LINK TO ARCHIVED REPORTS
2007
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2008 -
2009
A few
Mackerel still being caught at the Bridges of Ross
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to 14th November, 2007
Bridges of Ross and The Castle,
Kilkee
Mackerel
A few Mackerel are still being caught.
Ferry Point, Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish/Garfish/Pollock
I have tried several sessions spinning for Bass without success
however small Pollock and Garfish are being caught on spinners.
Bottom fishing with mackerel has produced Dogfish with no sign of
the Thornback Ray.
Doughmore Beach
Flounder
Flounder being caught on Mackerel Strip at the southern end of
the beach around Low Water.
Carrigaholt Pier
Whiting/Three Bearded Rockling
Fishing from the Pier End using mackerel strip or lugworm
anglers are catching Whiting and Three Bearded Rockling.
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to 30th October 2007
Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
A few good Bass being caught on spinners. Fishing is best early
morning or late evening.
Doonaha Beach
Bass/Three Bearded Rockling
This is a sheltered beach which can be fished when the western
beaches are stormy. Three Bearded Rockling being caught on night
tides but occasional Bass do turn up.
Carrigaholt Pier
Whiting/Scad
Whiting and Scad being caught from pier end fishing night tides.
Good
fishing for Wrasse Triggers and Pollock
Photo: A Triggerfish weighing
3lbs. 2ozs from Baltard Bay near Doonbeg.
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to 24th October 2007
Bealeice, Baltard Bay near Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish/Pollock
I fished two sessions here earlier in the week and had a total of 16
Ballan Wrasse and 3 Triggerfish. Several Wrasse weighed around 3.5
lbs. While the best Triggerfish weighed 3lbs. 2ozs. Just two ounces
off Specimen weight! All the fish were caught on hard back crab and
were released alive. Several Pollock to 5 lbs. were caught while
spinning.
Moveen Goleen, Coast Road, Kilkee
Pollock
Good Pollock fishing spinning from the rocks. Accessed from Quarry
on the southern side. Only fish here in calm seas.
Ferry Point, Poulnasherry Bay
Bass/Garfish/Mackerel
Bass fishing which had been excellent has now gone quiet with some
small Garfish still present. The Mackerel seem to have left
Poulnasherry Bay.
The Strand, West End, Kilkee
Flounder
Good flounder being taken on lugworm. Weed a problem at times.
Querrin Pier
Flounder
Some small flounder being caught on Lugworm. Bridges of Ross Wrasse
- plenty of Wrasse being caught on hard back crab.
Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish
Dogfish being caught fishing night tides using fresh Mackerel
strips.
Carrigaholt Pier
Mullet
Big Mullet still present for anyone with the patience to try for one
of these strong fighting fish!
Rare and unusual species caught from
Carrigaholt pier
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to October 17th, 2007
Bealeice, Baltard Bay near Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish
I directed a Dublin friend of mine to a hotspot in this area during
the week. He had 8 Ballan Wrasse best fish a specimen of just over 5
lbs. He also caught 4 Triggerfish best 3 lbs. All the fish were
caught on hard back crab.
Bridges of Ross
A word of caution!
It has been brought to my attention that some anglers are risking
their lives and the lives of potential rescuers by attempting to
fish from the lower rocks at The Bridges of Ross during heavy seas.
Anglers have been observed with seas swelling up around them! Please
use common sense and fish with caution even under ideal conditions
and NEVER fish when conditions are dangerous.
Ferry Point, Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
There are still some Bass to be caught by anglers willing to put in
the time and effort. Not fishing as well as it has been.
Rare/Unusual fish
A Red Mullet was caught from Carrigaholt Pier. Gilthead Bream were
caught from Cappa Pier.
Bass
fishing consistently good with best fishing late evening
Photo: Mackerel anglers at Ross
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to October 10th, 2007
Bealeice, Baltard Bay near Doonbeg
Wrasse
Some wrasse still being caught on hard back crab.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse/Mackerel
Good wrasse fishing using hard back crab. Mackerel patchy at times.
The Castle, Kilkee
Mackerel
Mackerel patchy at times.
Photo: Anglers fishing at dusk
for Bass at Poulnasherry.
Ferry Point, Poulnasherry Bay
Bass/Garfish/Mackerel
Bass fishing is consistently good with the best fishing late
evening.
Spinning is the best method. Garfish are providing great sport also
with their acrobatic leaps when hooked! Mackerel are giving a great
fight on light spinning gear!
Photo: Fintan Ryan from
Carrigaholt with a garfish from Poulnasherry.
Mackerel
plentiful and good Bass fishing reported
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to October 3rd, 2007
Poulnasherry Bay
Good Bass fishing was reported by several anglers. Evening tides and
spinning proving the best method. Mackerel are also being caught by
anglers spinning for Bass. Thornback Ray and Bull Huss are being
caught on fresh Mackerel during the slackest periods of the tide.
Dunlickey Castle
Mackerel plentiful with a lot more Scad turning up.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse are being caught on hard crab with Pollock on spinners and
jelly worms.
Carrigaholt Pier
Good mullet turning up at the end of the pier and can be caught on
small pieces of Mackerel. Ground baiting is essential.
Good Bass
fishing and Mackerel still plentiful along the shore marks of West
Clare
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to 25th. September 2007
Ross and The Castle
Mackerel
Mackerel are still very plentiful.
Ferry Point, Querrin
Big tides this weekend will make bottom fishing for Ray/Huss
difficult. Anglers should try spinning for Bass with small spinners.
Kilkee Strand
Bass/Flounder
Good fishing from the beach on evening tides.Best at Western end
using lugworm.
Doughmore Strand
Bass
Good Bass fishing at High Water at dusk at southern end. Lugworm or
sandeel best baits.
Another
Specimen Ballan Wrasse for Bill Ryan at Bonfils Creek Kilbaha
Photo: Specimen Ballan Wrasse of
4lbs 14ozs. for Bill Ryan at Bonfils Creek, Ross.
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report to 18th September 2007....
Bonfils Creek, Ross, Kilbaha
Wrasse
I had 9 Ballan Wrasse here on 11th September including a Specimen of
4lbs 14ozs. This is my third Specimen Ballan Wrasse from this area
this season. All the fish on this session were caught on crab and
were returned alive. I also lost a very big Wrasse which surfaced,
dived for the bottom and bent the hook straight!
Ross and The Castle
Mackerel
Mackerel are very plentiful at the moment with some Scad (Horse
Mackerel) turning up at The Castle.
Ferry Point, Querrin
Bass
On the 17th fishing an evening tide with light spinning gear
and a small spinner, I had 13 Bass mostly schoolies but I did catch
a Bass of 4lbs. and another of 5lbs. All the Bass except the 5lb
fish were returned alive. I also had Mackerel and Garfish.
Photo: A Garfish from Ferry
Point.
Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish
Anglers fishing with fresh mackerel are catching lots of dogfish.
The ray seem to be absent at the moment.
Photo: Little and Large
Mackerel!
Kilkee Strand
Bass
Some Bass been caught from the beach on lugworm.
Photo: A nice Bass from Ferry
Point.
A one hour
hectic session produced several Trigger fish and Ballan Wrasse at
Bealeice near Doonbeg
Photo: Ron Dol from Ardmore, Co.
Waterford at Bealeice near Doonbeg.
SHORE ANGLING REPORT TO SEPTEMBER 12th,
2007 - WEST CLARE AREA
Bealeice, Baltard Bay near Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish
A one hour hectic session here on 7th. September produced 4
Triggerfish averaging 2.5 lbs and 17 Ballan Wrasse. All fish were
taken on hard back crab and were returned alive. Maeve Barry from
Ennis caught 2 Triggerfish and also 10 Wrasse including a fish of
3.75 lbs. Bill Ryan from Querrin caught 2 Triggerfish and 7 Ballan
Wrasse. On the 9th. September Ron Dol from Ardmore caught his first
Triggerfish weighing 2lbs and several Ballan Wrasse.
Querrin Pier, Kilkee
Mackerel
Anglers spinning and Fly-fishing from the Pier are catching Mackerel
late evening. Those Fly-fishing are having great sport!
Quality
Triggerfish caught along West Clare shore angling marks
SHORE REPORT TO SEPTEMBER 5th,
2007 - WEST CLARE AREA
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse
I fished this area during the week with Emmet Ryan from Kilkee.
Wrasse were scarce but Emmet caught a wrasse of 4lbs. on crab.
Bealeice, Baltard Bay near Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish
During a three hour session here I had 7 Ballan Wrasse and 6
Triggerfish. Best Wrasse was 3.5 lbs and all the Triggers were in
the 2.5 lbs. range. Although crab accounted for most of the fish,
some of the Triggers were caught on limpet and shrimp. All fish were
returned alive.
Poulnasherry
Bay, Ferry Point
Bass/Garfish/Mackerel
School Bass are turning up in numbers with some garfish present.
Some large Mackerel are being caught also. Small silver/green
spinners are best. Fish with light spinning gear for good sport!
Another
Specimen Wrasse caught at Ross - Bonfils Creek
SHORE REPORT TO AUGUST 29th,
2007 - WEST CLARE AREA
Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Mackerel
I brought a visiting angler from Texas on a Mackerel fishing trip to
this area midweek. We were spinning with light gear and had some
great sport! This was not your usual Mackerel bashing with strong
rods and reels and strings of feathers hauling Mackerel up cliff
faces. Although Kevin came for the Golf at Doughmore he said the
Mackerel fishing was the highlight of his visit!
Ross, Bonfils Creek
Wrasse
Wrasse scarce but I did manage to get a Specimen Wrasse on the 21st.
on hard back crab. The fish weighed 4lbs. 12ozs. and was weighed,
photographed and returned alive.
Querrin Pier
Mullet
Mullet are showing up at the Pier. Anglers should ground bait first
with mashed Mackerel before trying for them with tiny pieces of
float fished Mackerel on light gear.
Poulnasherry Bay, Ferry Point
Dogfish/Bull Huss/Thornback Ray
Lots of Lesser Spotted Dogfish with Bull Huss to 8lbs being caught.
Thornback Ray to 7lbs. Fresh Mackerel or Sandeel best baits. Crabs
are very busy so frequent re-baiting is necessary.
Ross
Mackerel
Plenty of Mackerel but anglers have to contend with a seal which is
robbing the Mackerel before they are landed! Sunfish are showing up
regularly now.
Images
Specimen Wrasse on 23rd August 2007 at Ross caught by Bill Ryan.
Bull Huss at Poulnasherry caught 23rd. August 2007 by Maeve Barry.
Visiting
anglers enjoy some fantastic Conger fishing
SHORE REPORT TO AUGUST 15th,
2007 - WEST CLARE AREA
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse
Ballan Wrasse are being caught on hard back crab several fish around
3.5 lbs. unfortunately some “anglers” are killing every Wrasse they
catch. Also the litter left by some “anglers” is a disgrace and is a
potential hazard with coils of loose line waiting to trip some
unsuspecting angler. It is the same at Dunlickey Castle and does not
bring any credit to our sport.
Mackerel
Patchy at times.
Pollock/Dogfish
I tried bottom fishing in deep water close in using Mackerel strip
and caught Dogfish and Pollock to 5lbs. The dolphins passed very
close in and were a spectacular sight. Sunfish have been seen here
this week.
Ross, Bonfils Creek
I brought a party of British anglers on a guided fishing trip to
this area during the week where they enjoyed some varied fishing.
They caught Wrasse to 4lbs. on hard back crab fished on the bottom.
Pollock to 5.5 lbs. on float fished crab intended for Wrasse!
Several conger were lost on the surface with one 10lb fish landed.
All fish were returned alive to fight another day!
The Wreck, Carrigaholt
Conger
Visiting anglers have had some fantastic conger fishing at this area
which is behind the Irish College just outside Carrigaholt. Fishing
towards the wreck from the shore during slack tides they have caught
conger to 30lbs and have been broken by bigger fish! If you want to
get a specimen conger (40lbs.) form the shore then this is the
place!
Carrigaholt Strand
Fishing from the beach early one morning a friend of mine had 30
Dogfish including Bull Huss to 10lbs. all were caught using fresh
Mackerel.
Good Ballan Wrasse fishing near White Strand
REPORT TO AUGUST 8th,
2007 - WEST CLARE AREA
Bealeice, Baltard Bay
North
Wrasse
Good Wrasse fishing in this area near The White Strand.
11 Ballan Wrasse on hard back crab several fish around 4
lbs.
Poulnasherry Bay, Cammoge Point
Bass
School Bass are still turning up with some fish to 3.5
lbs.
Late evening best, spinning in close with small lures.
Poulnasherry Bay, Ferry Point
Ray/Huss
Thornback Ray to 7lbs. and Bull Huss to 8lbs. while
night fishing with fresh Mackerel.
Seafield
Bass
Reports of a nine pound bass caught from the beach last
week.
Kilbaha, Kiltrellig
Conger
Good Conger fishing from flat rocks late evening.
Several big conger were lost.
The Castle, Kilkee
Mackerel are plentiful. An angler had a surprise this
week when he landed a big squid!
Bill Ryan provides a boat and
shore report to 29th July
BOAT REPORT
Kilkee, Georges Head
Mackerel baited feathers produced Haddock and Whiting
with some nice Red Gurnard.
Kilkee, Outer Rock, Pollock Holes
Scuba Divers reporting plenty of John Dory in this area.
Beraghty Mor, north of Kilkee
Wrasse on mackerel baited feathers and Pollock to 5 lbs.
Take care in this area as it is popular with Scuba
Divers.
Obey Diver Down flags (White Square with Blue Tail) and
give 100 metres clearance.
Donegal Point
A slow drift bottom fishing with mackerel strips
produced good Codling, Whiting and some Red Gurnard to
near specimen weight.
SHORE REPORT
Ross
Wrasse/Dogfish/Conger/Pollock/Pouting
When the weather permitted I took a party of British
Anglers on a guided Rock Fishing session to Ross which
is just north of The Bridges of Ross. Fishing is from a
rock platform which features briefly in the movie
“Ryan’s Daughter”.
There is very deep water close in and it is possible to
hold bottom with a grip lead on the slackest tides for a
few hours around Low Water. Take care as this area can
be dangerous in heavy swells! Only fish here in ideal
conditions!
4 Anglers accounted for –
19 Ballan Wrasse on hard back crab several around
3.5 lbs.
3 Pollock around the 3 lbs. mark.
3 Lesser Spotted dogfish, one Conger and one Pouting all
on Mackerel strip.
Poulnasherry
Bass
Weed making bottom fishing and spinning difficult.
School Bass are still turning up with some fish to 4
lbs.
Doughmore
Heavy surf mid week made fishing impossible.
Worth trying for Bass when surf dies down.
Try fishing around High Water on big tides and Low Water
on slack tides. Specimen Painted Ray have been caught
here as well as the Irish Record Bass of 17 lbs. 13 ozs.
Turbot to 4 lbs. can be taken in calm conditions on
Mackerel strip or sandeel.
Seafield
Beach to left hand side of Pier had a lot of weed
midweek and was impossible to fish. Fished from reef
behind Pier on to sandy bottom with sandeel and lost a
good fish possibly a good Bass. Try late evening here
with Plugs or Spinners for Bass or bottom fishing with
sandeel.
Kilbaha, Kiltrellig
Good Pollock and Conger fishing from flat rocks late
evening.
Bill Ryan wins CATCH OF THE WEEK
with his specimen Wrasse
West Clare Area – Shore Angling
Report w/e 22nd July 2007
Photo: Bill Ryan with a specimen
Ballan Wrasse last week.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse/Trigger Fish
Plenty of good Ballan Wrasse turning up again. Trigger
Fish present but proving difficult to catch!
Thursday 19th July – 8 Ballan Wrasse including a fish of
4lbs., 4lbs 6ozs and a Specimen Wrasse of 5lbs. 9ozs.
The Irish Specimen weight is 4lbs.12ozs. All fish were
taken on hard back crab and were returned alive. The
specimen fish was weighed on my own certified scales and
photographed before being returned to fight another day!
To claim this species a good quality photograph will be
accepted by The Irish Specimen Fish Committee and the
fish must be weighed on certified scales.
For Irish Specimen/Record Fish Weights, Rules and how to
claim follow this link -
http://www.irish-trophy-fish.com/
Friday 20th July – 10 Ballan Wrasse including a fish
of 4 lbs.
Pollock, Conger
In the channels to the south of the Car Park there is
good fishing for Pollock using Dexter Wedge, Jensen
Tobis, Jelly Worms or deep spun sand eel. Conger can be
caught using Mackerel fished on the bottom with a wire
trace. Be prepared to loose gear and conger as the
bottom is rough!
Poulnasherry Bay - Cammoge
Bass. Mackerel, Garfish
During the week Bass, Mackerel and Garfish have been
chasing shoals of sprat and have been visible on the
surface. I fished one evening with a small sprat shaped
lure, about 1.5 inches long, green on the back and
silver underneath with small trebles with the intention
of catching Garfish which are hard to hook on larger
lures. I had 2 Bass, 2 Mackerel and 3 Garfish casting
only when the sprat broke the surface. I was using a
light rod and small fixed spool reel and had tremendous
sport! The Bass were returned to fight another day!
Evening tides towards High Water are best.
Carrigaholt Pier
Grey Gurnard
A nice Grey Gurnard was caught off the end of the pier
during the week while bottom fishing with a small
mackerel strip. This species is normally only taken when
boat fishing.
Mullet
Local anglers have reported large Mullet at the pier end
awaiting capture by anglers who persevere! Float fishing
with tiny Mackerel strips is the method here. Ground
baiting beforehand with mashed Mackerel is essential.
WEST CLARE AREA – Shore Angling
Report w/e 15th July 2007
Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
A lot of school bass are being caught spinning with
Dexter Wedges and German Sprats. A few bass to 5 lbs.
were caught. It is prohibited to take and kill more than
two bass on any one day. (Bye-law No.667) Minimum
overall size limit of 40cm. measured from tip of snout
to end of tail. There is a closed season from 15th May
to 15th June. Note: Penalties for breach of the above
laws include confiscation of tackle and heavy fines.
Garfish
Garfish are turning up at Cammoge Point, Poulnasherry
Bay and can be taken on small pieces of Mackerel float
fished. They put on a spectacular aerobatic display when
hooked!
WEST CLARE AREA - Shore Angling
Report w/e 8th July 2007
The Castle, Kilkee
Mackerel
Plenty of Mackerel but get there early as it is a
popular mark and tends to get crowded.
Pollock
Good Pollock fishing from the rock slab on left hand
side but do not fish here if there is a swell.
Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
Fished two sessions at Cammoge Point at Low Water
spinning and plugging for bass with no success, although
bass were swirling close in and sprat were breaking the
water. There is some fresh water still in the bay after
the heavy rain. Try this area late evening at early
flood for Bass.
Kilkee Beach at West End
Flounder
Good flounder fishing on lugworm from low water to half
tide opposite the Bandstand.
Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish and small Thornback Ray night fishing on
flooding tide using fresh Mackerel.
REPORT TO JULY 3rd
BRIDGES OF ROSS
Mackerel
Parking has become difficult here due to the placement
of wire fencing at the usual parking areas. However a
walk from the Car Park at The Bridges of Ross to the
usual mackerel mark will be well rewarded with plenty of
mackerel present. On Wednesday last we were treated to a
spectacular sight of a Basking Shark of 15ft. just below
the surface!
Ballan Wrasse
Ballan Wrasse are being caught on hard back crab in the
gullies south of the car park. Several fish to 3.5 lbs.
Specimen Wrasse turn up here in July and August and
Trigger Fish late August to early September.
POULNASHERRY BAY, SHANNON ESTUARY, QUERRIN.
Tope and Ray
A small Tope of 6 lbs. was caught from the shore and
returned alive. It should be possible to catch its
bigger brothers from the shore here if anglers are
prepared to put in the time!
Thornback ray from 4 to 6 lbs. are turning up with some
bigger ones. Crabs are very busy here so frequent
rebaiting is required.
Fresh mackerel or sandeel are best baits.
KILTRELLIG, KILBAHA
Pollock
Pollock to 6 lbs. being caught from the rocks while
spinning. Late evening fishes best.
CARRIGAHOLT PIER
Mackerel
Mackerel are being caught from the pier at
Carrigaholt but space is limited.
Mullet. For exciting visual fishing try for mullet at
the end of the pier!
Fish early morning before the harbour gets busy, with
tiny pieces of mackerel. Dangle a mashed mackerel over
the pier on a piece of string to get the mullet
interested. Fish with light line of 4 – 6 lbs. B/S and a
small hook size 4 to 6. There are Mullet here over 7
lbs. weight. Watching the mullet just below the surface
nosing your bait is heart stopping! When hooked they
take off at high speed so set your clutch!
Safety
Obey the No Fishing signs as these are placed in areas
that are known to be dangerous!
