ballycarry bridge

[dave316]

i never see or hear of anyone fishing there in recent years, maybe it's useless now. when i was a kid i fished there a lot and it was excellent for flounders with many specimens 3lbs+
other species included eels, small codling, whiting, pollack, sea-trout and mullet which no-doubt still visit. there were always many many aggressive crabs and to avoid them we fished starting from october or after 1st frost. seasons and weather patterns have changed a bit over the past few decades so perhaps this venue can still produce at a different time of year. i gave it a bash last year and prob 8yrs ago for a few hours with no success, but managed a few flounder during the summer about 10-15yrs ago.
this used to be a popular spot many moons ago and i just wanted to shout out to see if anyone has any info regarding it and if it gets results still or perhaps what happened if it is now in fact dead. anyway im sure some of the older guys here might have some fond memories or stories to share of this unique little estuarine spot by the side of the road. i for one would be greatly interested to hear anything



ps. does anyone here remember catching thornbacks around magheramourne prob. 20-30yrs ago. i have often wondered if that is still possible the odd time. i ventured over the railway lines onto the island last year, but just managed doggies. maybe someone could give any info on that also.

thanks

[Launcealot]

Hi Dave,

I tried the bridge a few times over past 3 years and got nothing at all . Not even crabs!
Having enquired as to what has happened I was told that the channels which fish would run up to reach so
far into the lough had change or been dredged away. Probably dredging nearer the lough mouth had a knock on effect.
So it seems the fish just don't get that far up the lough anymore. There was also a serious pollution event a few years back in that area but that should not be affecting present fishing.
I have fished a lot around Islandmagee from Mill Bay to port muck to Gobbins, Blackhead etc. since the 70's and
nowadays its rare to catch a flounder anyplace in this area. Probably due in main to trawlers wrecking offshore spawning areas and taking undersize fish.

[twinkle]

found this artictle on line. Causeway Coast & Glens Sea Angling Guide gives times and baits for this and surrounding areas

[dave316]

i forgot about the guys breeding shellfish in that area. when i went out onto magheramourne island or whatever its called there were literally millions of oyster and scallop shells. thanks for the info


pity about what happened as there used to be some superb fish in those areas launcealot. i used to camp at portmuck for 2-3wks at a time and dug bait at millbay and ballylumford. used to love those holidays even though it sounds crazy now as we were only from carrick lol