I've been doing the rounds online, reading forums and websites after finding out I've access to a place in Baltimore. I've never fished before but it seems like I could fill some of my time down there if I take it up. I'm trying to work it all out in my head, so I was hoping I'd be able to get a local response to some of my questions. (I've been on the UK sites which seem fine for general info but aren't sure on local Irish issues.)
I think I'd want to do shore/rock fishing with lures. After a few people have responded to me online I think what I'd need to get is a 8 or 9 foot, medium-heavy rod that can cast from about 15 to 50g, a 4000/40 spinning reel, 20 to 30lb braid, 8 to 10lb fluorocarbon leader, the other bits and bobs for tackle, and some lures. I went into a shop in Cork the other day and they gave me the lowest price they could sort me out for, but I figure I should probably spend a little more to get something decent so I was looking at about €150 all in. I know there's a tackle shop in Skibbereen, I don't know what they're like, but if they could sort me out with both the gear and a bit of West Cork knowledge I'd imagine I'd be set.
The big thing for me is the fishing near Baltimore. I don't drive so somewhere walkable would be best (and next year I can look to travelling further somehow.) I know the shore there can be fairly cliffy, so I'm not entirely sure where I can fish from. The pier in Baltimore is always busy, so I wouldn't be rocking up to do anything from there. According to the link from here Trafraska is fishable from the shore (whether the beach or the rocks heading out, I don't know,) and I've seen some people say there's access to an area around the Beacon. I'll hopefully be walking around there this weekend to take a look, but if anyone knows of rock fishing places within walking distance of Baltimore I'd appreciate the insight. I know people won't share super top spots, but even just a couple of safe-for-a-beginner places would be great. I've also read there's a few spots on Cape Clear and Sherkin. I could get the ferry to either of them and walk, although it'd probably end up being a long day. I'm fairly wary of just hopping out onto a few rocks and seeing what's what. I've no eye for the safety aspect of it and wouldn't want to land myself in trouble straight away. I've been using Google Earth to take a look at the maps and satellite imagery, as well as the photos posted by people there, but it's not something I have the ability to judge from just looking online.
The other aspect I haven't been able to find out about is sea fishing off a charter boat down there. There's a couple of charters going out of Baltimore, and they seem to be well regarded, but I don't know what they''d be like for someone who's never fished before.
Any help would be appreciated. Someone was saying there's about another six weeks to two months left in the season (before the Winter starts throwing up safety issues,) so if I could get started up this year it'd be great.