Where are the fish???

Where are the fish on the east coast?

Luke Scully has caught them all. Just been in Cahore and Courtown with him where he has caught 100s of dogfish, large bags of thornies to 22lbs,
bullhuss and tope. Granted these were all caught from a boat but only about a mile from shore.

Caught a doggie, a mackerel, a pollock a couple of VERY small codling and m.b3 caught a plaice, a flounder and another VERY small codling this morning in Greystones. By the end of the morning session, there must have been 15 to 20 rods around us. I know we complain about fishing boats in close, but there can only be so many fish to catch from the shore.

I think they have all migrated to the Dingle peninsula as the fishing is excellent at the moment.

Let me assure you, not all the best fish are caught on boats. In fact, most good fish caught on boats are caught near the shore! unless you are fishing wrecks of course. Before i had a boat i used to dream of 'if only i could get out that bit further i would be catching' The mad thing is once you are on the water you find yourself coming right into the rocky areas up real close for the best fish. Most shore anglers think because they have a beach caster and snazzy reel that they have to belt it out. this is simply not true. Sure on a beach distance does matter. My general rule is that you need 30 ft of water. On a beach even the best casters can really only attain 15 ft of water or maybe 20 ft on a steep beach. Last week i came up from Courtown and hugged the coast all the way watching the fish finder and can tell you this is a fact on the East coast. at rocky marks you will more likely be hitting deeper water and during the day this is where you will pick up Pollack Mackerel, wrasse etc. Beaches are pretty much a waste of time in the day. Many may argue but are nothing compared to what they are like in the dark! When fishing rocky marks fish straight down or even just 20 yards out. When I fish for Pollack at say the 'Muglins' at Dalkey it is right in as close as I dare to get that i catch fish not out in the sea. Now if you were standing on the rock i bet you would be slinging it out! try using small black redgills with a small weight or heavy lead shot in front of them. They are dynamite for Pollack! Nothing beats them in Dublin. Only maybe a live big Ragworm just nicked through the head and then 'gilled' but this will not survive a cast. :wink: These are just some obsevations I have made and find work for me.