What you can catch
Fish of the Kerry coast
The waters around Valentia and the Skelligs hold a great mix of fish. What you catch depends on the time of year, the tide and where we fish on the day. The sheltered water close to Valentia is home to mackerel, pollack and wrasse. Further out, the deeper ground holds bigger fish such as ling and cod.
Here are the fish our guests catch most often. We cannot promise any one species on a given day, but we will always do our best to put you over fish.
Pollack
One of the most common fish on our trips. Pollack live around reefs, rocks and wrecks, and they dive hard for the bottom as soon as they are hooked. They are also very good to eat.
Ling
Ling are long, powerful fish from the cod family. They like deep water over rough ground and wrecks. A big ling is a real test for any angler, and some of the biggest fish we see each year are ling.
Cod
Cod turn up over the deeper ground, often alongside ling and pollack. They are a welcome catch and they make a great dinner.
Haddock
Haddock are smaller relatives of the cod. They feed close to the bottom and you can tell them by the dark thumbprint mark on each side. They are lovely fresh.
Bluemouth
Bluemouth are a striking red fish that live in deep water. They get their name from the dark blue colour inside the mouth. Many anglers have never seen one, so they always cause a bit of excitement on deck.
Bull huss
Bull huss are a large member of the dogfish family, with rough skin and dark spots. They are strong and stubborn and are usually caught on bait near the bottom. We put them back.
Wrasse
Ballan and cuckoo wrasse live among the rocks and kelp. Cuckoo wrasse are some of the most colourful fish in Irish waters. The males are bright blue and orange. Wrasse go back to the water after a photo.
Rays
Several kinds of ray live over the sandy ground in this area, including thornback and blonde rays. They are flat and strong and put up a good fight on the right tackle.
Turbot
Turbot are a big, prized flatfish that feed over sandbanks. You will not catch one every day, but when one comes up it is a highlight of the trip.
Mackerel
Mackerel arrive in big shoals in the summer. They are fast and fun and often come up several at a time on a set of feathers. They are ideal for children and beginners, and they taste great fresh off the boat.
Skate
The deep water off Kerry is home to common skate, which can grow to a huge size. These fish are critically endangered. Any skate we hook is handled with care and released back into the sea.
Your catch
Taking your catch home
You are welcome to keep some fish for the table. We will fillet them for you on the way in and bag them up so they are ready to cook.
We ask everyone to take only what they will eat. Undersized fish and protected species always go back. Looking after the fish stocks here means there will be good fishing for years to come.
Bring a cool box or a bag for your fillets, especially on a warm day.
Book a trip
Ready to wet a line?
Our full-day trip gives you the best chance of the bigger fish. Our half-day and family trips are great for mackerel, pollack and a fun few hours.