Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote is an ideal location for the tourist boat angler. While the harbour retains its old shanty atmosphere, pontoons and car park facilities now greatly modernise access points. Certainly, last Thursday week I enjoyed a great day's fishing out from the port.
Coach pick-up at 8.30am to the marina was much appreciated as we headed out to sea aboard a fine 17-metre Boston whaler fully equipped for big game fishing. The group consisted of 10 anglers and two crew members.
Ten rods were assembled, each with artificial squid baits, and left streaming from the stern attached to outriggers and rod holders in a slow troll. Each angler was assigned a rod and, in the event of a "take", that rod became the respective angler's responsibility.
I was assigned No 9 rod and, as luck would have it, I was the only angler to get not one, but two "takes". On each occasion, after a tremendous struggle, I landed two Atlantic bonitos, each about 3kg. We continued our troll along the south-east coast of the island during which time lunch was served.
On arrival in the Bay of Playa Blanca at Pechiguera Lighthouse (the most southerly point of Lanzarote), our skipper, Amado, anchored for three hours of bottom-fishing. With ready-made fishing rigs and plenty of bait, it did not take long before more bonitos, red snappers and a magnificent lemon fish graced the deck.
Overall, it was a most enjoyable day, with six hours fishing aboard a vessel equipped with all the mod cons. We arrived back in port at 3.30pm and the 12-seater coach left us home by 4pm. Overall cost: €60 (great value).
• "Give me three years and I will get results," declared Tom Lillis at the 2005 Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA) annual general meeting in Athlone, Co Westmeath. As Ireland's team manager, he proposed to radically change the method of selection following a string of dismal performances at world shore events.
The new structure entails a panel of 30, the top 10 master anglers from the last three years, to compete in a "fish-off competition" to select the international team. At the inaugural event in Rosslare last month five top anglers emerged to form the AIB-sponsored Irish team to compete in the world championships in Brazil in October, along with 2006 master angler Noel Fogarty.
Harsh conditions prevailed over the three competitions as gale force winds brought out the best in the competitive anglers who fished the beaches of Ballinoulart, Rosslare Strand and Ballinsesker, according to Brian Cooke. Species taken were flounder, codling, whiting, dab, rockling and dogfish.
The 2007 Irish shore team is: John O'Brien, Stephen Brennan, John Meere, Joe Hennessy and Noel Fogarty, with Tom McAdam as substitute. Those anglers who finished in the bottom 10 were relegated and need to re-qualify by finishing in the top 10 of the 2007 master angler event.
• The theme of the calendar issued by the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) this year is to create awareness of the growing problem associated with non-native invasive species in Ireland, according to CFB chief executive John O'Connor.
Invasive species represent one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, second only to that caused by direct habitat destruction. They can also impact on the recreational use of infested watercourses by restricting angling, boating and swimming.
People should never dispose of non-native aquatic plants, invertebrates or fish in rivers, lakes or canals. Better still, only use native species in home-made ponds. Remember to remove attached vegetation from boats and drain water from engines and boats when removing from the water.
• Fáilte Ireland - The National Tourism Development Authority has moved to Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Orla Woods, product marketing officer, can now be contacted at Tel: 01-8663431 Fax: 01-8556821 E-mail: orla.woods@failteireland.ie
Website: www.failteireland.ie
• There is a real treat in store for the thousands of anglers who will attend the Ireland Angling 2007 exhibition at the National Show Centre, Cloghran, Co Dublin over the weekend of February 17th and 18th, as pike legend Paul Gustafson will deliver his first talk for over 17 years.
Gustafson is just one of the many speakers over the weekend and, with demonstrations and competitions taking place plus the latest tackle, clothing and luggage available on the retail stands, Ireland Angling 2007 is sure to be a great day out.
Contact Pat Burns on 01-244 8709 for further details.
• If big, very big, rainbows are your quarry then get down to Corkagh Park on the double. The fishery is now firmly established as the only venue in Dublin where trout to 8kg are fast becoming a regular feature. And, last Tuesday, one angler caught over 40 fish, big and small.
Contact Godfrey Donohue at 01-459 2622 for further details.