Mackeral in their huge numbers have left.  Wrecks fishing well.  Bays still OK.  Blue Sharks are probably gone but there are still some Porbeagles around.

All in all the 2008 season was not too bad.  Weather was practically the same as in 2007 - great in April & May and then no settled weather right through June, July, August & September.

Limeburner still fishing very well for Gurnards, Ling, Doggies, Scad, Coalies and occasional Whiting.  Haddock and Cod seem to be extinct!

Big story continues to be both Blue and Porbeagle Sharks, with fairly regular 100 pounders of both species being caught.  The Porbeagle story is particularily interesting as in 2007 there started appearing 60 - 80 pounders (previous years saw only 30 pounders with an occasional 50 pounder).  It appears that these fish are back as 90- 110 pounders and one wonders will 2009 see them return as 120 - 150 pounders or will they need bigger mouthfuls and concentrate on Pollack/Coalfish.  End september and the Limeburner grounds are still stuffed with Mackeral which normally thin out start September.

17 Sept - Adrian working good numbers off Donegal

22 September - 1 boat off Downings and another boat off south Donegal - no sightings

23 Sept - 1 boat from Downings & 1 boat south Donegal - no sightings

24 Sept - Rosguill witnessed several busts out of Downings

25 Sept  -  1 boat working out of Downings - no sightings

26 Sept  -  Few busts off Downings

28 Sept - few busts off Downings.  Adrian working off south Donegal - no  sightings

29 Sept to October 12  - no boats working

13 & 14 October - 2 boats working off Downings - no sightings

15 - 31 October - inclement weather - no boats working

Sharks remain the big story of autumn 2008.  The Rosguill had 15 runs on one day and another 10 runs the day after.  Limeburber not fishing particularily well - lots of Red Gurnards but little else.   Wrecks fishing well for good sized Pollack, inshore reefs Ok & Bays also fishing normal.

Adrian Mulloy was working on a reasonable pod of BLuefin Tuna off the Donegal coast on 17 September for 3 hours.  Lot of smallist Tuna around 200 pounds but other sizes also present - 400 , 600 & 800 pounders.

Shark fishing has been good - most days boats are averaging 4 Blue Sharks a day and the occasional good sized Porbeagle - one of 104 pounds landed and another of 88 pounds.

General bottom fishing below average - plenty of Gurnards but very few Haddock, Cod & Whiting.  Conger fishing good.  Bays average.  Wrecks good with big Pollack and good Ling and Coalfish. 

Rosguill had a very good day with 15 good sized Turbot & Brill  -  check out the photos.

Other fishing has been normal.  Blue Sharks - a couple days have been done by other local boats - no success.

The Rosguill is booked in August with Divers and not fishing again to September - will try to update Fishing News with news from other local charter boats.