south down

[forest]

has anyone fished the beaches in the south down area from ballyhornan to kilkeel and are they worth a chuck?

[wooler]

I fished ballyhornan and tyrella over Easter. blanked on ballyhornan and had one 30cm flounder from tyrella it was tough going. im gona try and fish them a few more time before giving up.

[marshpike]

There are a few productive marks from Newcastle to Kilkeel, if you search through some of my reports you should get an idea of what's about.

[johnfish]

was wodering if you got my pm marshpike about some info on carlingford lough ,its just i got no reply

[captaink]

Funny, I drove from Rostrevor up that road today , and I was actually going to post the same question myself. Superb looking marks at Ballymartin. I'm going to try them in the next few days, so look out for a report, and keep your fingers crossed lol . I've been told (by a good source), that the point at Cranfield can be good. I've heard the B word mentioned down those parts, but then I've heard the B word mentioned around many spots, and I've yet to see one caught at any of 'em !!!!

[marshpike]

Unfortunately I sold all my beach gear last year before the season started due to the purchase of a new boat, and although I'm catching well on the boat I missed the challenge of the shore so I've purchased a couple of new rods for this season (which hopefully should be here this week).

There is absolutely no doubt that the east coast is fished out compared to the rest of our coast line but there is still good fishing to be had for those willing to put in the effort, hitting the right tides at the right time is crucial but there is also some easy fishing to be had.

Below I've attached a few reports from the season before, which gives you a good idea of what you can target. There's a lot more to offer but I can't give it all away.....

BALLYMARTIN







Newcastle Pier



Newcastle Rocks







Mill bay - Carlingford Lough



Greencastle Pier - Carlingford lough

[minty]

ardglass golf course can throw up some decent fish as will the rocks south of ballyhornan, but the ballyhornan beach is brutal mate, never seen or heard a fish caught there, newcastle bloody bridge is suposed to be decent not sure of anything south of there, good luck

[captaink]

Excellent reports Marshpike .Thanks . Rest assured the info will not be abused - ie I'm a c+r angler who leaves no litter !!!

[sean og]

bit early but in a few weeks should b full of ray fish a slack tide

[marshpike]

bit early but in a few weeks should b full of ray fish a slack tide

My ears are pirked, I was starting to follow up on the ray but never actually wet a line for them down around our coastline (far easier to drive North). I know a few locations where mussel dredgers were picking them but they took a real hammering about 15 years ago almost wiping them out totally, we've never picked up any fishing for Tope or huss from the boat which you would expect.

Dam shame, Newcastle and Carlingford used to be full of them, along with specimen Spurs