Reasonable plaice 21.7.11, NE Antrim rocks.

Maggots feed on rotting weed and then get washed into the sea on a flooding tide so they're perfectly natural food for species that are close to the shore, especially this time of year. I was on the kayak at Portrush a few weeks back and noticed a couple floating on the surface out by the Skerries so there must have been a few about.

Nice plaice though, just about the right size for a meal for one!

I know what youre saying booster, it probably shouldnt have surprised me so much. Yeah I hope I get a fish like that soon, will put a fresh lemon in the fridge just in case.

Ive often seen polish guys fishing for trout [poaching most times] they are bloody good at it and use odd groundbait etc, catch loads, keep everything of all sizes. Might learn something from them in the sea angling side of things. But i hate the way they keep undersized fish.

Aye Billy, I know what you mean, its a different set of standards altogether. But that plaice was an ok fish, they did keep a cod that was no record breaker and in all fairness to them I saw them return a palm sized plaice or dab, if that one had went in the bag I'd have been a bit sickened.

nice fish mate could do with a couple of them i a comp

A couple of them would be very welcome in a comp nicki. I wish I'd got the exact weight, but I'd say it wouldnt have been over 1.25lb, and maybe just the pound.

attentions worth plaise there lad, lovely one, well done

Cheers Grady, just wish it had come to my spinner dredged along the sand, might happen yet. a maggot or 2 on the spinner might get a swim next time I'm trying for a trout there, hard on the bottom.

Years ago (maybe 20) I used maggot a lot as bait when fishing on Bangor Pier for pollack & coalies. Size 14 hook and a single maggot resulted in plenty of bites very few of which were missed. Small bits of mackeral got as many bites but far fewer stayed on.

thanks for sharing mate it nice to know there is still a few half desent size ones around also i have had plenty of dab on maggots from bray harbour