Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun May 31, 2020 2:36 am

Just looking to find out what might be some of the best marks around Ireland for decently sized pollock? I'm thinking east coast isn't great for it as we don't really have good access to deep water close in, apart from the split rock in Howth and maybe around Dalkey.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun May 31, 2020 6:11 am

At a guess, I would say the Beara peninsula would have the most number of quality pollock marks.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun May 31, 2020 8:57 am

... also some quality marks on Achill Island ...

No, not any more sorry to say. There are some quality marks for Pollack in north Mayo but its an hour or more through the bog... so I would vote for Beara too. Donegal must have excellent marks, I had some very good fish right off the point on Melmore Head.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun May 31, 2020 10:32 am

Beats all the way! The further you go the better the fishing.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun May 31, 2020 11:15 am

Beara hands down! Go there every year a have had some monster Pollack and coalies there

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:19 pm

Clare, North, South, anywhere the water never leaves the rocks at low tide will have pollack and some good size ones. Boots on the ground and start looking. Walk from Doolin or Bridges of Ross.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Thu Jun 04, 2020 11:06 pm

Defo the beara so many deep water marks to fish down there with monster pollock to be had

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sat Sep 26, 2020 6:29 pm

There were, reportedly, 2 19lb pollack caught from Kerry Head a few years back. Guy didn't want any publicity, apparently. It's a wicked spot to fish BUT is extremely dangerous due to freak waves (the very same that give Loop Head (supposedly) the biggest waves in Europe). It is a very rough ground mark and lost tackle has clogged the reef just offshore, making it really difficult to fish due to lost tackle from spinning rods etc (spoke to a diver who won't dive there due to hooks). It is also reported as still good for mackerel (two autumns ago I spent a few days there and saw porbeagle herding vast shoals of mackerel and sprats into the rocks). If you really must try it (it's one of Kerry's best hidden gems) stay above the lowest rock ledges and fish into the bay to the North, and remember that if it hits bottom it's lost! I've had big pollack here on float fished live mackerel

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sat Sep 26, 2020 7:41 pm

19lb from the shore? That would have been two new Irish records !!

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Sun Sep 27, 2020 3:43 pm

I was given this info by a real expert fisherman (he's done a lot of wrecking in the UK) who saw them in the guys car boot and swore they reall y were that big. I looking at a possible way to fish the Kerry Head area from a small boat. Meenagohane harbour is quite near and we could launch my small boat there. Prob. is that you're miles from help and the huge swells will smash you into the rocks in no time if you break down.

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:00 pm

I’d believe the story about Kerry head ,I had a pollack there a few years ago ,I got it all the way in and the fish was tired out but due to the swell and waves it wasn’t worth trying to get down to it to land it eventually I beached it on some flat rocks but still too dangerous to get to but I got a good look at it and it was a monster I’d estimate 12/13lb ,thankfully the hook came out then and the next wave took it back out ,it’s an amazing place ,I used a heavy pirk/jig and cast out and waited about 40 seconds before I reeled in and bang,it was the biggest pollack I’ve ever had shore or boat

Re: Best shore mark in Ireland for Pollock?

Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:46 pm

The great thing about Kerry Head is the sheer beauty of the place. I've often spent the night down there in the camper when it's far too rough to fish, taking photo's of the giant waves and swell. Two things to note are not to drive the last 1/2K unless you've got lots of ground clearance and it's dry (jeep or van is fine) and to please, please rope yourself to the ropes/irons present. Two carabiners and a piece of rope will save your life, as you won't see or hear a rogue wave coming till it's too late!