Ballymoney Blank and Greystones 27th and 28th April

People:me

Duration:7-30pm-10pm

Tide:LW 7-45pm approx

Weather:NW winds,,,rain

Bait:lug,rag,crab

Rigs:2 hook flappers

Results:Ballymoney Blank: Greystones Harbour: codling, Corkwing Wrasse




Report: Made the 150 mile round trip to Ballymoney on Saturday evening with high hopes of a few decent fish knocking about . I even upped my hook size from my regular size 4's to a massive size 1 to get bigger baits out to those large predators cruising just off the beaches of the East Coast. Arriving at Ballymoney, there was a Competition ongoing, so I headed for the available space down the Southern end of the beach,where, as I found out, all the rough ground is now located, due to the recent storms . My first cast was snagged on retrieve,,,as was my second . Fishface was also snagged, so I moved even further down where at least I was getting my rig back,,,albeit with the same bait coming back as went out Things didnt get any better after dark, and after losing another rig I packed up as the comp ended at ten . I should have used smaller hooks not bigger ones and fished for flatties in the suds . To make matters worse,,,,,just as I packed the rods away Fishface came over to me with a nice Dab,,,,"Well done",I managed to half heartedly say

Next day I dragged myself to Greystones Harbour at low tide to use up my leftover bait. I went to have a look at the rocks first and was cheered up immediately when I saw one of my furry friends had met with a traffic accident .



The other good news was that Fishface had blanked in Killoughter after 3 hours so we were now even again . There wasn't a sinner on the Pier so I headed down and picked my spot. It wasn't a bad evening but the wind was cold and gusty . I was well wrapped up against the weather, just as well as it lashed after a while .




Behind the rain was a nice bright clearance and I got my first few nibbles,,,,already this was an improvement on Saturday evening . I had 2 rods in close,,,,,size 2's on a two hook flapper on one and size 4's on the other. I had 2 peelers, cut in half, so I tried crab on one hook and rag on the other. It was only in the water a short time when the rod took a nosedive and I lifted into a small codling, about 30cms, happy days the crab worked . I immediately sent Fishface a photo to cheer him up after his blank . After another while I noticed some nibbles on the other rod, this one baited with rag, and I could hardly believe it when I reeled in a nice male Corkwing wrasse . After dark I didnt get anything else except for a few velvet swimmers so I packed up and headed home,,,,,at least the weekend wasn't a total disaster

I cant believe you stopped to get a picture (and posted it!) of some roadkill rodent Dave, and not even a word in your report that you used it as bait for conger, tope, skate - even a made up get away monster smoothie story would have done the trick? Hello? Where is your old scout spirit?
No wonder you gave in to tiddler fishing
Man, just imagine the legendary report which you could have made here ... Sorry, but I'm totally disappointed in you

I cant believe you stopped to get a picture (and posted it!) of some roadkill rodent Dave, and not even a word in your report that you used it as bait for conger, tope, skate - even a made up get away monster smoothie story would have done the trick? Hello? Where is your old scout spirit?
No wonder you gave in to tiddler fishing
Man, just imagine the legendary report which you could have made here ... Sorry, but I'm totally disappointed in you

Martin , that wasn't just "some" roadkill,,,,that was the actual varmint that used give me the Heebie Jeebies at that actual spot,,,I was just trying to finally put a face to the rodent , so to speak

I cant believe you stopped to get a picture (and posted it!) of some roadkill rodent Dave, and not even a word in your report that you used it as bait for conger, tope, skate - even a made up get away monster smoothie story would have done the trick? Hello? Where is your old scout spirit?
No wonder you gave in to tiddler fishing
Man, just imagine the legendary report which you could have made here ... Sorry, but I'm totally disappointed in you

Martin , that wasn't just "some" roadkill,,,,that was the actual varmint that used give me the Heebie Jeebies at that actual spot,,,I was just trying to finally put a face to the rodent , so to speak

this little thingy gave you what? Sorry Dave, I stop right here, cant type anymore...

Lol i see a "best roadkill of 2013" thread developing out of this , great report as always

me no blank me get stamp size flounder and dab, me blank in kilochter next day

Great report Eyes and lovely to see the wrasse turning up again Hard luck in Ballymoney. Glad to see your nemesis is finally beaten

Well done ,,,,,,,,,,bring on the macs

great report dave,pmsl at it, you never know whats coming in one of your reports ,apart from fish that is, well done and thank you

a couple of us went to balmoney sat night.we had high hope,got there comp on so we fished the north beach.it was the first time we fished n beach as eyes said fishing crap only small dabs flounder v poor

nice wr asse!

Dave looks like you may well stick to your Favorite mark guess a bench will be put there in your honour, hard luck on the blank but at least the old reliable did it for you... Mean looking sky in one of the pics and the pub looks like a nice place to dry out...