Whats the story with Dublin fishing?

[Jayball10]

Ive been told by many people in the last few months since I started shore fishing that Dublin is pointless and don't bother. "There was a time ya know" and "Back in my day..." is all I'm hearing. Ive been out plenty of times now with f@&*k all results and shot more blanks than an infertile pornstar!!! I'm doing everything right as Ive been out with some good anglers, talked to a lot of lovely chaps on this site and done a load of research on the net. I used to do some course fishing so I'm not a complete noobie. Will it get better in the coming months or should I give up and head for the hills or even wicklow/wexford (im on a push bike so nippin out for a quick session would take days! ) Ive been researching the reports section and besides one or two I havnt seen a decent report from my area (Howth, Red Rock, Dollymount, Clontarf) in a few years. Ive only tried Malahide and Portmarnock once so I'm not ruling that out just yet. I suppose my question (sorry for the rant) is why has it gone so bad and am I wasting my time?

[shamoo0804]

Your not wasting your time at all, but its very much a case of fishing the right spots at the right time of the year using the right tactics, and that stuff is not learnt over night.

I'm only sea angling 3 years but would now consider myself to have a reasonable knowledge of the dublin area, some of this is through my own endevours and some by way of info passed onto me by other anglers.

Summer into autumn can provide some good bass and smoothhound fishing around the greater dublin area, its not necessary to be chasing such fish down to wexford and beyond.

Keep at it, meet up/fish with as many anglers from the site as you can and your catch rate and enjoyment of the sport can only improve.

I'd strongly suggest joining a local club aswell, which can only aid your chances of learning.

[samo]

head for Wicklow/Wexford mate. been fishing a while now and although you might get the odd decent fish around Dublin you will get plenty more on the wexford beaches.

[Cormdogg]

The Dart will take you to Killiney and Greystones, Bray even!

[Aurelien]

Don't worry the hounds are going to be back ... As Shamoo said the Dublin area (especially around where we live) is more a question of being at the right time on the right place, it's quite early and the cold weather has not been really on our side ...

I get bass and smoothhound every year from the Malahide/Portmarnock area, maybe not as much as other places ( but some hounds evening are simply brilliant), it's only 2 min from home, you also can get king rags, maddies, small white rags, lugworm and peeler ...

I have been told that the fishing is not as it was in the past, because the trawlers and the boats collecting shellfish have completely destroyed the seabed.

It makes the fish more erratic than in more "preserved" areas.

As I experienced it myself since I moved from Killiney to Malahide, this area is more hit and miss, but if you are not afraid to blank, there is always a nice reward ...

[Jayball10]

Thanks guys. I suppose ill just have to be patient and continue the research. Hoping to be driving soon though which will open up a whole new world of venues.

[dave41]

Killiney probably closest spot to Dublin for shore angling

[martin435]

Hey first post on this sight in a number of years. I do most my fishing in the Dublin area. As the lads say its all about the right spots. Im only in my 20's I have been fishin in areas like Howth since I was 10 and I can say not to conform to the stero typical answer "fishing has changed for the worse" In my opnion due to more people fishing the waters and not retuning un edible undersized fish. However I will offer this advice there are still decent fish to be caught in the area, My Advice HOWTH but forget the usual spots like balscadden and the pier. Keep your ear to the ground listen to locals or people that look like they know what they are doing. Its the only way you will find a spot with fish and also piece and quite from the hoardes of summer fishers.Hope this helps PM me if you want some further advice.

[matt69]

portmarnock is a hit or miss.but if you get it right on the night.august peeler crab.youdo alright

[Rodnreel]

New to site when should the mackerel be back in numbers

[youonlythevinegar]

is there any fishing to be had off dalkey island by getting the boat out? anyone caught any pollock yet this year or is it too early?