ISFC Specimen Fish Report 2019

http://irish-trophy-fish.com/wp-content ... 9_LR31.pdf

Recognized a few names! These always make me jealous

I think a lot of it is about getting into the habit of recording fish when caught.
I know that a few of the specimens were caught in Donegal Bay during the Findlater and Master angler competitions.
The Leinster and Munster lads are used to claiming specimens and had pictures taken length recorded etc.
The locals catch similar and just put them back.

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It's interesting that cork seems to hold the most diverse range of specimens but doesn't see many of the shark and ray species..
Any reason for this?

It's interesting that cork seems to hold the most diverse range of specimens but doesn't see many of the shark and ray species..
Any reason for this?

We don't have smoothound, tope and spurdogs in any great numbers down this way. As you say, we do have a greater variety than the East coast though.
The specimen report shows how damaging commercial fishing has been over the years. You'll notice the lack of Ling, Pollack, Cod, Coalies, the wreck dwellers basically are a hard catch now; even the red gurnards, plaice and dabs are scarce. Fish that are give some protection are doing well.

You'll notice the lack of Ling, Pollack, Cod, Coalies, the wreck dwellers basically are a hard catch now; even the red gurnards, plaice and dabs are scarce.

We're seeing a secondary problem up here Jim, dogfish are being heavily exploited for use as pot bait, where they were once a mainstay are now thin on the ground in general terms. Especially for the shore angler.

I’ve heard of areas over the south west as well where ballan wrasse have been trapped & moved for use in salmon cages for the control of lice etc.

Flounder numbers are way down (East coast) the past two years as well which would be a concern.

You'll notice the lack of Ling, Pollack, Cod, Coalies, the wreck dwellers basically are a hard catch now; even the red gurnards, plaice and dabs are scarce.

We're seeing a secondary problem up here Jim, dogfish are being heavily exploited for use as pot bait, where they were once a mainstay are now thin on the ground in general terms. Especially for the shore angler.

I’ve heard of areas over the south west as well where ballan wrasse have been trapped & moved for use in salmon cages for the control of lice etc.

Flounder numbers are way down (East coast) the past two years as well which would be a concern.

Doggies Alby? There's nothing safe anymore.
Wrasse have suffered on my patch due to potters keeping them for bait. Where once thy used salted mackerel they are now using all sorts.
I haven't been able to confirm any wrasse being kept for the salmon farms down this way. Yet.

It's no surprise that the IFSC has had to dumb down many species in recent years.

You'll notice the lack of Ling, Pollack, Cod, Coalies, the wreck dwellers basically are a hard catch now; even the red gurnards, plaice and dabs are scarce.

We're seeing a secondary problem up here Jim, dogfish are being heavily exploited for use as pot bait, where they were once a mainstay are now thin on the ground in general terms. Especially for the shore angler.

I’ve heard of areas over the south west as well where ballan wrasse have been trapped & moved for use in salmon cages for the control of lice etc.

Flounder numbers are way down (East coast) the past two years as well which would be a concern.

Doggies Alby? There's nothing safe anymore.
Wrasse have suffered on my patch due to potters keeping them for bait. Where once thy used salted mackerel they are now using all sorts.
I haven't been able to confirm any wrasse being kept for the salmon farms down this way. Yet.

It's no surprise that the IFSC has had to dumb down many species in recent years.

Some of the weights are still off. In a decade of fishing the Shannon I have heard of one Thornback at the 16lb mark. Anything over 12lb would be a specimen from my experience.

Skate off union all are doing well, shows how rewarding C&R is.

Do all ling blow kn the retrive?

You'll notice the lack of Ling, Pollack, Cod, Coalies, the wreck dwellers basically are a hard catch now; even the red gurnards, plaice and dabs are scarce.

We're seeing a secondary problem up here Jim, dogfish are being heavily exploited for use as pot bait, where they were once a mainstay are now thin on the ground in general terms. Especially for the shore angler.

I’ve heard of areas over the south west as well where ballan wrasse have been trapped & moved for use in salmon cages for the control of lice etc.

Flounder numbers are way down (East coast) the past two years as well which would be a concern.

yea heard about the doggies and pot bait and worrying the wrasse for the cages - over in england on the south coast they have been all raided for the cages up north

same as with the flounders - fishing gone to hell the last 2-3 years - sizes and numbers way down