Record-breaking fish hooked by Irish anglers in 2024 feature in new report

Two giant fish specimens feature in a newly-published book displaying some of the largest fish caught in Ireland in 2024.

New records include a 4.37kg Gilthead bream caught by a Co. Cork angler, and a 38cm-long Shore Rockling hooked by a Dublin fisherman.

The catch details are found in the 2024 Irish Specimen Fish report, which details almost 500 exceptionally large fish landed by fishers last year in Irish waters.

Dr William Roche of Inland Fisheries Ireland, and Irish Specimen Fish Committee secretary, said: "The 2024 report shows the diversity of fish species available to anglers in Ireland, and where and when they can be found.

"The results last year were very encouraging, as the number of specimen catches reported was relatively high.

"By providing a wealth of information about the abundance of large fish in Irish waters in the past 12 months, the report should give anglers a head start for 2025.”

All fish featured in the publication were caught, measured, weighed, and released.

Several anglers caught exceptionally big specimens of Tench and Dace. 

Large specimens of smaller shark species like Spurdog and Tope were also caught.

The Irish Specimen Fish Committee, which is mainly supported by IFI, is an independent all-Ireland voluntary body which verifies and records the capture of large fish caught with a rod by anglers in freshwater and marine waters.

Hard copies of the report can be requested free of charge from IFI offices.

About the Irish Specimen Fish Committee
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee is an independent voluntary body, representative of angling interests in Ireland, whose principal function is to verify, record and publicise the capture of large species of fish caught on rod and line by anglers in Ireland, both in freshwater and marine waters.