The final hoorah.....

Pat O'Shea with a fine 72cm fish caught on soft plastics

Well the closed season is now upon on and there will be no more fishing for bass until the 16th June. Avid lure anglers will now turn there attention to other species, particularly wrasse. Others may concentrate on mullet as a few have had success lately targeting mullet on lures.

In the last few days before the season came to its annual close there were a number of reports still coming in but the bass fishing did slow down as the tides had peaked and were receding. A sudden swing of winds to the northern quadrant and a drop in temperatures didn't help either. On the last day, yesterday, many local anglers were hard at it but many blanks were reported.

Cobh SAC angler, Pat O'Shea, did report a number of good sessions in the days leading upto the ban. His best bass was a fine 72cm fish, estimated at 8.5lbs, caught on a soft plastic on a tide rising into darkness on Sunday evening. This was followed by a session on Monday with plugs that produced three fish. Pat was out with Fred Mills from Belfast yesterday but despite their efforts they remain fishless. Ebor Benson had better luck. He did manage a fine 62cm fish on a soft plastic despite testing conditions. Ebor persisted, but when two seals turned up Ebor decided to call it a day. Well done Ebor and good fish to wrap it all up with!!!

Over the closed season we urge anglers to be extra vigilant as this is the time when those less scrupulous step up their poaching activities. If you come across illegal nets or suspected illegal netting activity in Cork Harbour or in the area from Ballycotton Island to the Old Head of Kinsale (or anywhere for that matter) make sure you report it. Contact us on corkharbouranglinghub@gmail.com or report it directly to Inland Fisheries Ireland on 1890 34 74 24.