Pike fishing by boat on Lough Corrib, 2 fishermen. Galway. Private guided. French/Eng

Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland, is internationally recognized as a top destination for pike fishing. Known for producing trophy-sized pike, the lake has earned its place in Fred Buller’s renowned book The Doomsday Book of Mammoth Pike. Anglers from all over the world are drawn to its deep, mysterious waters in search of that record breaking catch.

The prime season for pike fishing on Lough Corrib runs from mid July to mid December. During this time, anglers can benefit from the expertise of a local Ghillie/guide, fluent in both French and English. These guides have invaluable local knowledge that greatly enhances the fishing experience, offering insights into the lake’s hotspots and helping you choose the best techniques for the conditions.

A variety of angling methods are used to target pike on Lough Corrib. Trolling involves slowly moving the boat while dragging a bait or lure behind. Spinning is done from a stationary boat using lures, while dead-baiting uses natural bait like perch, roach, or eel, especially effective when drifting in windy conditions. Often, dead baiting and spinning are combined. For the more adventurous, jerk baiting is a modern technique that uses specialized rods and reels with jerk baits to entice the big ones.