Donegal 9 Apr 11

People: Just me

Duration: 1500 - 2200

Tide: Over the bottom and back up

Weather: Blustery but nice

Bait: Lug, rag, herring

Rigs: Various

Results: 7 flounder

Report:

Started off heading down to Belfast Lough to dig some bait to find the rag have been spawning, at least that's what it looks like as there were thousands of them dead and dying on the beaches all over the place, some absolute monsters there too.

Headed up to Swilly for a bash after the rays that seem to be starting to show and tried Buncrana Pier. The sun was out and were it not for an extremely fresh southerly it would have been gorgeous off there. Gave it a few hours but not even a touch, even most baits were coming back untouched. As I'd driven all that way I wasn't going to give up that easily so decided to have a look at Culdaff as I'd never been there before.

Got there about 1800 and there were already a few fishing, apparently they'd had a few flounder and plaice. Lovely beach and nicely sheltered from the wind so would have been ideal earlier in the day. Had a few chucks with little taps but nothing to get excited about before I tried in close and had a postage stamp flounder. A few more in close resulted in a triple of his brothers so decided to stick to distance in hopes of something better. Had a couple of better ones in the region of 25-30cm but nothing to write home about.

Disappointing in all but better than being sat indoors all day. I will be back and I will get my first thornie! Mark my words!

the move payed off in the end 7 flounder is a good session in my book well done

good effort. you have to take part to get results
im dead keen to get my first thornie too!

Good stuff man Hard luck on the thornie, I'm looking for my first too, will hopefully nab one over the next month or so! Culdaff is a nice spot alright.

not a bad end to the day man good luck on the thornie hunt

nice report, you were not far away from me I am opposite side to buncrana
Anyway I see your after thornies!! and you had mentioned kayaks, did you get one yet or just looking?? We are having a meet in in Mulroy bay in few weeks, 7th/8th May, which is a thornie hunt may get the odd dog fish but you are nearly guaranteed to catch one So if you have a kayak by then or even if you get loan one come down and have a go. some of the lads of the site have spares sometimes, which you could maybe have a go on.. see if you like it

Anyway log into www...org I go under the same name on that site, one of the mods, and see what can be done

nice report, you were not far away from me I am opposite side to buncrana
Anyway I see your after thornies!! and you had mentioned kayaks, did you get one yet or just looking?? We are having a meet in in Mulroy bay in few weeks, 7th/8th May, which is a thornie hunt may get the odd dog fish but you are nearly guaranteed to catch one So if you have a kayak by then or even if you get loan one come down and have a go. some of the lads of the site have spares sometimes, which you could maybe have a go on.. see if you like it

Anyway log into http://www...org I go under the same name on that site, one of the mods, and see what can be done

Opposite side to Buncrana? I can't cast that far!

Not got one yet but trying hard to resist the temptation. I've used one a few times before and had a whale of a time...well, except when I had issues with the anchor trolley and ended up with it amidships with 3.5kts of tide running under me. That loosened the parts other laxatives can't reach I can tell you!

I think I may have just joined the site you mentioned after being recommended by somebody else. Just a case of jumping in a getting all the required kit. People don't realise if you're going to do it properly (i.e. safely) the cost of the yak is about half the total cost of the stuff you need.

I'll be in touch when I've got my stuff together and would love to meet some of you guys with far more local knowledge than me.

Thanks all for the replies so far. Far from the best session around here so far but a pleasure to fish some cracking beaches. Can't wait for it to warm up a little more and for some proper fish to start turning up.

Well done nice result