Date: 10 June 2013
Tide: Ebbing, Low water and filling
Weather: Hot, sunny
and very very windy 
Beach/Rocks: Beach
Baits: Sand eels and Mackeral
Rigs: Wide variety of pulleys
Species caught: Thornback Rays
Report: Its been a while since me and Nial ventured to Lough Swilly. The last day we ended up in a lightning storm and fished the wrong tide to catch any rays
To make amends we took advantage of (1) The weather is kinda half decent (2) We are both off on annual leave this week and (3) We actually know what we are doing this time.We arrived at our chosen location to find a very strong off shore gale blowing. It is quite an exposed beach but we had come a bit off a way and we are not easily deterred by a bit of a breeze. We both put in well presented baits but the strength of the wind was hampering casting and bite detection was nigh on impossible. It was just a matter of hoiking the baits into the general direction of the gully and waiting. A short time later I retrieved my first cast to find a smallish ray on the hook . After the obigatory snaps the ray was released unharmed.
We then went quite some time without any bites. at the stage the wind was making any fishing very difficult. We resolved to finish any remaining opened baits and pull the pin as we were equally cooked in the sun and blasted smooth by the sand. I removed one rod and packed it away and as I put the second reel in gear I knew I had a decent bite
I had gathered an audience of tourists by this stage so I was mighty glad to give them a good show. After a good fight I landed a good sized Thornback and presented it to the masses before releasing
Nial then began to retrieve and from the bend in his rod and the colour of his face I knew he had one! He retrieved a Thornback and posed for his trophy snap prior to returning the fish to the depths.
At this stage we were tempted to keep 'er lit but were both totally exhausted
and had nothing left to give. It had been a long punishing session with a welcome outcome. We set sail for North Antrim two very happy campers with sand filling every pocket and crevice This was our first proper Thornback fishing experience, It was great fun and highly recommended.
Until next time,
Monty
