Introduction:

The stretch of coastline in the Southern Fisheries Region extends from Blackhall in Co. Wexford to the east, to Ballycotton Island in Co. Cork to the west, taking in centres such as Dunmore East, Dumgarvan and Youghal. History has shown that this stretch of coastline offers some excellent high quality sea angling. There are two main categories namely deep sea and shore fishing. Some sheltered inshore marks are suitable for small boat angling which is proving to be a fast growing popular sport where anglers can bring their own small boats.

This stretch of coastline is mow signposted for shore fishing giving information on the Most t productive venues and indicating what species to expect. Information boards are also placed in strategic positions in each centre and are directly linked to fishing signposts.

The region is divided into four centres i.e. The Hook Peninsula, Dunmore East, Dungarvan and Youghal.

HOOK PENNINSULA

DEEP SEA FISHING

The fishing grounds off the Hook offers good general catches over mixed broken ground in depths of 10 to 15 fathoms. Species of fish available are pollack, coalfish, ling, conger, cod, spurdog, ray and dogfish. This area has seen very little angling pressure in the last fifteen years so the full potential has yet to be discovered.

SHORE FISHING

The rock marks on the eastern side of the Hook Peninsula are popular with local and visiting anglers and are used in major shore competitions. Conger, wrasse, pollack, mackerel, rockling and dogfish are the general species caught off these marks. The small sandy beaches of Sandeel Bay, Dollar Bay, Booley Bay and Dumcannon are favoured venues for flatfish dogfish and bass. Lugworm can be dug on Duncannon Beach.

DUNMORE EAST

DEEP SEA ANGLING

Dunmore East is on the south west tip of Waterford Harbour and is one of the major commercial fishing ports in the country. It is an ideal centre for deep sea fishing and has seen very little angling pressure in recent years. Species caught here are ray, pollack, ling, conger, coalfish, etc. and many blue shark were caught during the 1996 season. There is a deep sea charter boat based here and another is coming on stream later this year.

There is sheltered small boat fishing in Waterford Harbour from Creadon Head up river to Cheekpoint. Species caught here are plaice, dabs , codling, whiting, dogfish and occasional ray and black sole. The Irish record dab a fish of 2.02lbs. was caught off Duncannon in 1989.

SHORE FISHING

Some of the more popular shore venues are as follows. Woodstown Strand flatfish and bass and the rocks at Dunmore East for mackerel, pollack, wrasse and rockling. Moving west to Saleens and Tramore beach fishing offers flatfish and bass. The small beaches at Annestown and Bonmahon are also popular with local anglers for flatfish, bass, dogfish and occasional ray.

An added attraction is the Twaite Shad in the first two weeks in May in the Rivers Barrow and Suir. The two venues are St. Mullins and Carrick on Suir where anglers spin using artificial lures in the salt water influence and the best time is high water springs.

DUNGARVAN

DEEP SEA FISHING

Dungarvan Bay faces due east and the town into the north western corner on the banks of the Colligan River. Deep sea angling boats have operating from here for a number of years with good results. Blue shark, wreck and general bottom fishing are all available.

In recent years wreck fishing has produced some excellent catches of conger, ling, pollack and pouting while the general bottom fishing on mixed ground can always be relied on for catches of gurnard, cod, whiting, pouting and ray. There are two charter boats available.

SHORE FISHING

The shoreline in this area offers all types of angling which includes rock, beach, estuary and pier. Flat fish and bass are caught on Clonea Strand while Ballinacourty pier and beach is the venue for flounder, dogfish and bass. Helvick pier produces conger, wrasse and mullet. Wrasse, pollack, mackerel and conger are taken off the rocks at Helvick Head.

Lugworm can be dug at Ballinacourty and crab can be collected in season at Abbeyside ad near the old swimming pool in Dungarvan.

YOUGHAL

DEEP SEA FISHING

Youghal is situated on the west side of the Blackwater estuary and is the most easterly town in Co. Cork. It offers deep sea, inshore, and shore angling. Deep sea

anglingoffers a variety of species such as blue shark, cod, ling, whiting, pouting, pollack, coalfish, ray, conger, garfish, gurnard, dogfish and flatfish. Cod fishing is particularly good with fish up to specimen size. At the moment angling pressure is light compared to other angling centres.

SHORE FISHING

This area is very popular with shore anglers and many competitions take place on the various beaches and harbour walls. Ardmore to the east is one of the main beaches where catches of ray, flatfish, dogfish and bass are recorded.

Whiting Bay is the venue where the Irish record bass was taken a fish weighing 17 lbs.1 1/4 oz.. There is good shore fishing on both sides of the Blackwater estuary for flounder, codling, coalfish and the hotshots are Ferry Point and Quays in Youghal. During the winter months this estuary is one of the best venues for codling, with fish up to 6 lbs taken on lugworm and mussel.

Lugworm can be dug at Pillmore beach, Ferry Point and whiting Bay and crab can be collected near the old road bridge on the east side of the estuary.