Bass catches increase dramatically....

Local Bass angling fanatic, Pat O' Shea, has reported dramatic increases in bass catches in the last two weeks. It has been a great season for bass so far with bass ever present throughout the Winter. Bass have been caught on the beaches of the outer harbour in January, February, and March. However, bass have shown to lures since Paddy's weekend and in recent weeks the numbers falling to lures have surpassed numbers of bait caught fish. The last two weeks have been superb with fish now being caught on surface lures. That's a great sign so early and bodes well for the season ahead. The picture above shows a recent catch measuring 62cm. A fine well conditioned fish.

If you are planning a holiday in the area and need upto date information regarding bass catches you can contact Pat through http://www.commodorehotel.ie/

Local salt water fly fishing expert, Richie Ryan, has also being getting in on the act. Richie has also picked up a few fish on lures but has concentrated his efforts recently in fly fishing for mullet with some great results. Below is a pic of a 5lb 8oz fish which took 20 minutes to land. Richie reports that fishing a falling tide with shrimp patterns he has even managed fish in bright conditions.

If you'd fancy booking Richie for some guiding in the local area you can contact him through http://www.corkbass.com/

Cod catches continue....

All skippers have been reporting great catches of cod over the last few weeks. Significant numbers of fish upto 10lb have been reported. Skipper Jim Linehan of Deora De had a party out on Easter Friday and has given us the following report: '....some Good Friday cod. I had a group of 9 local guys out. The 7 that weren't sick had two boxes of cod to around 7-8lbs in about an hour. They soon got bored with the cod as they were then releasing them, so we moved away from them!!! We also ran into a few big mackeral shoals a few miles off with lots of gannets working them. I hope they stick around!'

If you'd like to book the Deora De for a day's charter you can contact skipper, Jim Linehan, through his website at http://www.charterangling.com/

April Light Line Comp 2011

Cobh SAC recently held the last of their winter series of light line competitions. However, you'd be forgiven for thinking twice about the title 'winter' series as the competition was held under blazing sunshine and unseasonally warm conditions. That didn't affect the 'winter' species though as plenty of whiting and codling were caught.

This was the sixth competition in this season's series which began last November and the weather has been superb for everyone of them. As one of the elder lemons of the club quipped '...if you wanted to book a holiday organise it the same weekend as a light line comp as you will be almost guaranteed the weather.'

17 anglers participated and used two of the hub's charter boats; the John Boy, and the Naomh Cartha. The fishing area was once more in 'Deep Hole' between the forts at the mouth of Cork Harbour, as this has proved so prolific over the course of all the light line comps to date. This was to prove no different on this day with over 759 fish caught between the party giving an average of 45 fish per angler. For a more detailed report have a look here http://cobhsac.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-light-lines-competition.html

Fishing for cod inside and outside the harbour has been exceptionally good over the last number of weeks. Indeed, many skippers are reporting significant catches of cod upto 10lbs within 2 miles of the harbour mouth. Long may it continue!

If you'd like to book the John Boy for a day's charter, contact skipper Donie Geary through his website at http://www.sea-fishing-ireland.com/

Alternatively, you could book the Naomh Cartha. Contact skipper Ger Keohane at http://www.corkanglingcharters.com/

March Light Line Comp 2011

Cobh SAC had a great day recently for their March competition of their light line series. On Sunday 27th March Cobh SAC booked two of the hub's charter boats: the 'John Boy' and the 'Naomh Cartha.'

The weather was good but even more importantly the fishing was very good. Skippers Donie Geary and Ger Keohane brought the group to 'deep hole' between the forts where the fishing was in 80ft of water. Using a good selection of baits ranging from crab, to lug, rag, razor, mussel and mack a good variety of species of fish were landed. In total the anglers had 283 cod, 243 whiting, 131 dab and a number of coalfish, lsd's, and scorpion fish. The total number of fish landed were 670 between 12 anglers. That's an average of 56 fish per angler, which over 5 hours fishing is a great return.

Of great interest, though, was the show of mackeral. Mackeral were encountered in mid water and in good numbers. That's a great sign this early.

For a full report have a look at this http://cobhsac.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-light-line-competition.html

If you would like to book the John Boy for a day's fishing you can contact Donie Geary through his website at http://www.sea-fishing-ireland.com/

Alternatively, if you would like to book the Naomh Cartha you can contact Ger keohane at http://www.corkanglingcharters.com/