Sea Fishing In Cork

Sgt Murt

Hi, Im new to the Cork area and to fishing.
Was at curraghbinny pier near ringaskiddy for two hours on saturday and not even a bite, then moved to Myrtleville just outside crosshaven for three hours and fished from the rocks for a bit, but moved to the beach due to the amount of gear I was loosing. Still didn't catch anything. The most off putting thing however was the fact that I didn't see another fisherman all day!! These places were recommended to me and just wondering if I went at the wrong time (from about 2 until 8 pm) or what I was doing wrong.
Also if these places aren't good can anyone recommend a better sea fishing area in cork?

jArgHA

Hi Murt,

Have a read of this thread which I started about a year ago - I got some good tips on locations and links through the thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055112215

There is a good map of fishing spots with species provided here:
http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/sea/maps.htm (try Cork Harbour)

I recently found this page which lists fishing marks around Cork also, and the species that can be caught at those locations:
http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/shore%20-%20cork%20-%20south.htm (try Cork Harbour link again!)

Let us know how you get on!

jAH

Popanddrop

Hi,
I fish the cork area regulary and I am wondering if you could answer a few things to me so I could help you out.
1. What species are you targeting?
2. What areas would you travel to?
3. Have you ever thought of pairing up with someone from your local area who could show you the ropes on sea fishing?

jArgHA

Sorry to jump in on this but just a question for Popanddrop:

I've been fishing with feathers for as long as I can remember (and hence only catching mackerel, pollack and once a garfish). This summer I would like to learn how to fish for bass from beaches. Can you tell me what beaches you would fish for bass from - I was thinking of trying somewhere out Shanagarry/Garryvoe direction?

Is the bass season all year round, or mainly in the summer?

Sgt Murt

"1. What species are you targeting?
2. What areas would you travel to?
3. Have you ever thought of pairing up with someone from your local area who could show you the ropes on sea fishing?"

Hi, thanks for the reply, Im not really targeting any species in particular, I just love the sea and so fishing was the natural thing to take up for me (when its too cold to fish) i'd really like to catch anything though as I get incredibly excited when I feel the line snag on something (which always turns out to be rocks or sea weed unfortunatly).
Im willing to travel anywhere in cork really, but would prefer places close to the city.
And none of my cork mates have any interest. I go fishing with a mayo man, unfortunately he's as bad as me!!

Sgt Murt

Thanks a mill jArgHA, will check a few of these out.

growler

jArgHA wrote: »

Sorry to jump in on this but just a question for Popanddrop:

I've been fishing with feathers for as long as I can remember (and hence only catching mackerel, pollack and once a garfish). This summer I would like to learn how to fish for bass from beaches. Can you tell me what beaches you would fish for bass from - I was thinking of trying somewhere out Shanagarry/Garryvoe direction?

Is the bass season all year round, or mainly in the summer?

bass season can be all year ( except from mid may to mid juen when the bass ban comes into effect, their spawning time)

other than then you can get bass pretty much all year round, personally i have more success in autumn than in summer... better surf, storms, less bright sunshine etc.

garryvoe does turn up a few bass , have a looka t the fisheries board map for an idea of bass marks, again I'd personally favour a smaller beach than garryvoe ... the theory being that the bass patrol up and down a beach, smaller beach = better chance of you having your lugform in front of his face at any time.

Popanddrop

growler wrote: »

bass season can be all year ( except from mid may to mid juen when the bass ban comes into effect, their spawning time)

other than then you can get bass pretty much all year round, personally i have more success in autumn than in summer... better surf, storms, less bright sunshine etc.

garryvoe does turn up a few bass , have a looka t the fisheries board map for an idea of bass marks, again I'd personally favour a smaller beach than garryvoe ... the theory being that the bass patrol up and down a beach, smaller beach = better chance of you having your lugform in front of his face at any time.

This really is the perfect answer for you, the best baits would be mackerel, lugworm and peeler crab. Also plugging/spinning off a beach or rock mark in the evening can prove very productive.

Popanddrop

Sgt Murt wrote: »

"1. What species are you targeting?
2. What areas would you travel to?
3. Have you ever thought of pairing up with someone from your local area who could show you the ropes on sea fishing?"

Hi, thanks for the reply, Im not really targeting any species in particular, I just love the sea and so fishing was the natural thing to take up for me (when its too cold to fish) i'd really like to catch anything though as I get incredibly excited when I feel the line snag on something (which always turns out to be rocks or sea weed unfortunatly).
Im willing to travel anywhere in cork really, but would prefer places close to the city.
And none of my cork mates have any interest. I go fishing with a mayo man, unfortunately he's as bad as me!!

Well I am glad to hear that you have a love for the sea, basicially fishing is alot about research an experimenting.
First find a location, study it for a few minutes and try and determine were the fish would be( low tide is the best time for this). Secondly if you are in a new place try find a tackle shop to gain information.
Thirdly is selecting bait to suit your intended species. Mackerel works well along with peeler crab and lug for a huge varity of species. If I were you once I had the location chosen I would make sure to pack two different types of bait to target a wide number of species or to make cocktails.
Rig selection is very important and you should have a number of different rigs already made so you can switch over quickly. The best way to learn on how to make rigs is to buy a good sea fishing book or the Sea Angler Magazine.
Wether you are fishing a beach/Pier/rock mark make sure to also bring a spinning outfit. This enables you to be bottom fishing and spinning at the same time and also may gain you some extra bait(mackerel).
When you are fishing you have to stay mobile, if one place isnt fishing move to the next and try again.
Weather is very important when fishing, Sunny clear weather is good for pollack and mackerel in the evenings but is to bright for other species to move into shallow water. In this case I would start fishing in the middle of the evening and start with spinning until darkness when you can start fishing the bottom. If you have rough weather and a good surf your best bet is Bass, peeler and lug are the two best baits with sandeel and mackerel used as a backup.
Hopefully this information can help you and if you have anymore questions just ask.

oflynno

i have been threatening to go fishing more
i live in cork too

i have done the kinsale road bridge,great with the kids and have tried the old road,nothing and the beach across from the town ,nothing either

that was last year
last sunday i went down near roberts cove but got no bites,lost feathers,a treble hook from a bass lure and a hook and weight with a sandeel on it

i was there just at high tide and fished for 2 hours and went home,sunburnt!

what species can you catch around at low tide,i've never done it but might try soon

i'd like to catch eating varities mainly,mackerel,bass and cod,if possible

jArgHA

Thanks for all the tips thus far on the bass. when beach casting for bass (or any species), is the usual routine to cast way out, put your rod on a rod stand, sit down and wait? or does one cast out far, put rod on stand and wait for a certain period of time before reeling in and recasting (in case crabs etc. have eaten the bait).

I've really got to get a book on all this - would anyone have a recommendation on a good sea fishing book which details what to get and how to make one's own rigs?

Popanddrop

jArgHA wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips thus far on the bass. when beach casting for bass (or any species), is the usual routine to cast way out, put your rod on a rod stand, sit down and wait? or does one cast out far, put rod on stand and wait for a certain period of time before reeling in and recasting (in case crabs etc. have eaten the bait).

I've really got to get a book on all this - would anyone have a recommendation on a good sea fishing book which details what to get and how to make one's own rigs?

Ok a few tips here,
1. A proper angler will never sit down and wait, if you are serious into fishing you will always be doing something, eg, preparing baits, spinning/plugging.
2.You do not nessiciarly need to cast far to get the fish. Off a beach I have caught 7LB bass as close in as 45 yards. I have seen people caught them at 10 yards. I have fishing rocks marks which go onto sand and have caught codling as close in as 10 yards.
3.As a rule of thumb bait should be changed regulary, I prefer every 20mins, this allows plenty of time for the fish to find it before the juices run out. Peeler crab especially. Make sure that any frozen or soft bait is bound on with elastic thread before casting, this allows for both more baith to stay on the hook when in cast and secondly small fish or crabs cannot strip the bait.
4. Easons in cork currently stocks a good selection of sea angling books, Sea angler also produces a book called `Rigs and Baits` which can be ordered through their magazine.

Popanddrop

oflynno wrote: »

i have been threatening to go fishing more
i live in cork too

i have done the kinsale road bridge,great with the kids and have tried the old road,nothing and the beach across from the town ,nothing either

that was last year
last sunday i went down near roberts cove but got no bites,lost feathers,a treble hook from a bass lure and a hook and weight with a sandeel on it

i was there just at high tide and fished for 2 hours and went home,sunburnt!

what species can you catch around at low tide,i've never done it but might try soon

i'd like to catch eating varities mainly,mackerel,bass and cod,if possible

Kinsale is my main patch when it comes to fishing. It can be very productive when you know how and where to fish.
THE KINSALE BRIDGE- a good mark for species such as mackerel and garfish. Winter produces codling and Whiting on lugworm baits. Besides that you arent going to catch much else from this mark.
The OLD BRIDGE- a bass and flounder mark which crab and lug are mainly used.Mid summer-November.
KINSALE HARBOUR- Mullet fishing is the main one here with huge shoals from April-October. Bread is the main biat.
SILLY WALKWAY- Fish from the walkway can produce in summer = Dogfish, Mackerel, Mullet. Winter= Codling, Whiting, Pouting, Flounder, Dogfish. Main baits are Lugworm, Ragworm and Mackerel.

Roberts Cove can produce Plaice on ragworm in the summer months.
Usually unfished in winter.

jArgHA

Thanks again for the tips Popanddrop, you seem to have a wealth of knowledge on fishing and Cork's fishing marks. I'm going to try my first blast at bass fishing some time next week (after doing some more reading in the meantime), and think I will try White Bay near Roches Point as my mark. Just got to get hold of some lugworm before then...

Popanddrop

Thats great I`m glad to here you are going to give it a try. If you do manage to get hold of some lugworm make sure you wrap it in newspaper before you go fishing, this hardens the worms skin so that it stays on the hook better in the cast so there is no need to use bait elastic.

Popanddrop

Also what time is the tide that you are fishing in white bay?

citytillidie2k8

Sgt Murt wrote: »

Hi, Im new to the Cork area and to fishing.
Was at curraghbinny pier near ringaskiddy for two hours on saturday and not even a bite, then moved to Myrtleville just outside crosshaven for three hours and fished from the rocks for a bit, but moved to the beach due to the amount of gear I was loosing. Still didn't catch anything. The most off putting thing however was the fact that I didn't see another fisherman all day!! These places were recommended to me and just wondering if I went at the wrong time (from about 2 until 8 pm) or what I was doing wrong.
Also if these places aren't good can anyone recommend a better sea fishing area in cork?

ID SAY THE BEST SPOT IS IN PASSAGE WEST OR DOWN IN YOUGHAL THATS WERE I GO FISHING MOST OF THE TIME AND COME HOME VERY HAPPY WITH MY CATCH

Popanddrop

ya both these locations are really good.

jArgHA

Popanddrop wrote: »

Also what time is the tide that you are fishing in white bay?

I think there's a high tide around 11pm on Wednesday and around midnight on Thursday, so if I make it out I may try and fish this tide as it comes in starting at around 9pm or so. It looks like it'll be a neap tide though with the moon in first quarter phase on the Thursday - I guess this will not be as good as if it was a spring tide on full/new moon.

Popanddrop

Those tides sound perfect because bass feed the best between the last 1-2hours of light and the first few hours of darkness.

pratheesh

Hi Guys,
I used to go fishing from the pier below fort camden in crosshaven. the gates have been closed since last year. But I've read somewhere that you can still get to the pier somehow.
does anybody know how to reach em ?

Used to be a great fishing mark.

Popanddrop

sorry i dont know, what is it like I have never fished it?

oflynno

i know the pier you are talking about but have never fished there before

did i read somewhere that there is now a private residence there and thats what the gate is closed for?

what species of fish did you catch there?

the pub down the end of that road(crosshaven side) should know what the story is with access to that spot,otherwise try the boat yard

i remember as a kid fishing off the old head of kinsale in the summer and its peeing off they closed it off,nothing against golf,but i'd love to get down there again

pratheesh

yea its really sad they closed the place. somethin about teenagers drinkin and makin a mess was the initial excuse i think ..

the place yielded plenty of flatfish, tonnes of mackerel, pollack, dogfish. saw a bunch of moroccan guys catch a eel about 5feet plus (it seemed that big ).. took 4 of em to hold the monster down.

some guys told me that they used to get good cods and whitings as well.

For mackerels you didnt even have to cast the line out.. just drop it straight down from the pier and jigg it.. my personal record was 6 mackerels at a time.. (had only 6 feathers )

will try asking the pub..

paddybar

camden fort is easy to get to(Ithink) Ihaven't been there in a few years but if you driv up and park at the fort walk down tha path to the left of the gaa pitch and follow it down to graball beach,then go left over to the fort .it used to be easy to hop up the wall and get straight onto the pierand as far as I know it still is .dont go that way if the sea is rough as you will get wet if the tide is fully in

paddybar

sorry forgot to mention ,if you go right from graball instead of left and follow the cliff path you will come to a small head called the bull rock and its an excellent mark.somewhere close by is a tiny beachthat involves a small scramble down a cliff but I was told this is a good place for bass

jArgHA

Can anyone tell me where is the closest place to Cork city to pick up a few lugworms? Also, any tips on where peeler crab can be found - does this vary based on time of year?

jAH

oflynno

the fishing shop at the kinsale road roundabout normally have access to all baits
and its a way cleaner than the mucky low tide

at low tide on the way into cobh just after fota there is a weedy spot where i used to collect crab a good few years ago,its messy but they used to be there

i just find the shop easier cos i've got lazy:D

jArgHA

ok thanks flynno

I actually work close enough to that fishing shop (up at the Airport Business Park) so I must take a spin down to see what they have.

Popanddrop

Its a great shop with plenty there. they stock all kinds of bait and have a huge lure selction, their fairly priced and everything you need is there.
www.corkanglingcentre.com they havent put much on it yet though.

jArgHA

Yeah I dropped in yesterday and it is a fantastic shop alright. I didn't see any live bait though, just frozen lugs (not cheap at €9), sandeel, mackerel & I think they had squid (no crab).

What is the best way to present frozen lug!? Does it need to be defrosted the day before going fishing or something?

growler

lug will go from frozen to not in seconds, unless you keep it in a freezer bag on the way to the beach it will usually be defrosted and ready for use by the time your ready to cast.

I believe they can organise worms, fresh crab etc for you if you ask them in advance.

Can't point you to any good lug spots around cork i'm afraid, I tend to use rag when fishing around cork these days (easy enough to dig if you don't mind the smell / mess ), although I always use lug when further west.



Have a look at the southern fisheries board map,
http://www.srfb.ie/fishing/sea/maps/YoughalArdmore.doc and
http://www.swrfb.com/fishing/sea/cork.htm

it does include details of place to dig bait (though it may be 20 years out of date in some cases)

Popanddrop

jArgHA wrote: »

Yeah I dropped in yesterday and it is a fantastic shop alright. I didn't see any live bait though, just frozen lugs (not cheap at €9), sandeel, mackerel & I think they had squid (no crab).

What is the best way to present frozen lug!? Does it need to be defrosted the day before going fishing or something?

They normally have fresh peeler crab and rag in there, 1euro per crab.

pratheesh

Hi Paddybar,
Thanks for that precious information. I'm gonna check the route out coming weekend. Found a small map of the area if anybody else is interested

http://www.crosshaven.ie/images/bigwalkmap.jpg

And jArgHA, I'm also working in Cork Airport Business Park.. Let me know if you ever need company for fishing

jArgHA

@ pratheesh - sure I may drop you a PM some day to see if your into heading out somewhere

I tried my first ever beach fishing session last Saturday night at White Bay beach on the way to Roches Point. I arrived at twilight and threw in my first cast around 11pm after first discovering the joys of rigging defrosted lugworm in the semi-dark with a dodgy torch hold between the teeth.. The weather was totally calm, clear skies with a few wispy clouds and the sea was flat.

I spent the next 3 hours fishing, changing baits every half hour or so, which varied from just lugworm, to a cocktail of mackerel strips and lugworm to just mackerel strips (got tired of rigging lugs with bauit elastic & a flaky torch after a while). During this time I'm certain I had one bite, and there were other times where I was fairly sure I could sense nibbling, but I didn't catch a sausage After reeling back those times I did notice that the bait(s) had been eaten off the hook with just part of the lug left. I was using a 10 foot beachcaster with 1 hook & 2 hook paternoster rigs. The rigs had size 3/0 hooks, 50lib main line & 18lb snoods, with red beads above and below the connecting swivels, and I was using 4 oz. breakaway leads.

It was a mighty experience, regardless of catching nothing. I do have a couple of questions after my first escapade in beach fishing:

* how much bait elastic should one use when rigging defrosted lugs? should it be minimal or can you go all out and put loads of the stuff on?

* when you cast out how long do you wait for a bite until reeling back, putting on new bait/rig and casting out again?

* if you feel a nibble / bite do you just wait and hope the fish hooks himself, or do you pull the rod to try and force it?

* how far could one expect to cast with a 10 foot beachcasting rod with fixed spool reel, 18lb mainline and 4oz weight? I seemed to be only getting about 40-50 yard casts

jAH

Popanddrop

jArgHA wrote: »

* how much bait elastic should one use when rigging defrosted lugs? should it be minimal or can you go all out and put loads of the stuff on?

* when you cast out how long do you wait for a bite until reeling back, putting on new bait/rig and casting out again?

* if you feel a nibble / bite do you just wait and hope the fish hooks himself, or do you pull the rod to try and force it?

* how far could one expect to cast with a 10 foot beachcasting rod with fixed spool reel, 18lb mainline and 4oz weight? I seemed to be only getting about 40-50 yard casts

jAH

Bait elastic usage depends on the size of the it and how soft it is, normally I dont put alot of elastic on when using frozen lug but it depends on the batch you get. For bigger fish the amount of elastic on the bat dosent seem to matter as long as its not covered in it.

Normally if you do not get a bite inabout 20-25mins then reel in and change the bait.

Depends, if the bite is solid then pick up the rodnd strike, if not then let the bite develope and then hook it.

Practice makes perfect and if you are just starting off you cantb expected to cast far.

Tony H

jArgHA wrote: »

I tried my first ever beach fishing session last Saturday night at White Bay beach on the way to Roches Point.

I bet you enjoyed the walk back up the hill to the car park

It was a mighty experience, regardless of catching nothing. I do have a couple of questions after my first escapade in beach fishing:

* how much bait elastic should one use when rigging defrosted lugs? should it be minimal or can you go all out and put loads of the stuff on?

unless you are really stuck you are better off digging your own bait , its hard work but the results are great

* if you feel a nibble / bite do you just wait and hope the fish hooks himself, or do you pull the rod to try and force it?

i try to sit on my hands and leave the rod alone unless its a really strong bite

* how far could one expect to cast with a 10 foot beachcasting rod with fixed spool reel, 18lb mainline and 4oz weight? I seemed to be only getting about 40-50 yard casts

a 10 foot rod is a little short for distance casting but 40-50 yards will get you among the fish if the surf is up , most of the bigger bass are caught by novice anglers very close to shore

jAH

its good to see that you enjoyed the night even though you blanked, there is nothing like sitting on a dark beach and just enjoying being there ,as a lot of people say its called fishing not catching

Popanddrop

true very true, also maybe a headlamp would be an extra for you to by it would free your hands and there cheap enough.

paddybar

pratheesh wrote: »

Hi Paddybar,
Thanks for that precious information. I'm gonna check the route out coming weekend. Found a small map of the area if anybody else is interested

http://www.crosshaven.ie/images/bigwalkmap.jpg

you're welcome.there are very big conger around the piers (I've seen 1 of 35Ibsand another of 40 taken there)and I also just remembered that at Graball beach itself there is good fishing for pollack,whiting and mackerel in the summer.although the best spot for the mackerel is over in Church bay

pratheesh

Hi Popanddrop..
Tried going to crosshaven on tuesday. A pass is required to enter becoz of the cork week.
is there anyother way to reach graball bay ? Really want to check the place out today evening ..

oflynno

if you turn right before you get in to crosshaven on the carrigaline side,you can get up the back of the town and should be able able to get where you want the back way

or tell the roadblock you're home from work for the weekend and couldn't give a sh t about them f king boats(thats not my opinion,by the way,just a means to an end)

paddybar

oflynno wrote: »

if you turn right before you get in to crosshaven on the carrigaline side,you can get up the back of the town and should be able able to get where you want the back way

or tell the roadblock you're home from work for the weekend and couldn't give a sh t about them f king boats(thats not my opinion,by the way,just a means to an end)

Nah,you wont get in that way either.They will make you park about a mile out of the village and its another mile and a half to graball.best just wait till its over

flyingoutside

Don't know if it was covered above but where's the best place for mackeral near the city?

jArgHA

I'm not sure where the best place for mackerel closest to Cork city is, but Ballycotton pier is very popular & gets plenty of mackerel at the height of the mackerel season. Cobh is also supposedly a good spot for the macks.

Popanddrop

Kinsale Bridge isfishing well for mackerel.

oflynno

when were you fishing at the bridge?
i was there 2 weekends ago and there was sodall there

i normally do an hour at each side of high tide,is this the right time to hit the bridge or should i wait for the tide to turn?

pratheesh

Hi Guys,
I'm looking to get a decent beach caster. But have no clue as to what to look for in the rod.
Could some one tell me the ideal specs for one. I am thinking of a 13 foot rod. I hope thats enough.

Thanks

Tony H

pratheesh wrote: »

Hi Guys,
I'm looking to get a decent beach caster. But have no clue as to what to look for in the rod.
Could some one tell me the ideal specs for one. I am thinking of a 13 foot rod. I hope thats enough.

well to start with a 13 foot rod might be a little hard to handle if you are a newcomer to casting (just my opinion) , I suppose the first thing you should tell us is how much you are prepared to spend , if you want a fixed spool rod or a multiplier reel , and how much experience you have at casting , and what kind of fishing you would be using it for as well would be handy to know

fitz

pratheesh

apologies for the delay.

I've been fishing for a few months now. i use a 9 foot rod with detachable daiwa reel. I'm not sure what a multiplier is
i would like to catch some ray's and anything else that takes an interest in my bait.

i've tried using my rod with mackerel as bait in Cobh, but the crabs finish the bait, as i cant cast it far enough. thats why i thought a longer rod might be helpful.

around 100 - 150 € will be comfortable .

Tony H

yeah the crabs do like their mackerel , are you living in cobh? well you will get some rays in cobh but depends where you are fishing?

Warhammer

i have been out on chartered boats in cobh a few times and great for conger,mackeral,and cod.
I must go again some time.