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Atlantic Herring, Clupea harengus

Introduction: Sad to say the Atlantic Herring is a rare catch in Irish waters. It is hardly a massive fish, with a top weight of around 1 kilo (2 lbs) and length of perhaps 45 cms (1.5 feet).  They do make excellent baits, or you could always smoke them into kippers, but they are as bony as hell IMHO. Some people love them but you are welcome to them!

Boat tactics: Herring are typically caught by accident when looking for other fish, most notably mackerel.  The same rigs, gear and techniques apply, and herring will arrive in a shoal usually...

Shore tactics: Given they have become so rare, your best bet for a herring from the shore lies on the west coast.  There are some indications of a minor recovery... indeed a few were taken by mackerel seekers on a Wicklow beach in 2004.