A deathly hush

baitdigger · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: A deathly hush

It seems that a deathly hush has settled on the Irish site and on Irish shores, has nobody anything to report or has everybody left these shores?
I spend as much time as i can haunting the Clare coasts from the mighty Shannon in the South round Loop head through Lahinch and up to Ballyvaughan in the North of the county. Why is it that i meet so few resident anglers?
So far this year i have only met up with English visitors (Of which i was one myself many moons ago). Nobody has so far told me of great or even consistant catches, marks that have produced for years are not showing good fish yet.
In a recent shore competition, 26 members of the Lisdoonvarna/ Fenore Sea Angling Club fished Blackhead and landed 31 fish between them, any one who knows this mark could expect it to have produced a much better bag. If my memory serves me correctly I believe that the winner of the previous competition caught 21 dogfish himself ( any member of the club feel free to correct me)
So this is a cry for anybody out there with any good news to put it into words and let us know that not all the fish around our shores have ended up (regardless of size) on a European dinner plate! You dont have to reveal marks or even locations, just tell me about your fish big grin

shannock · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

it does seem very quiet all over on fish reports

iknow there may be non anglers watching in to try and find some fish to slaughter

but just to hear of catches and pics would be nice
you dont need to give any info of area

just lets hear some good news

cheers all steve

seapoint129 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

Hi everyone, hope this terrible 'Summer' weather isn't getting you down!

Today I purchased a rod to take out onto Clogherhead (Louth) Pier and hopefully catch a few mackerel. It's at least 35 years ago since I last held a fishing rod in my hands but I'm really looking forward to it. I was advised by the shop owner to use feathers x 5 (sea predator), so with a little help from the Internet I managed to secure everything onto the line. So I'm ready for the off in the morning, more hopeful than confident worried

Sorry in advance for asking but does the tide have any bearing on Pier fishing and if so, when is the best time to fish?

If anyone has any advise to offer me, please do!

Tight lines to all!

baitdigger · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

Generally on our side of the world high tide is best for mackerel.
Good luck[/quote]

seapoint129 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

OK high tide at 12 noon, I'll be off then!

Thanks.

seapoint129 · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

Just back from an enjoyable but unsuccessful few hours of fishing for mackerel. I met a few people also fishing and they didn't have any luck either. One experienced fisherman told me that he hasn't caught a mackerel all summer and that they should be very plentiful at this time of year and recons that something sinister may be going on. Can anyone add to this?

baitdigger · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject: Mackerel

A tackle shop owner in North Clare told me that mackerel fishing has been very poor this year. It seems that they are only coming close in 40 minutes before high tide to about the same down.
I have noticed two things, firstly I am having to cast over 100 yards to catch regular fish. Secondly the mackerel seem to be fussy on the number and colour of feather they take. In previous years I have had most sucsess with the cheapest silver flashers, this year I have done best with a string of 3 small black feathers ( thanks Joe )
I dont know how much of an effect it is having but I am seeing more dolphins(porpoise?) this year, I wonder if they are suffering from a lack of mackerel aswell?

seapoint129 · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Thanks again for the advise winking

I noticed 2 maybe 3 seals in the harbour yesterday, didn't know if that was a good sign or a bad one.................

Anyway, back out again today with the 3 hook black feathers and we'll see what happens.

seapoint129 · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

No joy yesterday, but today it was magic big grin

Fish fest

seapoint129 · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

Caught a pollack or maybe it was a Coalfish today, I gave it back. Are they edible?

gunsnroses · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: thats all

the best i have cought all year is 4 mackrel in killkool co wicklow and about 8 dog fish and 1 tiny smooth hound in arklow but im preety sure im doin sometin wrong crying

(soz about the spelling)

seapoint129 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

You must be, mate sad

Went back out again today and caught 4 big grin

Can't still be, beginners luck smug

seapoint129 · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject:

Got 2 yesterday and 8 today cool

rabbi2 · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:33 am Post subject:

When pier fishing I normally fish 2hrs before high water and 2 hours after. I find that at high water when the water is still, the fish tend to stop feeding. Hope this helps. keith big grin

seapoint129 · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

After my fantastic time fishing for Mackerel, I now want to try my hand at other types of fishing. What fish is there available from rocks, the shore or piers, anyone with any tips.

Thanks

Joe