Winter Cod fishing....

The winter cod season has kicked off in earnest here in Cork Harbour with some encouraging reports of good cod catches at some of the Harbour's prolific inner marks such as De Wall at Monkstown, the Station Master's hole and the Halfpenny hole at Cobh.

Donie Geary, skipper of the John Boy, is targeting these winter cod and is offering special discounted rates this Winter for groups of anglers keen to get in on the cod action. Geary Angling Services, in conjunction with the Commodore Hotel, are offering a special rate of €69 to cover one days fishing onboard the John Boy plus one night's bed & breakfast at the Commodore Hotel. You can further upgrade that package to include an evening meal of Haddock in batter and chips and a pint of Guinness (or a beer/lager of your choice), all for the sum of €85 in total. Now that's great value!!! This offer is valid for winter cod fishing trips from Oct 2011 thru to March 2012 and is limited to groups of eight or more.

If the last two winter seasons are anything to go by then the cod fishing should get hectic. Cobh Sea Angling Club have held light line competitions during this winter period and in many cases anglers were catching 50+ codling a trip. Have a look at these reports to give you an idea: March 2011 Light Lines April 2010 Light Lines

Admittedly, many of the codling have been in the 1 - 2lb range. However, a good proportion of the catch have also been in the 3-4lb range. This year we expect many of the fish to be bigger again as there has been superb fishing on the offshore reefs for large cod over the summer. In fact, if weather permits Donie may opt to try the outer reefs for larger fish. However, the beauty of Cork Harbour is that it can be fished in all weathers and many of the marks that have been producing over the last two winters have been in the Harbour itself.

Best baits for the fishing is undoubtedly peeler crab and lugworm. Mussel can also be effective. If the outer reefs are fished then mackeral baited hokkai's are the best option.

If you and your group would be interested in targeting the cod then Mary Geary of Geary Angling Services would only be too happy to give you as much information as possible. Give Mary a buzz on 021 - 4812167 or email on

seaanglingclear@esat.ie, or alternatively you can contact Mary O' Mahony at reservations at the Commodore Hotel on 021-4811277 or by email on commodorehotel@eircom.net. Don't delay, book today!!!

Cork Small Boats Festival - Results

Well the results are out and you can view them here. Well done to Festival newcomers O2B@C from Wales who were outright winners! O2B@C leapfrogged the hardy annuals like team Skua, team Screeming Reels, and others on the last day in what had been a very close competition all week.

Despite the inclement weather over 30 species of fish were recorded. Indeed, the winners had 25 species themselves but were followed by a number of boats on 24. The beauty of hosting this event in Cork Harbour is that no matter what mother nature may throw at the competitors the confines of the Harbour itself allows shelter from nasty weather and still access to good fishing!

Autumn Bass to top-water lures....

Members of French club Liberty Peche recently had a 6 day lure fishing holiday out of Cork Harbour. Using the newest addition to the Bellavista small boat fleet the lads spent a number of days targeting the resident population of bass with surface lures and were amply rewarded for their efforts.

Despite, the dank and dreary conditions many fish were caught off the top with some fine specimens amongst them.

Here are a sample of pics of some of the better fish.

If you'd fancy a days bassing in Cork Harbour why not try out Bellavista's new Raider 18. More information and contact details can be found here.

Fish fantastique....

The run of jumbo cod continues...and long may it do so!!!

This time the lucky angler was fishing directly out of Cork Harbour. French angler, Arnaud Briere landed this fabulous fish weighing just over 20lbs while fishing onboard the lastest addition to the Bellavista self-drive fleet, a brand new Raider 18 boat. Arnaud was fishing out of Cobh with his colleagues from the Liberty Peche Club from France.

In true French style they concentrated on lure fishing for the entire 6 days of their trip. Soft plastics and jigheads were the order of the day and accounted for some fabulous fish. Plenty of cod, pollack and bass gave the French lads top notch sport for the week. In true sporting fashion all fish caught were returned alive. Well done lads!!!

If you'd fancy hiring this latest addition to the Bellavista fleet why not contact owner Kevin Murphy

on 00-353-86-6029168 or for more information have a look at the Bellavista

website here.

Ooh la la.....

French angler Jean Luc Alzaz persisted in his quest for a fly caught bass despite the inclement and breezy weather of late. Jean was rewarded for his persistence. In fact, Jean had 5 bass on the fly in one session and, remarkably, caught 3 in 3 casts!!!

Of course assisting him on his mission was top salt water bass guide Richie Ryan who had put him on a spot he knew could produce with the right approach. Richie sure is your man if salt water fly fishing is your bent; his record speaks for itself and is the one person will get you that fly caught fish, Richie will!!!

If you'd fancy a session out with Richie have a look at his website here for contact details.

...and more from Ballycotton

Wow, what a cod!!! This fine specimen weighed in at 11kg and was caught by one of the anglers who was with Colm Sliney onboard the Sarah Marie out of Ballycotton last weekend. This is truly standing out as one of the best seasons for cod in living memory. All skippers, from Kinsale, Cork Harbour, and Ballycotton are reporting a great year for cod with not only numbers way up but so is the quality of fish.

Colm reports that this beauty was caught on simple old fashioned cod feathers. It just shows you do not disregard the tried and tested methods of yesteryear.

If you'd fancy a trip out with Colm to target those jumbo cod have a look at his website here for contact details.