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Fishing in Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour is one of the biggest natural harbours in the world. It offers sheltered fishing in all but the strongest winds and there is a wealth of species that can be found inside the harbour. During small boat competitions, nearly all of the species can be caught within the safety of the harbour. There is something for every type of sea angler - specimens are common and there are several Irish records that have been caught here.
During 2006, specimen bass, blonde ray, gilthead bream, golden gray mullet lesser spotted dogfish, red gurnard, thick lipped mullet and plaice were all caught and recorded in the Irish Specimen Fish Committee's 2006 report. Charter boats working outside the harbour capture specimen coal fish, conger, cod, ling, pollack and wreck fish every year.
Fishing in Cobh in one of the most natural harbours in the world. Great Sea Angling from marks such as the Smiths Rock, Daunt Rock, Aud, Power Head, Pollack Buoy, BaIIywilliam Rock, and many more. Since it is influenced by current from the warm Gulf Stream - unusual species are frequently caught in Cork Harbour - just ask the anglers who fish the annual Small Boat Competition at Trabolgan - most years you would need to catch over 25 species in three days to be in with a chance of winning.
The harbour has the following types of inshore fishing available all within 5 minutes of leaving the pontoon in one of our new fast Warrior 165's
- Shallow sandbanks with turbulent water, riptides and over falls - ideal for bass, plaice, launce, codling, rays, dabs and occasional turbot.
- Deepwater (up to 100 feet) fishing - using baited feathers or large baits on the drift or at anchor
- Reef fishing - use feathers, hokkais or shads on the drift for bass, pollack, coal fish or put a large bait down for conger.
- Bottom fishing over sand, mud or mixed / broken ground for rays, bass, plaice or conger
- Spinning and plugging for bass and pollack
- Estuary type fishing for bass, flounder, sliver eels and mullet - find fast moving tide races or shallow brackish water alive with huge mullet
- Float fishing using bread for mullet or fish bait for garfish
To view the specimen fish caught from the Cork area from 2006 the Irish Specimen Fish Committee's annual report which included details of specimen fish and where they were caught. This report can be downloaded by visit the web site at www.irish-trophy-fish.com
Catch and Release Policy
BellaVista Hotel and Self Catering Suites in Cobh, encourages a "catch and release" policy by all visiting anglers. That's not to say that anglers must return all that they catch. We want to preserve the environment and fishing stocks in the harbour for the future sea fishing generations.
Please note:
- Anglers are only allowed to have two bass in their possession in any one 24-hour period and they must be over 40 cm in total length.
- There is a closed season for bass from the 15th of May to the 15th of June each year. If you accidentally catch a bass during this period, just return him alive to the sea.
- Specimen bass cannot be claimed during the closed season.
- The specimen weight for bass is 10 lbs and the Irish record currently stands at 17 lbs 13 ozs.
Boat Hire
The Bellavista hotel and Self Catering Suites in Cobh, has a small fleet of brand new Warrior 165 boats for deep sea angling in cork harbour. The boats were carefully selected as one of the safest and optimally designed boats for the inshore sea angler. Fitted with Mariner 60HP two stroke engines and (backed up if the unlikely need arises) with a Honda 5HP auxiliary engines, these boats are swift and make sure that you can get the most out of your fishing time in the harbour.
There is an Icom VHF radio, Garmin GPS / Plotter and Garmin Fish finder. Each boat can fish up to maximum of four, has two bucket seats on swivels for maximum comfort and a rear bench seat.
Boat Safety
Each boat is equipped with two anchors, chain and warps, a set of flares, VHF radio, mobile phone. There are life jackets which are a compulsory and legal requirement in Ireland.
*Life jackets must be worn at all times when in the Bellavista boats.
** Each boat will be refueled at the end of each day by the staff at the Bellavista hotel.
Tackle Hire
Most anglers will want to use their own tackle, however, Bellavista Hotel is aware that traveling with rods especially on aero planes can be an extra cost / hassle and, therefore, we can provide a range of quality rods and reels for low cost hire in addition to terminal tackle.
Everything a boat angler requires as basic needs is available for fishing in cobh. You could be out in a boat and be fishing in the rich waters of Cork Harbour within minutes of arrival at the Bellavista hotel and self catering suites in cobh.!!!
Rods:
- Daiwa TD-R casting 4-10ozs up tide rods
- Abu Transmitter 30lb class rod
- Shakespeare UglyStik Sapphire 30lb class rod
- Daiwa Osprey 10 foot spinning rod 10gm to 60gm - perfect for lure and float fishing
Reels:
- These great boat rods can be matched up with either
- Abu 7500C3
- Abu 10000BG (Big Game) reels
These are all spooled up with Penn 25lb or 30lb bs monofilament line and ready to go...!
The spinning rods are matched up with Daiwa Regal 4000XI spinning reels - great for distance casting with 10lb line and an amazing 10 ball bearings for a smooth retrieve - just the perfect tool for handling bass, mullet and garfish
Terminal Tackle:
Each boat has a tackle bag that comprises hooks, swivels, links, beads, lead weights, filleting knife, scissors, rig making gear, trace / snood line, mackerel feathers, hokkais, shrimp rigs. All that you need to get you amongst the fish.
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