Fishing in Ireland

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They say that Ireland is one of the countries with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. But besides drinking Irish dry stout like Guinne...

They say that Ireland is one of the countries with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. But besides drinking Irish dry stout like Guinness, you can also go fishing in Ireland. Indeed, the island is considered a top sport fishing destination.

The fresh water fishing in the lakes and the rivers features pike fishing, Atlantic salmon fishing, coarse fishing and trout fishing. The 3000km coastline with all its bays, beaches and cliffs provide great sea fishing in Ireland. Inshore anglers practice fly fishing, spinning and bottom fishing. Offshore the fishing charters fish for cod, ling, skate, conger, gurnard, shark and pollack on the wrecks. And... you can even go big game fishing in Ireland for giant bluefin tuna!

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Most popular fishing boats charters in Ireland

Brazen Hussy

12 39,37 ft

Spiddal, Ireland (IE)

From $597
Deposit non-refundable

Clare Dragoon

10 32,81 ft

Carrigaholt, Ireland (IE)

From $684
Deposit non-refundable

John Boy

10 32,81 ft

Cobh, Ireland (IE)

From $543
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Maighdean Mara

12 42,65 ft

Galway, Ireland (IE)

From $48
Deposit non-refundable

Molly'O

12 42,65 ft

Dingle, Ireland (IE)

From $434
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Prospector I

8 32,81 ft

Mullaghmore, Ireland (IE)

From $652
Deposit non-refundable

Alissa G Aran Sea Tours

12 38,00 ft

Inishmore, Ireland (IE)

From $43
Deposit non-refundable

Saint Colette II

10 36,09 ft

Cahersiveen, Ireland (IE)

From $608
Deposit non-refundable

Sarah Marie

8 33,00 ft

Sligo, Ireland (IE)

From $391
FREE Cancellation 60 days notice

Reviews from the users

Awesome trip, can highly recommend the captain, teached us different fishing techniques and the result was incredible
Frank Waldenburger

Tips & Tricks, bait and more

Shore fishing in Ireland

Sea trout fishing and bass fishing can be done spinning from the shore or in a small boat. Apart from nice sea bass and sea trout, you can also catch mackerel and pollack with top water lures, poppers, spinner baits, stick-bait using the "walking-the-dog" action. The best flies on the fly fishing rod are streamers and the Lefty's Deceiver fly combining white and blue for example, imitating small bait fish.

Offshore fishing in Ireland

Fishing charters in Kinsale, Ballycotton, Dingle, Galway, Youghal or Donegal organize deep sea fishing tours, both private charters and shared charters, and provide the captain, fishing tackle, bait & lures and all you need to enjoy a memorable day at seas. Boat fishing, the targeted species can be big shark, skate; or tope and flatfish over sandy ground.

Fishing one of the many charted wrecks off the Irish coast is probably the best guarantee to catch decent sized cod, pollack, conger or ling during your fishing trip. Wreck fishing is always an unforgettable experience.

Another - less known - option is tuna fishing in Ireland. Yes indead, you can go big game fishing in Ireland! The warmer currents of the North Atlantic Current of the Gulf Stream bring subtropic species such as the giant bluefin tuna to the Irish coasts. Large shoals of tuna can be spotted on a regular basis in the inshore waters of Donegal Bay. Other species such as albacore and bonito tuna can also be caught. The Irish authorities don't allow killing bluefin tuna, so they can only be caught and released alive to the sea.

Pike fishing

Besides salmon fishing, trout fishing and sea angling, Ireland is definitely a primier pike fishing country. The thousands of rivers & lakes, or Loughs as they call them here, have tremendous stocks of large pike. Many anglers from the United States, Europe and Russia book a yearly holiday to enjoy the Irish pike angling. The pike, which grow quickly and can reach up to 20 Kg, can be caught fly fishing with large streamers, spinfishing or with natural bait.

Trout fishing

Trout (brown trout) is another fantastic fishing species from the Irish rivers and loughs.

Salmon fishing

The Atlantic salmon can be caught in the Irish rivers and loughs between January and the end of September. This magnificent fighter can be targeted fly fishing, spinning or bait fishing.

Top sport fishing species in Ireland

FISHING SEASON IN Ireland

Deep sea fishing in Ireland and Northern Ireland is possible all year round, although the best time is between the end of March and October. Not only because the fish are more active when the water is warmer, but also because of the weather conditions (especially on the west coasts). In winter the weather is pretty unstable and makes fishing on the Wild Atlantic during the colder months pretty difficult.

There is no close season for pike fishing in Ireland and anglers may fish for pike all year round. This sought after fish species is active practically all day, except during the hot summer months when pike prefer to feed early in the morning and in the evening. During the winter heavy rain fall may cause floodings and some rivers will be impossible to fish. Wind can make pike fishing hard and dangerous on larger lakes and loughs.

The salmon fishing season starts between January and May, depending on the river. Most rivers close by the end of September. We can inform you about the opening and closing dates for each river.

TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES

There are many beautiful and fascinating places to visit in Ireland, but here are five of the top tourist destinations that you shouldn't miss:

  1. The Cliffs of Moher - These stunning cliffs rise up to 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.

  2. The Ring of Kerry - This scenic drive takes you through some of the most picturesque countryside in Ireland, including mountains, lakes, and charming villages.

  3. Dublin - Ireland's capital city is full of history, culture, and entertainment, with attractions like Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

  4. The Giant's Causeway - This natural wonder on the northern coast of Ireland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring thousands of interlocking basalt columns that form a striking landscape.

  5. The Dingle Peninsula - This area on the west coast of Ireland is known for its rugged beauty and charming villages, as well as its archaeological sites and ancient monuments.

These are just a few of the many amazing destinations in Ireland, so be sure to explore the country and discover all that it has to offer!

LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS

Angling is regulated by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). You don't need a fishing license or a permit for sea fishing in Ireland. Make sure you inform about the local catch and release policies.

For fresh water fishing though, there are limitations and for some rivers, such as those from the "Midland Fisheries Group" and espacially for salmon and trout (brown trout) (and some places also pike) you need a fishing license. A Salmon Licence for all districts can be purchased for 40€ for 21 days for example. An annual salmon fishing licence for all districts costs 100€.

Key takeaways

Avg Capacity: 10 people
Popular fishing techniques: Jigging, Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing
Average price: $0 per day
Low season price: $544 per day
High season price: $1142 per day
Included: Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Ireland

According to our customers, some of the most popular fishing charters in Ireland are:
Brazen Hussy
Clare Dragoon
John Boy
Maighdean Mara

Depending on the boat, a fishing charter in Ireland can accommodate up to 12 passangers, although most charters are for 10 people.

Typically in a charter in Ireland, a fishing boat charter will include the use of the boat, Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures. Some charters may also include Snacks and Drinks, while others may allow you to bring your own.

Renting a fishingboat in Ireland costs on average $100 per hour. Many factors influence the price of a boat charter, such as the duration of the trip (and distance to the fishing grounds), the size of the boat or the fishing technique. Prices can range from $381 for 3 hours and 12 people to $1142 for 12 hours and 8 people.

In Ireland, you can fish:
Cod
Pollock
Ling
Flounder
Dab
. Fishing regulations may vary, so make sure to check them before you go to Ireland. We recommend Catch & Release, especially for undersized fish (for example using barbless hooks).

In Ireland you can do a variety of fishing methods including Jigging, Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing, Fly fishing, Shark Fishing, Deep sea fishing. Regulations and restrictions vary depending on the species.

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