Fairly new to sea fishing.

[blackwater]

It is safe to say that i know very little about sea fishing, i know the basics and the theory (thanks to henry Gilbey ) but just not the practical side of things.

My cousin and i have decided we want a change from piking this week and just to mix things up we decided we want to have a go at some sea fishing, and we really thought we should make use of our great coastline so we are going for it this Thursday.... hopefully.

We are planning on going up the famous Antrim coast road and stopping off at inviting looking places, be it small beaches or rocks we will be stopping and we really wont be fussy what we catch as long as we do actually catch!

From the rocks we will be hoping to spin for the macks, which are in now and maybe pick a pollock or two up this way aswell, would you advise feathers or just a spoon? also might float fish rag here for wrasse...

Now, on the beaches... that's were I am lost... What setups do i need? i was thinking a 2 hook setup baited with squid and mackerel. I would think there are a few rays knocking about and a few doggies aswell, as per usual!

What are your opinions and if you have any advise/criticism on anything i have said, fire away!

Any help will be much appreciated,

Justin

[BaggieRich]

Everything sounds fine to me BW. If you're after ray, then down here they go for sandeel on a long flowing trace, with maybe a 2/0. I normally use a pulley pennel rig. There are loads of pictures on the site somewhere. Ground wise, try and find some clean sandy ground with a few broken patches.

When you're after the mackie, it depends if you're catching for sport or for bait. Feathers will probably be the quickest way to catch, but personally you can't beat catching them one at a time on a light rod and a single dexters wedge. Lb for lb I reckon they're one of the hardest fighting fish in our waters. Just give 'em a chance with the lighter tackle.

Let us know how you get on mate.

[blackwater]

Thanks alot BR,

that has given me a few things to think about. It will be a good adventure if nothing else! I will let you know how i get on.

Oh and another thing... what about high/low tides, that affects the fishing doesn't it?

Cheers,

Justin

[BaggieRich]

Sometimes mate, yeah... But it's very specific to local beaches. Some beaches fish better on the flood, some on the ebb. Some fish right the way through. The only way to know for sure is to fish a beach regularly and try and build up some local knowledge.... Or ask some locals who fish it... Or join a club and learn from them. .

[scottish_and_mental]

What are your opinions and if you have any advise/criticism on anything i have said, fire away!

My only criticism is you mentioned that big tit Henry "mothering mullering " Gilbey..
I used to fish around the Carnlough area and there were plenty of pollack and coalfish aswell as mackerel if you wanna use pike spinning gear

Fishing is generally better 2 hours either side of high water and an early evening tide would be good for spinning or float fishing mate ..
Any of the rock marks along that bit of coast will produce the same results or head up to Portstewart or Portrush for more "beach" fishing ..

[blackwater]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

What are your opinions and if you have any advise/criticism on anything i have said, fire away!

My only criticism is you mentioned that big tit Henry "mothering mullering " Gilbey..
I used to fish around the Carnlough area and there were plenty of pollack and coalfish aswell as mackerel if you wanna use pike spinning gear

Fishing is generally better 2 hours either side of high water and an early evening tide would be good for spinning or float fishing mate ..
Any of the rock marks along that bit of coast will produce the same results or head up to Portstewart or Portrush for more "beach" fishing ..

Thanks steve,

I reckon we will start fishing at around Larne and then work out way around the coast picking up what ever we can get where ever we can get it.

The macks are in in force apparently so that should be good fun also would like a nice wrasse or two i'll be using my pike tackle of course, my new braid will be tested to the extremes so can't wait for that.

I am just finishing tying a few mackerel feathers, will be good fun trying to catch them on a trace i have tied up myself!

I doubt we will make it too Portrush/Portstewart cause i am heading out on thursday night to celebrate the end of my exams!!! So want to be home sharpish and thats a good hour and bits drive from home.

If nothing else i should get a few good few photos from the coast road, really is nice up that part of the world.

Justin

[scottish_and_mental]

If your going for the wrasse - whole hardback crabs the size of a 2p or just half a rag on a simple 1 hook rig made by forming a blood loop and then attach your lead ( 2oz ? ) using a tie from sandwich bags..
Wrasse grab the bait and swim like buggery into the rocks snagging you up so using this method you can pull and normally at the worse , just lose your lead/sparkplug

You want areas of clean shingle and sand for a ray - im not even sure if you get that many up there

I really hope you have a good time of it mate and cant wait for the report and all the shennanigans im sure that will come with it

[blackwater]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

If your going for the wrasse - whole hardback crabs the size of a 2p or just half a rag on a simple 1 hook rig made by forming a blood loop and then attach your lead ( 2oz ? ) using a tie from sandwich bags..
Wrasse grab the bait and swim like buggery into the rocks snagging you up so using this method you can pull and normally at the worse , just lose your lead/sparkplug

You want areas of clean shingle and sand for a ray - im not even sure if you get that many up there

I really hope you have a good time of it mate and cant wait for the report and all the shennanigans im sure that will come with it

I should be able to pick a few crabs up from the shores if i search hard enough i would think, i was thinking of a 2oz lead its the biggest i can make so it will have to do , or i might be able to go to the garage up the road and scrounge some old spark plugs off them.

I have heard of a few rays being caught around Glenarm and there are plenty of doggies around Garron head apparently. I have never had a dog fish and i want to see why everyone hates them so much!

Don't worry if there are no fish i'm sure we will still have a good adventure! and i'll make sure to write a good report

Justin.

[blackwater]

Antrim Coast Road, 17.06.2010 There is the report Baggie just incase you missed it

[BaggieRich]

Missed it mate???? Me???? Never!