar, anchor, drift anchor …)
Winter perch fishing
In winter, perch fishing in Ireland is a precise and technical discipline, particularly effective for targeting large perch over 35 cm, which are often found grouped in deeper areas and in excellent condition during the colder months. Fish typically hold along drop-offs, deep flats, submerged structures and hard-bottom areas, requiring accurate positioning and controlled presentations.
The most effective techniques include vertical jigging, slow bottom hopping and finesse presentations worked close to the substrate. Key lures include small soft plastics (creature baits, shads and worms) rigged on light jig heads, blade baits for searching and triggering reaction bites, and compact metal jigs for deeper water. Drop shot and Ned rig setups are also highly effective when fish are pressured or inactive, allowing for subtle, stationary presentations.
Even during the coldest winter days, perch fishing in Ireland can deliver outstanding action. On the best days, it is possible to land 40 to 50 fish, with active schools providing fast and consistent bites. This level of activity not only makes the sessions highly productive but also keeps anglers fully engaged and motivated, turning cold winter conditions into truly rewarding fishing days that quickly warm up both body and spirit.
Winter perch fishing rewards anglers who focus on precision, lure control and slow retrieves, offering consistent opportunities to connect with high-quality fish in Irish waters.
The report below is summarised from the Leinster Pike Angling Club Facebook Page:
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
