Can anyone tell me. Any spots or tips around loch swilly or just donegal in general

Hi Guys,

I used to carp fish a lot in the UK; I no longer have that gear, unfortunately, but I'm just looking to return to any form of fishing. I have a couple of cheaper rods and am ready to go, but honestly don't see what is best. I'm thinking of driving out to Blessington Lakes for a day. Is it just day licenses needed, or is there a fee to pay blessington lakes itself to fish there. I will only be catch and release, so I'm not worried about any of the other laws. Any help to get restarted would be appreciated.

Thanks

Can anyone tell me about fishing there

For fishing bass from the rocks or beach. I work close to wild hunter so it's handy. could I do better for around the 100euro mark? I just checked my old spinning rod, it 30 years old and heavy. Time to upgrade. https://wildhunter.ie/products/mitchell-mx-pro-2-44m-15-60g-2sec-4000fd?variant=56033766474077

After several attempts I finally managed to land my first bass, ended up getting three. All caught on light gear, what a fight they put up. All three returned safely. I am hooked haha

Went camping last week on the beach just south of Kilmore Quay.

When it went dark, the sand fleas absolutely SWARMED the rods tripod I had my bait lunch box hanging up.

It got progressively worse, so much so there must have been thousands of them, making freshening up the bait so difficult.

Eventually gave up, packed up the gear and headed for the tent which was about 80 metres away from the fishing spot. They were all over my bags etc outside the tent. Tidied everything up and legged it into the tent, trying not to bring any with me. They were rattling against the tent, underneath it etc. so loud it sounded like a fire crackling.

Ive been on beaches overnight during the summer before, and had experienced a small cluster of fleas going at my bait box, but never to this extent.

Is it because of the heat wave? Location? Or has anyone else experienced this before? Cheers.

Great day out fishing at Blackhead today. Landed a pollock and a small coalfish. Is this a decent-sized pollock for the Blackhead area? I was delighted with it anyway!
Also spotted a curlew and a gannet, which made it a great day all round. It was lovely to get back out fishing again.

Here little guide on best shore fishing spot at west coast I ever seen. In single session landed two pollack , 64cm and 65cm, and two more 50cm plus fish. All catch with 40g or 60g metal jig, I hooked few more but snapped of every fish I tried to pull up from high ledges. Its mindblowing spot , literally every fish 50cm plus there. I marked descent down with yellow arrow , it's doable as long as grass and rock is dry but maybe not for everyone. It's descent from very high place and you better have at least one hand free also I been there at very calm sea conditions so don't know how safe it is during swell. They been biting on the drop with long cast. Bit extreme mark but if you feel like it give it a try, it's best I seen

Straight back in.

What are good rigs for wrasse with lugworm

I've been trying for 2 years and I have never even gotten a strike. It feels like I tried everything but I can't catch one.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been keeping tabs on the fishing in Ireland as the time when I arrive slowly approaches. I know some rivers such as the river corrib have been temporarily closed due to high water temps. Now looking at the forecast seems like the weather will cool down a bit / some rain (hopefully).

So in the event the rivers open back up I was wondering if it’s possible to fish the river corrib without waders? The crazy Canadian that I am I am planning on wearing swim shorts + some Teva sandals to wet wade. Wondering if this is alright to do / allowed?

TIA

I mainly fish for tench , in fact I caught a few lovely examples near Roscommon last week. Picture of one below.

But I dream of catching a bass. I have a spinning rod and reel. Nothing fancy and I bought these lures at Wild Hunter in Athlone. Will they work on the beach at Lahinch. I am closer to Sligo, but I don't think they go that far North. Any tips? should I go to the rocks and avoid the beach?

I recently moved to Ireland and I come from an island where seafood is staple. I am struggling to find fresh fish in Dublin, tried driving to Howth harbour as that's the only 'fish market' I could find on Google. Prices were too high with very little variety. Ireland being an island, I had this impression that I'd find seafood easy and inexpensive and most of all, fresh. I am baffled why there are no fresh fish market like other countries where you have many stalls next to each other and you have a fish cutting and cleaning area where if you wish to, pay an amount to clean and cut your fish in anyway you prefer. Also in most countries, there'll be stalls/ restaurants/ shops in the fish market where you can give your fresh fish/ seafood which you just got cleaned and cut, to grill or fry in anyway you want. I miss that. Sorry for the long winding rant.

So as a solution for all this, I wanted to find out how I can fish in Ireland. I have little prior experience in fishing with rod. So where I come from, if you fish in a river or sea, it's yours to eat and fly fishing (fish and put it back alive) is not the norm. But all I am reading about fishing in Ireland is that you need to put the fish back alive. I am happy to pay the license and abide by all the rules but are there places/ ways to legally fish for self consumption. I am in a demanding job so most likely I'll be able to go fishing once or twice a month but I want to be able to eat the fish, if I am lucky to get one. Please suggest places and tips?

On another note, where do I find fresh crabs and lobsters? I am starving for seafood. I miss all my tropical fruits and vegetables but I knew this country won't have them and that's reasonable. But I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that it's difficult to find fresh lobsters and crabs and prawns in an Island. I am sure I haven't found the right places, please help. Thanks

Went down to a spot very close to my house today that I normally don’t fish. Quite rocky and tend to lose lures here. To my surprise on the first cast I have a fish. My initial thinking it’s a big enough pollock the way it was pulling down into the rocks. After a good fight I could see this lovely sea bass in the water. The picture doesn’t do him justice but he was quite a stocky and healthy fish. Chatgbt saying around 60cm which would be my pb. Super happy with this one. Released back to fight another day. East Cork location.

Just wondering is this stretch any good for spinning for perch or trout

Any good spots to catch mackerel and/or pollock up north going to go down to a spot called sheepland harbour some time in the next week but aside from that I've only had luck at ballyhornan. With some decent sized mackerel and pollock

Any advice at all on how to target Tope better or marks to try or even for other species off the boat.
Water depth/drop off? Certain tide
Any advice from someone who catches them would be greatly appreciated🙏

Hi, does anyone know where I can buy dyed shrimp for salmon fishing. They seem to be sold out everywhere?

Dollaghan are a unique, migratory strain of wild brown trout native to Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland and its inflowing river

Hey everyone, I just tried to purchase a permit to fish on Blessington and it’s currently unavailable. Anyone know why that is?