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Irish Angling Update 🎅19 December 2025 🎁🎁

By
Myles Kelly
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This will be our last Irish Angling Update of 2025, so first and foremost the team of Angling Advisors here at Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to wish all of our readers a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year! Back to the job at hand now, and it’s been a fairly miserable 7 days since the last Update with dull, dark wet days, but at least it’s not been overly cold. There was a fair bit of fishing at the weekend and in general it was tough going…

Coarse angling clubs were busy last weekend fishing various leagues and matches. Munster Coarse Anglers fished the Fur and Feather match of their winter series in Obriensbridge. Steve Grogan won the event, fished in harsh conditions, with 7lb even. In Kildare, Athy Anglers had a much more productive Winter League match at the Marina. Dean Murray was the winner there with an impressive 25lb 9oz. Leinster Coarse Anglers had their Fur & Feather match held on the Grand Canal at Daingean. Again, harsh conditions prevailed and Caullum Pickard finished first with a weight of 2.15kg.

Fur and Feather is name for angling events at this time of year when the prizes in the past would have been a turkey or goose and a hare or rabbit for the Christmas dinner.
Fur and Feather is the name for angling events held at this time of year when the prizes in the past would have included a turkey or goose and a hare or rabbit for the Christmas dinner.

IASCaire Feeder Fishing Club fished the final round of their autumn league at Rockfield in Gowna. Once again the fishing was not easy, but congratulations go to Hiszpan Feeder for emerging as the League winner. CM Lakelands held their last match of 2025 on Houghtons Shore, Lough Garadice, last week. Kevin Norcliffe won the match, fished in strong crosswinds, with 3kg. The CM Lakelands Feeder Club have organised an exciting new league for 2026 – the Ultimate Feeder League – which will be fished over three rounds in February and March at venues in Leitrim and Monaghan for more details see CM Lakelands announce Ultimate Feeder League!

Jamie Hunter
This is Jamie’s 2nd win this year fishing with the seniors and he also won an IFPAC junior event last April with a fine 19lber so he’s had a fantastic year!

The Newbridge & District Pike Anglers final outing of the 2025 season was held as a joint competition with the Irish Outgoing Pikers. Fishing took place on river and canal venues and some lovely pike were caught.  Jamie Hunter won the heaviest fish prize with a pike of 17lb 04oz and the heaviest bag was won by Paul Wally Geoghegan with 31lb 12oz. Jamie also wins our Catch of the Week – congratulations! Steve from the Fishing With Steve YouTube channel was out again in Cavan where heavy rain, high winds and flooding made for a poor day, but the pike didn’t seem to mind and he had some great fishing, you can watch it all on his channel.

midland signBefore we leave the freshwater reports here’s a reminder to pike and coarse anglers in the Midlands.

Don’t forget to purchase a Midland Permit before fishing on Lough Derrevaragh and the River Inny.

For the full list of waters covered by the permit see here.

Alan Mulcahy with a cracking 39cm flounder
Alan Mulcahy, with a cracking 39cm flounder, winner of the Munster Shore League

The final leg of the Munster Shore League, which also incorporated the Munster Open Shore Gold, was fished from The Slob Bank, Youghal, at the weekend. Fish showed from the very first cast, with several anglers hitting triple shots early on, and it was great to see some quality flounder showing on the bank throughout the match. Alan Mulcahy won on the day to secure league victory, while Mochara Fraher won the Junior section of the league, and Fiona Ryan took the Ladies’ title. Staying in the south, South Shore SAC have announced Sunday 28th December as the date for their Winter Pairs competition to be held at Kilgorman Strand.

tope
Near specimen-sized tope of 156cm for Paul Hubbard with Wicklow Boat Charters

Richard Dodd has an entertaining report of Borough SAC’s last competition of the year, which was fished at Killiney and staying on the east coast, Wicklow Bay SAC held their Christmas Spurdog and Social trip with Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters on Sunday. The weather was poor, and the spurs on the small side, but there were plenty caught and the catch of the day was a super tope of 156cm. The Killybegs Mariners’ second-last outing of the year was fished at Fintra, where fishing was fast with a good run of coleys providing plenty of sport.

Other news..

Sponsorship Programme 2026

Inland Fisheries Ireland has announced details of its Sponsorship Programme for 2026. The programme aims to promote angling tourism in rural areas in 2026, whilst also supporting activities for novice anglers and supporting Irish international teams at overseas championships. It is one of IFI’s main funding mechanisms to promote sustainable angling in Ireland and in 2026, €40,000 will be awarded to angling clubs, federations and tourism bodies to support their angling events.

State Fisheries

The tender process for IFI State Fisheries for 2026 is now open and a list of available fisheries has been published on fisheriesireland.ie. If your club wants to tender for one or more fisheries please download and fill out the Condition of Tender Questionnaire and return to IFI at the address indicated or you can apply online.

Salmon regulations 2026

We know all the salmon anglers reading are waiting for confirmation of the regulations for 2026. As we write the Public Consultation phase has not yet concluded (there is still one more day to make a submission), but as soon as the new rules are set we’ll update our websites and let you all know.

Salmon licences, logbooks and tags

Salmon anglers who have not yet returned their logbook and unused tags from 2025 are asked to do so now.

And now the weather

There will be a wet and windy start to Saturday with outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards across the country, becoming patchier as they do so. A clearance to drier conditions, but still with some showers, will follow in the afternoon. Highest daytime temperatures of 6 to 10°C, with moderate to fresh and gusty southeasterly winds veering southwesterly and easing light to moderate with the clearance. Cold overnight with some frost and then the outlook becomes uncertain. Colder weather is likely from Sunday with possible showers of hail. The forecast for next week is far from definite, but there has  been talk again of a white Christmas. As long as Santa gets a clear run it’ll be grand…

Don’t forget to double-check the forecast before going fishing, and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update, please send it to [email protected]. 

All the angling news

Coarse Angling Reports

Pike Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

IFI Sponsorship Programme 2026 launched

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced details of its Sponsorship Programme for 2026.

The programme aims to promote angling tourism in rural areas in 2026, whilst also supporting activities for novice anglers and supporting Irish international teams at overseas championships. It is one of IFI’s main funding mechanisms to promote sustainable angling in Ireland and in 2026, €40,000 will be awarded to angling clubs, federations and tourism bodies to support their angling events.

IFI supported more than 80 events and initiatives across Ireland in 2025, including national or international competitions and festivals held in Ireland; coaching and juvenile outreach events; public awareness events; support of international teams competing overseas, and other angling-related initiatives.

Angling clubs, groups and associations nationwide are now invited to apply for sponsorship funding before the deadline of January 23rd, 2026. 

Requests for equipment, staff support, and biosecurity assistance can be made throughout the year.

 

IASCaire Feeder Fishing Club fish autumn league finale

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

This report from the members of the IASCaire Feeder Fishing Club on the final round of their autumn league:

Well folks, that’s a wrap on the Autumn League Season 2025! What a way to finish our final match on Lough Rockfield. Conditions were challenging at times, but overall it turned out to be **decent fishing**, with some lads putting nice bags together to close out the season in style.

It just goes to show how unpredictable fishing can be — one day it’s a grind, the next it comes together — and the final match certainly had an impact on the overall standings!

**Massive Thanks to Our Sponsors**

**Fishing Tackle and Bait**

Year after year, these legends have backed us, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Their continued support means the world to us. If you haven’t already, check them out in-store or online — everything from top-quality gear to expert advice. Highly recommended!

**Slieve Russell Hotel**

We’re proud to have the **Slieve Russell Hotel** as one of our valued sponsors. The hotel has always held a special place in our hearts, and we truly appreciate their continued support. If you’re planning a getaway, look no further — book your stay at this stunning hotel!

**Final League Standings – Top 3 Anglers of 2025

  •  **1st Place:** Hiszpan Feeder – 5pts
  •  **2nd Place:** Roman Kwasniewski – 9pts
  •  **3rd Place:** Sarunas Zenkovas – 10pts

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Hiszpan Feeder

A fantastic season taking 1st place, lifting the Yearly Trophy, and winning the Angler of the Year Award! A well-earned and deserved achievement.

Well done to our framers and a massive shoutout to everyone who took part this year. Whether you placed or not, your support, effort, and enthusiasm kept the league going strong!

Go fishing…

The IASCaire Feeder Fishing Club Christmas Feeder Match will take place on **Saturday, 20th December** at **Lough Garadice – Haughtons Shore**.
**Feeder only match**
Entry: €30 (€20) into top 3 & (€10) for sections.
**Meeting point:** Haughtons Shore car park
**Meet:** 8:00am
**Draw:** 8:10am sharp
**Fishing times:** 10:00am – 3:00pm
*(Unless otherwise agreed on the bank)*

For more details and to sign up visit https://www.facebook.com/iascaireclub

ARVAGH

CM Lakelands announce Ultimate Feeder League!

By
Paul O'Reilly
-
Lough Garadice
Lough Garadice

The CM Lakelands Feeder Club have organised an exciting new league for 2026 – the Ultimate Feeder League – which will be fished over three rounds in February and March at venues in Leitrim and Monaghan. There are thirteen teams signed up already – so unfortunately the places are all booked already! There is a reserve list though, so anybody interested in participating should contact the CM Lakelands club through their Facebook Page. Anyone interested in match fishing could do worse than dropping by to see how it’s done, as there will be some top anglers competing.

TEAMS SO FAR

  1. CM Lakelands Green
  2. Irish Feeder Team
  3. Lurgan AC
  4. Erne Anglers
  5. Nytro
  6. Eastside CAC 1
  7. Eastside CAC 2
  8. Gregory Bojczewski Team.
  9. Ringers
  10. Pavel Tkachenko Team
  11. Charlie Richards’ Team
  12. Two Euro Club.
  13. Eastside CAC 3
  • RD 1 Lough Garadice – Houghtons Shore and the grassy bank at Rockfield – Saturday, February 14th, 2026
  • RD 2 Lough Garadice – Houghtons Shore and the grassy bank at Rockfield – Sunday, March 1st, 2026
  • RD 3 Lough Muckno: Yellow Island, Black Island and South Lodge – Saturday, March 21st, 2026

Entry is €150 per team / full payout. There will also be separate €20 pools at each round. A deposit of €50 is to be paid before January 31st, 2026, by Revolut – 0872510260.

In other news, the CM club held their last match of 2025 on Houghtons Shore, Lough Garadice, last weekend. There were very strong crosswinds on the day, causing a strong tow and that made the fishing difficult to manage.

Kevin Norcliffe won the match with one big skimmer and twenty-plus roach to weigh just under 3kg. Kevin caught at forty metres plus.

2nd overall was Irish feeder boss Brenton Sweeney, who caught twenty fish to weigh just under 2kg. Brenton caught all his fish at 55 metres.

3rd over was Irmantas Sriupsa who caught 1.850kg of roach and one skimmer.

Andy Butterfield was 4th overall with 1.750kg of 2 small skimmers and an odd roach.

Coarse angling around Leitrim

 

Killiney Beach – Borough SAC’s Last Stand of 2025

By
Myles Kelly
-

Richard Dodd reports on Borough SAC’s last competition of 2025, fished on Killiney Beach…

The wind came in from the  south westly, strong enough to ruffle jackets and send hats skittering, but the air was mild, 10°C in December felt like a gift. Killiney Beach stretched out before us, its sands hiding more than just lugworm.

Back in 1849, Mallet and his son buried kegs of gunpowder here to test how energy travelled through rock and sand. On this night, it seemed their ghosts were still at work, judging by the way Brian Cooke’s rigs vanished without trace.

Nine anglers gathered, though we missed Jim McDonnell, struck down by flu. Speedy recovery wished, Jim—we raised a rod in your honour. John Coyne returned after two years away, greeted like a prodigal son, ragworm in hand. Robbie Reynolds, fresh from a long rehab after major surgery, stood tall on the shingle—his single fish was worth a dozen in spirit.

The beach, however, was unforgiving. Weed tangled lines, rough ground chewed tackle, and the high pegs felt cursed. Brian Cooke, poor soul, lost every rig he cast in the first hour. By the final whistle, his tackle box looked like Mallet’s sand pits after detonation—empty, smoking, and full of despair.

Yet there were triumphs. John on Peg 1 hauled in eight fish, a triumphant return. Joe on Peg 3 matched him with six, steady as a metronome. Tom on Peg 4 landed a fine flounder of 28 cm, while Willie on Peg 5 wrestled the only conger of the night—a slippery 48 cm beast that looked ready to bite back. I myself managed three fish, modest but respectable, while Donal on Peg 7 drew the dreaded blank, earning the “cheque book and pen” award. Brian salvaged one fish from the wreckage of his tackle graveyard, and Martin quietly added another to the tally.

The species list read like a roll call of the usual suspects: whiting, rockling, dogfish, flounder, and that lone conger.

As the tide ebbed and the clock struck nine, we packed up rods and stories. No official results yet—John Duff, keeper of the scores, was himself laid low with flu. But the night’s tale was already written: camaraderie, resilience, and laughter in the face of weed and blank pegs.

And so ends Borough SAC’s final shore comp of 2025. We’ll return to Killiney in January, hoping for kinder seas and fewer tackle‑eating gremlins.

Join the club…

The Borough Sea Angling Club is made up of a group of active anglers. Usually we hire 2 or more charter boats for our 8 boat competitions. The 10 shore competitions have a hardcore group that fish mainly on the east coast. Usually there are 2 competitions around the Ardmore / Youghal area. Some members are also involved in pike, coarse and trout fishing. Usually there is at least one tour abroad each year to various destinations.

East Coast Sea Angling – Skerries to Wicklow

Fishing with Steve – Pike Fishing in Cavan

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

In this episode, Steve falls victim to the heavy rainfall that we’d had in the buildup to his pike session, as his chosen Monaghan venue was inaccessible due to flooding. So, after a tour of Monaghan and Cavan, he finally found a familiar venue that wasn’t flooded or occupied by other anglers!

Steve ended up back in Cavan, on the lake where he started his pike fishing season this year. It was a bad day of weather, with heavy rain and strong winds, but it turned out to be a good day for catching pike!

If you enjoy Steve’s videos, don’t forget to give them a thumbs up and subscribe to the Fishing With Steve YouTube Channel. 

Steve can be contacted at:

For all your fishing tackle needs checkout Steve’s sponsor https://www.sportfins.ie

Google maps shop location – https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tzv55zh9BuZCt…

The Erne catchment – The Great Pike Waters of Ireland

 

Cunningham double act tops table at Killybegs Mariners penultimate outing

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

Report below sourced from the Killybegs Mariners Facebook Page:

The Killybegs Mariners’ penultimate league outing (11 of 12) took place last night at the relocated venue of Fintra, following storm surge conditions at Rossnowlagh.

Despite fine but fishable surf, it proved a strong night for round fish. Impressive numbers of coley were landed, mostly between 30–36cm, with the five-coley limit reached by the top scorers. Bonus species included flounder, whiting, and a five-bearded rockling.

Results as follows:

1st: John Cunningham – 5 coley, 2 flounder, 5-bearded rockling (280 pts) – €60
2nd: Shane Cunningham – 5 coley, 3 flounder to 32cm (261 pts) – €30
Longest flounder (outside top 2): Chris Whyte – 33cm – €30
Lucky peg draw: Chris Whyte – €20

Well done to all. With one league outing remaining, the overall standings show a tight race at the top as the best eight scores decide the league.

Go Fishing…

Sea angling in Donegal

 

Date announced for South Shore SAC Winter Pairs Competition

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

South Shore SAC have announced Sunday 28th December as the date for their Winter Pairs competition to be held at Kilgorman Strand. All details in the graphic above.

Plenty of pike (& craic) at joint Newbridge & Irish Outgoing Pikers Competition

By
Shane O'Reilly
-
Jamie Hunter
This is Jamie's 2nd win this year fishing with the seniors and he also won an IFPAC junior event last April with a fine 19lber so he's had a fantastic year!

Report below sourced from the Newbridge & District Pike Anglers’ Facebook Page:

The Newbridge & District Pike Anglers’ final outing of the 2025 season was held as a joint competition with the Irish Outgoing Pikers, bringing together members from both clubs for an enjoyable and well-supported day on the bank. The event focused on camaraderie as much as competition, with plenty of banter and new friendships formed.

Fishing took place on both river and canal venues and produced excellent results, with 44 pike caught, including eight doubles. The largest fish weighed 17.04, and all fish were weighed, photographed and safely released. Conditions were windy at times, but the rain stayed away.

Results were as follows: Jamie Hunter won the heaviest fish section with 17lb 04oz, followed by Ian Murphy with 16lb 14oz and Eoin Mahony with 14lb 08oz.

Jamie Hunter
This is Jamie’s 2nd win this year fishing with the seniors and he also won an IFPAC junior event last April with a fine 19lber so he’s had a fantastic year! To round it off in style, we award Jamie our Catch of the Week.

The heaviest bag was won by Paul Wally Geoghegan with 31lb 12oz, ahead of Dave Murphy with 23lb 02oz and Garven Fay with 16lb 12oz. Dave Murphy’s catch was enough to win him the Angler of the Year competition.

The blind pairs competition was won by Jamie Hunter and Alan Cummins, with Wally and Red second, and Dave Murphy and Stephen Whiteley third. Paul Foxy Sheridan won the guess-the-weight competition.

The event was such a success that they plan to include it on next year’s calendar of events.

Ollie pike
Another junior member at Newbridge who did really well this fishing with the seniors was Ollie Whiteley who had the club’s biggest fish of 2025 a fine river pike just over 24lb

Fine tope the pick of the bunch for Wicklow Bay anglers

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

Wicklow Bay SAC held their Christmas Spurdog and Social trip with Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters on Sunday. The weather was poor, and the spurs, while plentiful, were all on the small side. There were a few decent whiting caught, but the pick of the bunch on the day was a super near specimen-sized tope of 156cm for Paul Hubbard. Great to see fish of this stamp being caught so late in the year.

 

Go Fishing

Wicklow Boat Charters

Address No.1 South Quay Wicklow Wicklow Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 6832179 Mobile Phone: +353 404 67031 Website: wicklowboatcharters.ie
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