Advice on Sea Angling in Ireland

This general information section discusses a number of topics on Sea Angling in Ireland i.e. a general overview, type of gear generally used, types of bait used etc. See what's covered right hand side column

Sea Fishing in Ireland - An Overview

The Irish Coastline is over 3,000 miles long, is washed by some of the clearest seas in Europe. It is also one of the most varied, with dramatic cliffs such as those in Donegal, Mayo and Clare. You will find many miles of wide strands with their arresting contrast of blue, white surf and pale sands, stretches of rugged rocky coastline and quiet estuaries. The variety offers unlimited opportunities to the sea angler, who can find somewhere to fish almost all year round. Ireland's climate may give mixed summer weather of sun and rain, but because of it's seas, especially on the south and western margins, benefit from the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift, they can be fished from spring to late autumn for species found elsewhere only in the summer months. For this reason unusual warm- water species often turn up in catches here such as trigger fish, red mullet, red bream, sunfish and amberjack. But Ireland's shores are near the divide between the cooler north Atlantic waters and the southern influence and they accommodate many cold water species also. In all, over 80 species can be caught from Ireland's seas. And this fishing is as easily accessible to the angler who seeks solitude and peace in one of the least populated countries of Europe as it is to the fisherman who wants to enjoy sport in the company of other anglers.

Irish deep- sea fishing is associated with charter boats and is a very sociable form of angling. Traditionally these craft headed to deep water marks from centres which became famous and still provide superb fishing. - Westport, Fenit and Kinsale. Nowadays charter boats can be hired from a greater number of centres and they fish for such species as Blue Shark off the south and west coast , for big conger, ling and cod from sunken wrecks, and for tope and flatfish over sandy ground. Charter boat fishing is lively and interesting even before a line is cast. The skipper will assemble a group of anglers who may not know each other at the beginning of the day, but who will surely be well aquatinted by the end of the day, especially if they have had sport with a big shark or skate. Usually tackle may be hired, so all the angler needs is a good set of waterproofs and a sense of adventure. The skippers have well equipped speedy craft and modern navigational aids but for most, who have come from generations of fishermen, their knowledge of the sea is as instinctive as breathing. A lot of local lore is passed on during the day and even more in the evening when the boat is tied up and catch distributed and the scene shifts to a waterfront pub.

Wreck fishing in deep water marks can be very productive. There are many charted wrecks off the coast , some lying over water 50 fathoms deep. Many more wait to be discovered and the angler who is in a boat fishing such a wreck for the first time can experience unforgettable sport. It may take an hour to reach these marks, but the time is worth it because of the size of the conger, ling, pollack and coalfish which are boated from them. Other species such as turbot and megrim can also be caught. Anglers who specialise in this fishing use rods in the 20 to 30lb class and reel lines of 30lbs test, and such gear may be hired from charter skippers.

Recommended Fishing Tackle for fishing in Ireland

Bait (Marine Worms, Fish Bait and Crabs)

Lugworm

Lugworm are abundant in estuaries and on most sheltered beaches throughout the country, the presence of lugworm is recognised by the spaghetti-like spiral of sand which they leave on the foreshore at low tide

Trench digging for an hour or so with a garden fork will normally produce enough worms for a day's fishing. Lugworm are normally associated with fishing for flounder, wrasse, dabs, etc from the shore, but they are also effective in attracting codling and whiting while inshore boat fishing.

Ragworm

Red and King Ragworm are common on the eastern seaboard but rare on the west coast of Ireland. Anglers wishing to use these baits must be prepared to carry a supply with them. Ragworm can be an excellent bait when shore or boat fishing for flatfish, whiting, pouting, codling and dogfish.

White Ragworms or Herringbone Rag are common, frequenting many lugworm beds and being particularly effective when used in conjunction with other baits such as lugworm or mackerel strip. Large White Ragworm or 'Silvers' however are rare, and very localised in their distribution throughout the country. They are usually found in clean, coarse sand in the vicinity of the low spring tideline, particularly where masonry worms (which have little use as bait) are located.

Crab

The common shore or green crab moults its shell at least once a year, usually prior to mating. This generally takes place in May or June, although moulting crabs have been found as late as October in some places. 'Peelers' or soft crabs can be collected along sheltered shores, particularly where there is an abundance of serrated wrack which provides good cover for them. Crab is a popular bait with shore or inshore boat anglers.

Mussel

Mussel can be collected from most rocky shorelines but because of the softness of their flesh should be tied to the hook with shirring elastic (elasticised thread). This is effective when beach fishing on the east coast or rock angling in the west.

Fish Baits

All forms of oily fish are useful to both the boat and shore angler, particularly when seeking the larger predators such as shark, tope, monkfish and skate.

Mackerel

The most important of all sea angling baits, mackerel can be used for almost every species of fish from both boat or shore. It can be used in strip form for turbot, megrim, pollack, coalfish or gurnard. It is used in last form (the tough tail section) for ray, bullhuss, spurdog etc and half or whole mackerel is used for tope or shark. Mackerel can be bought in shops in season or can usually be caught while spinning from harbour walls or rocky outcrops. The most effective method for catching mackerel from a boat is to use brightly coloured mackerel feathers.

Click on Interactive Thumbnail Shore Guide Map to access info on each Angling Mark

What's Covered in this Section

• Sea Fishing in Ireland - An Overview

• Recommended Fishing Tackle for Fishing in Ireland

• Fish Bait Used