Large numbers of Ragworm

Guys,

I work in the Belfast harbour estate and was down at the shore near Clare House, and I have never seen so many ragworm in one place in my life. There must have been hundreds of them gathered together in a large clump just a couple of feet of shore, with a few washed up. They where all sizes with the larger ones being green in colour. Some where just swimming around. The ones that where washed up where still alive.

Anyone know why they would be all together like this ?

Thanks

Ronnie

Spawning

would it be possible to dig them there?

Hi,

The ground was very stoney it would be extremely difficult.

Ronnie

lads think about it - if you take them when they are spawning there will be less of them to harvest later

also when they are green they are useless as a bait

give them a bit of time and check near by for a less stoney place and youll be laughing

would it be possible to dig them there?

I don't think it is possible to dig in that area as I am nearly sure its a bit of a bird sanctuary and any were in that area the harbour police are on you. I know people have been told by the harbour police they are not allowed to fish around there and told to leave they are very strict about it.

Maurice

saw the same thing down there last year. some absolute snakes washed up on the slip at the dirty duck. but they are pretty much useless in the state you'll find them, full of the green puss. but if you've found them still alive and swimming about that would lead you to think that they are still in the process of breeding (as most die when they're done), so mabey they're best left to their own divices at the minute with all the cold weather over the last few months this spell of warm weather might have kicked the breeding cycle into motion. and considering how many of the rag beds down there were dug out last year they might be better left alone for a bit to finish the breeding cycle . but well spotted man.

they were spawning

I agree with the above, green rag doesnt seem to catch much at all in my experience. Anyone ever tried those Berkley powerbait ones as bait? Ive had a packet for a few seasons and only ever had a few small pollock when using them with a jighead.

would it be possible to dig them there?

I don't think it is possible to dig in that area as I am nearly sure its a bit of a bird sanctuary and any were in that area the harbour police are on you. I know people have been told by the harbour police they are not allowed to fish around there and told to leave they are very strict about it.

Maurice

i never thought about about the habour police right enough.

to everyone else; im well aware of how conservation works. thanks!

dont bother with the green ones no use

I was up in that area yesterday and seen alot of ragworm lying around on the shore, they are spawning.

Seen the same myself down the east coast, dont think you should touch them when they're spawning.

I used them once or twice and apart from me feeling a bit guilty, they produced no fish....

The area you are talking about is full of spawning ragworm which are usless as bait, also illegal to dig as mentioned before. this is because this part of the lough is an important feeding area for migrating wading birds, I was talking to a guy doing bird counts recently and there is talk of them trying to discourage anglers from using this corner due to it also being a high tide roosting spot, technically its a nature reserve(ASSI) so maybe best avoided.