LINK TO ARCHIVED REPORTS  2007  -  2008  -  2009

Bill's Shore Angling Column 2008 for West Clare

Specimen Ballan Wrasse for Dublin angler at Bridges of Ross

Report dated October 1st, 2008.

Photo: A Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 4 lbs. 12ozs. for Edmond Dantes from Dublin caught at The Bridges of Ross.

Bridges of Ross
Specimen Wrasse
I had a party of anglers here recently and while the Wrasse fishing was slow one member Edmond Dantes from Dublin had a Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 4 lbs. 12 ozs. taken on bottom fished crab.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Pollock
Wrasse are being caught on crab bottom fished or on float. Pollock being caught on jellyworm or float fished crab.

Carrigaholt Pier
Dogfish/Pollock/Coalfish/Wrasse
A good variety of fish being caught from the pier bottom fishing using lugworm, ragworm or mackerel strip.

Photo: A Triggerfish from a Rock Mark near The White Strand, Doonbeg.

Rock Marks, near The White Strand, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish
Crab bottom fished or on float producing good Ballan Wrasse to 4lbs, also some small Triggerfish.

Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
The flood water has now cleared and some Bass are being caught on 28 grm. Dexter Wedges.

New rock marks at Baltard Bay producing lots of Wrasse and Triggerfish

Photo: A Triggerfish from Baltard Bay.

Report dated September 17th, 2008.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Triggerfish
I have been exploring some new rock marks in this area taking advantage of the big Spring Tides to explore gullies at Low Water. During the week I fished two new marks. The first mark produced 30 Ballan Wrasse and a 3 lbs. Triggerfish
in a four hour session. I was float fishing Crab and Limpet and also bottom fishing both baits. Bottom fished Limpet accounted for the Triggerfish and Wrasse were caught on float or bottom, again using  Crab or Limpet. There were many Wrasse in the 4lbs. region.

Another day a 4 hour session at a second mark produced 24 Ballan Wrasse and 2 Triggerfish again float fishing or bottom fishing Crab or Limpet. The Triggerfish were caught on the bottom, one to Crab another to Limpet. My brother Emmet had the best Wrasse a fish of 4lbs 4ozs. taken on Crab.

White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass/Pollock/Garfish
Spinning with a 28grm. Dexter Wedge from the reef at the right hand side of the bay produced Bass, Pollock and Garfish during the week. Late evening best.

Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Triggerfish/Pollock
Good Pollock are being caught spinning the edge of the reef around Low Water. Jellyworm or deep spun sandeel is best. Some anglers are catching Triggerfish here on float fished crab or Mackerel strip.

Good fishing for Ballan Wrasse Conger and Pollock when conditions allow

Report dated September 10th, 2008.

Bridges of Ross and Bonfils Creek
Ballan Wrasse/Conger/Pollock
When conditions allow there is good fishing for Ballan Wrasse, Conger and Pollock. Floatfish or bottom fish crab for Wrasse and bottom fish mackerel for Conger. Pollock taking floatfished crab or Jellyworms.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Pollock/Triggerfish
Very good Wrasse fishing. Triggerfish being caught on Crab and Limpet, floatfishing or bottom fishing.
On a recent fishing session here I had a group of 3 anglers who caught 60 Wrasse and 6 Triggerfish over a four hour period. All the fish were returned alive. Best bait was crab but Limpet accounted for some good fish.

Photo: A nice Ballan Wrasse from Baltard Bay

Seafield Pier, Quilty
Bass
Some nice Bass being caught on float fished Shrimp.

Carrigaholt Pier
Conger, Pollock, Huss, Whiting, Mackerel
Some good Conger from the end of the Pier on Mackerel. A few Huss to 5 lbs. on squid. Small Pollock and Whiting from the end of the Pier on mackerel strip. Some mackerel being caught also.
 

Specimen Ballan Wrasse for Scottish Angler on Baltard Bay near Doonbeg

Photo: A Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 5 lbs 8ozs from Baltard Bay for  John Campbell from Johnstone, Renfrewshire , Scotland.

Report dated September 3rd, 2008.

I had a party of Scottish anglers with me for a few days and they had success with Wrasse, Pollock and Conger despite the wild and wet weather. John Campbell from Johnstone, Renfrewshire had a Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 5 lbs. 8 ozs. from Baltard Bay near Doonbeg.

Poulnasherry Bay
Floodwater has made spinning for Bass impossible and the Ray and Huss appear to have moved out to deep water.

Photo: A Conger from Bonfils Creek, Ross

Bridges of Ross and Bonfils Creek
Ballan Wrasse/Conger/Pollock
Ballan Wrasse to 4.5lbs are being caught on crab bottom fished or float fished. Pollock to 5lbs on float fished Mackerel strip. Good conger are being caught in the gully below the Car Park on Mackerel. Some good Three Bearded Rockling are turning up in Bonfils Creek.

Photo: A fine Pollock from Bealeice, Baltard Bay.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Conger/Pollock/Triggerfish
Good Ballan Wrasse are being caught on crab bottom fished or float fished including a specimen of 5lbs. 8 ozs for John Campbell from Johnstone, Scotland. A few Triggerfish were caught on Ragworm recently. Pollock to 5lbs on float fished Mackerel strip and a few strap conger on bottom fished Mackerel.

White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass
A few Bass are being caught in surf conditions on lugworm.

College Bay, Carrigaholt
Thornback Ray, Dogfish
Small Thornback Ray and Dogfish are being caught on sandeel.

Carrigaholt Pier
Conger, Dogfish,Pollock
Fishing from the end of the Pier anglers are catching Conger and Pollock close to the wall and dogfish further out on Mackerel strip.
 

Specimen Ballan Wrasse caught at Bridges of Ross

Report dated August 18th, 2008.

Poulnasherry Bay
Flood water has driven the Bass and Thornback Ray back out into the deep water. If the rain ever stops the fishing should improve dramatically!

Bridges of Ross
Specimen Ballan Wrasse
Despite the strong winds and heavy rain I was able to find a safe and sheltered mark near Bonfils Creek and had two good days Wrasse fishing.
14th Aug – 7 Ballan Wrasse best 5 lbs. a specimen which was weighed on a certified scales, photographed and released. Method was float fished crab on a 12 ft. dropper.
16th Aug – 10 Ballan Wrasse including a specimen of 5 lbs. 8 ozs. for my son David who was on holidays for a week and had never caught a Wrasse before! Again the method was float fished crab on a 12 ft. dropper.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Conger/Pollock
Sheltered marks producing Wrasse to 4.5 lbs, Pollock on spinners and Conger bottom fishing with Mackerel. Triggerfish present but proving difficult to hook!
Several good Trigger fish lost as they dived into kelp and rock crevices.

Images
• A Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 5 lbs. from Bridges of Ross, caught by Bill Ryan on 14th. August.

• A Specimen Ballan Wrasse of 5 lbs. 8 ozs. from Bridges of Ross, caught by David Ryan on 16th. August.

 

8lb Bass caught  on White Strand Doonbeg

Photo: Ballan Wrasse of 4.25 lbs. from Bridges of Ross

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to August 10th, 2008

Poulnasherry Bay
Sting Ray
Heavy fresh water from the recent torrential rains has driven the Bass out of Poulnasherry Bay. However they should return as soon as the flood water runs off.
A Sting Ray of 44lbs was caught recently during a competition at this venue.

Bridges of Ross
Ballan Wrasse
I fished a two hour session here recently over low water and had 18 Ballan Wrasse from 3.5 lbs. to 4.25 lbs. Most fish were caught on crab but shrimp accounted for some good fish.

Photo: A Golden Grey Mullet from Moneypoint.

Moneypoint
Bass/Mullet
Lots of school Bass were caught while spinning at a mark near Moneypoint. All were returned alive as they were under size. Dense shoals of Mullet here also. A rare Golden Grey Mullet was accidentally foul-hooked by Emmet Ryan from Kilkee while spinning for Bass.

Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Scuba Divers have reported shoals of Trigger Fish on the reefs off the Pollock Holes. They should be in reach of shore anglers any day now!

The White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass
A Bass of 8 lbs was caught from the beach recently on Mackerel and squid.

Beach at Lough Donnell
Bass
A nice Bass was caught from the shore recently on sand eel.
 

Excellent Bass fishing reported from Poulnasherry Bay

Photo: Laura Ryan from Querrin with a Big Bass caught in Poulnasherry.

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to July 31st, 2008

Poulnasherry Bay
Bass
Anglers spinning for Bass in Poulnasherry Bay are having some excellent sport! Bass to 5 lbs. are being caught on 28grm Dexter Wedges or ABU Krills. In the interests of conservation most fish are being returned. Anglers have been practicing conservation here for many years and we now see the rewards with some excellent Bass fishing.

Bonfils Creek, Ross
Ballan Wrasse
When weather permitted Wrasse fishing was good with Wrasse to 3 lbs. being caught on crab.

Photo: A nice bass from Polulnasherry for Maeve Barry from Ennis

Seafield Pier, Quilty
Mullet
Good Mullet fishing here floatfishing with mackerel or bread.
A very large mullet was caught here recently by an angler saltwater flyfishing.

Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock
Pollock to 6 lbs. caught on deep spun sandeel from “Gilbey’s Mark”
recently. This is on the right hand side of Duggerna Reef looking directly across towards Burn’s Cove. This mark fishes best around Low Water.

Sheltered marks provide some good mixed fishing despite the strong winds

Photo: Junior Angler Sam Ryan with a fine Ballan Wrasse

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to July 17th, 2008

Despite the strong winds shore anglers found some sheltered marks
and had success with Wrasse, Pollock, Coalfish, Thornback Ray, Garfish, Mullet and Dogfish.

Poulnasherry Bay
Thornback Ray/Garfish/Dogfish
Some Thornback Ray being caught on fresh Mackerel or Sandeel. Fishing two hours either side of Low Water best. Garfish are being caught on small spinners with dogfish on Mackerel or Sandeel.

Carrigaholt Pier
Dogfish/Mullet
Plenty of dogfish on Mackerel strip or Sandeel. Good Mullet fishing on tiny pieces of Mackerel but ground-baiting with mashed Mackerel beforehand essential.

Photo: A Thornback ray from Poulnasherry Bay.

Seafield Pier, Quilty and Kilbaha Pier
Mullet
Mullet on small Mackerel strips again ground-baiting beforehand with mashed Mackerel essential.

Bonfils Creek, Ross
Ballan Wrasse
This sheltered creek allowed fishing during the week for good Ballan Wrasse. Best bait was Crab. Wrasse to 3 lbs. were caught.

Photo: A Family Fishing Expedition to Bealeice, Baltard Bay

Bealeice, Baltard Bay
Ballan Wrasse/Pollock/Coalfish
The sheltered rock platforms allowed fishing during the week for good Ballan Wrasse, Pollock and Coalfish. Best bait for Wrasse was Crab while Dexter Wedge or Jelly Worms accounted for Pollock and Coalfish.
 

Strong winds and big tides making shore fishing difficult

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to July 1st, 2008

The strong winds and big tides during the week made fishing very difficult. However when the weather is wild on the western side shelter can be found on the eastern or Shannon Estuary side.

Poulnasherry Bay, Querrin and Kilrush
Bass/Thornback Ray
Bass are being caught on Dexter Wedge, Bass Wedge and German Sprats. Best on dull days or towards High Water on evening tides. Thornback Ray are being caught at Ferry Point. Two hours either side of Low Water best using Mackerel or sandeel.

Carrigaholt Pier
Pollock/Garfish/Dogfish/Thornback Ray
Pollock are being caught from the end of the pier on fish strips also some Garfish. Dogfish plentiful on falling tides with occasional small Thornback Ray. Mackerel strip or sandeel best baits.

Carrigaholt Beach
Thornback Ray/Dogfish
Best two hours before High Water on Spring Tides. Some small Thornback Ray with lots of dogfish being caught on sandeel.

Doonaha Beach
Bass
Strong southerly winds produced surf on this beach during the week and some Bass were caught on lugworm.

Bridges of Ross
Conger
A break in the weather allowed some fishing from the flat rocks below the Car Park. Some Conger were caught on mackerel strip.

Images

• A Thornback Ray from Poulnasherry Bay
• A Thornback Ray being returned at Poulnasherry Bay
 

Despite the stormy weather some good shore fishing was had in the shelter from the strong winds

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to June 25th, 2008

College Bay, Carrigaholt
Heavy weed made fishing very difficult during the week.

Carrigaholt Pier
Taking shelter from the strong winds anglers fishing from the Pier had success with Pollock, Garfish and Mullet. Small Mackerel strips accounted for Pollock and Garfish while bread mixed with mashed Mackerel accounted for some good Mullet. One angler though had the catch of the season when an Oystercatcher flew into his line and almost took his rod off the pier! I managed to release the bird unharmed by throwing my coat over it to subdue it and releasing the tangled line from its wing!
 

Poulnasherry Bay, Querrin and Kilrush
Bass
Green weed again is making fishing difficult but spinning with Dexter Wedges or German Sprats is producing Bass. Anglers are also catching Garfish on small spinners.

Bealeice, Baltard Bay
Pollock/Mackerel
Fishing from safe low rock platforms there was very good Mackerel fishing with some Pollock also turning up.

West End, Kilkee
Pollock
Some good Pollock to 8lbs were caught while spinning from the rocks.

Good sport for Belgian angling guests of Bill Ryan this week
 

 Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to June 17th, 2008

REMINDER - Bass Bye-Law

Bass Season re-opens 16th. June 2008
The Bass Bye-Law
Sea Bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, have enjoyed legal protection in Ireland for over ten years. The current measures in place for anglers are:
• A bag limit of 2 Bass per angler in any one 24hr period.
• An overall size limit of 40cm (tip of snout to end of tail), where all smaller fish are returned alive.
• A closed season from 15 May to 15 June.
• Sale or offer for sale of Bass (other than Bass which has been imported into the State) prohibited. These measures are enforced by the staff of the Regional Fisheries Boards and the Department of the Marine. All concerned anglers on seeing any of the above laws being violated should report the matter to their Regional Fisheries Board.

Carrigaholt Pier
Dogfish/Pollock
I had a party of Belgian Anglers fishing from the pier during the week and they enjoyed good sport with dogfish and Pollock. Lots of Pollock were caught from the end of the Pier on Mackerel strip.

College Bay, Carrigaholt
Conger
While fishing from the strand a party of Belgian Anglers made contact with two large conger, one estimated at 20kg was almost beached before the hook straightened out! It was seen swimming away!

Poulnasherry Bay
Thornback Ray
Green weed making fishing difficult but fishing around slack water possible. I had a Thornback Ray of 6lbs on mackerel strip at low water during the week. Spinning should produce Bass. This is also a suitable venue for saltwater fly-fishing for Bass and Garfish.

Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Pollock
Pollock are being caught fly-fishing and spinning late evening.

Bridges of Ross and Baltard Bay
Wrasse/Pollock
Wrasse being caught on crab or lugworm while spinning producing Pollock

Kilkee Pier and behind Pier
Pollock/Conger
Pollock are being caught while spinning from the pier and from the flat rocks behind the pier also Conger bottom fishing with Mackerel.
Please observe the NO FISHING signs around Kilkee as these have been placed in areas where sudden swells make fishing dangerous.
 

Good Variety of Shore Fishing reported this week

Clare Area – Shore Angling Report to June 2nd 2008

REMINDER
Bass Bye-Law
It is prohibited to fish for Bass during their spawning season, 14 May - 14 June.

College Bay, Carrigaholt
Ray
Thornback Ray being caught on sand eel or fresh Mackerel.

Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish/Ray
Dogfish and a few small Thornback Ray being caught on sandeel.

Bridges of Ross
Wrasse/Pollock
Ballan Wrasse are being caught on crab while Pollock are being caught on spinners or jellyworm.

Bealeice, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Mackerel
A few small Wrasse being caught from the low rock platforms on lugworm. Mackerel are being caught close in on German Sprats and Hokkai Feathers.

Doonaha Strand
Dogfish
Dogfish being caught on night tides on sandeel or fresh Mackerel.

Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Pollock
I fished a short session here on Sunday flyfishing for Pollock. Several large Pollock rose to the fly but did not hook up! Why not try this new and exciting branch of sea angling? This is and ideal location for flyfishing as the flat rock platforms give easy access to the gullies favoured by Pollock.

Doughmore Beach
Now is the time to fish the beach in calm weather for Thornback and Painted Ray. Choose slack tides and fish with fresh Mackerel or sandeel at the southern end. Turbot can also be caught on thin strips of fresh Mackerel.

Some nice Ballan Wrasse coming off Bridges of Ross