Antrim Coast Road, 17.06.2010

[blackwater]

Well it was last Sunday that we decided that my cousin and I wanted to have a change of scenery, so with that decided we mulled over many options, small course fishery? no too similar to what we are used to, Fly fishery? been done fairly recently... Then it clicked, we wanted to go sea fishing for a change, it must have been 2 years since i was last sea fishing and to be honest we are no experts!

The next problem was were we wanted to go, County Down or Antrim coast line? We opted for the latter as it would provide more of a change in scenery.

We set off at 8.00 on Thursday past and headed for the coast rod, a journey of roughly an hour and half, it is one of the most spectacular roads in the uk and thats a well known fact so any fish would be a bonus really, cause the scenery was great and the weather aswell for that matter.

We stopped of at our first likely location for a crack at some mackerel (Near Carnlough), so we clambered our way down the riprap coastal protection which is easier said than done. Well as it was on the rising tide the sea levels weren't great and the kelp was killing us on the retrieve, so after 15 minutes or so we gave up and made our way back to the car on the road side.

Wasn't long before we came to a well known mark called 'Garron Point', it looked a likely spot to pick up a few nice fish. After deciding that we wanted to spend the rest of the day here as it was such a nice location we unpacked the car and headed for the rocks.


View to Left


View to Right


What's that i see? oh yeh, its Scotland!

We stopped the spinning here for the mackerel aswell after 30 mins or so without a sniff, it was then that we decided that the mackerel still mustnt be in!

So it was away with the spinning kits and our with the bait rods. Armed with mackerel fillets, prawns and sandeels we were ready for anything! So i set up with a float rod and from the beginning was getting small pollock, and i am sorry to say the pollock never really got much bigger


The Master at Work, That is the Coarse fisherman in me Coming out as i was Stalking the Pollock





So that was that, i could have kept catching them all day if the tide had stopped rising there and then but no it was still on the rise and the pollock seemed to move off.

That meant it was time for a change of tactics so set up the ledgering rods, 2 hook set ups, sandeel and mackerel for baits. Was steady action all afternoon with mostly small pollock, the odd red cod (???) and a few very small rockling.




I think the 2 above photos are a red cod but am not 100% sure if thats the correct species name or just a local name for them, any ideas?





We decided to pack up at about 5 O'clock when the tide was retreating and the action was steadily slowing up.

Me being me was roasted with the sun, albeit only on one side of my face so at the minute i am looking a little strange to say the least , All in all a very enjoyable change of scenery, i know there was no large fish but it was still good fun and thats all that matters.

Cheers,

Justin

[scottish_and_mental]

think i might have to treat you to a decent sun hat mate..you and the sun deffo dont mix lol
Great effort on the species..well done

btw , theres blue water and theres BLUE water - looks ace

oh and they are your run of the mill codling - they just take that colour on as they live over the kelp

[blackwater]

Cheers Steve, I was getting burnt through a factor 40! its a reall killer so it is!

The water really was lovely, was crystal clear aswell i was actually quite shocked to be honest.

Thanks for letting me know what that fish was, i wasnt just too sure, i knew it was some sort of cod species though so i wasnt too far off.

Cheers,

Justin

[Fishing Forum Admin]

cracking read and looks a great place

[pingu]

stunning place there, and well done on good sport as well

dave

[NICK R]

Nice report

looks a stunning Mark/spot

[cuckoo]

Great report justin , i didnt realise you were such a great all round angler

[BaggieRich]

Nice one BW. Looks to me like you had a top day! and , wow, that's some stunning coastline you guys have got over there.

It's good to mix things up a bit every now and again. Keeps you thinking mate. You got any good surf beaches near by????

[fishypaul]

well done BW looks a wonderful place to fish

[Baz T]

Great report, and pics, well done. It cant be Scotland you can see, cos there are no rain clouds over it!..lol - and I am allowed to say that because I am Scottish. You know what they say - If you cant see the hills, it is raining. If you can see the hills, it is going to rain!