New to Belfast area

[bootster]

Evening All,

I'm moving to the Belfast area from the UK in a month of two and am after some info on a few things if possible.

Firstly, looking at Google Earth it appears as though there's a fair bit of rough ground in that area. How bad is it and what kind of tackle do people generally use. I'm used to East Anglia where we have nice clean beaches and (generally) get far more putting dents in the horizon. I use Primo Matches and Mag Elites; are these likely to cope with things over there or not? If not it's always a good excuse to get some new toys!

Secondly, is there much bait available to either dig or buy? I'm not too bothered about exact locations, just a general yes is fine and I'll happily find a few spots walking along the beach at low water. It'll be good to do some exploring and nice to be able to dig my own, not a hope around my way I'm afraid. What's generally used (clearly depends on the target) around there? Currently used to a choice of blow lug, or black lug, especially in the winter.

Last, what kind of stuff do you normally expect throughout the year? I gather there's a lot more variety than I'm currently used to and I'm looking forward to getting a few new species. Never had a ray off the shore (one stinger excluded) so it'll be nice to have a bash at them if there's the chance.

Lots of questions I know, and I'm afraid I'll not be able to offer much in return until I get there, but any guidelines you guys could give would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[billy the fish]

Evening All,

I'm moving to the Belfast area from the UK in a month of two and am after some info on a few things if possible.

Firstly, looking at Google Earth it appears as though there's a fair bit of rough ground in that area. How bad is it and what kind of tackle do people generally use. I'm used to East Anglia where we have nice clean beaches and (generally) get far more putting dents in the horizon. I use Primo Matches and Mag Elites; are these likely to cope with things over there or not? If not it's always a good excuse to get some new toys!

Secondly, is there much bait available to either dig or buy? I'm not too bothered about exact locations, just a general yes is fine and I'll happily find a few spots walking along the beach at low water. It'll be good to do some exploring and nice to be able to dig my own, not a hope around my way I'm afraid. What's generally used (clearly depends on the target) around there? Currently used to a choice of blow lug, or black lug, especially in the winter.

Last, what kind of stuff do you normally expect throughout the year? I gather there's a lot more variety than I'm currently used to and I'm looking forward to getting a few new species. Never had a ray off the shore (one stinger excluded) so it'll be nice to have a bash at them if there's the chance.

Lots of questions I know, and I'm afraid I'll not be able to offer much in return until I get there, but any guidelines you guys could give would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Hi mate im also new to this forum, and am a novice sea angler, just starting up. Ive been a flyfisherman, trout and salmon, on fly,spinning and bait. Ive dabbled in shore fishing in the past, but want to take it up seriously this time. You can buy bait no probs, mackrell, sandeel squid etc etc in loads of angling shops. There are places to dig rag in belfast lough, but youd have to inquire of someone more experienced than me. You, like me have the whole county antrim, and down coasts to explore and fish, so all the best mate and welcome.

[bootster]

Thanks for that Billy, not too bothered about exact locations to get bait, I'm quite happy to do a bit of work myself rather than people giving me everything on a plate. I'll have a wander around and I'm sure I'll be able to find something without too much difficulty.

Looking forward to wandering around the coast a bit, much more varied than what I'm used to and more stuff to catch as well. Don't know if the quality of the cod fishing will be the same as it can go bonkers every now and then, but I'm looking forward to it all the same.

I'm obviously no expert on things that way, but have been sea fishing for around 15yrs so if there's any help I can give in return I'd be glad to help.

[bingham]

welcome to the site!hope this will help,
yes theres plenty of rough ground but also plenty of good beaches.
loads of places to dig both rag and lug,belfast angling centre can supply you frozen bait and can sort you out with rag if needs be!
keep an eye out on the shore reports,best place for you to learn about marks,species,etc
this website probably has one of the better guides,theres a downloadable guide in their angling section www.causewaycoastandglens.com
happy huntin

[captaink]

Hello mate, hope you settle in ok and get out fishin' sharpish. There are a great mix of conditions over here. I live in Belfast, and would normally fish the Antrim coast rather than Down. Good winter cod fishing to be had from the shore, and your gear will be perfect. The Antrim coast offers several good clean beaches, as well as plenty of foul ground. Fished one mark a couple of weeks ago, and had 8 species in 3.5 hours - and this is not unusual . I recommend you check Donegal out though. 2 hours ( ish ) from Belfast, and you have some of the best sea fishing anywhere . Feel free to pm me for more details

[bootster]

Thanks for that lads, sounding good. Not sure about 8 species in 3.5hrs, you'd be lucky to get that in 3.5 years around my way at the moment. Interested in the cod season, I'll be leaving just as they turn up around our way so it'll be nice to still have the chance to get a few. Do you get them to any size, or is it just codling?

Definitely going to get over the west coast too. I've seen some of the reports on here and would love to get a few rays and turbot, had a few (very small) turbot before but it'll nice to have the chance for some proper ones.

Good news on the bait front. Depending on time I'll be digging my own after having a little hunt for them, but happy to buy it if time is short.

Thanks again, can't wait to get over there, get stuck in a leave a few reports up. If any of you happen to be heading over to East Anglia at any time let me know and I'll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

[captaink]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you get 8 species every time, but there a couple of favourite spots of mine that offer a great variety of fishing . The 8 species in question were Dab, plaice, turbot , pollock, coalfish, codling, wrasse and conger. The cod fishing is probably not as good as that in East Anglia. Biggest I've seen from the shore was 8lb, but most would be codling . If you're capable of hitting the horizon, then you've obviously got a good chance of bigger fish.

[carp angler]

send a wee message and let us know when yer over here, i am sure you could tag along with captaink and myself, i am pretty sure there are others on here would gladly take ya along. . . .

[Al and Jordan]

like the lads already said, when you get here and settled just send a few pm's or reply to a post in an area you fancy fishing and some of us will get you sorted

[Drew]

As has been said before, we're a helpful kind of bunch and once you get over and settled there'll be plenty of guys willing to show you a few spots about the coast...

[dave316]

plenty of codling in Belfast Lough at the moment. had them up to 3.5lb on saturday night, even at low tide. got a right few of Limerick Point the other week also.


definitely use lugworm and tip with mackerel or squid for this area

[billy the fish]

Hi lads, any good marks or harbours etc for an old belfast novice,this weekend? New to saltwater[trout and salmon for years]. Bought a 10ft ron tompson rod, penn silverado reel, floats , 2 hook flapper rigs and weights all of ebay lol. Any hints of where to try would be great ,
regards billy

[carp angler]

ya wont go far wrong with bangor pier i suppose, but then again, it depends on what fish ya are after
and then carrick can be good also

keep in mind i havent fished the lough in years, probably since kinegar pier was fenced off


is any one going anywhere on sunday? i might give glenarm a go

[Drew]

Hi lads, any good marks or harbours etc for an old belfast novice,this weekend? New to saltwater[trout and salmon for years]. Bought a 10ft ron tompson rod, penn silverado reel, floats , 2 hook flapper rigs and weights all of ebay lol. Any hints of where to try would be great ,
regards billy

Plenty about Donaghadee at the mo.... Use the 2 Hook Flapper mind... lol

[bootster]

Many thanks all that have replied. I may well take you up on that kind offer Carp Angler, always useful to have somebody who knows what's what. Can't wait to get over there with my stuff and get stuck in now.

Just been over there for a few days and the place looks fantastic. The countryside is almost as gorgeous as the coast and I saw a few cracking looking places as we flew over the coast. One problem though; can you lot turn off the rain a little please?

[Tanglerat]

One problem though; can you lot turn off the rain a little please?

Hah. It's the middle of summer now, just you wait till next month when the rain really starts.

See you in Donegal sometime.

[bootster]

See you in Donegal sometime.

Hmmm, now don't you chaps have a few turbot in Donegal? I think I might find myself heading over there rather a lot.

I can deal with the weather for the fishing you guys have, just have to get some decent wet gear and I'm sorted.