North Donegal & West Mayo

[PabloB]

I'm new to this forum but can see there's some great info and banter available, hopefully someone can help me out.

I've not been shore angling for long but am visiting North Donegal (Dunfanaghy) for the last week of September and West Mayo (Louisburgh) for the first week of October. Could anyone provide info on marks to fish, species to target and tactics/baits which may prove successful in either of these areas at this time of year? Would love to pick up a ray but is this likely to be too late in the season?

Any help appreciated. Cheers.

[Tanglerat]

Mulroy Bay would be your best bet for a ray when you're in Dunfanaghy. Fish from the piers at Cranford or Kerrykeel should do it. Not too far from Dunfanaghy if you're driving. Next bay over from Sheephaven.

Dunno a thing about Mayo, except Donegal turned them over in Croke Park earlier this year.......... :D :D :D

[kieran]

Hi

Fishing is not fantastic along the southern shore of Clew Bay as the ground is normally quite shallow, similar on the beaches to the south towards Killary. Small flatfish, the very occasional bass, sea trout and small pollack are the main catches. Fishing at night tends to improve the quality of the fish, but not by much.

Whilst ray have been recorded, your best bet would be off the rocks at the Old Head at Louisburgh. Walk through the woods to get to it. Distance cast onto sand and you can pick up rays, gurnards and flatfish, with dabs the main species. Rays are always thornbacks. Dogfish, small huss and mackerel are available here also, with small wrasse in the weeds along with strap congers. Not a bad mark, can often throw up good fish and there is a pleasant even grassy bank to fish off... very exposed if the weather is bad.

A friend has identified a good pollack mark somewhere in the western side, with two good fish 5 and 7 lbs taken in amongst fish around 2 lbs. Have yet to winkle out the exact whereabouts! :wink:

thanks

[PabloB]

Thanks a lot for the info guys, I'll definitely give the rocks at Old Head a go. What sort of casting distance will be required to reach the clean ground?

As you mentioned the Killary area, been having a look on good old Google Earth and Killary Bay Little, just south of the mouth at Killary itself looks promising with slightly deeper water and cleanish ground. Have you any idea if this spot will throw up anything. To be honest, I'll settle for a few doggies and the chance of ray/strap/flatfish would be great as gonna be mostly daytime fishing.

Cheers.

[kieran]

Hi

Do a search here on "little killary" and you will get more than enough information. In respect of the old head, 30 yards will see you onto sand and sometimes on a flooding tide it can be the best distance! Most people bang it out as far as they can, sandeel is best for the rays but fresh mackerel strip will work. Mussel is good for the flatties around here, dunno why!

FWIW

[PabloB]

Ah, I see that Little Killary isn't exactly a secret spot! Still, looks like the sort of mark I'm after (as long as the weather's not too bad), plenty of doggies to keep you interested with the chance of a ray/conger. Just hope it's not too late in the season and it wont be too busy mid week?

Might head round to Achill as well. Is the Mulranny area worth a bash? Might give the Corraun rock marks and possibly all the way round at Keem - if I get that far.

Thanks again for the info, roll on late September!

[corbyeire]

i couldnt imagine little kilary being too busy mid week