People: 2 (including myself)
Duration: 3 hours
Tide: Spring tide - 3 hours into the ebb.
Weather: Flat calm and dry.
Bait: Feathers, baited hokeyes, lures.
Rigs: Jigs and spinning gear
Results: 20 - 30 Pollack and Coal fish from 2- 3.5lbs and numerous mackeral.
Report: First outing in over a year was a joy to behold. Fished areas between Bankmore and Ardminnan Gowlings. Results could have been a lot, lot better, however we were intent on experimentation and fished places that are not usually (to the best of my knowledge) fished. Results from different areas were mixed, however the fishing was very good on occasions.
Although we were only fishing a limited number of baits and lures the fish didn't seem to have any preferences, they were after anything that moved. The majority of the mackeral were caught on light spinning tackle, which proved to be fantastic fun, given that the majority of them were in the 1.5 - 2lb bracket.
Biggest fish of the day was a 3.5lb Pollack which fell to baited feathers and was taken in shallow water, perhaps only 5 - 6 fathoms. Disappointingly it didn't put up half the struggle that the mackeral did.
Hopefully will be out a lot more, even though the boat is small, and hopefully will be exploring numerous marks both inside and outside Strangford Lough.