NEWS

Irish charter skipper Adrian Molloy’s official bluefin tagging project hits the ton

Your round-up of catches and stories.

Irish charter skipper Adrian Molloy has tagged and released his 100th bluefin tuna of 2018. With fishing taking place from August to December off the Donegal coast, where Adrian is licensed to tag tuna, the fish was caught on September 12 by Kenny Williamson. There were also bluefins to 350lb caught by a party of four anglers.

Kenny, who lives in the small village of North Roe, on the northern tip of the Northmavine peninsula of the Shetland Islands, was on a week-long trip to Ireland to fish on Adrian’s boat Evie Rose, but strong winds prevented any sport on the first day.

“We got out fishing on the Tuesday, departing from Teelin on Adrian’s eightmetre Cougar cat, Evie Rose, a superb sea boat and amazing fishing platform,” said Kenny. “Deploying the outriggers and Carlson bird rigs soon after, within half an hour the first fish arrived and I got my first turn in the chair.”

It resulted in a 220lb bluefin, which he described as a “fish of a lifetime”. It was quickly tagged and released, to be followed by two more caught that day by the party.

The following day was another lumpy day in Donegal Bay, but it produced six fish in a dusk-to-dawn trip, including the 100th tuna of the year, and estimated to weigh 270lb

“Seeing tuna busting after baitfish is an experience I’ll never forget,” said Kenny. “But the cherry on the cake for me was the final turn of the day and fish number 100 for Adrian’s season.

“Seeing a bluefin go airborne out the side of a swell, dorsal fin cleaving the water before engulfing the squid will be imprinted in my memory as long as I’m here. Words don’t do it justice,” he added.

Day three produced two fish, including the best of the trip to Colin Williamson and Bruce Jamieson, who each had 350lb-plus fish. Two fish were lost for John Anderson, one within a few metres of the side of the boat.