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Lough Hyne
This unique saltwater lake is a marine nature reserve. It holds no less
than 72 different species of fish—most of them admittedly too small
to interest the angler! Angling is permitted but please show consideration
to other users of the lough and the scientific research that goes on
there. Fish caught should be released. The best time to fish is from
about 2 hours before high water. Fishing is not permitted from the piers.
The main spots are:
1. Eastern shore
just north of the Rapids. Approach by a footpath from the east (Dromadoon
direction). No access from the road beside the lough.
2. Western shore
from the foot of the bank under the trees roughly opposite the island.
The water is very deep here within easy casting distance of the shore.
You have to scramble down the bank but otherwise access is reasonably
convenient.
Rosscarbery
There are two alternatives here:
1. Warren Strand
at the mouth of the estuary, approached by road along the eastern
shore, is the first of the series of bass surf beaches that lie between
Rosscarbery and the Old Head of Kinsale.
2. The upper reach
of the estuary near the hotel is one of Ireland's top mullet marks.
The area also holds gilthead bream. The mullet can be caught both
north and south of the causeway carrying the main N71 road. In the
lagoon north of the road they are joined by the occasional sea trout.
Swans can be a problem for anglers using bread baits for mullet, but
the fish have also acquired a taste for less traditional offerings
like chicken!
Roaring Water
Bay
Except at a few points, the wide expanse of sheltered water behind the
islands north and west of Baltimore and in Roaring Water Bay is hard
to access from the shore, but is ideal for small boat fishing. The area
is seldom fished but experience has shown that it harbours bass, monkfish,
triggerfish, tope and other species.
Shepperton (Shreelane)
Lake
This picturesque lake is well stocked with rainbow trout and also holds
pike and wild brown trout. Fishing is by permit, available from the
water keeper near the lake and boats are available for hire. Pike over
30 lbs have been caught here recently along with numerous 20-pounders.
The pike are caught on lures and even flies. Dead-baiting is not permitted.
Note that the pike fishing is strictly catch and release.
Bass
There are bass to be had in the creeks and channels around Roaring Water
Bay, but the bass fishing for which West Cork is best known is the beach
fishing from Rosscarbery eastwards. Conventional surfcasting techniques
are effective using worm, peeler crab, mackerel and sandeel baits. Plugs
work well among the rock gullies. Note there is a close season for bass
from May 15 to June 15. It is illegal to sell bass caught in Ireland.
Wrasse
The rocky shorelines of West Cork are classic ballan wrasse territory.
Almost any rock mark with deep water close by can yield fish and the
sport can be non-stop. Float fishing is a popular method, but where
the water is deep enough it can be better to dispense with the float
and fish straight down from the rod tip as wrasse feed right against
the rock face. Lugworm or crab are favourite baits, but limpets are
a useful standby.
Mullet
Mullet are one of the easiest fish to see, but not always the easiest
to catch. Many creeks and harbours in West Cork are visibly teeming
with mullet at times, but the less 'urbanised' fish are hard to tempt.
Mullet close to human habitation, however, will often take bread or
fish baits quite readily. Groundbaiting also helps. In addition to the
common thick-lipped variety, golden grey mullet are well established
in the area. The latter are more conservative in their tastes, preferring
ragworm or small spinners.
Mackerel
Mackerel can be caught from almost any point on the West Cork coast.
The season is long—May to October at least—but weather is
a factor. Settled conditions with offshore winds are most likely to
bring the shoals within reach of the shore.
Safety first
The West Cork coast is where the Gulf Stream first meets the shores
of Europe. The nearby ocean explains the richness of the waters around
Baltimore; at times it can also be responsible for some large waves.
There are some extremely well-sheltered fishing spots in West Cork (Lough
Hyne and Rosscarbery are two examples) so keep away from exposed rock
marks unless the sea is calm. At other times they are unlikely to be
productive and could even be dangerous.
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