North Antrim Coast

Message

#1 Post by **drewk** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:18 pm

People: Me and the kids

Duration: Anytime I was allowed

Tide: Up and down

Weather: Fine

Bait: Rag and mack

Rigs: Various

Results: Fish

Catch and Release:: Yes

Report:Well my three week trip up the North Antrim coast has come to an end. Lots of fish landed across the 11 sessions and some surprises as well (9 species totalling 58 fish). This report could go onto several pages so I’ll try to condense it down and give you the highlights.

Trip 1 - Somewhere near Ballintoy
10 Ballan Wrasse (largest 2.5lb and a PB)
1 Corkwing Wrasse
Fished at distance with rag on a three hook flapper rig with short snoods fished hard on the bottom. The PB nearly ripped the rod from the rest. Great fighting fish and cool colours. All fish returned.

Trip 2 – Portballintrae
5 Mackerel
Light spinning gear teamed with braid made this extra fun. Fish kept for bait and tea.

Trip 3 – Ballintoy rocks
1 Plaice
Caught this one close in on rag. It was only 22cm and was returned fit and well.

Trip 4 – Ballintoy harbour
1 Short spined sea scorpion (28cm)
2 Ballan Wrasse
5 Shore Rocklings
2 Three Bearded Rocklings
The girls had been on at me “When’s it our turn?” so I took them down to the harbour for some fun. The fish all took rag but I had to chop up some rag and chuck it in to attract the fish. Holly took the Sea Scorpion (head as big as my fist) and that was her happy. Ash took a rockling to 1lb. Rain called of play just after dark. All fish returned.

Trip 5 – Quiet rock mark
10 doggies
3 pollock
This was the first night time trip for my eldest daughter Ash. We got a tip from a local about it (sworn to secrecy) and set up for a night session. The fresh mack was on the menu and after a subdued first hour the first doggy came in. Ash was delighted, her first doggie to 2lb. We landed 4 more before the first 2 Pollock came in, they took the mack fished close to the weeds and then it was back onto the doggies again. This time as Ash reeled the doggie in she thought she had got caught up on the rocks as the line went solid. I gave her a bit of help and she continued the retrieve all be it a bit laboured. I went to the waters edge to lift the fish out. I spotted the doggie with the torch and thought I saw some brown kelp on the line but as it came closer I realised it was a big Pollock. Ash brought it in close and screamed out as I lifted a 6lb (83cm) beast from the water. Fish got cut up on the rocks a bit though. She smashed my PB and set herself up for a “Lets banter dad for 3 weeks” marathon. Hell of a fish and a joy to see her so happy. More doggies until we packed up a 1am . Needless to say she didn’t sleep much that night.

Trip 6 – Castlerock beach
Went for Bass with plugs and lures in surf. No luck though!!

Trip 7 - Portballintrae
1 Pollock
Light spinning gear again

Trip 8 – Quiet rock mark
7 doggies
I decided to have a go at the rock mark again in case the big Pollock where about but the frozen mack I bought wasn’t up to much. Still got some doggies though and had some fun as the sun set as a trout kept launching itself out of the water close to where I was sitting.

Trip 9 – Runkerry rock mark
6 Pollock to 1lb
Light spinning gear again tight to the bottom accounted for all the fish. The trout where rising around me but the took no interest in the lures

Trip 10 – Benone
I got some fresh rag and head out to Benone for a couple of hours. Got a couple of knocks but nothing landed

Trip 11 - Quiet rock mark
4 doggies
Bought some frozen mack in Coleraine but it was manky and stunk when it was defrosted. Ash and I give it a shot anyway but nothing took it until it was fully dark. We had 2 double headers with the bites being particularly ferocious. Had to call it quits due to a shortage of good bait and stinky hands.

I still have a lot of places to try up there including Kilbane and Ballycastle. So many marks, so little time!!! Love the area and for those who live up there “You Jammy Sods!” Can’t wait to get back up there again and yes she's still on about the pollock!!!

#2 Post by **rab01** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:11 pm

nice fishing chum, sounded a good trip! cracking pollock. :)

#3 Post by MC » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:37 pm

great Pollock must have made the holiday for Ash and yourself to see the joy she got in catching it (bet your just a wee bit jealous)

#4 Post by **toaddi33** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:12 am

well done ash!! thats one cracking shore pollack :D ... dead jealous! :evil:

#5 Post by **petekd** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:30 am

Nice report from a grand few days fishing mate. Thats a cracking pollack your little un has there, if she managed to pull in that on her own she deserves the bragging rights for the next while :D . Fair play on getting the kids into it too...

#6 Post by **chrisfeeney30** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:40 am

nice fishin well done!

#7 Post by **pete** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:10 am

Enjoyed reading that report :wink: Plenty of fishing and plenty of fish :D Lovely pollock that too.

carlbfast · #8 Post by **carlbfast** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:08 pm

Whers this quiet rock mark your telling us about? can u remember where nr Ballintoy u was? i was up there a week ago for a holiday and caught sod all,all through that week.

#9 Post by **drewk** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:24 am

Most of the placed fished (unless otherwise stated) where within 5 miles of Ballintoy. The whole cost around that area can be walked and a lot of good marks are easily accessible. The family and I walked great distances during the holiday and it wasn't until the the last few days that the wife picked up that I was using these walks to scout for new marks :lol: Had to change the subject quick by distracting the kids :twisted: