I see you offer private charters only on your website, do you do individual places where one or two people can join another group?
We use a WhatsApp group for people who may be on their own and wish to join another group in order to split the charter cost. We advertise different joinable trips on this WhatsApp group weekly whilst in season according to good weather windows and our availability. If there is sufficient interest to split the trip charter rate from this group (max 8 people), we will run the trip. We only offer trips like this at short notice, weekly and cannot organise joinable trips beyond this timeframe. To join this group, please send us a message and we will send you the group invite link!
Do I need to have any fishing experience?
Absolutely not, we cater for beginners to experts and provide all fishing lessons and advice free of charge to anyone who wants them.
Are fishing licences required on your trips?
No, fishing licences are not required for offshore sea fishing in Ireland, and we already hold the license required allowing us to target bluefin tuna in the Irish catch and release scheme. If you choose to target sea trout however on an inshore trip, a licence will be required.
Do you supply rods, fishing tackle and bait?
We have all rods and fishing tackle available for hire on all of our trips. Some trips include their hire, and we normally catch any bait if needed during the trip. Please feel free to bring your own equipment too. We give a free fishing lesson at the first fishing location to anyone hiring our equipment.
What happens if I lose tackle whilst hiring it during a trip?
If you lose any rods or tackle during your hire period you must purchase a replacement on board. We only charge the same wholesale prices we buy the rods and tackle at.
Can I bring my own fishing gear?
While we can provide all necessary fishing gear, you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer. You can call us in advance if you would like to check everything is suitable for the type of fishing you plan to do; we use a combination of jigging and light spinning rods on normal fishing trips.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Yes, provided it is not a protected species or undersize. We encourage catch and release if you will not be eating your catch.
Are bluefin tuna catch and release?
The bluefin tuna fishery in Ireland is only licensed on a catch and release basis. When a bluefin is caught, we will pull it alongside the boat to tag, measure and document it for the programme, you will get a memorable photo of your catch and you alongside the boat through the access door!
What’s the best way to book or check availability?
Booking online through our website is the easiest way to see our availability calendar, as well as pay your booking deposit to secure your date, but we can also take bookings by email and phone.
What should I bring or wear on my trip?
We recommend dressing warm (it is normally windier and colder out at sea) and for the weather forecast, bring enough food and drink for your trip as well as any medications prescribed to you and sea sickness tablets if you suffer from any motion sickness. Sun cream is recommended as well as a good camera and strong bags for your fish! You can bring your own rods or lifejackets too if you prefer.
We recommend if you are prone (or not sure) to seasickness that you take a tablet the night before and the morning of your trip. If you are on a private charter, we can always return if the majority of the group agrees. We have found Kwells to be a great brand of tablet for adults, while Stugeron is more suitable to kids over 5. Both may cause drowsiness and are available in most pharmacies.
What if I need to cancel our trip?
We understand plans change, if you need to cancel or reschedule your trip, please give us as much notice as possible so we have a chance to fill your slot. For more information please see the detailed cancellation policy on the website, terms and conditions and through our online booking system.
Are there lifejackets on board?
Yes, we have life jackets for everyone on board if you would like to wear them including a selection of kid sizes. Please feel free to bring your own too if you want that guaranteed perfect fit!
Will the weather be rough?
Safety is our top priority. If the weather conditions are unsafe for boating, we may need to reschedule or cancel your charter. In such cases, we will do our best to offer an alternative date or provide a full refund of your deposit. We will keep you updated about any weather-related changes in advance. We do not take people out in bad weather and it can be surprisingly calm if we go to a lee shore! We always try to find the calmest spots for our clients.
We still operate on rainy days and recommend bringing good rain gear! We have some spare waterproofs we can give you but cannot guarantee we have your exact size on board!
We always aim to go for the calmest location for our clients and this changes daily with swell, wind and tidal conditions. When we are fishing, we follow the bait and go where the fish are biting best! We are lucky to be able to choose between Sligo and Donegal Bay on our trips for best fishing and the calmest conditions, so our destinations can change daily according to the local conditions.
Are there age restrictions for children?
Children are welcome on all of our charters! However, for safety reasons, we recommend that children are at least 6 years old for sea angling trips and well supervised. Younger children are welcome on short private charters or wildlife watching trips, where the focus is on enjoying the scenic views rather than fishing. We have found that shorter trips suit younger children more.
How many people can join a charter?
Our boat can accommodate up to 8 passengers or less for fishing trips, and up to 10 for sightseeing trips. For bluefin tuna we recommend a maximum of 4 people. If you have a larger group, we can arrange multiple boats or a custom package to fit your needs. Please contact us for more details on group bookings so we can check availability of another vessel.
What safety measures are in place?
Our boats are fully equipped with all necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, first aid kits, distress and emergency equipment. Our experienced crew is trained in safety protocols, and the use of all emergency beacons and emergency equipment. Your safety is our top priority.
How accessible is the boat?
We have an opening side door on the boat, and access is across a gangway and pontoon in the Rosses Point pier area, so we can cater for most people with low mobility or even a mild disability. Wheelchairs, however, will not fit through the access door. There is seating on the engine cover and sides of the boat for people once they are on board. A level of mobility is required if you wish to visit Coney Island for disembarkation at the pier steps there.
We would like to do something different; can you accommodate us?
Absolutely! We offer a tailor-made service for all of our trips and encourage clients to give us a call if you would like to plan something special, just begin by letting us know what your time frame is and checking our availability in our booking system.
Is there a toilet on board?
Yes, we have a small sea water head accessible from the deck available for use at sea during our trips.
Do you provide refreshments or meals during the trip?
We do not provide meals but have free flow help yourself tea and coffee available on all of our charters. Please feel free to grab yourself a brew in the cabin!
Is there car parking available at the pier?
Yes. Please allow some extra time to arrive in Rosses Point if coming from the Dublin direction as it can bottleneck coming through Sligo town in the mornings.
Is fuel and insurance included?
Absolutely. Fuel and insurance are included on all of our trips. There are never any extra charges if we have to go further to find fish or wildlife on the day.
What time should I arrive for my trip?
Please arrive down to the pontoon in Rosses Point 5 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Please arrive on time as because we operate multiple trips per day, we often have a tight departure and return schedule.
How long will my trip last?
The duration of your trip is the time from leaving the pontoon until your return to it. Please ensure you arrive 5 minutes ahead of time as we often have a tight departure and return schedule with multiple trips departing per day.
Are gift vouchers available?
Yes! Ewing's Sea Angling & Boat Charters offers gift certificates for all our charter services. They make the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion. Contact us to purchase a gift certificate.
My gift voucher is expired, can I still use it?
While we do issue vouchers with a 5-year expiry date, this is only to encourage you to use it, our vouchers have no expiry date and we have never ever refused an old voucher! While some of the costs of our trips can go up over time, your voucher will never lose its monetary value which it was bought for, but you will have to pay any difference on a set trip if the price has gone up since your voucher was purchased.
Can I use a gift voucher as a deposit for a trip?
Yes of course! The deposit amount will be deducted from your voucher number in the online system in line with our cancellation policy. Please quote your voucher code when booking to use it.
