how far can I go offshore in 16ft strikeliner.

[dgallagher179]

Just got a orkney strikeliner in September. I did a little fishing in the stilly last year and caught mainly mackerel, rays, and one Tope. I am interested in fishing off Culdaff this year. I was wondering if anyone had any useful advice about where and how far out I should go.

[MAC]

I don't know the area, but there is no hard and fast rule for how for off shore you can or can't go. It will depend on a number of factors, The Sea Conditions in your area the Weather and weather forecast the speed at which your boat can return if you need to, and your boat handling skills... Most of this knowledge would be developed over time and will give you a feel for what you and your boat are able for.

Kev

[andy k 85]

You can only go as far as your fuel allows you. Make sure you always have enough and a bit extra

[dgallagher179]

Thanks for the advice. Will get a feel for it as I go along.

[Rob Millard]

I used to have a Strikeliner, they're a great little fishing boat, very seaworthy. I never needed to go more than 2 or 3 miles for my fishing in North Wexford. Get some knowledge of your local waters, make sure your engine & aux engine & safety gear are up to scratch and she'll get you out as far as your fuel will allow providing the weather's good. Best of luck with her, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed mine!!!!

[PaddyB]

Thanks for the advice. Will get a feel for it as I go along.

You should join Culdaff SAC, fish the local marks with us in a charter boat, and then you will be able to return to them in your own boat, theres no need to go too far off shore, plenty of fish & variety within a few mile from the slip.

[dgallagher179]

Thanks, that's a great idea. How do I go about joining. Is there a website or a contact number.

[PaddyB]

Contact me

Haha, nah seriously we are due to have our first meeting off the year now shortly(in the next few weeks), if you want to PM me your contact number, I'll give you a shout when I get a date & time.

[Inishtrahullangler]

if your thinkin of fishin out off culdaff you wont have far to go to get on decent fishin for a wide variety of fish theres wrecks banks an reefs close to shore an the sound has very deep water close to shore over to the west of the sound are the garvin islands good fishin for pollock but be careful cause the run of the tide can be dangerous round an through the islands keep a safe distance from them just to be sure !! if the weathers not great stick to the inner bay an as paddy b said the club trips are the best way to gain local knowledge of the area ....

[Inishtrahullangler]

One last thing i forgot to mention about the garvin islands dont be tempted to shut off the engine an drift always keep it running as i said very strong tides in an round the islands as am sure youll see if you go there an the fishings best on the western side of them ..happy fishing

[Tanglerat]

I've often wondered if that area would be the best chance of targetting a halibut ...... any ideas?

[Rob Millard]

Michael McVeigh had one from the limeburner grounds out from Downings the year before last. Is that not near there?

[Tanglerat]

They're far enough apart that you wouldn't fish both on the same day. I'm not surprised at one being caught at the Limeburner, but I daresay it's exceedingly rare. I bet i've fished the exact same mark plenty of times and I've never had a sniff of one!

[PaddyB]

I've often wondered if that area would be the best chance of targetting a halibut ...... any ideas?

By 'that area' do you mean Inistrahull sound?

If so, im not too sure? Its strange, although there is two charter boats working the area, its definitely under fished, as a club, from Culdaff all of our trips are league competition trips and are a race to get the most points, we have more than our fair share of good anglers, so each trip is very competitive, and hence we dont really bother 'exploring' to see what else is about.

I personally feel that the local charter should do more of this exploritory work, to promote his buisness. But with the abundance of Wrecks so close to Culdaff, id say 60% of his custom is wreck fishing, the rest is tope.

Even the small boat guys prefer to fish in the relative safety of the swilly, rather than exposing themselves to the jagged coastline and ripping atlantic tide on the eastern side of Inishowen.

[Tanglerat]

The Sound, yeah. Looks a fascinating place to have a poke around with a rod.