46th Cobh International Deep Sea Angling Festival

Well there are only a few days left to this year's sea angling festival and it looks as if this year the weather gods are smiling down on us. The forecast for the next week looks fairly good. Fingers crossed and with a bit of luck it will stay that way. If it does then, more than likely, the boats will get outside the harbour every day. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with the fishing in the harbour, but when you do get out to the outside reefs like the Smiths, the Ling Rocks and the Pollack rock anything is possible. Certainly cod and ling to double figures are a possibility with pollack to specimen weight and big conger. Indeed, the heaviest fish of last year's festival was a mighty conger of 44lb landed by the eventual winner, Danny Kane.

Its the potential fishing like this that will spur on the 50 or so anglers who are competing this year. Once again, many nationalities are represented. Anglers from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Holland, Germany & Switzerland will be taking part. Many of these anglers have being fishing the event year after year. Indeed, some of the Dutch anglers having been coming over and fishing the festival for over 30 years on the trot. Its not just the fishing that attracts these anglers. The craic has a big part to play and there is some craic in this festival. The friendship, camaraderie, banter and slagging is something to behold. Each day out fishing is great fun and it just doesn't end when the fishing is all over. Every day all competitors retire to one of the nominated pubs to discuss the day's activities and, more importantly, to discuss the 'one that got away.'

The end of the festival is marked by a gala night and prizegiving in the Commodore Hotel. There is a vast array of prizes consisting of crystal, trophies, and cash prizes. The total prize fund is valued at over €7,000 and there are so many categories of prizes that almost everyone is in with a chance of winning some prize. The overall winner, aswell as receiving the main trophy, is in line to receive a cheque for €1,000. Local angler, Danny Kane, has won this for the last two years on the trot. Will he win it a third year? 49 other anglers reckon they're in with a shot!!!