LINK TO ARCHIVED REPORTS
2007
-
2008 -
2009
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED OCTOBER 7th, 2009
Some good Ballan Wrasse Fishing at the
Bridges of Ross
Photo: A good Ballan Wrasse from
The Bridges of Ross
Poulnasherry Bay
Bass/Flounder/Dogfish/Thornback Ray
At Cammoge Point Bass and Flounder are
being caught on Lugworm. Dogfish being caught on fish
baits. Thornback Ray turning up occasionally on mackerel
or sandeel.
At Kilrush side some good Bass are still being caught on
spinners.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse
When sea conditions allow some good
Ballan Wrasse fishing can be had using hard back crab.
Baltard, Doonbeg
Wrasse/Pollock
Small Wrasse on crab or limpet. Some
good Pollock fishing in the gullies in calm conditions
using Jellyworms or Shads. I have no reports of Trigger
Fishing turning up in anglers catches yet but they were
plentiful here at this time last year.
Doughmore Beach
Bass/Flounder
Reports of some good Bass fishing using
Lugworm. Some flounder also.
COMMENT
As it is getting late in the season for Rock Fishing and
weather conditions from now on will be a lot less
favourable. It is time to pass some words of caution.
Anglers lives have already been lost this season.
• Get an up to date Weather Forecast
• Don’t fish when there is a swell
• Avoid wet conditions when the rocks may be slippery
• Use common sense
• Know your tides
• Seek local advice when going to a new mark.
WOULD YOU DO THIS AND RISK YOUR LIFE!
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED AUGUST 26th, 2009
Variety of fish showing despite poor
summer weather
Photo: A Grey Mullet of 4lbs for
David Ryan from Dublin caught at Carrigaholt Pier.
Shannon Estuary
Flounder
The heavy rain has coloured the water so much that the Bass and
Thornback Ray have moved out into the deeper water of the estuary.
Some flounder are being caught on lugworm near Querrin. When water
conditions improve we can expect a big improvement in anglers
catches.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse
Big swells have limited the number of occasions that I have been
able to fish the rock marks. When sea and weather conditions allowed
the Wrasse fishing was quite good with catches of 20 Wrasse per
angler. Best bait crab. Wrasse to 4 lbs have been caught.
Triggerfish should turn up any day now if the weather settles. Scuba
divers in Kilkee have seen Triggerfish on the Reefs in Kilkee Bay.
Photo: A Wrasse of 4 lbs. from
The Bridges of Ross
Baltard, Doonbeg
Wrasse
Again when conditions allowed Wrasse fishing was good
with Wrasse to 3.5lbs being caught on crab, shrimp and
limpet.
Carrigaholt Pier
Conger/Mullet
Fishing well for Conger and Mullet despite the bad
weather! Very few Mackerel turning up from the end of
the Pier. I have unconfirmed reports of Golden Grey
Mullet being caught. My son David had a fine 4lb Grey
Mullet here during the week. Smelt are attacking small
Mackerel baits intended for Mullet.
Photo: A smelt from Carrigaholt
Pier.
Kilbaha Harbour
Mullet
Good Mullet fishing at times. One Bray Angler had 14
Mullet in one session to 3.5 lbs. Tiny pieces of
Mackerel best bait and ground baiting with Mackerel
essential. I have been shown photos of Golden Grey
Mullet which were caught and released.
Doughmore Beach
Bass/Flounder
Some Bass and Flounder being caught at the southern end
on Lugworm.
White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass
Bass being caught at low water between the two beaches
and on the left hand side towards High Water in surf
conditions. Lugworm best bait.
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED JULY 27th, 2009
Anglers having excellent sport Bass
fishing in the Shannon Estuary.
Photo: A Bass of 5 lbs. from
Poulnasherry.
Shannon Estuary, Clare Side
Bass/Golden Grey Mullet
Anglers using lures and salt water Fly fishing are having excellent
sport Bass Fishing in the Shannon Estuary. Best lures are Dexter
Wedge, German Sprat and Bass Bullit. Best Saltwater Flies are
Deceiver and Clouser. I had a Bass of 5lbs at Poulnasherry on a Bass
Bullit and many smaller fish on Dexter Wedge.
I caught a Specimen 1 lb 15ozs. Golden Grey Mullet on a Mepps lure
recently at Moneypoint. Specimen weight for this species is 1 lbs.
8ozs. I was with a group of anglers who had a lot of school bass on
lures and salt water flies. My nephew Ben caught his first Bass
ever! All the small Bass were returned alive.
Photo: A Specimen Golden Grey
Mullet of 1 lbs. 15 ozs. from Moneypoint for Bill Ryan.
Photo: Bass on Fly from
Moneypoint.
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse
Some good Wrasse turning up to crab and shrimp. I
brought a friend here recently and he had a lovely
Wrasse of 4 lbs. on crab.
Photo: A Ballan Wrasse of 4lbs to
Dublin Angler Jim Walters caught at The Bridges of Ross.
Carrigaholt Pier
Conger/Mullet/Mackerel/Dab/Pollock/Pouting/Wrasse
Good Mullet and Conger fishing from the Pier end!
Mackerel are now being caught from the pier, also Dab,
Pollock, Pouting and Wrasse.
Kilbaha Pier
Mullet/Conger
Mullet and Conger from the Pier end. Also Mullet near the Pipe
before the slipway. Groundbaiting essential.
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED JULY 13th, 2009
Shannon Estuary continues to produce some
excellent shore angling with a good variety of species
Photo: A Bass from Poulnasherry
Bay.
Shannon Estuary, Clare Side
Sting Ray/Bass/Thornback Ray/Smoothound
Another fine Sting Ray was caught recently along with
Thornback Ray. Good Bass fishing using Dexter Wedges and
Cebar Lures. I had 3 in one session from 4 to 5.5 lbs on
28 grms. Dexter Wedge. My brother Emmett had a nice Bass
of 6.5 lbs. All were returned alive to fight another
day! A Bass of over 13lbs was caught recently on the
Kilrush side. Also on the Kilrush side some excellent
Bass fishing on the fly. A Smoothound was caught from
Cappa Pier the first recorded for West Clare!
Bridges of Ross
Wrasse/Pollock/Conger
Wrasse fishing slow though some good fish near 4lbs
turning up to crab. Pollock to spinners and Conger to
Mackerel.
Kilkee
Pollock
I fished under George’s Head recently during the very
calm seas with a fly rod and was rewarded with some fine
Pollock. Best was 5 lbs. which put up a great battle on
the light fly rod!
Photo: A good Pollock on fly from
Kilkee
Carrigaholt Pier
Conger/Mullet
Some very good Conger and Mullet fishing from the Pier
end!
Visiting anglers had Conger of 15 and 19lbs. on
Mackerel. Recently while I was ground-baiting for Mullet
with a mashed Mackerel tied to a child’s handline with
no hook a conger took off with the hookless Mackerel!
After a tug of war he released it. I quickly set up a
rod with a Conger trace, this time with a hook in a
Mackerel head. Back he came and I hooked him! I got a
bemused foreign tourist to use my drop net to land a
Conger of 12lbs. What a tale that tourist brought home!
When I went to check my Mullet ground-bait the Mullet
were tearing it to shreds! Now I set up the Mullet gear
and after several missed strikes I had a Mullet of 3lbs.
6ozs.
Photo: A Mullet of 3 lbs. 6ozs.
from Carrigaholt Pier.
Photo: A Conger of 12lbs. from
Carrigaholt Pier.
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED JUNE 30th, 2009
A great variety of fish turning up in the
Shannon Estuary for shore anglers
Photo: A Ballan Wrasse of 4 lbs.
4ozs. from The Bridges of Ross
Shannon Estuary, Clare Side
Sting Ray/Bull Huss/Bass/Thornback Ray/Dogfish/Garfish/Flounder
A great variety of fish turning up in the Shannon Estuary to shore
anglers.
A Sting Ray of 12 lbs. 4ozs. was caught recently. School Bass are
being caught on Dexter Wedges and Cebar Lures. Garfish on small
spinners. Thornback Ray, Bull Huss and Dogfish on Mackerel, Sandeel,
and Squid. Flounder on Squid strips and Lugworm.
Bridges of Ross
Mackerel/Ballan Wrasse/Cuckoo Wrasse/Pollock/Conger
Good Ballan Wrasse now in the rock gullies south of the Car Park.
I had a Ballan of 4 lbs. 4 ozs and a lovely Male Cuckoo Wrasse in a
recent outing here. The Ballans are taking Crab while the Cuckoo was
caught on Shrimp.
Anglers are getting good Pollock at dusk on spinners also Conger in
the gully below the Car Park on Mackerel.
Photo: A Male Cuckoo Wrasse from
The Bridges of Ross.
Kilkee
Pollock/Ballan Wrasse/Conger
Pollock spinning from The Pier at High Water evenings
and also from the rocks either side of the bay. Ballan
Wrasse can be caught near the Puffing Hole behind the
Pier on Crab or Lugworm also some Conger here which can
be caught on mackerel.
There are No Fishing signs near the Diving Boards and
also opposite The Golf Links. Please observe them as
these areas are known to have sudden and dangerous
swells.
Querrin Pier
Bass/Flounder
Getting a lot of attention since that big bass was caught early in
the season!
Some small Bass on spinners and good flounder on lugworm which can
be dug opposite the pier at Low Water.
Doonaha Beach
Bull Huss/Dogfish/Bass
Bull Huss and Dogfish on Mackerel or Sandeel at the right hand side.
Bass at left hand side on Lugworm evening tides.
Photo: A School Bass from Shannon
Estuary.
Carrigaholt Pier
Dogfish/Thornback Ray/Conger
Night fishing best when activity at the pier quietens
down.
Dogfish, some Thornback Ray and Conger on Mackerel.
Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Pollock
Pollock on evening tides on spinners from the flat
rocks.
White Strand, Killard
Bass/Flounder/Pollock
School Bass on Dexter Wedges or Cebar Lures evening
tides.
Some flounder on Lugworm. Small Pollock on spinners.
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED JUNE 17th, 2009
A great variety of fish turning up on the
rock marks at Ross
Photo: Cuckoo Wrasse
Now that the Bass Season
has reopened !
REMINDER
The Bass Bye-Law
• 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.
Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish
I had a party of 6 Scottish Anglers for a few days and
they fished Poulnasherry. They had lots of dogfish
caught on Mackerel but no Ray turned up.
Bridges of Ross
Mackerel/Ballan Wrasse/Cuckoo Wrasse/Poor
Cod/Pollock/Conger
A great vatiety of fish is turning up from the rock
marks at Ross. Mackerel strips, crab and spinning best
methods. My group of Scottish anglers had Pollock on
Dexter Wedge and Conger on Mackerel strip while I had
Ballan and Cuckoo Wrasse and Cod all on Mackerel strip.
Tullig, Cross
Wrasse/Pollock
Some nice wrasse on crab. Pollock fishing is good.
Spinning late evening with Dexter Wedge or Jelly Worms
(red/black) best method.
Carrigaholt Pier
Mullet
Some good Mullet being caught early morning on tiny
mackerel pieces. Ground baiting essential.
REPORT WEST CLARE DATED JUNE 8th, 2009
Mackerel fishing has improved considerably
off the Bridges of Ross
Photo: A good Bull Huss from
Poulnasherry Bay.
Poulnasherry Bay
Thornback Ray/Dogfish/Bull Huss
Green weed and hungry crabs are making fishing difficult. The crabs
are so active at times it is necessary to re-bait every few minutes!
However perseverance has paid off for some anglers with Thornback
Ray, Dogfish and Bull Huss turning up for anglers using Mackerel or
sandeel.
Photo: A Thornback Ray from Poulnasherry Bay.
Bridges of Ross
Mackerel/Ballan Wrasse/Conger/Pollock
Mackerel fishing has improved considerably. However anglers are
having to contend with a seal which is robbing the Mackerel from the
feather traces as they are being retrieved! Some wrasse are being
caught on Crab or Limpet. Conger are being caught from the flat rock
below the Car Park. Pollock are turning up in the rock gullies south
of the Car Park to anglers spinning Dexter Wedges, Plugs and Jelly
Worms.
The Castle, Kilkee
Mackere/Pollock/Wrasse
Mackerel still patchy at times. Good Pollock close in under the
cliff. Some nice Wrasse turning up Mackerel strip.
Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Pollock
Pollock are being caught on Dexter Wedges, German Sprats and Jelly
Worms. Evening tides best.
Tullig, Cross
Wrasse/Pollock
A few nice Wrasse on crab and Pollock to various spinners.
Doonaha Beach and Haugh Strand
Dogfish
Dogfish are being caught on mackerel or sandeel. Huss to 7lbs on
Mackerel.
Kilkee
Pollock
Some good Pollock to anglers Spinning.
REPORT DATED MAY 24th, 2009
Mystery fish turns up at Poulnasherry Bay
Photo: Thornback Ray swims to
freedom.
Poulnasherry Bay
Thornback Ray/Dogfish
A lot of heavy rain turned the bay brown and caused the Ray to move
out into the deeper water of the estuary. However mid week there was
some clearance and I found some clear water at the edge of a brown
area. Using fresh Mackerel I fished over three days. At first it was
all dogfish! 14 in a short session one day and 10 the next day.
Perseverance paid off and I finally located the Thornback Ray. I had
3 in one session all on fresh Mackerel. All were returned alive
including one with a stump of a tail! I have no idea how he lost it!
But he lives on!
I encountered one of Poulnasherry’s mystery fish possibly a big
Stingray which held on for 2 hrs. hugging the bottom and moving
against the tide! After a hectic struggle with a few yards to go the
hook straightened and came out! A few big Stingray turn up here
every year.
Photo: A shy dogfish!
Baltard, Doonbeg and Bridges of Ross
Ballan Wrasse
A few wrasse being caught on Crab or Limpet. Small in
size but bigger ones should appear any day.
The Castle, Kilkee
Mackere/Pollock/Coalfish/Ling/Wrasse
Mackerel still patchy at times. Some Coalfish to 4lbs
turning up on feathers, also Pollock to 7lbs. Anglers
bottom fishing with fish strips are catching Ling to
4lbs and Ballan Wrasse to 3lbs on Limpet and Lugworm.
REPORT DATED MAY 6th, 2009
Bass being caught occasionally at a number
of marks
Poulnasherry Bay
Thornback Ray/Dogfish/Bass
A few small Thornback Ray and Dogfish are being caught on sandeel.
Anglers spinning with Dexter Wedges are catching School Bass though
green weed has made spinning difficult at Cammoge Point. Best at
Brews Bridge where there is less weed and the chance of a good Bass
to large plugs.
Querrin Pier
Bass
A few Bass are being caught using lugworm.
Bealog, Doonaha
Bass
Bass on lugworm towards High Water.
Haugh Strand
Bass/Dogfish/Thornback Ray
Bass on lugworm towards High Water. Dogfish and small Thornback Ray
at Low Water fishing at night with sandeel or Mackerel.
Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish
Dogfish on sandeel night fishing.
Carrigaholt Pier
Mullet/Conger/Pollock/Dogfish
Mullet being caught on small Mackerel pieces. A few Conger to 10lbs
on Mackerel.
Small Pollock on fish strips. Dogfish on sandeel.
Rinevella Bay
Flounder/Dogfish
Flounder on lugworm and dogfish on sandeel or Mackerel.
Kilkee
Pollock
The usual rock marks are producing Pollock on Jellyworms when the
weather allows.
White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass
Bass on lugworm at times but fishing is a bit patchy.
Doughmore
Bass
Some bass at the southern end to anglers fishing with lugworm
Baltard
Pollock/Ballan Wrasse
Some Wrasse turning up in the rock gullies to anglers fishing with
crab also Pollock being caught on Jellyworm.
Mackerel
Some Mackerel are being caught from the rock marks at The Bridges of
Ross and Castle Point but the numbers are small.
Reminder
There is a closed season for bass from the 15th of May to the 15th
of June each year. If you accidentally catch a bass during this
period, just return it alive to the sea. Specimen Bass cannot be
claimed during the closed season.
REPORT DATED APRIL 22nd
Big Mullet showing in the harbour at
Carrigaholt
Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish
Dogfish are being caught on sandeel, squid or Mackerel. Thornback
Ray absent but should improve.
Carrigaholt Pier
Mullet
Some big Mullet are showing in the Harbour. Ground-baiting essential
with Mackerel and bread. Great sport to be had with these hard
fighting fish for anglers who persevere!
Baltard
Pollock/Ling/Ballan Wrasse
Anglers fishing into deep water from the cliffs are catching good
Pollock to 7lbs and Ling to 6 lbs. bottom fishing with Mackerel or
squid . Wrasse being caught on crab or limpet.
Doonbeg
Mullet
Mullet taken here recently on fly.
Kiltrellig, Kilbaha
Pollock
Pollock are being taken on Dexter Wedge or Jelly Worm.
Good mark to try Salt Water Fly fishing as the flat rocks are close
to the water. Late evening around Low Tide best time.
Castle Point and Bridges of Ross
Mackerel fishing poor with just a few mackerel turning up.
REPORT DATED APRIL 7th, 2009
Shore
Angling starting to hot up now with more angling activity evident in
West Clare.
Photo: A Conger from Bonfils
Creek.
Carrigaholt Pier
Conger/Dogfish
I had a party of British Anglers fishing here during the week. Shaun
Nutley from Plymouth had a Conger of 12 lbs. taken on Mackerel.
Anglers are also catching dogfish on Mackerel and sandeel.
Querrin Pier
Bass/Flounder/Thornback Ray
Following the recent capture of a Bass of 11 lbs. 7ozs by a British
angler, a lot of anglers have being fishing here recently. Bass and
Flounder are being caught on Lugworm, Razorfish and Sandeel.
Thornback Ray are also being caught on sandeel.
Photo: A Dogfish from
Carrigaholt Pier
Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish/Thornback Ray/Flounder
Some Thornback Ray are now turning up with lots of dogfish at times.
Best bait Mackerel or sandeel. Flounder are being caught on Lugworm,
sandeel and Mackerel strip.
Bealog, Doonaha Beach
Bass/Three Bearded Rockling
Fishing at dusk near high water I had a Bass and Three Bearded
Rockling on Ragworm.
Photo: Conger from Carrigaholt
Pier.
Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock/Coalfish
Pollock and Coalfish are being caught on Deep Spun Sandeel. Best
fished at Low Water on Spring tides.
Bonfils Creek, Ross
Conger/Pollock/Coalfish
Conger on mackerel. Pollock and Coalfish on sandeel or Dexter Wedge.
I have been trying for Wrasse but they have not turned up yet.
Bridges of Ross
Conger,Pollock
Fishing the deep gully under the Car Park anglers are catching
Conger on Mackerel or whole squid. Pollock on Jellyworms.
Mackerel are now turning up at The Bridges of Ross and at Castle
Point, Kilkee.
Shore Angling Report dated March
18th, 2009
Magnificent
Bass of 11.5lbs wins Catch of the Week
Photo: Will Stephenson from Hull,
England with his Bass of 11lbs 7ozs caught at Querrin
Pier.
Querrin Pier
Bass/Flounder
A magnificent Bass of 11 lbs. 7 ozs. was caught here recently by
a visiting British Angler. Will Stephenson from Hull, England caught
the Bass on lugworm and razorfish and very sportingly returned the
fish alive. Some school Bass are being caught and also some good
flounder. Best baits lugworm and sandeel.
Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish/Flounder
Anglers fishing for Ray are catching lots of dogfish on sandeel
or mackerel. No Thornback Ray reported yet. They should be turning
up very soon. Some good flounder are also being caught on Lugworm.
Carrigaholt Strand
Dogfish
A few dogfish being caught on sandeel or Mackerel.
Shore Angling Report dated March
2nd, 2009
Sand eel
working well at Kilkee Pollock Holes
Photo: A Big Pollock from The
Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock
I fished a short session here recently around Low Water
spinning sandeel just off the bottom and had 5 Pollock.
One fish weighed 6lbs, several at 5 lbs, and the
smallest was 3lbs. The Pollock plucked at the sandeel at
first before attacking savagely! It is a difficult place
to land a good fish as there is heavy kelp close in.
Some really good Pollock are being lost in the kelp
beds.
Photo: Safely ashore! Another
good Pollock
White Strand, Doonbeg
Bass
A few Bass are being caught on Lugworm around Low Water.
Best mark is between the two small strands.
The Steps, Kilkee Strand
Coalfish
Anglers catching coalfish at night using lugworm.
Bridges of Ross
Coalfish
Coalfish being caught at dusk on lugworm fishing into
the deep gullies in calm conditions.
Poulnasherry Bay
I tried spinning for an early season Bass but had no
luck.
Doughmore Beach
March is the month when some really big Bass turn up
here. I fished today in a nice surf using sandeel but
again no luck.
Shore Angling Report to 24th. Feb.
2009
Pollock
Holes Kilkee producing fish to 3kg
Photo: Emmett Ryan plays a good
Pollock at The Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock Holes, Kilkee
Pollock
Local anglers are catching Pollock to 3 kgs. from the right hand
side of the reef. Best fishing around Low Water on Spring Tides.
Sandeel spun deep is the successful method. There are heavy kelp
beds close in so some good fish are being lost.
Photo: A Pollock taken on Sand
eel at Kilkee
The Strand, Kilkee
Flounder/Coalfish
Flounder being caught from the beach especially at the western end.
Lugwom best bait. The specimen weight for Flounder has been reduced
to 1.1 kg. The beach in Kilkee has produced specimen flounder in the
past so a specimen is a possibility.
Coalfish being caught at night on Lugworm or fish strips.
The Castle, Kilkee
Whiting/Three Bearded Rockling/Wrasse
Small whiting and Three Bearded Rockling on fish strips. Wrasse on
crab.
Poulnasherry Bay
Dogfish
Dogfish being caught on mackerel strip or sandeel.
Thornback Ray should be turning up soon.
