Conflicting answers regarding Irish law on fishing with live bait

heyitsfranklin

Can someone please share the final verdict on: in Ireland, is it illegal to fish in the SEA using live bait?

The fishing regulations are clear and state that it is illegal to fish using live bait in freshwater which is perfectly understandable. However, when I asked a tackle shop owner if he had any live bait he responded by saying "fishing with live bait is illegal in Ireland". I told him it was for sea fishing and he insisted that it's still illegal.

Everywhere I search online (except the fishing regulations) seems to confirm that it's illegal to fish with live bait both in fresh and salt water. However, there are numerous online discussions of people using live bait to fish in seawater as well as mentions of tackle shops that sell live bait.

Can someone please share the final story? Is it illegal, yes or no. Why is there so much conflicting information?

.red.

As far as I've always been aware, there are no restrictions on live baiting in the sea.
Lugworm, ragworm, maddie's and crab are all live baits used everyday. Sandeel also but to a lesser extent as their too difficult to keep alive.

Zzippy

Freshwater only, you can use live bait in the sea. Live bait really only refers to live fish like roach, sandeel, mackerel. Live worms, crab etc are not considered livebait, otherwise you would not be allowed to fish worms or maggots in freshwater.

heyitsfranklin

.red. wrote: »

As far as I've always been aware, there are no restrictions on live baiting in the sea.
Lugworm, ragworm, maddie's and crab are all live baits used everyday. Sandeel also but to a lesser extent as their too difficult to keep alive.

Zzippy wrote: »

Freshwater only, you can use live bait in the sea. Live bait really only refers to live fish like roach, sandeel, mackerel. Live worms, crab etc are not considered livebait, otherwise you would not be allowed to fish worms or maggots in freshwater.

Thanks for the clear answers, finally

Do anyone know any bait shops in Cork (city) that stock fresh bait? It seems every shop stocks them frozen

Rows Grower

heyitsfranklin wrote: »

Thanks for the clear answers, finally

Do anyone know any bait shops in Cork (city) that stock fresh bait? It seems every shop stocks them frozen

Try O Connell's in the English Market.

Jim from Cork

Live baiting is permitted at sea. There is no law against it. Worms and such like would not be considered live bait.

As for fresh bait you'd want to give the city shops a buzz to see what they do... I know that Halfway Angling and East Cork Bait & Tackle would do crabs and worms when they are available (You may have to preorder.)