First ray this year....

People:mise

Duration:6pm - 7.30pm

Tide:last few hours of the ebb

Weather:not too bad, bit of wind

Bait:frozen mack

Rigs:3 hook flapper, size 1/0 hooks

Results:one thorny




Report:
Found time to try the pier in rathmullan, I wasn't really expecting anything but gave it a shot anyway. There was 3 other foreign lads down spinning for pollock and mackerel...

Had nothing on the first cast, left bait in water for about 15 mins, retrieved to find the hooks bare. On my second cast I got a good wee nod and up surfaced a small male thornback with a black 'nose', this is the only place I have caught them with this coloration on them!
There was a half eatin small fish, I think it was a pollock in its mouth along with my bait.
I rebaited and cast a few more but got nothing so just packed and went home. I hope to get a proper go at them later.

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Nice result for a short session;)

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Nice ray mate. Im yet to get one at all!!!


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Cool looking fish, nice markings.
Well done.

Cool looking fish, nice markings.
Well done.

I wonder why some have that black mark around the eyes and some don't....

I have had terrible issues with bait stripping on The Swilly on my 2 trips so far this year, worse than in any other. Initially, I thought it was crabs but I'm not so sure now as I haven't reeled any back up. Skinners? Also heard it's pin whiting but I don't buy that a) in daylight, b) in May and c) again, I think you'd hook a few, even on a big hook.

The Swilly is a fantastic place, dear to my heart but I've fished 2 sessions this year where bar catches, my hooks have been cleaned in 5 mins. for a full 8 hr. session every cast.

you get the ones with the black nose down in galway and clare also

have had lot like that from killary harbour

well done nice fish

nice fish

But I'm wondering why do they have it?..

Nice fish, colouration is so variable with a lot of fish species but it's usually associated with the type of habitat they are living on at that particular time.

Yeah I see alot of variations in them...but I was thinking that this particular coloration could be something with mating?..