Conger Eel
Conger eel are the largest eel species in Irish waters and a serious target for boat anglers working offshore wrecks and reefs.
Found all around the Irish coastline, they range from small 'strap' eels on pier pilings to heavyweight fish pushing 40lb-plus over deep-water wreckage.
Wreck fishing from charter boats out of Cork, Kerry and Antrim ports accounts for most specimen-class fish, though shore marks produce plenty of action after dark.
Scientific Name: Conger conger
Also known as Strap conger (small fish), conger
- Scaleless, snake-like body; cream to silver-grey belly, flanks running to grey or dark grey on the back — colour shifts noticeably by habitat, from tan in sandy shallows to near-black on deep wrecks.
- Wide mouth with sturdy teeth; upper jaw slightly longer than the lower; elliptical eyes; dorsal, tail and anal fins fused into a continuous fringe ending in a pointed tail.
- Shore fish ('straps') typically run under 10lb; inshore reef fish up to 30lb; offshore wreck fish regularly exceed 40lb — the Irish specimen threshold is 40lb, with the record standing at 72lb.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native and fully distributed around the entire Irish coastline — south and west coasts (Cork, Kerry, Waterford) hold the most consistently fished marks, with Red Bay in Antrim a notable northern venue.
- Shore fish occupy rocky headlands, pier pilings, harbour walls, breakwaters and boulder ground near the low-water line; they use crevices and holes as daytime lairs.
- Larger fish move to inshore reefs and rough ground; the biggest specimens are found on offshore wrecks lying in 150–250 feet of water.
Key Locations
- Red Bay, Co. Antrim — the top venue by ISFC specimen submissions; good wreck and reef structure off the Antrim coast.
- Cork Harbour, Crosshaven and Kinsale — consistently produce large fish; well-served by charter boats targeting offshore wrecks and inshore reefs.
- Ballycotton and Roche's Point, Co. Cork — reef series running offshore holds healthy numbers of fish; Ballycotton breakwater is a noted shore mark.
- Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork — regular specimen submissions; accessible by boat to good rough ground.
- Beara Peninsula and Castletownbere, Co. Cork — deep water close inshore makes daylight fishing viable from rock marks; Valentia, Co. Kerry holds the historic Irish record.
Specific Spots
- Pier pilings and harbour walls: conger hold tight to the base of vertical structure, using gaps between stonework as dens — fish a bait straight down rather than casting away from the wall.
- Offshore wrecks: fish concentrate inside and directly alongside wreckage; getting a bait into or right against the hull is more productive than fishing open ground nearby.
- Inshore reefs and rough ground: look for boulder fields and cliff-base gullies where fish can wedge their tails — the first few feet of a crevice entrance is where bites happen.
- On shore marks, the first two hours of darkness on a flooding tide are the classic window; at exposed rock marks, slack water is safer and often more productive.
Conger Eel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Conger Eel?
Whole mackerel or a mackerel flapper (backbone removed, body opened out) is the go-to wreck and reef bait, scoring the belly a few times releases scent and draws fish from a distance.
When is the best time to fish for Conger Eel?
Summer (June–August) is the peak period, ISFC specimen records are concentrated in these months, coinciding with the main wreck-fishing charter season. Late spring through autumn (roughly May–October) covers the broader catchable window as water temperatures rise and fish become more active.
How do you catch Conger Eel?
Most serious conger fishing in Ireland is done from charter boats over offshore wrecks during summer, with anglers lowering whole mackerel or herring baits directly to the wreck structure on heavy gear.
What do Conger Eel eat?
Smaller conger (under about 5lb) eat crabs, marine worms, rock gobies and small rockling, on shore marks, crab or worm baits will pick up these fish.
Where do Conger Eel live?
Native and fully distributed around the entire Irish coastline, south and west coasts (Cork, Kerry, Waterford) hold the most consistently fished marks, with Red Bay in Antrim a notable northern venue.
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