Fishing spots mapDiscover the 1 best spots in Ballyragget
Fishing in Ballyragget
What can I fish there ?Join our 159 fishermen in Ballyragget in County Kilkenny where there's 1 spot. The fishing forecast is currently 3. The most caught fishes here are the moapa dace, the dolphinfish, the gray snapper and black bream fish. Come try the most famous fishing techniques like the tips on material to catch bass on plug from the shore, fishing technique of the pollack, feeder fishing or support fishing for bass.

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The fishing forecast
Discover the scientific algorithm that gives you the best moment to go fishing at Ballyragget !
This is a score calculated according to about forty criteria: moon, weather conditions, atmospheric pressure, tides, swell ...
. Forecast calculated at 4 days

Most caught fish species in Ballyragget Top species caught by Club members
Top species caught by Club members
N°1 | Bitterling Fish
The Bitterling fish is a freshwater fish and belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Its scientific name is Rhodeus Amarus. The current size of the bitterling fish is 5-6 cm. Some individuals can reach a maximum height of 11 cm and a weight of 10 g. This species is one of the smallest Cyprinid in Europe. It lives on average from 2 to 3 years. The spawning period is between April and June. It lays 40 to 100 oocytes. This fish is easy to catch due to its small size. The bitterling is a small fish whose body is high and laterally compressed. The lateral line is short or incomplete. The scales on the back have a grey-green coloring. The sides are clear with silvery reflections. During the breeding period the silver coloration changes to a pink to bright red color with a dark blue sideband. Sexual dimorphism occurs between the male and female during reproduction. A 5 to 8 mm laying tube (ovipositor) develops in the female, which allows her to lay her eggs in the gill cavity of freshwater mussels. The male has a higher body than the female and its colors become brighter during the breeding season. The bitterling fish's eyes are quite large. Its mouth is small, oblique and the upper jaw protrudes beyond the lower jaw. The anal and dorsal fins have a short base and 8 to 10 branched rays.
Fishing period : prohibited all year
Minimum size : not available
Difficulty :
N°2 | Black Bream Fish
The Black breamfish, also known as Acanthopagrus butcheri, is a Sparidae. In general, its average size is 15 to 35 cm and its weight is 500 g to 2.5 kg. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 cm and 4 kg. The black bream has a lifespan of 27 years. Its spawning period is between August and January. It can have up to 300,000 spawn each season. It is not hard to catch and offer a little resistance. The Black bream has a high body and relatively compressed laterally, with symmetrically curved dorsal and ventral fins. The mouth is of moderate size compared to the body and has six incisors in the front of the lower and upper jaws. The body is covered with large scales that can be cycloid or slightly ctenoid. The head is essentially flake-free, except for the lids. A flake sheath covers the soft ray bases of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The Black Bream is silvery, from golden brown or bronze to grey-green on the back as well as on the sides with sometimes greenish reflections, depending on its habitat. The belly is white. The fins are all dark, with black borders. The caudal fin is often dark olive-brown.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 25 cm
Difficulty :
N°3 | Bleak Fish
The Bleak fish is a Cyprinidae. In general, its average size is 10 to 15 cm and its weight is 15 to 50 g. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 g for a size of 25 cm. The bleak has a lifespan of 6-7 years. The spawning period is between April and August. It can lay up to 7000 spawns. You can fish bleak from June to September. This fish swims quite fast and offers a little resistance during the catch. The bleak is a fish with an elongated body that is very compressed laterally, allowing it to have a high velocity. The upper jaw is shorter than the lower jaw. The mouth of the bleak is oriented upwards (above), a typical character of fish that seek their food on the surface. The caudal fin is strongly indented and the caudal peduncle is thin. The dorsal fin is inserted behind the pelvic fins and has a shorter base than the dorsal fin. Its name refers to the bright white color of its scales, which gives the bleak a metallic sheen. Its back is darker greenish-blue, its sides are silvery white and its fins are pale grey. During the breeding season, nuptial tubers appear on the backs and sides of males and their fins become orange.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 10 cm
Difficulty :
N°4 | Dolphinfish or Mahi-mahi
Dorade coryphĂšne, dorado, dolphin, lampuga, rakingo, calitos, ti-rone, maverikos, mahi-mahi... There are so many ways to call the dolphinfish (coryphaena hippurus). This species is well known for its flesh and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 20 inches
Difficulty :
N°5 | Marlin
Marlin is a fish from a large family called Istiophoridae, which includes about 10 species. The most popular species include the blue marlin (makaira nigricans), the striped marlin (kajikia audax), the white marlin (kajikia albidus) and the black marlin (istiompax indica).
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 40 inches
Difficulty :
N°6 | Striped bass
Striped bass (morone saxatilis) is a fish of the Moronidae family found along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 28 inches
Difficulty :
N°7 | The African Pompano
The African Pompano belongs to the Carangidae family. The maximum size can reach up to 1.50 m, but the average size is one meter. It breeds in spring and autumn. It can be fished during the hot seasons. Like many carangidae, it is a deep and laterally compressed fish, which have the deepest point of the body between the origin of the dorsal and anal fins and the head and tail tapering on either side. The dorsal and ventral profiles are also convex, the main characteristic of the adult being its more curved head compared to the more angular head profile of African Pompano. The species has 4 to 7 spines visible in the first dorsal fin, followed by a single spine and 18 to 20 soft rays in the second dorsal fin. The anal fin has two spines followed by 15 or 16 soft rays, while the pectoral fin is long and curved. The skin of the fish appears flake-free, but has tiny, embedded scales scattered over the body. The lateral line has a strong and moderately long dorsal arch, with a posterior section of 12 to 30 scales. Juvenile with filamentous rays at the anal and dorsal fins. Juveniles are characterized by their "spinning" appearance, characterized by filaments dragging anal and dorsal fins that retract with age. During maturation, the species also becomes more elongated and more similar to other types of jacks. The body is a silvery blue metallic to blue-green above, being the darkest on the head and upper shoulders, while the underside is more silvery. Juveniles have 5 chevron-sha
Fishing period : hot season
Minimum size : 60 cm
Difficulty :
N°8 | The Alligator Gar
The Alligator Gar belongs to the Lepisosteidae family. In its adult form, it can measure up to three meters long and weigh up to 140 kilograms. It breeds in spring. It can be fished all year round. Alligator gar are elongated fish with a long, narrow snout. Their scales form a kind of armor, protecting them from other predators, the scales are similar in hardness to our nails, hard as keratin. They are also sharp, never brush a sharp-edged club fish. These fish have the swim bladder modified into a gas bladder, it allows them to breathe at the surface.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°9 | The Almaco Jack
The Almaco Jack belongs to the Carangidae family. Its adult size varies from 80 cm to 120 cm. They reproduce in spring. It can be fished all year round. It has two dorsal fins, the longer of the two is about twice as long as the longer of the dorsal spines. It has a pale blue-green color, with a lavender glow. The Almaco Jack has a short upper jaw, with a yellowish streak from the jaw to the first dorsal fin, but its color becomes less recognizable as the fish ages. Younger almaco jacks usually have six black bars on the sides. The mouth is protractile and allows it to swallow its entire prey.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°10 | The American Eel
The American Eel belongs to the Anguillidae family. The size of the adult female can reach 1 m in length, while that of the male does not exceed 40 cm. Spawning takes place in mid-winter. Females lay 3 to 22 million eggs. He can live to be 50 years old. It can be fished from April to September. The American eel is a species of fish with a snake-like body all in length with fins that extend over its back, around its tail and along its inner surface. It has thick lips and a slightly longer lower jaw than her upper jaw, which gives her the appearance of having an overbite. The color of young eels varies from yellow-green or brown. Adult eels are grey with white or cream bellies.
Fishing period : April to September
Minimum size : 50 cm
Difficulty :
N°11 | The American Shad
The American Shad belongs to the Clupeidae family. With an average of 38 cm, adult specimens can measure up to 76 cm and weigh between 0.9 and 1.4 kg. It can live up to 13 years old. Egg laying takes place in May, June or July. On average, the female lays 140,000 eggs, but can reach 600,000 eggs. It is fished in the spring. The American shad is characterized by its slender, high and very flattened body. The species has a very forked caudal fin and a low, elongated anal fin. It has no lateral line or adipose fin. Its color is silvery with a blue or blue-green sheen on the back and bright silver flanks. When entering fresh water for reproduction, the pigmentation may become darker, taking on a tan or copper hue, turning red for the head and belly parts. A black spot is visible near the top edge of the lid, sometimes followed by smaller spots. Its lower jaw fits into a notch in its upper jaw. It can also be recognized by its large scales that are easily detached. The ventral surface of the American shad is thin with saw tooth scales. With regard to internal characteristics, it has teeth in the premaxillary and lower jaw, a silver peritoneum and, between 53 and 59 vertebrae.
Fishing period : spring
Minimum size : 30 cm
Difficulty :
N°12 | The Apache trout
The Apache trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. The Apache trout is 15 to 61 cm long and weighs 0.2 to 2.7 kg. It rarely exceeds 25 cm but can reach up to 40 cm in its natural headwaters. It breeds from May to June. Fishing for Apache trout is prohibited all year round. Apache trout are yellowish gold in color with a golden belly and have medium sized dark spots, uniformly spaced, which can extend below the lateral line and over the dorsal fins and tail. The top of the head and back are dark olive in color, and it appears to have a black stripe/mask through each of its eyes, thanks to two small black dots on each side of the pupil. There may be a throat mark under the lower jaw, ranging from yellow to gold.
Fishing period :
Minimum size :
Difficulty :
N°1 | Bitterling Fish
The Bitterling fish is a freshwater fish and belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Its scientific name is Rhodeus Amarus. The current size of the bitterling fish is 5-6 cm. Some individuals can reach a maximum height of 11 cm and a weight of 10 g. This species is one of the smallest Cyprinid in Europe. It lives on average from 2 to 3 years. The spawning period is between April and June. It lays 40 to 100 oocytes. This fish is easy to catch due to its small size. The bitterling is a small fish whose body is high and laterally compressed. The lateral line is short or incomplete. The scales on the back have a grey-green coloring. The sides are clear with silvery reflections. During the breeding period the silver coloration changes to a pink to bright red color with a dark blue sideband. Sexual dimorphism occurs between the male and female during reproduction. A 5 to 8 mm laying tube (ovipositor) develops in the female, which allows her to lay her eggs in the gill cavity of freshwater mussels. The male has a higher body than the female and its colors become brighter during the breeding season. The bitterling fish's eyes are quite large. Its mouth is small, oblique and the upper jaw protrudes beyond the lower jaw. The anal and dorsal fins have a short base and 8 to 10 branched rays.
Fishing period : prohibited all year
Minimum size : not available
Difficulty :
N°2 | Black Bream Fish
The Black breamfish, also known as Acanthopagrus butcheri, is a Sparidae. In general, its average size is 15 to 35 cm and its weight is 500 g to 2.5 kg. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 cm and 4 kg. The black bream has a lifespan of 27 years. Its spawning period is between August and January. It can have up to 300,000 spawn each season. It is not hard to catch and offer a little resistance. The Black bream has a high body and relatively compressed laterally, with symmetrically curved dorsal and ventral fins. The mouth is of moderate size compared to the body and has six incisors in the front of the lower and upper jaws. The body is covered with large scales that can be cycloid or slightly ctenoid. The head is essentially flake-free, except for the lids. A flake sheath covers the soft ray bases of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The Black Bream is silvery, from golden brown or bronze to grey-green on the back as well as on the sides with sometimes greenish reflections, depending on its habitat. The belly is white. The fins are all dark, with black borders. The caudal fin is often dark olive-brown.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 25 cm
Difficulty :
N°3 | Bleak Fish
The Bleak fish is a Cyprinidae. In general, its average size is 10 to 15 cm and its weight is 15 to 50 g. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 g for a size of 25 cm. The bleak has a lifespan of 6-7 years. The spawning period is between April and August. It can lay up to 7000 spawns. You can fish bleak from June to September. This fish swims quite fast and offers a little resistance during the catch. The bleak is a fish with an elongated body that is very compressed laterally, allowing it to have a high velocity. The upper jaw is shorter than the lower jaw. The mouth of the bleak is oriented upwards (above), a typical character of fish that seek their food on the surface. The caudal fin is strongly indented and the caudal peduncle is thin. The dorsal fin is inserted behind the pelvic fins and has a shorter base than the dorsal fin. Its name refers to the bright white color of its scales, which gives the bleak a metallic sheen. Its back is darker greenish-blue, its sides are silvery white and its fins are pale grey. During the breeding season, nuptial tubers appear on the backs and sides of males and their fins become orange.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 10 cm
Difficulty :
N°4 | Dolphinfish or Mahi-mahi
Dorade coryphĂšne, dorado, dolphin, lampuga, rakingo, calitos, ti-rone, maverikos, mahi-mahi... There are so many ways to call the dolphinfish (coryphaena hippurus). This species is well known for its flesh and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 20 inches
Difficulty :
N°5 | Marlin
Marlin is a fish from a large family called Istiophoridae, which includes about 10 species. The most popular species include the blue marlin (makaira nigricans), the striped marlin (kajikia audax), the white marlin (kajikia albidus) and the black marlin (istiompax indica).
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 40 inches
Difficulty :
N°6 | Striped bass
Striped bass (morone saxatilis) is a fish of the Moronidae family found along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 28 inches
Difficulty :
N°7 | The African Pompano
The African Pompano belongs to the Carangidae family. The maximum size can reach up to 1.50 m, but the average size is one meter. It breeds in spring and autumn. It can be fished during the hot seasons. Like many carangidae, it is a deep and laterally compressed fish, which have the deepest point of the body between the origin of the dorsal and anal fins and the head and tail tapering on either side. The dorsal and ventral profiles are also convex, the main characteristic of the adult being its more curved head compared to the more angular head profile of African Pompano. The species has 4 to 7 spines visible in the first dorsal fin, followed by a single spine and 18 to 20 soft rays in the second dorsal fin. The anal fin has two spines followed by 15 or 16 soft rays, while the pectoral fin is long and curved. The skin of the fish appears flake-free, but has tiny, embedded scales scattered over the body. The lateral line has a strong and moderately long dorsal arch, with a posterior section of 12 to 30 scales. Juvenile with filamentous rays at the anal and dorsal fins. Juveniles are characterized by their "spinning" appearance, characterized by filaments dragging anal and dorsal fins that retract with age. During maturation, the species also becomes more elongated and more similar to other types of jacks. The body is a silvery blue metallic to blue-green above, being the darkest on the head and upper shoulders, while the underside is more silvery. Juveniles have 5 chevron-sha
Fishing period : hot season
Minimum size : 60 cm
Difficulty :
N°8 | The Alligator Gar
The Alligator Gar belongs to the Lepisosteidae family. In its adult form, it can measure up to three meters long and weigh up to 140 kilograms. It breeds in spring. It can be fished all year round. Alligator gar are elongated fish with a long, narrow snout. Their scales form a kind of armor, protecting them from other predators, the scales are similar in hardness to our nails, hard as keratin. They are also sharp, never brush a sharp-edged club fish. These fish have the swim bladder modified into a gas bladder, it allows them to breathe at the surface.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°9 | The Almaco Jack
The Almaco Jack belongs to the Carangidae family. Its adult size varies from 80 cm to 120 cm. They reproduce in spring. It can be fished all year round. It has two dorsal fins, the longer of the two is about twice as long as the longer of the dorsal spines. It has a pale blue-green color, with a lavender glow. The Almaco Jack has a short upper jaw, with a yellowish streak from the jaw to the first dorsal fin, but its color becomes less recognizable as the fish ages. Younger almaco jacks usually have six black bars on the sides. The mouth is protractile and allows it to swallow its entire prey.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°10 | The American Eel
The American Eel belongs to the Anguillidae family. The size of the adult female can reach 1 m in length, while that of the male does not exceed 40 cm. Spawning takes place in mid-winter. Females lay 3 to 22 million eggs. He can live to be 50 years old. It can be fished from April to September. The American eel is a species of fish with a snake-like body all in length with fins that extend over its back, around its tail and along its inner surface. It has thick lips and a slightly longer lower jaw than her upper jaw, which gives her the appearance of having an overbite. The color of young eels varies from yellow-green or brown. Adult eels are grey with white or cream bellies.
Fishing period : April to September
Minimum size : 50 cm
Difficulty :
N°11 | The American Shad
The American Shad belongs to the Clupeidae family. With an average of 38 cm, adult specimens can measure up to 76 cm and weigh between 0.9 and 1.4 kg. It can live up to 13 years old. Egg laying takes place in May, June or July. On average, the female lays 140,000 eggs, but can reach 600,000 eggs. It is fished in the spring. The American shad is characterized by its slender, high and very flattened body. The species has a very forked caudal fin and a low, elongated anal fin. It has no lateral line or adipose fin. Its color is silvery with a blue or blue-green sheen on the back and bright silver flanks. When entering fresh water for reproduction, the pigmentation may become darker, taking on a tan or copper hue, turning red for the head and belly parts. A black spot is visible near the top edge of the lid, sometimes followed by smaller spots. Its lower jaw fits into a notch in its upper jaw. It can also be recognized by its large scales that are easily detached. The ventral surface of the American shad is thin with saw tooth scales. With regard to internal characteristics, it has teeth in the premaxillary and lower jaw, a silver peritoneum and, between 53 and 59 vertebrae.
Fishing period : spring
Minimum size : 30 cm
Difficulty :
N°12 | The Apache trout
The Apache trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. The Apache trout is 15 to 61 cm long and weighs 0.2 to 2.7 kg. It rarely exceeds 25 cm but can reach up to 40 cm in its natural headwaters. It breeds from May to June. Fishing for Apache trout is prohibited all year round. Apache trout are yellowish gold in color with a golden belly and have medium sized dark spots, uniformly spaced, which can extend below the lateral line and over the dorsal fins and tail. The top of the head and back are dark olive in color, and it appears to have a black stripe/mask through each of its eyes, thanks to two small black dots on each side of the pupil. There may be a throat mark under the lower jaw, ranging from yellow to gold.
Fishing period :
Minimum size :
Difficulty :

Ballyragget - Fishing techniques Top fishing techniques
Top fishing techniques
N°1 | Tips on material to catch bass on plug from the shore
For each category of equipment, the items (four per category) will be classified from the cheapest to the most expensive. What we propose here is only a suggestion, you are free to use the material you want. Some parts of the equipment (weights, hooks, etc...) will not be mentioned in this article.
N°2 | Fishing technique of the Pollack
If you don’t know how to fish for Pollack, below are some technique that you can use.
N°3 | Feeder fishing
Here you will know everything you need to know about feeder fishing.
N°4 | Support fishing for Bass
The support fishing is a bottom fishing technique. It consists in putting a setting of a lead with one or more hooks that are let down. Once the assembly is at the bottom, the line is stretched and the touch is waited, keeping the rod in hand. You can fish with different baits depending on the morphology of the bottom. Like all bait fishing techniques, you have to find the right balance between discretion and robustness. The bar will have time to go around the setting before swallowing the bait, so maximum discretion is required.
N°5 | Trolling for Mackerel
Mackerel evolve in schools. The challenge is to find the benches. A seagull bite may eventually help you, but the easiest way is to use a sonar. Mackerel move to a depth that varies with water temperature, weather conditions and water transparency. In general, mackerel will be found on the surface in calm weather and when the water is clear enough. On the contrary, when the sea is rough, they will tend to move between two waters, or even into deep waters. Once the school is spotted, all you have to do is turn around the seagulls, trying to anticipate the trajectory of the school so that the mackerel can be found on your line. Mackerel are not shy, if they are there, they will bite without delay.
N°6 | Trolling for Mahi Mahi
This magnificent warm-water fish, with its green and turquoise color mixed with subtle golden stroke, is one of the most beautiful fish you can catch.
N°1 | Tips on material to catch bass on plug from the shore
For each category of equipment, the items (four per category) will be classified from the cheapest to the most expensive. What we propose here is only a suggestion, you are free to use the material you want. Some parts of the equipment (weights, hooks, etc...) will not be mentioned in this article.
N°2 | Fishing technique of the Pollack
If you don’t know how to fish for Pollack, below are some technique that you can use.
N°3 | Feeder fishing
Here you will know everything you need to know about feeder fishing.
N°4 | Support fishing for Bass
The support fishing is a bottom fishing technique. It consists in putting a setting of a lead with one or more hooks that are let down. Once the assembly is at the bottom, the line is stretched and the touch is waited, keeping the rod in hand. You can fish with different baits depending on the morphology of the bottom. Like all bait fishing techniques, you have to find the right balance between discretion and robustness. The bar will have time to go around the setting before swallowing the bait, so maximum discretion is required.
N°5 | Trolling for Mackerel
Mackerel evolve in schools. The challenge is to find the benches. A seagull bite may eventually help you, but the easiest way is to use a sonar. Mackerel move to a depth that varies with water temperature, weather conditions and water transparency. In general, mackerel will be found on the surface in calm weather and when the water is clear enough. On the contrary, when the sea is rough, they will tend to move between two waters, or even into deep waters. Once the school is spotted, all you have to do is turn around the seagulls, trying to anticipate the trajectory of the school so that the mackerel can be found on your line. Mackerel are not shy, if they are there, they will bite without delay.
N°6 | Trolling for Mahi Mahi
This magnificent warm-water fish, with its green and turquoise color mixed with subtle golden stroke, is one of the most beautiful fish you can catch.
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