White Strand Doonbeg - Tiny fish on top of water

Was fishing at the White Strand in Doonbeg (not Doughmore) yesterday as it was the only calm area to fish during yesterdays gales. I noticed lots of tiny fish coming to the surface and making a small swish on the surface of the water but not jumping - similar to trout taking a fly from the surface of a lake. The seagulls were there in force and feeding frantically on them.
Does anyone know what these might?
there were plenty of fish around (just none willing to jump on my hook). From my stand on the north part of the beach, I noticed at least three good sized fish come in to have a feed on these.
Any advice on how to capilatise on this?
Cheers!

sandeels ???

They're Herring sprat....

i agree with saltydog michael.a lad i fish with got loads of them in galway 2 weeks ago for bait.he gave me a gud skip.if u think of the time of the year the herring season is in.im gonna wait another few weeks then im gonna get some for a feed lol.no wonder the fish were takin ur bait because they were full

have you had any luck on that beach lately? other than that day. i've been a couple of times in broken weather and no luck. sea weed and a pain in one ear from the wind... i have had a few mates land nice size bass even at this time of the year. never cod. i've only had a few flats.