📍Galway · West📋IFI (Republic of Ireland)Season Open
0Reports this week
0Total reports
10Species present
0Services nearby
0★Avg rating
Clifden sits at the edge of Connemara, where the Atlantic pushes into a maze of inlets, headlands, and offshore islands that have been fishing ground for generations. This is not one mark but a coastline of dozens — rocky points, sheltered harbour walls, exposed headlands, and the deep channels around Clifden Bay and Streamstown Bay that hold fish year-round. For anglers visiting the west, it is the sea counterpart to Lough Corrib: different in character, but equal in quality.
The geography here is defined by contrast. The inner shores of Clifden Bay and the sheltered coves around Ballyconneely and Roundstone are calm enough for kayak and small boat fishing on most summer days. Drive twenty minutes north toward Cleggan and the landscape transforms — raw Atlantic cliff marks, exposed reef systems, and the possibility of larger species beyond the island chain. Inishbofin Island, ten minutes by ferry from Cleggan pier, brings offshore reef and wreck fishing within reach of anglers without their own boat.
Bass are the defining species of this coastline and one of its great success stories. Connemara's rocky shorelines, kelp forests, and estuary mouths provide ideal bass habitat, and fish in the 3–5 lb range are a regular catch for anglers working lures from accessible marks. The sheltered inlets hold smaller resident bass throughout summer, while the exposed headlands produce larger fish as they push into feeding positions on the flooding tide. A catch-and-release ethic is well-established among local anglers and has undoubtedly contributed to the quality of the fishing.
Pollack are abundant wherever rock drops away into depth — which on this coastline is almost everywhere. The headlands around Clifden Bay, the rocky ground off Cleggan, and the reef systems accessible by boat from Clifden harbour all hold good pollack throughout the season. Fish of 3–6 lb are routine on lures worked close to the kelp; boat anglers targeting the deeper reef edges encounter fish considerably larger. Wrasse follow the same structure — colourful, hard-fighting, and reliably present in the kelp zone from April through October.
Mackerel enter the bays from late May and remain through September, forming dense shoals that drive surface activity visible from shore. Piers at Clifden, Cleggan, and Roundstone all produce reliable mackerel fishing on feathers and metal lures throughout summer, and the species serves double duty as bait for pollock and bass. Coalfish appear in the deeper, more current-swept marks, particularly on the approaches to Cleggan and around the outer islands. Autumn brings these fish into increasingly aggressive feeding mood.
Clifden town is an excellent base — well-served by accommodation from self-catering to hotels, with good restaurants, traditional pubs, and a relaxed atmosphere that suits a week-long fishing trip. The town is equidistant from Lough Corrib and Lough Mask to the east, making it a natural hub for visiting anglers combining sea and freshwater. Charter boats operate from Cleggan pier, and kayak hire is available from Clifden Bay for those wanting to explore the inner water independently.
Species present
🐟
Bass
The headline species of the Connemara coast and a genuine conservation success story. Bass use the kelp forests, rocky points, and estuary mouths of Clifden's coastline as ambush cover and feeding grounds from May through October. Fish in the 3–5 lb range are regularly caught from accessible shore marks on soft plastic lures; larger fish push up to 8 lb or more on the better headland marks on the flooding tide. The sheltered coves around Ballyconneely and the tidal creeks feeding into Clifden Bay hold resident bass throughout summer. The exposed marks toward Cleggan produce bigger fish. A strong catch-and-release culture among local anglers has contributed to consistently improving bass numbers.
🐟
Pollack
Pollack are found on virtually every rocky mark along this coastline, and Connemara offers some of the finest pollack fishing in Connacht. Shore marks at the base of rocky headlands produce fish to 4 lb on lures worked through the kelp. Boat anglers working the reef edges beyond Clifden Bay and around the Cleggan area encounter fish in the 5–8 lb range. The deeper reefs accessible from Cleggan pier, and the waters around Inishbofin, hold specimen-size pollack. Fish are most active from April through October, with September and October producing the largest specimens.
Also present: Mackerel, Wrasse, Coalfish, Sea Trout
Bass: June, July, August, September, October
Wrasse: May, June, July, August, September
Pollack: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Coalfish: August, September, October
Mackerel: June, July, August, September
Difficulty
Beginner friendly
Access & bases
Clifden town is the main hub, located on the N59 from Galway city (approximately 75 km, 1 hour 15 minutes). Cleggan pier for charter boats and ferry access to Inishbofin is 16 km north of Clifden on the R341. Roundstone pier is 25 km south on the R341. Many shore marks are accessible directly from the road — parking is available at most headlands and pier access points. A car is essential for exploring the full range of marks. Several marks off the main road require a short walk across bog or rough ground — appropriate footwear is necessary.
Signature features
The Connemara Shoreline Maze
The coastline between Clifden and Roundstone is broken into dozens of headlands, coves, and inlets by the fractured Atlantic geology of Connemara. Each small headland is a potential bass and pollack mark. Each sheltered cove holds wrasse and garfish. Exploring this coastline by car and on foot reveals more productive marks than a week of fishing can cover — it rewards anglers who scout ahead and fish less-visited ground.
Inishbofin Access from Cleggan
Inishbofin Island lies 9 km off Cleggan pier and is accessible by scheduled ferry. The waters around the island represent a step change in fishing quality — deeper reef systems, stronger tidal currents, and less angling pressure produce larger pollack, coalfish, and wrasse. Shore fishing on Inishbofin itself from rocky points and pier walls offers remote, high-quality angling. Day trip or overnight stay at the island's accommodation — either works for a serious fishing excursion.
Sea and Freshwater Combination
Clifden is uniquely positioned as a hub for both sea and freshwater fishing. Lough Corrib and Lough Mask are 45–60 minutes to the east. Many visiting anglers spend three days on the coast for bass, pollack, and mackerel, then three days on the western loughs for wild brown trout or pike. No other base on the west coast offers this combination at such convenient distance.
Kayak and Small Boat Paradise
Clifden Bay and Streamstown Bay offer sheltered, island-studded water that is ideal for kayak and small boat fishing on most summer days. Accessible marks invisible to shore anglers open up immediately — bass and wrasse in kelp channels, pollack on small reef pinnacles, ray on sandy ground between the islands. Kayak hire is available in Clifden town. The inner bay's geography makes it forgiving for less experienced small boat operators while still producing excellent sport.
Season by season
January – March
Winter fishing is quieter but not absent. Flounder are caught from pier walls and sandy ground on baited rigs. Codling appear at accessible marks. Wrasse can be taken on mild days. The coast is often battered by Atlantic weather and fishable days are fewer — prioritise sheltered inner bay marks and pier fishing when conditions allow.
April – May
The coast wakes up. Bass and pollack return to the accessible marks. Wrasse become active in the kelp zone. Shore lure fishing from headlands and rocky points begins to produce consistent results. First mackerel by late May. Charter boats resume regular operations from Cleggan. A productive shoulder season before summer crowds arrive.
June – August
Peak season with the full species available simultaneously. Bass feeding hard in the island channels and tidal estuaries. Pollack on every rocky reef mark. Mackerel shoals concentrated around the bays. Wrasse and coalfish available from both shore and boat. Multi-species days from a charter are possible — a single drift can produce four or five different species. Kayak and small boat fishing at its best in the settled summer weather.
September – October
Arguably the finest fishing of the year. Bass in peak autumn condition — heaviest fish and most aggressive feeding behaviour. Pollack and coalfish feeding hard before winter. Mackerel thinning but driving predatory activity. Tope on the outer sandy marks. Weather windows become more precious but the fishing rewards patience. The Connemara coastline in October light is something worth seeing.
November – December
Transition to winter species. Flounder, codling, and whiting from pier walls and sheltered marks. Conger eel from rocky ground after dark. Wreck and reef trips from Cleggan for ling and conger when weather allows. The coast becomes more challenging but rarely completely unfishable from sheltered marks.
Best conditions
Based on 0 reports, these conditions consistently produce the best fishing on Clifden & the Connemara Coast:
💨
Light to moderate onshore SW – W, Force 2–3
Best wind
☁️
Overcast or broken cloud; low light dawn and dusk for bass
Best sky
🌡️
14–18°C for peak bass activity
Water temp
⏰
First two hours of flooding tide from rocky headlands; low light periods for bass
Bass and pollack are returning to the marks but the water is still cold. Work lures slowly and close to the bottom near rocky ground. Soft plastic shads in natural colours (pearl, sandeel, or white) worked on a 10–15g jig head along the base of rocky headlands produce early-season pollack. Bass begin to appear in the sheltered tidal estuaries from mid-May — a small surface lure worked slowly across the mouth of tidal creeks on the flooding tide can produce surprising results. Wrasse are taking crab bait on float rigs in the kelp zone.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing too fast in cold water. Early season fish are sluggish — slow the retrieve right down and keep the lure in the strike zone as long as possible.
June – August (Peak Variety)
Patterns
4-5 inch shadsurface poppermetal jiglive mackerel
The full species complement is available and fishing is at its most productive. Bass respond to surface poppers and sub-surface swimmers worked along rocky shorelines and through island channels on the flooding tide. Dawn and dusk are the most productive windows for large bass. For pollack, drift soft plastic shads and artificial sand eels along reef edges — the fish are higher in the water column during summer and take lures worked more aggressively. Mackerel are easy to catch from piers for bait, or target them on feathers for sport. From a boat, live mackerel drifted near reef structure produces bigger pollack.
⚠️Common mistake: Ignoring the tide. Bass in particular are tidal fish — the best fishing on most marks is concentrated into the first two hours of the flooding tide. Plan the day around tidal windows, not daylight hours.
September – October (Autumn Peak)
Patterns
5-6 inch shadmedium diving plugheavy metal jigeel-style lure
Autumn produces the best bass of the year — fish are heavier, more aggressive, and feeding hard before winter. Upgrade lure size to 5–6 inch profiles for bigger presentations. Work lures through the tidal channels and along kelp edges at dawn. Pollack and coalfish are active on the deeper reef marks — heavy metal jigs worked fast through the water column from an anchored or drifting boat produce hard takes. Shore lure fishing from exposed headlands in calm autumn weather can produce specimen fish.
⚠️Common mistake: Sticking to summer spots when fish have moved. Autumn bass push to different marks as prey fish relocate — be prepared to explore new ground.
November – March (Winter Shore)
Patterns
baited leger riglugwormragwormmackerel strip
Switch from lure to bait fishing for winter species. Flounder respond to lugworm and ragworm on a running leger from pier walls and sandy marks in the inner bay. Codling take mackerel strip and cocktail baits from accessible shore marks on calm evenings. Conger are taken from rocky ground after dark on whole mackerel or squid. Wrap up well — the Connemara coast in winter is raw but not unfishable.
⚠️Common mistake: Underestimating winter weather. Conditions can deteriorate very quickly on an exposed coast — always check the forecast and have a sheltered fallback mark identified.
Core technique
Headland Bass Fishing on the Flooding Tide
1Identify a rocky headland or point that juts into the sea with kelp or reef directly below. The best marks have a current running across them as the tide floods — look for surface disturbance or a visible tidal rip.
2Arrive 30–45 minutes before the flooding tide begins. Bass arrive at these marks to feed as the tide pushes baitfish into the structure — position yourself early.
3Cast a 4–5 inch soft plastic shad on a 15–20g jig head across the current and allow it to swing through the feeding zone. The retrieve should be slow — a few turns, a pause, a few more turns. Most takes come on the pause or as the lure rises from a drop.
4Cover the full arc of water in front of you systematically. Cast at 45 degrees uptide, then straight out, then 45 degrees downtide. Bass may be holding at different positions around the headland depending on current and light.
5The productive window is typically two hours around the start of the flooding tide. If you catch a fish, note the exact spot and the state of the tide — bass use the same features every tide and the catch will repeat.
6If the tide runs too hard, switch to a heavier head to stay in contact with the lure. If you are losing lures to the reef, step back and fish a shallower angle across the current rather than into the kelp.
💡 Wind direction matters. A light onshore wind pushing onto a headland concentrates baitfish and brings bass in close. Flat calm and offshore wind can push fish out of range. The best headland bass fishing on the Connemara coast often comes after a day or two of onshore swell has stirred up the kelp and displaced prey.
What works here
Flies and methods reported most successful by the community.
Where to fish
Clifden Bay & Town Pier
The inner harbour and bay at Clifden provides sheltered fishing accessible to all skill levels. The pier and harbour wall produce mackerel, pollack, and garfish in summer. The tidal estuary at the head of the bay holds bass and sea trout from June. Kayak and small boat fishing in the inner bay opens up wrasse and bass marks on the rocky island edges. Good starting point for visiting anglers before exploring further.
Streamstown Bay
A sheltered inlet north of Clifden with rocky shores, kelp beds, and a tidal estuary. Bass, wrasse, and sea trout in the estuarine sections. Pollack on the rocky outer shore. Accessible by small boat or kayak from Clifden. One of the most productive bass marks on the inner coastline during summer evenings.
Ballyconneely Peninsula
South of Clifden, the Ballyconneely peninsula offers numerous accessible rocky marks and beach access points. Bass from the sandy beach areas and rocky points on the flooding tide. Pollack and wrasse from the rockier headlands. The sheltered coves are ideal for less experienced lure anglers to practise technique without the exposure of the outer coast.
Cleggan & Outer Bay
Cleggan pier is the gateway to the more serious fishing — charter boats operate from here to Inishbofin and the outer reef systems. Shore fishing from the pier itself and the rocky marks either side produces mackerel, pollack, and coalfish. The outer bay between Cleggan and the islands holds tope on sandy ground in summer. A significant step up in quality and variety from the inner bay marks.
Inishbofin Island
Accessible by scheduled ferry from Cleggan (20 minutes), Inishbofin offers shore fishing from rocky points and pier marks in a remote, uncrowded environment. The waters around the island hold excellent pollack and coalfish on the reef edges. Boat fishing from the island or with a charter produces the largest fish available in this region. An overnight stay makes full use of the dawn and dusk feeding windows.
Roundstone & South Shore
The coastline south of Clifden toward Roundstone offers a different character — smaller coves, more sheltered water, and less angling pressure. Roundstone pier fishes well for mackerel and pollack. The rocky marks between Ballyconneely and Roundstone are productive bass territory. Accessible from the R341 coastal road with several obvious parking and access points.
Suggested trip formats
🎣 Bass and Shore Weekend
Two days working the headland marks and tidal estuaries around Clifden Bay and Ballyconneely for bass and pollack. Evening pier fishing at Clifden for mackerel. Based in Clifden town with easy access to all marks by car. A focused short break requiring no boat.
🎣 Sea and Lough Week
Three days fishing the Connemara coast — bass, pollack, mackerel from shore and small boat — combined with two or three days on Lough Mask or Lough Corrib for wild brown trout or pike. Clifden as the western base and Cong or Ballinrobe as the eastern base, or remain in Clifden and drive to the loughs. One of the most varied fishing weeks available anywhere in Ireland.
🎣 Inishbofin Overnight
Take the morning ferry from Cleggan to Inishbofin, fish the afternoon and evening from shore and with a local charter, stay overnight at the island accommodation, fish the dawn session, and return on the midday ferry. Remote, unhurried, and consistently productive for pollack, coalfish, and bass.
🎣 Kayak Explorer
Three to four days kayak fishing the inner bays and island edges around Clifden. Bass in the tidal channels, wrasse along the kelp shorelines, pollack on small reef features. Launch from Clifden harbour or Ballyconneely beach. Hire kayaks available locally. The sheltered inner water is ideal for intermediate kayak anglers; the outer coast requires experience and careful weather judgement.
Conservation & stewardship
🌿
The Connemara coastline includes designated Special Areas of Conservation and is one of Ireland's most ecologically important coastal habitats. Bass are a strictly regulated species with enforced bag limits and minimum size requirements — the current bass population is the result of decades of careful management and an angling community that has broadly embraced catch and release. Wrasse are designated catch-and-release only. Tope and shark must be released. Handle all fish with wet hands, minimise air exposure, and release cleanly. Remove all litter and fishing waste, particularly monofilament, which is lethal to seabirds. Avoid disturbing seals hauled out on rocky outcrops — they are a regular and natural feature of this coastline.
Main access: Charter skippers operate from Cleggan pier for reef and offshore fishing; contact Cleggan pier directly or ask locally in Clifden, Connemara Angling, Clifden town — tackle, bait, local knowledge, Connemara Fisheries and the local angling clubs in Clifden and Roundstone
