Do I need fishing experience to join?

No. The tour welcomes all levels from complete beginners to experienced anglers. Your skipper will brief you on techniques, tackle, and safety before departure.

What fish can I expect to catch?

A typical day yields 10–15 fish across species including ling, cod (10–15 lbs in summer), pollack (5–10+ lbs), mackerel, coalfish, and wrasse. Large basking sharks are occasionally spotted.

What wildlife might we see?

Beyond fish, look for basking sharks, bottlenose and common dolphins, seals, orcas, puffins, guillemots, and great skuas. The boat also passes scenic island ruins visible only from the water.

Is all equipment provided?

Yes. All fishing gear, tackle, and safety equipment are supplied. Bring your own waterproof clothing, sunscreen, and any personal medication (e.g., seasickness tablets).

What time does the trip depart and how long is it?

You'll meet your skipper at Cleggan pier at 10:30 am. The full experience lasts 6 hours, including travel to the fishing grounds and back to harbor.

How far offshore do we fish?

The boat drifts and anchors over reefs in depths ranging from 50 to 330 feet (15–100 meters) off the Galway/Connemara coast.

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Deep sea angling from Cleggan. Galway. Guided.

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Galway, Ireland

FishingNature Tours

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About this activity

Experience premier deep-sea fishing off Ireland's rugged Atlantic coast, where waters teem with ling, cod, pollack, and mackerel across depths of 50–330 feet. Departing from the historic fishing village of Cleggan near Galway, this guided 6-hour expedition welcomes all skill levels and combines excellent sport fishing with chances to spot basking sharks, dolphins, seals, and seabirds.

The deep-sea fishing off Ireland's west coast is some of the finest in Europe, where large runs of tuna, mackerel, and sharks are found in the offshore waters. All levels of fishermen, from novice to expert, are welcome aboard to fish, and create lasting memories while hauling aboard over a dozen species of fish.

Board the boat in Cleggan, where you will meet your skipper at 10:30 am on the pier. We will go over the itinerary, gear, and equipment for a successful day on the water. Once the boat is outfitted, you'll depart for a full day amidst the Atlantic waves. While out on the water you might see basking sharks, common or bottle nose dolphins, as well as seals, orca, puffins, guillemots, and great skua. Enjoy the coastal scenery of Clifden's offshore islands, some of which have ruins onshore that can only be seen from the water.

When fishing, you'll either be drifting over reefs on casting while the boat is at anchor. Drifting over reefs in 50-330 ft (15-100m) of water will yield ling, cod, coalfish, wrasse, mackerel, and other species. Using red gill’s and lead heads for pollack, the fight they put up provides excellent sport and fish average around 5+ lbs (2.5 kg), and frequently edge over 10+ lbs (5.5kg). Cod are plentiful throughout the summer and it's common for fish to average somewhere between 10 and 15 lbs. Shoals of coalfish vary in size from clouds of 1lb fish to big adults over 10 lbs. A day’s drifting over reefs should yield 10 to 15 species, and some additional bait could well increase this up to 15 or 20 species. After an exciting day of Irish seafaring you will arrive back in Cleggan at approximately 6pm.

After an exciting day of Irish seafaring you will arrive back in Cleggan at approximately 6pm.

Bookings are open to small groups from two people and spaces are available during June, July and August subject to weather conditions.

*Please note a minimum of 4 individuals required for the tour to proceed. Less than 4 may be possible but without confirmation until the day before.

The boat is also available for private charter.

Passengers must be mobile and able to climb aboard.

Highlights

✓Drift-fish over offshore reefs in pristine Atlantic waters
✓Land multiple species: ling, cod, pollack, mackerel, coalfish, wrasse
✓Spot wildlife including basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins, seals, puffins, and orcas
✓View hidden island ruins and coastal landscapes of Connemara from the water
✓Suitable for complete beginners through experienced anglers

Insider tips

★Pollack are prized for their fight and reach 5–10+ lbs; bring patience and a firm grip
★Summer months see the largest cod runs (10–15 lbs average); plan accordingly for target species
★Cleggan is a small working harbor—arrive early to meet your skipper and get oriented before departure

Good to know

•Departs Cleggan pier at 10:30 am; full safety and gear briefing provided before casting off
•Bring waterproof jacket, non-slip footwear, sunscreen, and seasickness medication if prone
•All fishing equipment and tackle supplied; no prior experience required
•6-hour duration includes travel time to fishing grounds and return to harbor

Who it's for

Fishing enthusiasts (novice to expert)Adventure seekers and nature lovers keen on marine wildlifeGroups and families wanting an active Atlantic experiencePhotographers after dramatic coastal and offshore scenery

Best time to visit

Summer months (June–August) peak for cod runs and calm conditions; visit May–September for reliable weather and maximum wildlife sightings, including seabirds and marine mammals.