📍Cork · South West📋IFI (Republic of Ireland)Season Open
11Species Present
Courtmacsherry is a village on Courtmacsherry Bay in west Cork, near the mouth of the Argideen River. The sheltered bay and estuary are popular for shore and small-boat angling for bass and flatfish.
County
Cork
Region
South West
Type
Coastal
Nearest towns
Timoleague, Clonakilty
Species
Ling, Coalfish, Cod, Pollack, Conger Eel, Blue Shark +5 more
Courtmacsherry is a small village on the south Cork coast between the Old Head of Kinsale and Seven Heads Peninsula, about 30 miles west of Cork city. Its name is known throughout Irish sea angling circles, and beyond, for a simple reason: the waters off Courtmacsherry hold fish. Big fish. Record fish. And the operators who work out of this quiet harbour have built a reputation over decades for finding them.
The primary operator is Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre, run by Mark and Trish Gannon from Woodpoint House. The vessels Lady Patricia — an Aquastar 38 footer with 370 horsepower, skippered by Mark Gannon, licensed and insured for charter operations — and Lady Louise handle charter trips for groups targeting the full range of offshore species. The fishery holds Irish records and near-records across multiple species: ling to 48.5lbs (the Irish record, set in 2000), coalfish with the Irish record broken twice from these waters, conger to 67lbs, cod to 33lbs, pollack to 19lbs, blue shark to 164lbs, and skate measuring 215cm by 155cm.
Deep sea bottom fishing accounts for most of these species — ling and coalfish on the wrecks and rough ground offshore, conger on the same structure, cod and pollack on pinnacles and reef edges. Shark trips target blue shark and tope on the surface, with all fish tagged and released as part of the Irish Shark Club's tagging programme. The fishery is also an authorised Bluefin Tuna boat, one of a small number licensed to target this highly protected species under Ireland's tuna angling permit system.
Inshore and shore fishing offer additional interest. Bass are found along the beaches and sandy ground, particularly at Garretstown Strand. Flatfish, rays, and pollock provide sport for shore anglers working the rocky coastline around the Seven Heads. Self-drive boat hire is available from the centre for those who wish to explore the inshore ground independently.
Courtmacsherry is a genuine destination fishery. The village itself is small, scenic, and relaxed — the kind of place where the fishing is the main event and everything else fits around it.
Deep Sea FishingShore FishingBoat FishingShark Angling
Venue details
Season dates
Fishing season: 1 Mar – 31 Oct
Best times
Irish Record Fish · Deep Sea Charter · Blue Shark · Ling Record · Bluefin Tuna · Shark Tagging
Difficulty
Beginner friendly
Access & bases
Courtmacsherry is located on the R600 off the main Cork–Bandon road, approximately 30 miles west of Cork city. The Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre operates from Woodpoint House, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork. Charter fishing trips depart from Courtmacsherry harbour. Contact: Mark Gannon, mobile +353 87 638 1003 / +353 86 825 0905, email info@courtmacsherryangling.ie, website courtmacsherryangling.ie.
Season by season
March–May
Early season deep sea fishing for ling, pollack, and cod. Conditions can be challenging in spring, but fish are feeding strongly after winter.
June–August
Peak season for offshore species and shark. Blue shark trips run from June onward. Bluefin tuna are sometimes encountered. Shore bass fishing is at its best.
September–October
Excellent deep sea fishing as larger fish feed up before winter. Conger are active in autumn. Shore fishing for bass and flatfish remains productive.
Best conditions
Based on 0 reports, these conditions consistently produce the best fishing on Courtmacsherry:
💨
Light to moderate, any direction sheltered by the headlands
Best wind
☁️
Any — offshore fishing is weather-dependent for boat safety rather than fish activity
Best sky
🌡️
10–16°C
Water temp
⏰
Full day charter trips; shore fishing best on rising tide
Best window
Seasonal fly & tactics guide
Deep Sea Bottom Fishing (March–October)
On charter trips, the skipper positions the boat over known wreck and reef marks. Fish heavy pirks (200–500g) or large shads on strong tackle (30–50lb class) to the bottom and work them slowly. Natural bait (mackerel, squid) on pennel rigs is equally effective for ling and conger. Follow the skipper's advice on tackle and technique.
⚠️Common mistake: Using tackle that is too light for deep-water wreck fishing. The depths (50–100m+) and current require heavy gear — 30lb class minimum.
Shark Fishing (June–September)
Dedicated shark trips use rubby-dubby (chum) bags to create a scent trail. Float-fished whole mackerel on wire traces at varying depths. Blue shark and tope are the primary targets. All fish are tagged and released.
⚠️Common mistake: Expecting instant action. Shark fishing requires patience — the chum trail takes time to draw fish, and the best sport often comes in the afternoon.
What works here
Flies and methods reported most successful by the community.
Where to Fish at Courtmacsherry
Offshore Wrecks
Multiple wreck marks lie in 50–100m+ of water south of the Old Head of Kinsale. These are the primary grounds for ling, coalfish, conger, and cod. The skipper navigates to precise GPS marks.
Reef and Pinnacle Ground
Rocky reef and pinnacle marks closer inshore hold pollack, cod, and coalfish. These areas fish well on lighter tackle and are accessible in a wider range of weather conditions.
Inshore and Shore
The beaches and rocky coastline around Courtmacsherry and the Seven Heads provide shore fishing for bass, flatfish, and pollock. Garretstown Strand is the best-known shore mark for bass.
Conservation & stewardship
🌿
All shark, ray, and skate caught on Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre trips are tagged and released as part of the Irish Shark Club programme. Bluefin tuna are strictly catch-and-release under Irish regulations. Bass are subject to national conservation limits. The operators here take conservation seriously — follow their lead.
No licence or permit is required for recreational sea angling from a charter boat in Irish waters. Bass are subject to national bass conservation regulations (currently one fish per angler per day maximum).
Main access: Charter skipper Mark Gannon — contact +353 87 638 1003 or info@courtmacsherryangling.ie, Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre, Woodpoint House, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork, IFI South Western Region
