Gale-proof fishing in Cork harbour for specimen plaice and bass, plus an ocean full of cod, conger, pollack and ling, has ensured a bright future for the Cork Small Boats Sea Angling Festival starting on September 29.
This the tournament’s 15th birthday and every one of those years has been sponsored by Stena Line Ferries and organised by Irish angling holiday specialists, Leisure Angling. The prize money amounts to about £ 5000.
It all started in Rosslare but moved to Cork four years ago and since then hasn’t lost a single days fishing because Cork Harbour – the second largest natural harbour in the world – affords superb shelter from all but the most extreme conditions.
And there are fish to be caught too!
Altogether during the four years there have been 30 different species caught inside the harbour, including bass over 11lb, plaice 6lb, conger 20lb, ray 23lb and many other quality fish – and that’s only the blow-off venue.
Outside in the Celtic Sea there are dozens of wrecks to be plundered, great reef marks, mixed ground and great sand banks and this is where the main festival takes place as the boats try to catch as many different species as possible.
There are five days of competition fishing, starting on Sunday when the local Guileen Angling Club organise a special open boat match to kick-off the week. The only problem is that everybody goes back to the Guileen Arms, the only pub in the tiny harbour village, where the opening hours are from 11.30am until November…
Anglers taking part in the main festival get a special package deal from Leisure Angling based on staying in self-catering houses in Trabolgan Holiday Village, located about one mile from the safe slipway.
Prices are from as low as £ 68 each for return Stena Line Ferry and self-catering for the week from September 29 to October 6 – contact Leisure Angling, Liverpool on 0151 734 2344 or look at their web site at www.leisureangling..co.uk.
The man who actually runs the fishing is John Grundy from Wirral and he prepares fishing charts and gives information freely on where and when to fish for what sort of species. And when you consider there have been more than 40 different types of fish caught during the festival, the info is very helpful.
John can be contacted most afternoons on 0151 648 4121.
