Seatrout fishing - a definitive answer!

[JimH]

Hi

I was wondering if it was possible that I might find a definitive answer here regarding seatrout and a licence.

Do you need a licence to fish for seatrout in the sea?
If you do, when can you fish for them?
If you dont when can you fish for them?

I am also aware of the estuarine/sea definition and its a grey area - if anyone has a definitive answer and or definition or interpretation I would be delighted.

best
Jim

[anthony2carr]

The sea-trout is classified as a sport fish. For this reason, you do require a license to TARGET THEM.

Fishing in an estuary full of sea-trout, with flies tied for sea-trout without a license. Well you don't really have a leg to stand on.

Fishing in a bay with the same setup, then you could claim the sea-trout was a by-catch.How do you prove that someone fishing in saltwater was specifically targetting sea-trout??

You must tag any kept fish that is over 40cms in length. But again there is a grey area as to what you can do with any fish under 40cms.

A yearly regional fishing license is not all that expensive. You will spend the same money for a couple of hours in the pub. But the sea-trout will give you days of entertainment.

Typical season is 1st April - 31st Sept.

[fishermannum1]

Hi

I was wondering if it was possible that I might find a definitive answer here regarding seatrout and a licence.

Do you need a licence to fish for seatrout in the sea?
If you do, when can you fish for them?
If you dont when can you fish for them?

I am also aware of the estuarine/sea definition and its a grey area - if anyone has a definitive answer and or definition or interpretation I would be delighted.

best
Jim

jim' you do need the licence to fish for seatrout in the sea, i dont think there is set date/time to fish for them in the sea, as it is with the rivers. but i stand to be corrected on this, but if you are in procession of a seatrout ( even on a beach ) and a fishery officer comes along and you have no licence, you will lose your gear and possibiley a fine.

i have emails from the fishery board regarding this subject, i'll forward them on to you, hope this is of help to you. cheer's

[corbyeire]

the simple answer is to fish for sea trout, you need a licence

whether its off the coast 10km or inland 100km you need a licence

if you still think you dont need a licence at any point - get a licence just to be sure

[JimH]

Hi again guys

For me its never been a question as regards a licence or not - I get the state licence as soon as its available every year. I appreciate your answers so far. If I were to buy my licence on say January 1st does this mean

I can fish safely and legally in the sea for them from this point - anywhere?
Is there a limitation in respect of the estuary and the river 'status' which flows into that estuary.
The condition or status of the fish at this time of year - should this be taken into consideration?

For me normally I have a licence and do not fish for seatrout until after Mid March when the 'season' opens - this makes it legal I think and I may be wrong.

Fishing earlier than that time, is it dependant upon any other matters?

What I need to know is - if myself or a customer can fish deliberatley for them with a licence in the sea at anytime?

best and thanks - Jim

[saltydog]

This might help http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/An ... ations.htm

[Cooke]

You do not need to be in possession of a fish to be prosecuted. If the fishery officer thinks you are targetting sea-trout, that is sufficient grounds to press charges.

This is the reason sea-trout are not allowed in IFSA competitions.

[yappo]

Hi Jim,

It's a bit of a grey area as you have probably already gathered.
I think if you are fishing from the shore the laws that apply to the estuary you are fishing near will apply i.e. perhaps march-October and any other limits regarding taking of fish.
Where it gets complicated is if for instance I were lucky enough to catch a sea trout a mile out to sea from Bray I don't believe I even need a licence.
Of course I don't think either of us would want to be in court to prove this stuff.
Josie Mahon in the ERFB is a very helpful lady and she might be able to give you a fuller explanation. She will definately be able to send on details applying to any river in the Eastern region.
Hope this helped.

Yappo

[JimH]

Hi again guys

I think I have definetly determined

That you do need a licence to fish in the sea - (no problem there)

The 'greyness' exists around the 'when combined to the where' I guess in respect of the protection offered to salmon and brown trout from that local. This is what I have applied to my seatrout fishing.

And then I suppose the definition of where estuaries begin and end...........how local is local.

Is it fair to say that any seatrout in the sea is heading to some estuary, probably not! So I guess fishing in the sea a considerable distance outside or away from an estaury or river mouth with a licence (before opening date on that system) is the fairest option - to fish and man. And then perhaps after opening date abide by the bye-laws applied to that system and fish the entire coastline, estuary, river as is deemed applicable.

I hope!

[anthony2carr]

Some/most estuaries also require a permit.

This is the one cost that does not apply to sea.

In certain cases permit for estuary fishing is twice the price of river permit. (Drowse for example).

[yappo]

In certain cases permit for estuary fishing is twice the price of river permit. (Drowse for example).

How do they define estuary fishing? How far out before you are outside the permit area?
Also if you are say a mile out do you even need a licence?

Yappo

[anthony2carr]

Think it's just inside estuary.

[The Austrian]

thanks for providing the useful link above, just purchased my license for 2009 on-line, keeps the mind clear for more important things to worry about

[fishinmidget]

and remember, if you're ever in the Western Regional Fisheries area you cannot take any sea trout of any size, whether you have a license or not.

see here