Inishowen, Co Donegal, 25th-27th August

People:Myself and Corbyeire

Duration:3 sessions

Tide:All ways

Weather:Brilliant sunshine!!

Bait:Rag, lug, squid, fresh mackeral, rotten mackeral, sandeel, spinners.

Rigs:3 hook flappers, pulleys and clip-downs

Results:Flounder, Coley, Wrasse, Turbot, Whiting, Pollock.




Report: 25th August. Ballyliffin 7pm-12am
Had a few days off work so decided to hit the motherland with Corbyeire for some fishing. Arrived up from Dublin about 5pm and after some refuelling for both ourselves and the car we decided to hit Ballyliffin in search of some flounder and maybe even a silver fella. Got to the mark about 7, the surf was decent, it was a beautiful evening and the hopes were high about an hour before high tide. Set-up in double quick time but still slower than Corby, I'll beat him some day Had a flounder of 28 cm on the second cast so the signs were encouraging followed quickly by another of about 20 cm. Things went quiet then around high water but it gave us a chance to savour the balmy Inishowen evening Expected things to pick up again after dark but it was still slow so decided to move from the worm baits to the mackeral. No sooner had I plonked a sliver of manky mackeral into the surf when I got a decent knock, reeled in to find a lovely 38 cm flounder and a new PB for me Meanwhile Corby had picked off a few flounder to 25-30 cm. Had one more to about 25 cm before it went quiet and we decided to head home. No sign of the elusive bass but it was a pleasant evening nonetheless.

26th August, Leenan beach
After a days babysitting and farming it was definitely time to get out there again! Tried Buncrana pier but it was thronged as was Leenan pier so encouraged by the flounder fishing at Ballyliffin the night before we decided to try the beach. Got there about an hour before high water and were unsure of how this beach fishes best. Not much to report unfortunately, a flounder to 25 cm, a micro whiting, a 9 cm turbot and a coley to about 3/4 pound for Corbyeire and a big fat blank for me Corby found a triggerfish lying washed up on the beach which was the highlight for me as I hadn't seen one before and was as close to a fish as I came all night. Still though was another fantastic night with the fleece not going on until after dark

27th August, Tramone bay rocks
Decided to hit a mark closer to home on Friday morning so headed for Tramone. Baits in the water at about 8.45am, again with the tide on the rise. Small Coleys on worm baits and spinners, mingled with a few small pollack until about an hour after high water. Decided to try and tempt a few Wrasse at this stage with the remaining worms. Corby had a Ballan to 1 1/2 lb while I had 3 Ballan to about 1 lb. Lost a bigger fish when my lead got snagged in the weed on the way up, had to take the pressure off to release the lead and it managed to wriggle free Had a few hours decent sport anyway even if nothing particularly big turned up. Strangely no fish taken on the bottom at distance with baits returning untouched even by crabs

All in all a pleasant few days, weather was cracking and although the fishing wasn't hectic it was good to get a bit more knowledge in the bank!
Photo of 38 cm flounder below, apologies for poor quality, must buy a proper camera!

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Well done lads. Great couple of days!

Hi lads, Leenan beach seems to fish best around low water.

Nice few sessions there lads well done.

Glad you had a few nice days lads and sorry I couldnt make it this time.

You didnt try Moville pier for ray then ? Or was it that you forgot the WD40

the weather was indeed lovely and the scenery amazing - but the fishing was well, mediocre at best

had figured that the lw might be best for the flattie fishing but the tides and the farming schedule didnt allow for that sort of fishing

as if i didnt have enough mediocrity i headed up to the roe estuary for 2 flounder yesterday - a fine 17 hour round trip

will i ever get sense

You didnt try Moville pier for ray then ? Or was it that you forgot the WD40

I had a bash for a few hours on Friday night off Moville pier, No WD40 and no ray ! Must buy a can