Light Lines - Winter 2015/16

The ever popular series of Light Lines competitions are back!!!!

Well it's that time of year again; the start of winter, which heralds the influx of codling, whiting and dabs into Cork Harbour. So if you were thinking of mothballing your fishing gear for the winter, then DON'T!!!

Instead, head out fishing with Cobh SAC. The winter series of the ever popular Light Line competitions are starting again and will run right through the winter months until next April.

These competitions are for everyone; whether you're a seasoned angler or a raw beginner. In fact, if you are a novice it’s no better a place to cut your teeth in boat angling. These are fun competitions where everyone is quite willing to help out each other and you can get great advice. Not that there isn't a competitive side to these matches as well as some of top rods will be slogging it out to be the Light Line champion over the season….and there have been some notable champions over the years including Irish internationals Padraic Clear and Paddy Swan.

The first of this winter's competitions is on Sunday the 15th November 2015 (HT 07:11 4.0m). If you'd like to fish this one then book your place with Pat O’Shea Cobh SAC, on 087 – 2532610 (email – patosheacarriglen@gmail.com) or Mary Geary Cobh SAC on 021 – 4812167 (seaangling@esatclear.ie). Book early to avoid disappointment. These comps are very popular and can book up fairly early. Make sure to get your entry in before the close off the Weds evening before the comp at 6pm.

The full list of competitions are as follows:

Sunday 15th November (HT 07:11pm 4.0m)

Sunday 13th December (HT 06:18pm 4.1m)

Sunday 17th January (HT 10:51pm 3.7m)

Sunday 14th February (HT 09:30pm 4.0m)

Sunday 13th March (HT 08:22pm 4.3m)

Sunday 10th April (HT 08:17am 4.5m)

The scorecard used is the same one used for the Boat Fish-Offs and the fishing will be broadly similar. However, the format is much simpler and the rules are kept simple. There will be only one change of positions in the boat; basic IFSA rules apply e.g. you are limited to three hooks. The only stipulation is that your main line is of 15lb b.s. or under. Shockleaders, main rig bodies, and snoods can be made of any breaking strain. There is no restrictions on bait. The rules are kept as simple as possible as it's meant to be a fun competition; a fun day out. In fairness the craic can be mighty and the slagging something to behold!!!

You can fish one competition or you fish them all. If you fish every comp then you'll be entered into the overall series. Your best scores from 5 comps will count (you can drop your worst score). Last year it was, yet again, a very close run thing; Terry Boyle, Padraic Clear, member of the current 2016 Irish World Boat Championships Team, and Pat O'Shea, Cobh SAC, were all in the reckoning upto the last day....it was that close! Padraic Clear won out in the end and will be back this year to defend his title.

This year we are delighted to announce that Shamrock Tackle have come on board as the main sponsors and are joined by the Commodore Hotel. Shamrock Tackle will be supplying many of the main prizes including Artico Rods, Fixed Spool reels and others. Watch this space!

For those anglers travelling and wishing to stay over, the Commodore Hotel are providing preferential rates. Just contact Mary O’Mahony on 021 – 4811277 or email commodorehotel@eircom.net and quote the Light Lines.

C'mon give it a go; you know it’s good for you!!!    (It'll keep you sane over the winter!)

49th Cobh International Deep Sea Angling Festival.....

TopFisher.eu

A great new online sea angling magazine has been up and running for the last number of months.The brainchild of Irish Angler journalist, Jim Clohessy, the magazine is FREE and features monthly contributions for some of Ireland's top angling journalists and a number of foreign guest entries. In fact there has been over 50 articles to date and they have been superb! From great practical advice to great fishing adventures, this magazine has it all....and you'd expect nothing less from Jim, a top notch small boat angler in his own right and now widely recognised for his expertise in soft plastic lure fishing. Jim is one of the best known practitioners of the sport in Cork Harbour. Well done Jim, keep 'em coming!!!

Have a look for youself, here's the link for the latest edition TopFisher.eu

If you'd like to subscribe for monthly updates then follow this link Email Update. Of course you data will never be passed onto a 3rd party.

We're back!!!

After an absence of 4 months, this blogger is back!!!

Due to study and exams I haven't had the time to update the blog, but now's the time to catch with all those local sea angling reports.

Over the next few weeks I hope to update you of what's been happening in Cork Harbour fishing circles. The word is that its been a good season so far!

Super Pollack!!!

Skipper Gerry Keohane, of the Naomh Cartha, availed of the good weather of late and reports on some cracking pollack fishing. Biggest pollack of the day was this fine specimen of 15lbs. Fish like that are few and far between and even to get a specimen pollack these days is a rarity. Well done Gerry!!!

If you'd like to book the Naomh Cartha for a day's fishing you can contact Gerry at 00-353-87-2589448.

Big Bass show early.....

Well its been an amazing week on the bass fishing front on the outer harbour marks. Not only have the bigger girls arrived, with plenty of fish in excess of 60cm, but there have been reports of three doubles in the space of a few days.
Gavin O'Connor took a break from his exploits in the Light Lines competition and went back to his first love, lure fishing for bass. On Monday he availed of the good weather and targeted the silvers from a favourite mark of his. Although, the fishing was slow he did capture a fine bass of 75cm on a Feed Shallow lure. Later in the week he returned to the same spot and went one better with this fine 79cm fish which came in at 11.5lbs. The plug that did the damage was once more the Feed Shallow.

Not to be outdone, local lure hotshot, Clinton Rachman, targeted some bass on a night fishing sortie. Clinton has been picking up a few of late, all falling to his favourite South African lure, the 'bass bomb.' However, he really nailed it with this fine 79cm fish caught at a low-water mark. The fish is estimated at 11lbs. Clinton didn't weigh it as he had no scales with him and was anxious to get the fish back as soon as possible. These lures are really deadly, have a look here for further details https://www.facebook.com/BassBombs

Pat O'Shea is also reporting some great sport and he has many fish over the 60cm mark this week. Pat reports that he's had one or two fish over the 60cm mark in every session so far with the best going 67cm (below)

Light Lines 2014...the conclusion.

The Light Line series for 2014 concluded last Sunday, 13th April and what a tight finish it turned out to be. Paddy Swan from Wicklow Bay SAC had been leading from the first competition way back in November. However, he was shadowed all the way and on the last day the champion could have come from anyone of three. Aswell as Paddy, Davy McCormick, Millisle SAC, and Pat Condon, Carrigaline SAC, were also in contention.

The It all started last November. On what was a great day's fishing Paddy Swan triumphed. A total of 2,965 fish were caught between 30 anglers. The vast majority of fish were whiting and they were of good stamp too! Many were around the 1.5lb mark, with quite a few over 2lbs, and one or two touching 3lbs. Paddy had a total of 186 fish and was followed in second place by Pat Condon with 160 fish and Michael Barry in third with 141 fish. Michael Barry had a stonker of a plaice that was the highlight of the day!

The December competition, unfortunately, was cancelled. By the second week in December the start of a severe run of storms had begun, a run that we won't forget Winter 2013 for in a hurry! Luckily, there was a break in the weather for the Irish Boat Teams fundraiser over the Xmas holidays. Over 60 anglers fished the event. One of the boats fished offshore on the Smiths but the majority fished in Deep Hole within the harbour. They were rewarded. The harbour mark yielded plenty of fish with many dabs upto 36cm (almost specimen size), whiting to 46cm, coalfish to 46cm, along with codling, flounder, plaice and an assortment of others.

On the Cuan Bawn angler John Angles from Castletownbere thought he was into a big ray when he played out a fish for 15 minutes. Indeed, the area of 'Deep Hole' that they were fishing was a ray mark of old. Unfortunately, for John the line parted. John was using 15lb breaking strain. Shortly, after Pat O'Shea, Cobh SAC, was into another large fish. This time the fish was brought to the surface and the culprit was revealed. It was a large conger. While it thrashed on the surface the skipper tried to net it, but, unfortunately, it broke the hook - a size 6!!! However, after that several anglers hooked into congers and in all 6 were landed upto 25lbs in weight; all on small hooks and slivers of mackeral intended for dabs and whiting.

It is indeed known for conger eels to venture off the Harbour Rock and venture into the Turbot Bank after storms but for them to come so far in over clean ground is unusual.

The light lines got back on track in January and luckily there was another break in the horrendous weather. In fact it hadn't rained for a number of days before the comp and that did help. The numbers of fish were down, though, with 705 fish caught in total. The size of fish was also down and the whiting and dabs were much smaller than previous comps. Paddy Swan kept up his winning ways coming out on top, followed closely by Pat Condon, Davy McCormick and Pat Wright.

The less said about the February comp the better. The fishing was the toughest in the history of the series. No doubt the mid-week storm before hand and the days of rain leading upto the day had a significant bearing. The fishing was appalling. Nevertheless, Paddy Swan won out again with 19 fish. Closely, followed by Davy McCormick and Danny Cannon. A total of 158 fish were caught between the 3 boats. In some of the previous comps that number wouldn't even be enough to win it. One boat had only a total of 19 fish. Pat O'Shea, the 2013 champion, had no fish at all!!!

Things came back to normal, somewhat, for the March comp. A total of 1,946 fish were caught between the 31 anglers giving an average of 63 fish per angler. This time Davy McCormick won out, with the other boat winners being Pat Condon, Roy Kearney, and Pat O'Shea. This set things up nicely for the last competition in the series. With Paddy Swan leading the field he could only be caught by two others; Davy McCormick and Pat Condon. It was down to the wire on the last day!

....and so the pressure was on. A hearty group of anglers from Wicklow and Dublin travelled to lend their support to Paddy's cause. The three leading anglers were placed in Lagosta II to slug it out. With them were some able local anglers who'd give them some stiff competition. As it turned out the fishing was good on a glorious day that was more reminiscent of summer rather than winter. A total of 1,986 fish were caught between the 27 anglers giving an average of 64 fish per angler. These were mainly whiting and dabs but there were a few plaice and flounder scattered in amongst them. Winner on the day was Terry Boyle of Dublin, followed by Martin Kennedy, Danny Kane, and Dave Jolly. Indeed, both Danny Kane and Pat O'Shea had up-scuttled things slightly on the Lagosta by scoring so highly. However, Paddy Swan had come in at 5th place which was enough to secure him the overall winner's spot. Well done Paddy Swan - Cork Harbour Light Lines Champion 2014!!!


Many thanks to Ger Keohane, skipper of the Naomh Cartha, who sponsors the overall Light Lines Trophy. Thanks must also go to the other skippers who also sponsored prizes; Donie Geary of the John Boy, Alan Kennedy of the Lagosta II, and Joe Lynch of the Wreck Hunter II. In fairness these skippers have always put us on the fish and we would recommend them to any angler or group who would like to fish the grounds in Cork Harbour and off shore.

Bass....they're back!!!

Local die-hard lure anglers Ray Horgan and Pat O'Shea struck silver at last! The lads have stuck to lure fishing all through the winter and have persevered despite countless blanks. At last their efforts have been rewarded. Over the last few days the bass have re-appeared again on the outer Harbour marks and the two hardy anglers were in the right place at the right time.

Ray reports that he had this fine 60cm fish on a Tackle House Feed Shallow on an early morning session. The water was still coloured but despite that the fish had no problem targeting the lures. Ray lost another fish almost at his feet which he reckons was the same size and he had numerous other fish bump the lures.

Pat O'Shea availed of the fine weather and headed out at mid-day. In a short two hour session he had a 53cm bass to a Feed Shallow and a 50cm fish to a Savage Gear Sandeel. It just goes to show its not all about being there at dusk or dawn!

Pollack on the Fly

Richie Ryan of Eire Bass, one of Cork Harbour's top bass guides, reports of his plans for catching pollack on the fly this year. Richie and his clients have had fabulous sport chucking fluff for this very sporting fish over the last few seasons. He reports that he has had great success in water 40 foot deep with HD lines and heavy flies.

Having completed a video editing course, run by soft plastic fishing supremo Jim Clohessy, for the Cork Harbour Angling Hub, Richie dipped his toes in the water and produced some videos. His latest is 'Pollack on the Fly Part 2' filmed in the outer reaches of Cork Harbour. The video was chosen by the site 'Total Fishing.nl'l for their Friday film slot.

Many thanks to Myles Kelly of IFI for this report.

If you'd like to book Richie for a day's angling then check out his website on http://www.corkbass.com/. You can also contact him by email on info@corkbass.com or by phone on +353 (0)86 1940744.

Soft Plastics Fishing Cork - Early Season Pollack

Soft plastic supremo, Jim Clohessy, has been out recently getting in some early season soft plastic fishing. Jim reports on his early season foray....

'Kevin M & myself hit some reefs the other day. Incredibly this was our first trip of 2014! Fishing was steady but the average size was small. We did get a few decent fish. Pollack were the mainstay with plenty of small coalies and a few ling making up the rest. Kevin had most success on metal while I did most damage with a Yokouna Sentail on an articulated head.'

Given the long run of winter storms we had this year Jim and Kevin were indeed lucky to get out. Hopefully, the weather will settle down from here on in and we should see more angling reports coming in all round.

Jim is now doing some fine articles on www.topfisher.eu. Check it out!

Once again the lads were fishing onboard one of Kevin's boats from the Bellavista self-drive fleet. If you'd like further details check out www.bellavistahotel.ie or give Kevin a bell on 00-353-21-4812450.

World Boat Team Qualifying Competition 2013

The National Fish-Offs were once again held in Cork Harbour over the October Bank Holiday weekend. This was the 5th year on the trot that this competition to pick the Irish Team for the World Boat Angling Championships has been held in the harbour. The Irish team next year will be competing in Weymouth, England.

This year was going to be more of a challenge. First of all the tides were the smallest of the month; this can have a big impact on the fishing.  Secondly, the forecast was not the greatest. In fact, the storm that eventually did so much damage along the south coast of England passed through the region over the Saturday and Sunday. Winds on both days came upto force 9 at times with gusts in excess of force 10. This coupled with the occasional downpours made the conditions extremely difficult for anglers. In the height of the tempest anglers struggled. One unlucky angler threw his catch forward to a steward to be measured and recorded only for the wind to catch the fish and carry it dozens of yards from the boat. Crazy!!!

Despite the tough conditions over a thousand fish were caught and recorded on day 1 and on the day 2 this was upped to over 1,200. Now that wasn't too bad; although, it pales in comparison to the numbers of fish caught in previous years, but given the conditions and the tide it was a good results. Once again, the mainstay of the catch were whiting and dab. Just as in previous year's there were many good dabs with some coming close to specimen size!

Well done to the anglers, whose exceptional angling skills resulted in good numbers of fish in such testing conditions. Especially.....well done to the top five anglers, Pat Swan, Michael Barry, Heiko Dreier, Padraig Clear, and Brian Whelan who now join this year's Master Angler, Liam O'Callaghan, on the National Boat Angling Team.

Well done especially to Paddy Swan who won the competition outright. Paddy Swan has been knocking on the door now for the past few years. Paddy qualified in some style this time around!Well done to also to Brian Whelan who fished his socks off on the Sunday. Coming into Sunday Brian was in 32nd spot but his exploits on Sunday catapulted him right into 5th place!

Well done lads and the best of luck in Weymouth next year!!!

For the full results the final scorecard is reproduced below.

Many thanks to the skippers from the Cork Harbour Angling Hub who always ensure that their guests stay on the fish. This weekend they included Donie Geary of the John Boy, Vince & John Geary of the Lee Star, Ger Keohane of the Naomh Cartha, and Alan Kennedy of the Lagosta II. Also many thanks to the stewards from Cobh SAC who had a busy weekend measuring fish and recording them. They included Pat Wright, Danny Kane, John O'Reilly, Sean Og McShane, and yours truly. Thanks also to Geary Angling Services and especially Mary Geary who organised the boats, bait & the stewards and without whom this event would not run so smoothly.

Watch out for the Fundraiser for the National Team which will also be held in Cork Harbour on the 28th December!!!

Winter bass on lures.....

Tomasz Kujawa with a fine winter lure caught bass!!!

After a month of wet and windy weather, which suited more the surfcasting community targeting cod, the dedicated bunch of Cork Harbour lure anglers finally got the weather break they were looking for. Winds finally swung around to the North West quarter, the sea state flattened, and water clarity returned....and this all happened just as the tides just came right. Conditions were perfect!

Pat O'Shea's fine 64cm bass

Many of the seasoned bass anglers reported success over the weekend. Pat O'Shea fitted in two lure sessions before the Light Lines competition and had good success on soft plastics. On both sessions he had 4 fish with the best going 63cm and 64cm on both days. Clinton Rachman also managed 4 on an early morning session with all fish falling to Clinton's own brand of soft plastics, the 'Bass Bombs.' 

Andy Davies with his bass

Young Turk, Darragh McCarthy, also scored!

Robert Frazcek with a 64cm bass

Andy Davies and the young turk, Darragh McCarthy, went a bit further east of the harbour and also had success with fish falling to soft plastics. Robert Fraczek and Tomasz Kujawa squeezed in a session before also competing in the Light Line competition and both managed fish. Robert had the bigger of the two with a fine bass of 64cm weighing 2.8kg.

Clinton Rachman had these bass on Bass Bombs!!!

There will be more opportunities to pick up fish if this settled weather spell continues. Some years bass can be caught right up to Christmas on the Cork Harbour outer marks if conditions are right. Let's hope they stay right this year!

1st of the Winter season.....

Mick Barry with a superb Plaice

The Cork Harbour Light Lines series of competitions got off to a great start this Sunday. In the first competition of the season over 30 anglers, from as far away as Dublin, Wicklow, and Ulster, competed and what a great day they had!!! The weather was superb and the fishing was great!

On a crisp, bright and sunny morning the 30 anglers congregated on Cobh's Kennedy Pier for the oft. Four of the Angling Hub's charter boats were used for the day:- the John Boy, Lagosta II, Lee Star, and Naomh Cartha.

This year the boats had the option of fishing outside the harbour, albeit within a limit of one nautical mile of Roches Point. However, none of the skippers opted for this. Instead, all opted to fish Deep Hole once more. This spot has always been the favourite over the years holding hoards of whiting, dabs, and codling at times. 

Martin O'Leary with a Tub Gurnard

All manner of rigs and traces were dropped to the depths in search of fish; three hook pats, 2 ups 1 down, 3 hook legers, herme bay spreaders, and boomed traces. The variety of baits were also mind boggling...crab, razor, mussel, rag, lug, wraps and mack. However, it was lug and mack that were most successful, with frozen mack having the edge; plenty of fresh mack were caught but when used as bait were not producing to the same extent of the frozen stuff!

From the start fish were landed but not all boats were having the same success. The John Boy, Naomh Cartha, and Lee Star were in about 70 feet of water and catching good whiting and in numbers. The Lagosta was in shallower territory and not having the same luck. Onboard, was Cobh SAC angler, Pat O'Shea, '....we were getting whiting from the minute the anchor went down but not many were making the new minimum size of 20cm; what was frustrating was looking over at the anglers on the John Boy, which was just outside us, and we could see that they were getting good size whiting and they were all keepers.'

An unexpected catch - a Brill!!!

For the last hour before the 1/2 time changeover, skipper Alan Kennedy decided to try a new mark. He brought the Lagosta to a channel mark just off the Turbot Bank. It was an inspired move! As soon as the boat settled the anglers starting landing whiting in good numbers and of good size. Most fish were in excess of 30cm, with some clonkers over 2lbs....and they were coming in two's and three's!!!

Competition within the boat itself soon heated up but over the course of the day two international anglers, Mick Barry and Davy McCormick, slugged it out against each other for the top spot. Mick landed a superb plaice late in the afternoon of 46cm and this was to be the deciding fish between the two. 

On all the other boats it was the international anglers who were leading the pack. On John Boy, ex-Irish captain, Pat Condon won out with 160 fish; on Lee Star seasoned international, Dave Jolly led with 128 fish; and on Naomh Cartha, latest recruit to the Irish team, Pat Swan, triumphed with 186 fish. However, they didn't have it all their own way and many of the local anglers kept the pressure on right up to the end.

The full results are as follows:-

  1. Pat Swan,                 186 fish,    2557 pts, 100.0%

  2. Pat Condon,             160 fish,    2193 pts, 100.0%

  3. Mick Barry,              141 fish,    1895 pts, 100.0%

  4. Dave Jolly,                128 fish,   1711 pts, 100.0%

  5. Dave McCormick,     140 fish,  1878 pts,    99.1%

  6. Pat O'Shea,                119 fish,  1636 pts,    86.3%

  7. Dave Rylands,            123 fish, 1743 pts,    79.5%

  8. John Dennehy,           124 fish,  1696 pts,   77.3%

  9. Martin Perryman,       135 fish,  1884 pts,   73.7%

10. Joe Gough,                   89 fish,  1223 pts,   71.5%

11. Sean Og McShane,    110 fish,  1536 pts,   70.0%

12. Joe Byrne,                    84 fish,  1150 pts,   67.2%

13. Owen O'Brien,           122 fish,  1712pts,    67.0%

14. Sylwester Skowronski, 89 fish,  1242 pts,  65.5%

15. John Cronin,                 82 fish,  1111 pts,  64.9%

16. Tomasz Kujawa,        111 fish,  1559 pts,   61.0%

17. Sandra O'Shea,           109 fish,  1512 pts,  59.1%

18. Roy Kearney,             107 fish,  1493 pts,  58.4%

19. Brendan O'Dwyer,       79 fish,  1084 pts,  57.2%

20. Gavin O'Connor,          77 fish,  1063 pts,  56.1%

21. Conor Purcell,              75 fish,   1021 pts,  53.9%

22. Danny Kane,                65 fish,    875 pts,  51.1%

23. John Fitz,                      94 fish,  1290 pts,  50.4%

24. Bob Crebor,                  69 fish,   940 pts,  49.6%

25. Robert Fraczek,            78 fish,  1077 pts,  49.1%

26. Brian O'Neill,               59 fish,   816 pts,   47.7%

27. Dave Quirke,                74 fish,  1066 pts,  41.7%

28. Pat Tobin,                     48 fish,    684 pts,  31.2%

29. Frank Burke,                46 fish,    645 pts,  29.4%

30. Martin O'Leary,            42 fish,   420 pts,  24.5%

The total number of fish caught were 2965, giving an average of 99 fish per angler. These were made up of 2375 whiting, 504 dabs, 4 grey gurnard, 2 tub gurnard, 1 cod, 1 pouting, 18 poor cod, 6 plaice, 8 flounder,  and 46 scad.

What a great start! Roll on the next competition in the series. This will take place on Sunday 15th December. If you fancy giving this a shot then give Danny Kane a ring on 086 - 8161946.

For any anglers planning on staying overnight on either the Sat or Sun night we've worked out a great deal with the Commodore Hotel. Overnight B&B for €29pps. Now that's a great deal - contact Mary on 021 - 4811277 or by email on commodorehotel@eircom.net. 

Winter Light Lines Competitions

Well it's that time of year again; the start of winter, which heralds the influx of codling, whiting and dabs into Cork Harbour. So if you were thinking of mothballing your fishing gear for the winter, then DON'T!!!

Instead, head out fishing with Cobh SAC. The winter series of the ever popular Light Line competitions are starting again and will run right through the winter until next April. These competitions are for everyone; whether you're a seasoned angler or a raw beginner. In fact, if you are a novice its no better a place to cut your teeth in boat angling. These are fun competitions where everyone is quite willing to help out each other and you can get great advice. Not that there isn't a competitive side to these matches as well as some of top rods will be slogging it out to be the Light Line champion over the season.

The first of this winter's competitions is on next Sunday week, the 17th November 2013 (HT 17:10 4.1m). If you'd like to fish this one then book your place with Danny Kane, on 086 - 8161946. Book early to avoid disappointment. These comps are very popular and can book up fairly early. Make sure to get your entry in before the close off next Weds evening at 6pm.

The full list of competitions are as follows:

Sunday 17th November (HT 17:10pm 4.1m)
Sunday 15th December (HT 16:00pm 3.9m)
Sunday 19th January (HT 19:23pm 3.9m)
Sunday 16th February (HT 18:27pm 4.0m)
Sunday 23rd March (HT 22:10pm 3.6m)
Sunday 13th April (HT 17:19am 3.8m)

The scorecard used is the same one that was used for the Boat Fish-Offs and the fishing will be broadly similar. However, the format is much simpler and the rules are kept simple. There will be only one change of positions in the boat; basic IFSA rules apply e.g. you are limited to three hooks. The only stipulation is that your main line is of 15lb b.s. or under. Shockleaders, main rig bodies, and snoods can be made of any breaking strain. There is no restrictions on bait. The rules are kept as simple as possible as it's meant to be a fun competition; a fun day out. In fairness the craic can be mighty and the slagging something to behold!!!

You can fish one competition or you fish them all. If you fish every one then you'll be entered into the overall series. Your best scores from 5 comps will count (you can drop your worst score). Last year it was, yet again, a very close run thing; Martin Perryman, Crosshaven SAC, and John Dennehy, captain of the 2012 Irish Home Nations Team, Pat Wright, 2013 Irish Home Nations Team, and Pat O'Shea, Cobh SAC, were all in the reckoning upto the last day....it was that close!

A full report of that final day can be read here http://bit.ly/17NA9AD

Here's a few reports from a selection of previous comps to give you an idea what to expect:

http://bit.ly/STU8Gn

http://bit.ly/VVtwlC

C'mon give it a go; you know its good for you!!!    (It'll keep you sane over the winter!)

Shark Fishing Cork Ireland 2013

Jim Clohessy targets the blues aboard Skua with Cork Small Boats team mate, Rob McClean.

http://youtu.be/IHSOmtO6E1g

Bass in the Dragon's Den....

The Molyneux's have been coming from North Wales to Cork Harbour and East Cork, fishing for bass, for years. This year they report that they had the best year since they started coming. They've had such a week that you'd be forgiven for thinking that these Welsh Dragons have found a den of bass!!!

It didn't start that well. They did have a fine bass of 6lb on the first tide. Just after arriving on Sunday evening they decided to fish a favourite shore mark using surface lures. The water was coloured as there had been a stiff breeze over the weekend. Within the first hour Mike Molyneux had a stonking bass on a patchinko....and what a fantastic visual attack it was. The fish literally breeched completely out of the water in its efforts to get at the lure. However, after that they struggled.

The next day the weather deteriorated dramatically and the lads caught no fish. It wasn't for want of effort, though.

By Tuesday things started to improve. James reported that the fishing started to take off. On the Tuesday they had 6 fish. The next day they had 15 bass. On Thursday they had 10 and on the last tide of their trip, on Friday morning, they had 9 more.....but it was the size of the fish that had James raving! In total they had two 3lbers, four 4lbers, twenty-one 5lbers, six 6lbers, a 7lb 12oz bass, five 8lbers, one bass of 9lb 12oz and one 10lber. Wow, that's some fishing....and its great to hear amidst all the reports of relatively poor fishing over the last few months.

James was excited about this trip....'this is why we come to Ireland. We can get plenty of bass at home, probably more than here even, but they're all small with the odd few touching 5lbs. Here you the chance of some really big fish and every year we seem to get one to double figures. That's why we come back every year.'

47th Cobh International Deep Sea Angling Festival.....the results!

Wreck Hunter heads out on the first day

The first week in September is eagerly awaited by a mixed bunch of Irish, Dutch, Welsh, and UK anglers every year. Many have been fishing the Cobh International Deep Sea Angling Festival for years.....and its easy to understand why! Not only is the fishing good, but the craic and banter is superb. This continues from the boats, back to the pubs and restaurants that sponsor each day's events, where the topic is, undoubtedly, about the one that got away!

Some of that mixed bunch

This year it was hoped that the weather would match last year. Good weather ensures that boats can get out to the angling hotspots off the harbour. Last year's weather was great and the boats got to the offshore reefs every day. This was reflected in the fishing results which were probably the best in living memory. Surely, it might be too much to expect superb weather two years on the trot...but that's exactly what happened. The fishing as a result was excellent again!!!

The Dutch gang

Once more, the skills of the skippers of the Cork Harbour Angling Hub fleet ensured that the anglers were on the best marks. The Cuan Bawn, Wreck Hunter, Lee Star, John Boy, & Naomh Cartha all have a great track record and this year they didn't disappoint.

Eagerly awaiting the off....

On Monday the designated area was to be the Smiths Reef area. The tides were slack but at least they were building for the rest of the week. The fishing was unusual. Ruud Boelhower had a superb day aboard the Naomh Cartha. He had 16 congers for a total score of 690 points; winning the day with the highest score. Ruud was way ahead in his boat with nobody coming near. He just seemed to have the midas touch. It was as if he was dropping into a conger nest each time. 

On the Cuan Bawn, Pat O'Shea also had a good day. Pat had a mixture of conger and pollack but really racked up the score with the pollack in the afternoon. He ended the day with 680 points; again way ahead of anyone else on his boat. This was enough to give him 2nd place for the day. In 3rd place was Milo Burke with 360 points.

Cuan Bawn heads off

Heaviest fish fell to Gerard Gersjes with an 11kg conger. Ironically, that's the second year in a row that an 11kg conger has won the first day's heaviest fish prize!

....and so does John Boy

The Power Head/Pollack Rock Reef was the area designated for Tuesday. The fishing for the day was cracking. Two anglers scored over 900 points! There was plenty of conger caught and good quality fish to boot. Two anglers also caught fish warranting the heaviest fish prize. Both were congers of 17.0kg. However, by virtue of the fact that her next heaviest conger was heavier, at 7.5kg, Sandra O'Shea won. What was more extraordinary was that this fish was caught on the same trace as the 17.0kg conger at the same time. Poor Sandra struggled to haul up over 24.0kg of fish in the height of a strong tide....but she did manage!

Fishing for bait - Lee Star

Winner for the day was Martin Perryman with 910 points, followed closely by Denis Morgan with 905 points. Sandra O'Shea came in 3rd with 760 points. The day's results kept Ruud Boelhower in the overall lead.

On Thursday it was decided to return to the Pollack Rock reef. With the fishing so good here on Tuesday and the better tide it was hoped that some great scores could be had here once more. However, as is always the case in fishing things don't always turn out as you hope or expect. The winner had about 200 less points than on Tuesday but, at least, the average score per angler was on a par. Hans Vermelis from Holland had the best score with a total of 760 points. In 2nd was Karl Slynne with 645 points and in 3re was Frank Cronin with 620 points. Bob Crebor had the heaviest fish with a 13.5kg conger. Ruud Boelhower had another good day and maintained his lead on the overall scoreboard.

Despite maintaining his lead Ruud had three other anglers pressing him all the way. Martin Perryman, Milo Burke, and Pat O'Shea were all in contention and keeping Ruud under pressure. The final day's results would prove to be interesting.

The final day's fishing area was the Smiths and Daunt Rock area. As was the case on Monday, some boats had good fishing but others fared out poorly. Unluckily, for Ruud, after putting in a great performance all week, his luck ran out. Ruud managed 3 conger but it was not enough. Others had better. Milo Burke had the best score on Friday with 680 points, with Paul Evans following closely with 645 points, and Pat O'Shea in 3rd with 620 points. Heaviest fish was a 13.0kg conger by Karl Slynne.

Naomh Cartha on the way back

Friday's scoring enough to Pat O'Shea to the top spot. This is Pat's second year in a row winning the Festival. Well done Pat!!!

Milo Burke came 2nd and Ruud came 3rd.....

The final results for the week are as follows:

1st Pat O'Shea, Cobh SAC, 2015 pts

1st Pat O'Shea, Cobh SAC, 2015 pts
2nd Milo Burke, Cobh SAC, 1690 pts
3rd Ruud Boelhower, Holland, 1690 pts
4th Martin Perryman, Crosshaven SAC, 1650 pts
5th Paul Evan, Wales, 1445 pts
6th Sandra O'Shea, Cobh SAC, 1445 pts

Outside Kelly's Pub

7th Karl Slynne, Ireland, 1435 pts
8th Denis Morgan, Ireland, 1425 pts
9th Peter Morris, Wales, 1360 pts
10th Paul Tennant, Cobh SAC, 1330 pts
11th Frank Cronin, Cobh SAC, 1270 pts
12th Richie Fortune, Cobh SAC, 1205 pts

Best Pollack, 4.0kg, Karl Slynne, Irl

Best Ling, 7.5kg, Frank Cronin, Irl

Most No. of Conger, 28 conger, Ruud Boelhower, Holland

Best Edible Bag, 95.5kg, Pat O’ Shea, Irl

Some of the locals with the Welsh lads

Most Species, 9 species, Ger Brady, Irl

Best Cod, 6.5kg, Johann Duijts, Holland

Heaviest Edible Fish, 7.5kg, Frank Cronin, Irl

Best No. of Fish, 85 fish, Pat O’ Shea, Irl

Best ‘Out of State’, Paul Evans, Wales, 1445pts

Best Lady, Sandra O'Shea, Irl, 1445 pts

Heaviest fish of the week, 17kg conger, Sandra O'Shea, Irl

Best Skipper, John & Eoin Barry, Cuan Bawn

Fun Team, Steve Williams (Wales), Ruud Boelhower (Holland), Martin Perryman (Irl), Phil Blakey (UK), 5045 pts

Two Man Team, Ireland E, Milo Burke, Frank Cronin, 2960 pts.

Pat with some of his prizes

As well as wining the overall prize for the second time this is Pat's 3rd year on the trot winning the 'Best Edible Bag' Trophy and his 4th year on the trot winning the trophy for the 'Most number of fish.'

Well done to all the committee at Cobh SAC for organising such a great event yet again!

Plans are already afoot in organising next year's Festival which will once more be held, as is tradition, in the first week in September. If you fancy your chances and would like to enter then contact club chairperson, Mary Geary, for further information on 00-353-21-4812167 or by email on seaangling@esatclear.ie.

Pat & Ruud reflect on a good week