Central Fisheries Board
Catch of the Week Archive 2007
If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to Paul Bourke at 01 8842674 or e-mail paul.bourke@cfb.ie. Once a month we feature the Catch of the Month on Seascapes, RTE Radio 1., Monday nights at 10.30pm.
Catch of the Month 05th December
This week’s catch of the week comes from the River Suck, Co. Galway. Dylan Condron was pike fishing with friends last week on the Suck. Using mackerel as bait he connected with this lovely specimen of 28lbs. Dylan landed his fish, quickly took a photograph and returned it safely to the river.
More about pike fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Week 15th November
This week’s catch of the week comes from Lough Ennell near Mullingar in Co. Westmeath. Joe O’Donnell from Trim was fishing a Pike competition on Lough Ennell when He hooked and landed a fine Pike of 21 lbs. 14 oz. Joe was fishing with a small Bulldawg bait and hooked his fish at 3.45 in the afternoon. Joe brought his fish to the weigh station and after a quick photograph, returned the lovely lady to the water.
More about pike fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Week 02nd November
This week’s catch of the week comes from the Cork Harbour. Ken Hegarty from Monkstown, in Cork caught a fine specimen Blonde Ray of 11.91 Kg while small boat fishing in Cork harbour. Ken used a flowing trace with a single hook baited with squid to lure this fine specimen. After unhooking and a quick photo, the fish was returned.
More about sea fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Week 26th October
This week’s catch of the week comes from the Co. Monaghan. Well known Pike angling guide Peadar O’Brien from Carrickmacross was out fishing for Pike on Lough Muckno last weekend and hooked into this lovely Pike. Peadar hooked the Pike on a Jerkbait and has a great tussle with this fish which was just under 20 lbs. After unhooking and a quick photo, the pike was carefully put back to grow even bigger.
More about pike fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Week 19th October
This week’s catch of the week comes from the Co. Wexford coast. John Connellan was out with sea angling guide Jim Hendrick last saturday on a one day fishing course. He had NEVER been fishing before and was keen to make the most his day. Having spent some time in the 'classroom' they went fishing at a local venue that Jim uses quite regularly. He caught, landed and returned this 10.25 (even though it doesnt look like it) bass after just one hours fishing!
More about bass fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Month 12th October
This week’s catch of the week comes from west Cork. Well known Dublin angler, Eamonn Power was fishing with charter skipper John Angles out from Castle Town Bearhaven on a far out wreck. Eamonn using a baited muppet hooked and landed a magnificent Ling of 43 lbs. This fish is the biggest Ling landed in the past three years.
More about sea fishing in Ireland.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 28th September
The catch of the week goes to Robert McLean of Greystones. Robert was fishing in Cork Harbour on the 9th of September with well known Dublin angler Chris Denver. Using light spinning tackle, a simple paternoster rig and crab baits Robert and Chris were hoping to get amongst the exotic Gilthead Bream. Little did they know they would be coming home with a new Irish record! The fish weighed in at 3.24kg, almost twice the previous record.
Gilthead bream - Anglers, we need your help.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 14th September
The catch of the week goes to sea trout enthousiast Henry Macaulay. Henry was fishing with friends Derek Noble and Adrian Hanley aboard a private boat out of Caherciveen. After steaming 70 miles offshore they were soon in amongst the albacore tuna. A number of fish were caught but Henry's was by far the best, a craker of a fish which after 45 minutes of an epic battle was weighed at 64.59 lb, smashing the Irish record and setting a new European line class record.
More about albacore tuna fishing in Ireland.
Catch of the Week 7th September
The catch of the week goes to Noel McCaffrey from Sligo. Noel was flyfishing on Lough Melvin when he caught this great ferox trout. While fishing a drift in Farrell’s Bay the fish came to a Golden Dabbler on the top dropper and took 1½ hours to land, by which time the boat had drifted to Roosky Point! The trout weighed 11lb 11oz. Most Melvin ferox are caught by trolling, it is quiet an acheivement to take one on fly.
Catch of the Week 31st August
The catch of the week goes to Robert Keogh.This 26 1/2 LB pike was caught from the river Shannon and was taken on a popped up dead roach. It took 25 minutes and some great jumps before the fish came to the net. The fish was returned unharmed and was in great condition.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 24th August
The catch of the week goes to Ronald Surgenor for this 5lb 10oz mullet. What makes it more incredible is that this is only his third ever mullet, and his second specimen! This one came to float fished bread on a wee mark on the Co. Down coast. Having spotted a shoal of fish sitting on the far side of a sand bank Ronald employed stealth tactics and after a few missed bites struck into this beauty which took 10 minutes to land on 4lb mono.
Catch of the Week 17th August
The catch of the week goes to Patrick Buck, assistant CEO of the South Western Regional Fisheries Board for a fine Ling of 32.5 lbs. Pat was fishing with charter skipper John Angles on his boat “Tigger” fishing out from Castletown Bearhaven. Pat used a flowing trace with squid and mackerel as bait to lure this fine fish.
Catch of the Week 10th August
This week's Catch of the Week goes to Mark Gannon, Skipper of Lady Louise, out of Courtmacsherry. Fishing with a jelly shad over a wreck off the south west coast Mark took this super specimen coalfish of 24lbs. The anglers aboard caught 6 other specimens, but Mark's was the largest. This is the sixth Catch of the Week this year taken by an angler on one of his boats.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 03rd August
This week's Catch of the Week goes to Michael Dennehy fishing from his own boat out of Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork. Michael was fishing a 20lb class rod and a jelly shad over an offshore wreck when the rod bent double into a large fish. Both rod and man strained to boat this super cod of 37.5 lbs. This is the second largest ever rod and line caught cod. The record is 42 lbs and has stood since 1921.
Catch of the Week 27th July
This week's Catch of the Week goes to sea fishing guide Bill Ryan from Co. Clare. Last week Bill caught 8 Ballan Wrasse including fish of 4 lbs., 4lbs 6 ozs and this a Specimen Wrasse of 5 lbs. 9 ozs. All fish were taken on hard back crab and were returned alive. The specimen fish was weighed on certified scales and photographed before being returned to fight another day. The Irish Specimen weight for bllan wrasse is 4 lbs. 12 ozs.
Catch of the Week 20th July
Once again this week's Catch of the Week is a specimen cod taken by an angler fishing with Skipper Mark Gannon out of Courtmacsherry in Cork. During the week his anglers caught specimen cod, pollack, ling and coalfish. The best of these was a 29lb cod for Dutch angler, Frank Bishops. This is the biggest cod on record for 2007 and was taken on a jelly shad.
Catch of the Week 13th July
This weeks Catch of the week was taken by a Belgian angler wreck fishing with Mark Gannon on Lady Louise, out of Courtmacsherry. Franz Verstraten caught this mighty 27lb cod. This is his second specimen cod. Specimen coalfish were also taken.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 6th July
This weeks Catch of the week was taken from the Cong River, Co. Galway. On the 5th of July, Stephen Walkden, Cong, Co. Galway was fishing the river for salmon, using a single handed fly rod. He had a good take and struck into what turned out to be a massive brown trout. The trout weighed in at a staggering 17lb 5oz just 3lbs short of the record for river trout and the largest river trout ever caught on fly.
Catch of the Week 20th June
This weeks Catch of the week from Cork. Well known specimen hunter Conor Healy fished the Carrigadrohid Reservoir for big Rudd last week. Conor using sweetcorn captured some fine specimens including a best fish of 2 lbs. 9 oz. Conor wins our catch of the week and has forwarded claims to the Irish Specimen Fish Committee for ratification including this great picture of his big Rudd. Conor also forwarded scales to help ratify the fish as a genuine Rudd using genetic finger printing. Conor safely put back the fish to the water.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 15th June
Matthew Murray from Colngriffen, Dublin was fishing for tope for the first time in Dundalk Bay with a group of anglers fishing with skipper Pat Rankin last weekend. The group caught four tope including a huge Tope of 64 lbs. for Matthew. The big fish, two pounds under the Irish record was quickly weighed, tagged and released. Matthew has won our Catch of the Week and our Catch of the Month in conjunction with RTE Radio 1 programme Seascapes hosted by Marine correspondent Tom MacSweeney. You can check out the Photo of this lovely fish on our website at www.cfb.ie and on the Seascapes website at http://www.rte.ie/radio1/seascapes/1144606.html
Catch of the Week 10th June
This week’s catch of the week comes from the River Moy, Co. Mayo. On the Moy Fishery, Des Chew, Dublin had
a fine 12 lbs. springer from the Ridge Pool. The salmon which was taken on an
Ally’s Cascade was released immediately by Des who is actively involved in the
Dublin Angling Initiative.
Catch of the Week 6th June
This week’s catch of the week comes from Lough Currane, Co. Kerry. Mr Paul De Neff from Belgium fishing out of Waterville Boats landed this fine 8.5 lbs/3.86kgs Sea Trout. This specimen sized fish was caught on the fly.
Catch of the Week 24th May
This week’s catch of the week comes from Lough Ree, Co. Westmeath. Regular English visitor, Bill Holmes from Derbyshire has landed his third catch of the week in the past year and half. He caught and released an fine Brown Trout of 7 lbs. 10 oz. while fishing with angling guide Mark O’Regan from Trim. Bill’s fish was taken on a may fly emerger. Bill is our first treble winner of the Catch of the week this year. Earlier He caught another fine Trout on Lough Ree and a fine Pike in Lough Gowna to win catch of the week awards.
Catch of the Week 21st May
This week’s catch of the week goes to Markus
Müller of the NWRFB. Last week on the Ownmore he took this fine spring salmon which weighed a healty 11.5 lbs. The fish was caught on a 7 wt single handed fly rod and fell for an Autumn Brahan fly. After a photograph to record this fine fish it was carefully released to ensure the future of its kind.
Catch of the Week 1st May
This week’s catch of the week is for fine specimen Carp of 21 lbs 4 oz caught by Dan Lynch of the halfway angling centre in the lough in Cork city on Monday at 12.30 at night. The huge fish was taken on a cream and honey boilie on a bed of pellets. Dan described the fishing as slow but a few specimen fish were being taken on most evenings and nights. The “Lough” is situated in a housing estate in the southern side of Cork City.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 24th April
This fine Pike was caught by Ballingall angler Damian Grifferty. Shortly after noon on Tuesday April 24th the lucky angler hooked-up with a fish of a life time on Lough Ennell. The "Crookedwood Hurley" rattled the scales with a specimen pike weighing
15.98k, well over the 30lbs specimen weight. Damian was fishing
with J.J. Flanagan on the day. The monster pike measured 48 inches
long and had a girth of 24 inches. The fish came to a large orange lure.
Catch of the Week 18th April
This fine Pike was caught on Lough Ree by Mullingar angler Pat Keenaghan on Lough Ree. The fish was taken on a small Rapala lure. Pat and his partner tried to weigh the fish but the digital scales were showing an error message as they had weighed the fish went over the 30 lbs. barrier on the scales. The beautiful female fish full of spawn was carefully put back alive.
Catch of the Week 10th April
Mr. Paul McLoone has every reason to look pleased with himself. On April 7th Paul and and a couple of his friends were fishing Lough Ervey. During the day they had a couple of pike but the fish were not quite into double figures. As the the light faded and the witching hour approached Paul declared that he was in business. He struck into a decent fish which took off on an entertaining run. A few anxious minutes later he netted a fine pike of 21.5lbs, his best pike yet.
Catch of the Week 30th March
Messrs John Boyjter Senior and Junior fished Waterville, Co. Kerry with Gillie Mr Mike O’Dwyer. On the 24th winds were S.S.W. light to calm, with good sunny periods. Fishing the fly Mr John Boyjter Junior, from Melbourne Australia, hooked and landed a lovely salmon. On the next day Mr John Boyjter senior of the UK, fishing with Gillie Mr Mike O’Dwyer landed a fine Specimen Sea Trout of 9 1/4 lbs. The fish was taken on the troll.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 19/03/07
This week's Catch of the Week winner is Greg Matthews with a 56lb conger eel. The Pollock and the coalies had moved off the wrecks but after anchoring up and Greg and his fellow anglers had good catches of conger. The biggest conger was taken by Greg Matthews, a fearsome fish of 56lb. Cork angler Daniel Lynch managed to get a 36lber and Ray Bannerman a 38lber.
Catch of the Week 08/03/07
This week's Catch of the Week winner is again David Condron who caught this 9lbs 6oz trout from the Cong Canal. The fish was taken on a free lined worm, quickly photographed and returned. "A great day was had 1st of March on the canal with many specimens caught. I got three specimen trout myself 5lbs 6oz, 6lbs 5oz, 9lbs 6oz. My companions both took trout of 6lbs". The next day David caught a fine pike of 16lbs1oz on roach (sink and draw)! If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 27/02/07
On the 25th February a group of 6 anglers made up of Polish, Hungarian and Irish fished on the "Lady Louise" out from Courtmacsherry. The boat anchored in the bay due to very blustery conditions from the west. Conger, ling, pouting, whiting, and dogfish made up the majority of the catch. A common skate (male) measuring 175cm x 138cm estimated at 120lbs was caught by Hungarian angler Zoltan Timar. The skate was tagged and released. A second Skate was hooked but after a good struggle the trace parted. Zoltan is no stranger to Prize fish as on his last visit to Courtmacsherry he landed a Specimen Pollack of 12.2lbs. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 17/02/07
This week’s catch of the week goes to David Condron who caught this lovely trout on 17 February on the River Cong while pike fishing with a large diving plastic bait. David's previous best trout was 1/2 a pound short of specimen weight at 4.5lbs. The fish was landed, unhooked, quickly measured, photographed and returned alive in perfect condition and full of life. It was 31 inches long and just over 8 inches(largest point) back to belly. The scales to hand bottomed out out at 14lbs. David and two other angling witnesses estimate 16-17lbs. They can't be far off. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 05/02/07
This week’s catch of the week goes to well known specimen Hunter Shay McDonnell from Tallaght who caught a magnificent specimen Pollack of 7.1 Kilos. (15 lbs. 10.5 oz.) Shay was out with a group of Dublin anglers deep sea fishing with charter skipper Mark Gannon operating out from Courtmacsherry last weekend. Fishing over a wreck, Shay caught his huge fish on a small Blue Shad bait. The group also enjoyed excellent fishing for a wide range of species including Coalfish, Cod and Ling. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
RTE Radio 1 SeaScapes Catch of the Month
Catch of the Week 06/01/07
This week’s catch of the week comes from Co. Leitrim. Ballymena fisherman Billy Cathcart from Kullybackey, Co. Antrim was the first salmon angler to catch and release a wild Irish Salmon on the opening day of the 2007 salmon fishing season. The fish was caught and released by Billy on the River Drowse, Co. Leitrim. The fresh run salmon which weighed in at 10lbs was caught at 2.45pm and was carefully played and landed before being successfully released back to the Drowse. It is hoped that the release of this fish and other similar releases during the course of the 2007 season will contribute to the conservation and rebuilding of our scarce salmon stocks. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 20/12/06
This week’s catch of the week comes from Co. Longford. Regular English visitor, Bill Holmes from Derbyshire caught a fine 24.5 lbs. Pike from Lough Gowna. Bill caught the fish on a black Bulldawg bait while fishing with angling guide Mark O’Regan from Trim. Bill’s fish was caught in the Dring side of the lake which is in Co. Longford and the fish was put back to grow even bigger. Bill is our first double winner of the Catch of the week this year. He earlier caught a fine Trout on Lough Ree to win catch of the week in early September. As usual a photograph of the big Pike will appear tomorrow on the Seascapes and Central Fisheries Board websites. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 12/12/06
This week’s catch of the week comes from Dublin. Paddy Mc Loughlin who works in Rory's Fishing Tackle Shop in Temple bar caught a cracking rainbow trout of 17.75 lbs at the Corkagh Park fishery in Clondalkin. Paddy landed the fish on a white minkie fly. A picture of this big catch can be seen on the Seascapes and Central Fisheries Board websites tomorrow. For more details on all fishing during the year at Corkagh Park log onto their website at www.corkaghparkfishery.com. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 06/12/06
This week’s catch of the week comes from Bangor, Co. Down. Despite the recent wintry weather, local angler Ronald Surgenor braved the elements to shore fish from Bangor Pier. While fishing in the late evening in darkness, Ronald hooked and landed a fine specimen Three Bearded Rockling legering a strip of mackerel. This small fish weighed in at 1.9 lbs which is well over the specimen weight of 1.75 lbs. Ronald kindly sent in an excellent photograph of the capture. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 30/11/06
This week’s catch of the week was caught in Co. Cavan. Well known Irish angling journalist and specimen hunter Liam Kane from Blanchardstown in Dublin caught a fine Pike of 24 lbs. from Lough Ramor. Liam used a float trolled deadbait to lure the big fish from a deep area of the lake. After a quick Photograph and weighing, the big Pike was returned to the Lake to grow bigger. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 22/11/06
This week’s “Catch of the week” was recorded at nearby Kinsale. Michael Dennehy from Blarney, was out deep sea fishing with friends and caught a huge specimen Cod of 33.9 lbs. Michael caught his fish on a 6 inch Shad bait and it is the biggest reported rod caught cod for four years. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
Catch of the Week 25/10/06
Yet again, Courtmacsherry provided the setting for the capture of a big fish but this time there was a twist in the tale. Usually all the big specimen fish recorded at Courtmacsherry during the year are taken on far out wrecks and reefs, but this time a big fish was taken on Mark’s boat “Lady Louise” anchored on the moorings at Courtmacsherry. Michael McCabe from Darndale Dublin is the winner of the catch of week taking a fine specimen Bass of 10.5 lbs. using a live Joey mackerel as bait. If you catch a big fish in the next few weeks and have a good photograph of your catch, please submit it to me by contacting me by phone at 01 8842674 or by E-mail at paul.bourke@cfb.ie.
