Ballinskelligs area 14th - 20th July

People: Myself and Captnhook:

Time: Several sessions:

Tide: varied:

Weather: Very hot and calm:

Bait: Rag, frozen lug, frozen sandeel, mackeral, crab, shrimp, squid:

Rigs: paternoster and pulley:

Results:4 bass, several doggies, mackeral, pollack:


Spent a week in the Ballinskelligs area with varying results. I prefer to fish beaches like this during darkness from low tide up for 2 hours. Unfortunately, tide times didn't allow this.

NIGHT ONE: Low tide 3:30 a.m. Flat calm resulting in 3 doggies. Bit disappointing with the adrenalin kicked in for potential bass.

DAY TWO: Spinning from Reenard pier for Mackeral. Result: waiting for the cheque book and pen to arrive :oops:

NIGHT TWO: Again got up to fish the low tide on the beach to be greeted again with a flat calm. Only difference this time was weed everywhere. Result: Gave up after 2 casts and went back to bed.

DAY 3: Sat on the pier with a good book and a dropnet over the side for live shrimp bait convinced they would be the killer bait for that night. The captain spun for mackeral but caught diddly squat.

NIGHT 3: With low tide now in daylight hours switched to fishing high tide. Result: Doggies and 2 bass (2.5 and 4lbs) :D Camera left in the house :(

DAY 4: Nice day for a scenic drive taking in the pub on the beach. No fishing.

NIGHT 4: Beach again on high tide. Again, doggies and 1 bass for the captain at 1.5 lbs which was returned to fatten up for September.

DAY 5: Enjoyed the pub that much yesterday that....... :wink:

NIGHT 5: High water on the beach in darkness. Doggies and 1 bass again for the captain at 5lbs. Will post a pic if someone explains to a novice how :oops:

DAY 6: Headed off to Kells Bay (local equivalent of Ardglass).
Countless doggies off the bottom and mackeral galore. Was wishing we had tried here earlier in the week for fresh mack instead of using frozen bait. Also a few small pollack taking spinners.

CONCLUSION: A very enjoyable week weather wise although the beach fishing was slower than anticipated due to the calm conditions. There are some very good looking marks in the area which I will be trying in September when tides are more favourable and darkness is there for longer periods. Did manage to find a nice wee chocolate factory tucked away near St.Finians bay which sold handmade alcoholic truffles...yum!!

All bass fell to rag tipped with squid, with the exception of the 5 pounder which fell to a cut of frozen mackeral.

Point of note, 3 bedroom house in Dungeggan (1 mile from Ballinskelligs beach) is Є360 including oil and lighting for a week in September. Sleeps 5 so works out cheaper than doing B&B. Might be an idea for a get together next year?

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Kells is a great place to fish !

Last year-June- loads of dogs, mack and pollock ; bass on spinners closer to the jetty.

Re. Kells bay: This small beach faces norherly. Drop thr family off on the beach. Fishing on the right hand point will produce pollack onshads and spinners, ground fishing will get dogs dogs and small conger. The right hand point will get pollack and wrasse. Ground fishing will get dogs and dabs.