Live Bait Supplies?

[catchingonslowly]

Hallo there, I'm having a lot of problems locating a good tackle shop between belfast and ballycastle that stocks live rag and/or lug. Wanting to fish around Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun on Saturday. I'm a bit tired of Portrush being a holiday angler, and would like to change my ways to year-round sea-angling. I've had some rather ignorant sods in Belfast tackle shops who have been zero help or advice to me, and wonder how they manage to stay open with the attitude they have. So any advice on decent tackle shops, friendly/helpful staff, good fishing spots at above locations, rig tactics, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[kieran]

Have you tried the tackle shops in Coleraine, a bit far but on the way-ish...

[catchingonslowly]

I haven't tried Coleraine, I assume there are quite a few well-stocked shops up there? Was thinking about digging for my own lug with a pump, but have heard some nasty stories about guys who do it for a living getting fiercely territorial...and if there are any protected areas I'd like to avoid that.
Any suggestions for good digging spots would also be a great help, providing I don't need to hire a body-guard lol
A long time ago this nice bloke had a supply of live yellow-tail lug which he gave to me when he quit fishing for the day, and it was a real killer-bait. I'd love to know where he found it, not even sure if it's native to this patch of ireland.

[toaddi33]

hi
the tackle shop in larne is a good supply tackle and of rag, just phone jimmy in advance..
heard a few stories about guys being teritorial at whitehouse area, so i would avoid it.. :shock:
there are a few good spots for lug as you head towards carrick direction :wink: :roll:

[rdoggart]

Hi,

I get my rag from Tight Lines in Belfast and always found Alistair who runs it helpful.

Ronnie

[johnston]

i get mine outta larne or belfast angling depending on which direction i'm going when coming outta work and gotta say both are decent places.

although havent tried new shop in carrick it would probably be handier

[fishalot]

I got mine out of that shop on the york road beside thompsons. I have to admit it wasnt very good rag for the price

[catchingonslowly]

Thanks for the suggestions lads, been a great help. Is most rag now the boxed live baby worms? It's been a while since I've seen the vermiculite polythene bag mix with decent-sized worms in it, sometime King rag if you're lucky...

[rdoggart]

Hi,

The rag I get from Tight Lines comes in a vermiculite polythene bag and cost £4.50 for 0.5 pounds, normally its good quality.

Ronnie

[carlbfast]

Hallo there, I'm having a lot of problems locating a good tackle shop between belfast and ballycastle that stocks live rag and/or lug. Wanting to fish around Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun on Saturday. I'm a bit tired of Portrush being a holiday angler, and would like to change my ways to year-round sea-angling. I've had some rather ignorant sods in Belfast tackle shops who have been zero help or advice to me, and wonder how they manage to stay open with the attitude they have. So any advice on decent tackle shops, friendly/helpful staff, good fishing spots at above locations, rig tactics, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

hello there,firstly i wanna say that the tackle shop in Larne is good for anything you want BUT if your looking lugworm dont get it from there,its frozen and not good for fishing,gets all watery.the tackle shop in Ballycastle is good too and the owner is really friendly.Dont go to your man on York road,hes expensive,and has a bad attitude,i went once and wont go again.The shop in Ballycarry is good and the guy that works there will help with anything u need to know.The shop in Carrick can be good (at times) although ive been today for squid and sandworm and he has none so landed up buying rag .Now as for fishing Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun,personally ive fished all those places and havent caught,despite me keep changing tactics but its down to preference and whether you have the time.Ballycastle beach,Ballintoy harbour,Dunseverick harbour might be a good place for you to try.Digging for your own bait can be dangerous,heard stories of people being threatened and assaulted because they were caught digging in their patches,silly really,as we are all supposed to be a friendly community.

[catchingonslowly]

Went out yesterday around the Ards peninsula - nothing! But it's my own fault for not booking rag in advance, was using frozen squid and sandeels, knew it wasn't going to be very effective, but I live in hope lol
Still, had a great day out, haven't been driving long and improved my geography skills for spots of natural beauty if anything. Like Kieran says, time spent fishing is never time wasted. Final stop was Ballyhalbert pier, got chatting to a very knowledgeable chap who gave me some hints for lug digging, locations, tactics etc.
Rigs used: Float, mackerel feathers, changing tactics with depths etc.
When I catch my first fish this year you'll be the first to know - unless it's a 3oz wrasse with the fighting spirit of a jack russell lol
Would definitely try the ards peninsula again though, but next trip will head up to north west first.
Oh and couple of other things.
1) Does anyone have any good links on how to hold a landed fish and discorge the hook on toothier species, eg. wrasse, doggies etc.
2) Every year Im in portrush I fish the south pier. At the old diving pillar, there's a mad bugger that drags my entire rig deep down and wedges it tight into weeds and rocks, it even managed to knock my rod over and nearly haul it into the water. Every bloody year. God knows it's lair is probably made out of lost rigs lol Has anyone any ideas as to what species it is, I'm guessing wrasse, but it seems really fierce, takes the bait as soon as you cast.

[tonweight]

Hi

i get my rag from the guy in carrick or from larne. The guy in carrick only gets it in on a thursday/friday and its usually gone by friday nite although its reasonable stuff at a reasonable price £3.50 1/2 lb. I do know what you mean about the guy on york road his attitude stinks more than his frozen bait! Although i've meet several ignorant anglers in recent months and particularly at waterfoot.

Carlb- I fished cushendun of friday nite using rag & mack a caught 4dogs, 3pollock, 3mack (spinning), 2 flounder on 2hook flapper rigs. both of us had similar catches as did all fishing beside us. The guys fishing on the other side of the peir at the grass area got nothing.

Bob

[johnston]

is there different guys workin in the york road shop guys ive delt with in past been great had a bit o a yarn n all if they haven't been busy

[round_ourway]

I have to admit his rag is getting alot better and its the same price as everyone else. All the guys in it our very helpful and informative and will chat away to ya without buying anything. They also have the widest range of sea stuff that i have come across.

[round_ourway]

just to update ya. The guys in Belfast Angling have changed there bait supply and it is the best quality of bait I have come across up and down the coast.

I think the guys in belfast angling are one of the best shops we have in northern ireland and would rival those across the water. They will always talk away to ya and give ya wee cheeky mark or two :wink: . They are always helpful and will give ya the best advise.