September 9th to 16th, 2017 Time to go fishing ...
THE prestigious Rosslare Small Boats Festival takes place from September 9th to 16th.
The festival, now in its 32nd year, will attract anglers from Wales, Scotland, Isle of Wright, Ireland and England, generating huge revenue for the Wexford area. The event is sponsored by Garmin, Daiwa, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Sea Angler Magazine. It is top of the small boat angler’s calendar and many fishermen return year after year to participate in this prestigious event.
The festival started in 1985 with five boats fishing and has gone from strength to strength with 45 boats participating this year, contributing approximately €300,000 to the local economy.
The Rosslare Small Boats Festival is a species hunting competition. The boat crew who catch the greatest number of species are crowned the winners. Separate competitions are run alongside the main event including a prize for largest nominated species, the heaviest round and flat fish, best specimen of the week, heaviest fish of the festival, best newcomer, biggest bass and boat returning the most fish alive.
The competition is fished from Kilmore Quay Harbour, a purpose built, modern marina with excellent berthing and boat launching facilities. The species fishing around Kilmore Quay are some of the best in the whole of Ireland. It’s not uncommon for over 40 species to be landed during the competition.
Festival HQ is located in the homely pub of Redmonds, The Bay, Rosslare. This is where anglers gather each night for a chat and a pint, important news from the committee is relayed here and daily competitions are draw each night too.
The Presentation Night will be held on Friday 16th September at the Hotel Rosslare, Rosslare Harbour.