Slate, Ballyhornan 5/2/06

[SIMPO]

PEOPLE Myself and Harry from Belfast Angling Centre

DURATION From 1230 to 1600

TIDE High Tide 1630

BAIT Sandeel (lots of)

RIGS Barrel Weight with 3ft hook length

RESULTS 1 x Coalie approx 25 x Pollack, 1 x Sea Scorpion

REPORT

Eventually got young Harry from Belfast Angling Centre, York Street, Belfast to show me this mark called "Slate". Packed up with 9ft spinning rod, reel, some spare line, hooks, barrel weights and loads of sandeels.

Arrived at the mark around 1230 and set up. Watched Harry flick the sandeel out around 20yards, let it sink and a slow retrieve. 2nd cast Harry pulled in the first pollack of the day. Over the next 2h 30min to 3hrs we had approx 25 pollack. Great craic on the spinning rods. However my spinning reel handle fell off when i was playing my second pollack had to hand line it in. (Will be paying Harry a visit at the shop for new one......think i was set up). Brought beach caster with me to chuck out as the ground out far is sandy. This produced my first sea scorpion.

Best days fishing in ages.......definately one to try.

[SIMPO]

Sorry forgot to say smallest pollack was around 1lb the biggest was 4lb but the majority were all around 2 1/2lb.

[bennymc]

hi,there simpo.sounds like you had a crackin days fishin down at ballyhornan,nice to hear Co Down still throwing up some fish seeing Antrim coast pretty much dead at the minute.Looking to go down for a chuck myself but not sure of exact spot.any chance of directions from ballyhornan & i'll take it from there.would be much appreciated,cheers mate!

[lucky angler]

SIMPO do you know what the fishing is like down in Newcastle? Cause I never see any anglers down there and was going to try it soon. :?:

[BigPhil]

during july a few years back i saw massive shoals of mullet heading up in the river from the bridge at the main street in newcastle! the beach looked like it could well throw up a few flounder as well!

[thompo]

could someone give me directions to this mark?

can get to ballyhornan no probs but where do i go from there?

Cheers Neil

[bennymc]

HI;THOMPO, SEEMS U WILL HAVE TO ASK YOUNG HARRY AT BELFAST ANGLING CENTRE ON THE SHORE ROAD.ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS MYSELF TO NO AVAIL

[SIMPO]

Sorry guys I have been sworn to secrecy by Harry from the Angling Centre. He says he will tell you all if you call into the shop and buys loads of gear.........lol

[te ariki nua]

why is everyone so fixated with slate (which is mine so hands off) :lol: the whole coastline from phennick point in ardglass to killard point is mostly un fished so why not get off your collective asses and go try something different who knows what you will find the rocks behind the golf course are pretty hot too

[hairyconger]

why is everyone so fixated with slate (which is mine so hands off) :lol: the whole coastline from phennick point in ardglass to killard point is mostly un fished so why not get off your collective asses and go try something different who knows what you will find the rocks behind the golf course are pretty hot too

Ive had sucess from the peir up to the rocks behind golfcourse...tackle graveyard though :(

[te ariki nua]

you need to go further round towards the back of the 2nd/3rd tee boxes deep water clean ground

[hairyconger]

you need to go further round towards the back of the 2nd/3rd tee boxes deep water clean ground

Wat type of species do you pick up here?

[te ariki nua]

the usual mix pollack coalie codling a couple of strange one like dragonet scorpion fish obviously dogs and who knows what else

[marlin]

Well well seems the word is out! Slate is a good mark me and te ariki have been fishing here for over twenty years,it can be a pain to get to especially if its raining.If anyone is looking for it from Ballyhornan( the beach here might also be worth achuck) there are other marks that fish as well as slate well before you get to slate about three or four I can think of.Although some dont have the depth of water they do throw up a variety of possibilites,we learnt about htem from the RAF boys who fished this bit of coast one ro two have clean ground about a hundred yards or so out.The ground can be mixed so use fairly robust set ups,pulleys are best

[Marty Harrison]

Like the guys above I have also fished the Slate and North and South shores of Ardglass for years, there is alot of untapped potential in the area for the adventureous angler with some big fish to be had if you put a bit of work in. Im getting a bit concerned about the amout of people heading that direction these days and being so open with their info and results, it wont be long before things change in regards to the fish stocks esp the pollock and wrasse with alot of pressure. Please please be responsible and practise catch and release, its only sensible.

Marty

[marlin]

Can only reiterate what Marty said please catch and release,This mark has only returned to this state. A few years back it was very hit and miss.
Its good to see its recovered, as I previously said there are several equally good marks on the way to slate from Ballyhornan.If anyone wants to try a beach that is virtually unfished try the Beach at Ballyhornan or Killard Point.

[te ariki nua]

again i have to agree with marty and marlin some years ago this mark was a shadow of what it is now for whatever reason i reckon it was overfished.one other problem i see on regular trips down there is rubbish,from discarded line to empty sandwhich packets and empty lure packs.we have to remember we are probably the next target for the tree huggers and should not be giving them ammunition.come on guys enjoy your fishing but leave the place as you find it

[SIMPO]

Looks like i have stirred up a hornets nest here.....I was under the impression that this is what this site is all about.....enjoying good fishing. I would seriously like to think that if other members new of a good spot to fish that they too would share. I have purposely not divulged this mark due to some members protecting their precious water....the last time i checked the sea belongs to the crown.....not the locals........i practise catch and release always when i fish and if all other anglers practise same then whats the problem......I agree whole heartedly with the previous member stating about the rubbish. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU.....

[marlin]

Not really a hornets nest SIMPO,totally agree with you on sharing info,thats why Ive been posting any info I have about this area,there are lots of great marks in this area that I`m happy to share. My main concern about this mark is the safety aspect,me and te ariki have been fishing it for at least 25 years and have brought many people to it and watched them struggle/panic on the way down and back up in the rain or equally dodgy weather.I have been caught out here once long bfore flotation suits and its not a good thing!
The other thing is that me and Te ariki have family in the area and have copped flak for telling people about this before so it is nothing personal or selfish.
If people want to pm me I will do my best to give details of other equally productive marks between Ballyhornan and Slate.