I've never really done any winter fishing off the west coast, and just wondering what species can I expect/not expect over these months. Any advice on baits, rigs etc would be great thanks Guys.
I know its only autumn but I want to be prepared. I mostly fish the clew bay area mayo.
Cheers
Sean
Winter fishing? West coast!
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seank
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Winter fishing? West coast!
Target for 2017: Tope, Bass, Specimen shore pollack, Specimen Sea trout, Turbot over 30cm, common skate
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kieran
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Re: Winter fishing? West coast!
west coast: east coast will be similar but there will be local differences...
The main changes are the loss of species that move offshore or migrate - mackerel rays and wrasse and congers all move offshore between now and Christmas.
The main "arrivals" are always there; it's just they are more prominent in the winter as there is less competition - namely rockling and whiting (inner Clew Bay) and coalfish (outer Clew Bay). The latter can show up in massive shoals of small fish (2lbs max) and are known locally as "ribble" - there must be predators feeding on them such is the food supply (tope in the east coast) but what they are or how to catch them is a mystery to me here.
You also have a better chance of landing sea trout and/or the mythical Mayo bass from sandy marks in the winter, where they will be hunting for food a lot more. Flounder and small turbot stay inshore but dabs seem to disappear. The good news is that the fish tend to be in superb condition.
One of the few species that does genuinely show up in winter is the small eyed ray, which can be caught at distance off the storm beaches below Louisburgh on sandeel. Not managed it myself but seen plenty of pictorial evidence... and there is always the hope of cod/codling. The only mark in Mayo that throws these up in way up north and fishes only at night and at low water. The latter appears to be key to finding codling in Mayo. Off a boat is another matter...
Hope this helps...
The main changes are the loss of species that move offshore or migrate - mackerel rays and wrasse and congers all move offshore between now and Christmas.
The main "arrivals" are always there; it's just they are more prominent in the winter as there is less competition - namely rockling and whiting (inner Clew Bay) and coalfish (outer Clew Bay). The latter can show up in massive shoals of small fish (2lbs max) and are known locally as "ribble" - there must be predators feeding on them such is the food supply (tope in the east coast) but what they are or how to catch them is a mystery to me here.
You also have a better chance of landing sea trout and/or the mythical Mayo bass from sandy marks in the winter, where they will be hunting for food a lot more. Flounder and small turbot stay inshore but dabs seem to disappear. The good news is that the fish tend to be in superb condition.
One of the few species that does genuinely show up in winter is the small eyed ray, which can be caught at distance off the storm beaches below Louisburgh on sandeel. Not managed it myself but seen plenty of pictorial evidence... and there is always the hope of cod/codling. The only mark in Mayo that throws these up in way up north and fishes only at night and at low water. The latter appears to be key to finding codling in Mayo. Off a boat is another matter...
Hope this helps...