Coarse Fishing in Ireland: Lough Derg
A big bream water; when it’s fishing well, it’s the best bream fishing around.
You usually catch well in April as the water warms and the bream haven’t spawned. Then it goes flat for a few weeks in May during spawning. Early June sees the fishing peaking, and on into early October. On bright, calm, sunny days the fishing goes off.
Get as earlier start as possible and expect the fish to switch off around midday if it’s calm and bright.
The key here on this clear-water lake (which for its size is relatively shallow) is brightness and depth. Pre-bait an area where you have about 12 feet at 20-30 yards. Ensure you pack in plenty of particle. Hope for mild to warm weather but with a facing breeze and overcast sky. Night fishing is generally out of the question for most anglers, but those that have tried have had amazing results. Big baits such as 5 red maggots, 2-3 small worms or worm/corn cocktails do the job.
Even after pre-baiting, it takes half an hour of ‘little-and-often’ feeding to switch the bream on. Get as earlier start as possible and expect the fish to switch off around midday if it’s calm and bright. Like anywhere in Europe, bream are nocturnal feeders.
Boat hire is essential and we recommend Dave Harris at Portumna. Boat safety is important, ensure life jackets are supplied and used, do not overload your boat with people or tackle, and take note of weather conditions. Mountshannon and Scariff offer good value boat hire too.
