There has been a massive increase in the popularity of the Northwest as a sea-angling centre over the last ten years and these days the waters off the coast of Donegal are renowned throughout the world for the quality and variety of fishing to be enjoyed here. There are a number of licensed charter boats offering safe access to some truly magnificent fishing grounds with prolific fishing, both Reef and Wreck for Shark, Conger, Cod, Pollack etc, and with the increasing influence of the North Atlantic Drift from the Gulf Stream, successful fishing for the more exotic (and larger!) Blue Fin Tuna is becoming an ever more realistic prospect.
Site-seeing Boat Trips
Most of the licensed charter boats offer dedicated sightseeing trips. There is no better way to view and explore the breathtaking Donegal coastline and remote offshore Islands than from a boat.
North East Donegal (Lough Foyle to Lough Swilly)
The sheltered waters of Lough Swilly offer inshore boat fishing over the McKinney Bank opposite Moville for Ray, Dogfish Tope, and Plaice. South of Inishowen Head is Dungaree Point where Mackerel, Coalfish and Pollack can be caught by spinning, whilst Culdaff Bay allows good boat fishing for Pollack, Haddock,Whiting,Coalfish and Tope. For the shore angler, Flounder and Dabs are plentiful in a multitude of bays and inlets, whilst spinning or float fishing from the rocky outcrops at Dunaff Head will produce Pollack, Coalfish, Sea Trout and Wrasse.
North West Donegal (Fanad Head to Bloody Foreland)
Portsalon Pier allows spinning for Mackerel and bottom fishing for Dabs, Plaice, Flounder and Dogfish with night fishing being most productive, especially during a flooding tide. From the rocks to the south of the lighthouse at Fanad Head fishing close to the rock can produce Wrasse to 4lbs and small Coalfish, whilst fishing further off shore will produce Dogfish and the occasional Ray.Out from Downings, on the west coast, within a 40-mile radius, there are over 109 wrecks, and a bottom of both clean and mixed ground offers prolific fishing for many different species, whilst the shore fishing in the surrounding area will produce Dogfish, Flounder, Dabs and Conger from close to the pier at night. Portnablagh, Dunfanaghy and Horn Head offer both excellent beach and rock fishing with a flooding tide being regarded locally as the best time. The coastline between Ballyness and Bloody Foreland is very broken and offers little prospect for the shore angler.
West Donegal (Bloody Foreland to Malin Bay)
This area offers both prolific boat and shore fishing from Gweedore to the Rosses and is set in the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in Ireland. Noted shore fishing points would include Bunbeg, Kincasslagh and Cruit Island, both the harbour at Burtonport and the pier in Dungloe will produce Conger at night whilst bottom fishing and Mullet during daylight hours.The Gweebarra Bay to the south, formed by the estuary of the Gweebarra River, provides excellent fishing for Sea-Trout, Eels and Flounder with the bank at Illanfad being a favoured point.The nearby villages of Narin and Portnoo are popular resorts and there is an abundance of excellent fishing marks off the coast here including some excellent rock fishing off Dawros Head to the southwest.
Donegal Bay
The sheltered waters of Donegal Bay, stretching from Rathlin 0′ Birne at the northern outermost corner of the bay to Mullaghmore in the south, permit angling in all but the very worst of weather conditions, whilst the lack of a strong tide allows for the use of light tackle. In addition to the excellent boat fishing to be had there are some magnificent shore marks offering fishing over both rocky and sandy bottoms for a large variety of species and, with more than its fair share of beautiful sandy bays, rugged rocky headlands, secluded sheltered estuaries and roaring surf beaches, it is little wonder that the Northwest is regarded these days as the ideal destination for the sea-angling enthusiast.
There are a number of local charter boats including Huntress Blue and Nuala Star Teelin offering an excellent service including tackle hire and expert advice on the local hot-spots. In addition to Sea Angling and Dive Charters, they also offers sightseeing trips, with Nuala Star Teelin operating a drop off and pick up service for those who wish to view Europe’s highest sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag. These trips offer a stunning view of the surrounding coastline and the awe inspiring sight of the mighty waves crashing onto the shore some 1972 feet below (approx. 600m).