Kilbaha, Loop Head, Co Clare

I'm off down there for the weekend at the end of the month. A boat's been sorted, but I was wondering if it'd be worthwhile to pack along the lure gear for a chuck along the shore. I've never fished that area before, but a quick scan of the osi shows some fishy looking spots nearby.

Needless to say I'm not expecting a complete guide to your local bass hotspots, with GPS coordinates, times of tides to fish and best lures to use (but that would be nice and, of course, held in strictest confidence between myself and all of my fishing buddies along at the time ) but a general yay/nay about the area would be usefull. Take them, or wasting time that could be spent in the pub?

Why not to find it out and give it a try ?

Maybe 1 guy caught something and 20 didnt in the last few months. This one fella says , its good spot as he caught 2 on those 2 times he was out there in last 12 months and 20 others will keep theyr mouth shut... as they didnt catch any and theyve been out there for 20 times in last 12 months ..

Sry to say, but i personally cant see this site is very helpful with this sort of information. Open sea, but everyone here thinks that all the fish are territorial and belong to them
And i hope its not a surprise for you ... Its the RULE here, NEVER trust another fisherman here if we talk about the fishing spots

I agree with Doberman 100%...

I have been around this area a lot and been fishing that whole stretch in vain for Bass on shore. They can be caught on boat though. But if you are not targetting Bass specifically, that whole area is abundant with a lot of good species. Conger, Mackerel, Pollock, Dogfish, Thornback, Wrasse, Whiting, Gurnards...

There is a wreck near the shore that gives good size fish and you can chance poulnasherry for the odd Bass which is closeby...

I hope this gives more info though not what you are looking for. I myself and my mates drive to Youghal, Kinsale, etc... for our Bass sessions...

Good Luck and tight lines!

All good info.

Driving down from as far away as Donegal means nipping over the road 15 or 20 mins is nothing, in the grand scheme of things.

I fished kilbaha pier at nite last Friday wit my son and nephew and ad great sport, 1st a shoal of mack came in chasing sprat (actually leaping out of d water) and we had about 20 on small rods and mepps. A nice pollock was was got on a tiny luminous rapala lure. As nite came out went d mack baits and by nites end we ended up with, 3 conger, 4 dogs and a 3 bearded rockling.

plus the bridges of ross is only miles away(if weather is ok)

id bring the lures with me if i was you. I've been out on the charter boat a few times in kilbaha and was kinda sorry i didnt have one to bring with me. Just in front of the light house pub looked a good spot for a lure, you can see loads of rocky gully's when the tide is out and the back of the harbour looked alrite aswell. Bass have been taken outside the pub on lures but you no urself no guarantees.The bridges of ross is meant to be a good spot and if you get bored your always guaranteed a conger at the end of the pier

http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/gui ... n_2009.htm

Thanks guys, for the posts and info. Thanks also for some very interesting PMs.....

We'll certainly be packing along the lure gear as well as the boat gear.

If anyone is in the area of the Lighthouse Inn next weekend, make yourself known for a yarn and a pint.

if you do get a few fish worth eating bring them back to the pub and they'll cook it for your dinner they do a lovely batter.

and chowder...there is some nice gulleys and rock marks around the harbour that are very bassy looking.. we have seen lads fishing off the cliffs when we out in the charter boat but i wouldnt chance it. expect some arm wrenching from the pollack on the boat,average 6lb up 200-300ft of water,blue shads were working when we were there.. Mick is good craic and has some stories so is James his son, you will enjoy the trip

Excellent weekend away. Not so great on the fish front, but thoroughy enjoyable all the same. Best fish was a 10.5 lb pollock for a clubmate off the boat in 30 feet of water. Ballans showed too, and I got a marvellously tiny Greater Weaver, haven't seen one of those in yonks.