Sea Angling Ireland

Hi guys,
I've been looking to try a few beaches in Donegal soon that all have reports of various flatfish being caught. Problem is that I couldn't find any reports from this time of year and I'm just wondering when the shore fishing season begins/ends for Dabs, Turbot and Plaice? Flounder I know can be caught at most times of the year but it would be the other species that I'm yet to catch that I'd be more interested in
Cheers

Hi Obeckett98

Cant tell you of Donegal but in Mayo, which must be similar, the flounder and small turbot run all year round. Keep an eye out for brill (check the fins at the head).
If you are fishing into deep water, you can also catch megrim. On my hit list for October.
Dabs tend to be better in late spring and I've only ever caught one Plaice...
Most flatfish spawn early so you may find poor and thin fish ravenously chomping any baits in February / March, especially flounder.
Bound to be sole here but they require really tiny hooks.

Hope this helps...

obeckett98 wrote:Hi guys,
I've been looking to try a few beaches in Donegal soon that all have reports of various flatfish being caught. Problem is that I couldn't find any reports from this time of year and I'm just wondering when the shore fishing season begins/ends for Dabs, Turbot and Plaice? Flounder I know can be caught at most times of the year but it would be the other species that I'm yet to catch that I'd be more interested in
Cheers

Crack on. You should have every chance of getting all those flat fish (though plaice are thin on the ground in Donegal) at this time of year and into November, if they are biting..
Have had them all into November and have every intention of targeting them all over the coming weeks there too
good luck. put up a report..

Don’t know why Donegal should be different but some of my best Dab fishing has been this time of year.

kieran wrote:Hi Obeckett98

Cant tell you of Donegal but in Mayo, which must be similar, the flounder and small turbot run all year round. Keep an eye out for brill (check the fins at the head).
If you are fishing into deep water, you can also catch megrim. On my hit list for October.
Dabs tend to be better in late spring and I've only ever caught one Plaice...
Most flatfish spawn early so you may find poor and thin fish ravenously chomping any baits in February / March, especially flounder.
Bound to be sole here but they require really tiny hooks.

Hope this helps...

Hi Kieran,

Didn't know megrim were caught from the shore. I've heard they're caught from the boats near where I intend to fish so i'll keep an eye out!
Heard of sole being around too so i'll put out a few size 6 or 8 hooks with lug and see
Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the help guys!

The big dab show up down my way over winter, plenety fish into the 30's about but must admit I am guilty of ignoring them for bigger fish

Recently a conger spat up a dover sole so must put some effort into getting one but open to all info on catching them

all sole have exceptionally small mouths. you need calm evenings and stinky bait and we're talking size 8s at most.

Megrim have been caught from the shore in a few deep water marks onto sand in the NW.
I had pictures to prove it but think they were lost on the last phone, sorry.

Quite an ugly looking fish...

Thanks Kieran

Bait is Crab/Rag/Lug? Summer or winter fish?

Fishing here has been excellent this past few weeks. Flats are on the feed big time at the moment fattening up before they head to spawn. Any beach worth a go at the present moment you should get good results. Tight lines