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Home , Ballintoy, Ballygally, Carnlough, Cloughmills, Glengormley, Glenoe

sea angling

NORTHERN Our shore angling is some of the best in Ireland. This chart, highlighting some of the wonderful fishing marks along our coastline, has been produced as a guide for the visiting and weekend angler.

The coastline presents a range of options for the angler: rugged inlets, sandy beaches, sweeping bays and river estuaries which have yielded many specimen fish. The shore angling here is exceptional, but still largely undiscovered - as a consequence you may find yourself fishing alone on all but the most popular marks. Care must always be taken and weather and tides checked before venturing on any angling trip. Shore anglers especially should remembers to check local tides.

Rathlin Island

Giant’s Causeway Whitepark Bay Greencastle BALLYCASTLE

Magilligan Point Torr Head Glenshesk Downhill Castlerock Benone Glentaisie

Cushendun Armoy Lough Foyle Glendun River Glenaan Bush Glencorp Macosquin

Bann Valley Glenariff City of Derry Garron Airport Point LIMAVADY Glenariff Ballykelly Glenballyemon River Roe River Eglinton Bann

Cloughmills LONDONDERRY Roe Valley Garvagh Glenarm Glencloy Kilrea

Dungiven Claudy Carnfunnock Country Park Feeny Upperlands M2

Londonderry Sperrin Mountains Maghera

Bellaghy Kells

Castledawson

Whitehead Galway Magherafelt DUBLIN M22 Shannon Limerick Antrim M2 Moneymore Lough Belfast International Cork Neagh Airport

George Best Cookstown M5 Belfast City Airport Crumlin

BELFAST M1 www.causewaycoastandglens.com

Rathlin Island

Giant’s Causeway Whitepark Bay Fair Head Ballintoy Portballintrae Greencastle Portrush BALLYCASTLE

Magilligan Point Bushmills Torr Head Portstewart Glenshesk Downhill Castlerock Benone Glentaisie

Cushendun COLERAINE Armoy Lough Foyle Dervock Glendun River Glenaan Bush Glencorp Macosquin

Bann Cushendall Valley Glenariff BALLYMONEY Loughguile City of Derry Garron Airport Point LIMAVADY Glenariff Ballykelly Glenballyemon River Roe River Eglinton Bann

Cloughmills Carnlough LONDONDERRY Roe Valley Glenarm Garvagh Glenarm Glencloy Rasharkin Kilrea

Dungiven Ballygally Claudy Carnfunnock Broughshane Country Park Feeny Upperlands Cullybackey M2

Portglenone Islandmagee Gracehill BALLYMENA LARNE Sperrin Ahoghill Mountains Maghera

Bellaghy Glenoe Kells

Castledawson Ballycarry

Whitehead Randalstown Magherafelt Toome Ballyclare M22 CARRICKFERGUS Antrim

Templepatrick M2 Belfast Lough Whiteabbey Moneymore Glengormley Lough Belfast International NEWTOWNABBEY Neagh Airport

George Best Cookstown M5 Belfast City Airport Crumlin

BELFAST M1 Rock fishing

1 4 7 PORTSTEWART ROCKS PORTBALLINTRAE ROCKS BALLINTOY ROCKS BEHIND THE HARBOUR LEFT OF THE HARBOUR RIGHT SIDE OF HARBOUR Best time: September to November. Best time: July to November. Best time: July to January. Winter Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide is better. Best tides: Anytime. (WARNING - heavy months are very good for cod and Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasse and sea can wash over these rocks). whiting. Westerly winds where the wind is mackerel. Species: Coalfish, pollock and wrasse. at your back and the sea is rough. Drop Baits: Mackerel strip, ragworm, lugworm, Baits: Mackerel, sand eel, spinning and net is handy as you are 15 feet above sand eel and all the usual spinning lures. float fishing. sea level. Ground: Rough ground and is best fished Ground: Very rough, rocks and kelp. Best tides: Anytime. either with float or spinning. Access: Small car park at the harbour. Species: Coalfish, pollock, flounder, Access: Seafront car park. dab, plaice, dogfish and codling. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, 5 2 mussel, peeler crab and sand eel. PORTBALLINTRAE ROCKS Ground: Deep water over sand. PORTRUSH HARBOUR WALL Best time: July to November. Access: Car park at the harbour. Walk Best time: April to November. Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide better. back up the hill from car park to the first Good for plaice April to July. July to (WARNING - heavy sea can wash over bend in the road, here a lane will take September for other species. October these rocks). you to the best mark, 5 minutes walk to December for whiting and codling. Species: Plaice, turbot, dab, flounder, from car park. Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide is better. thornback ray, bass, dogfish, coalfish, Species: Plaice, dab, dogfish, coalfish, pollock, wrasse. pollock, flounder, wrasse, thornback Baits: Mackerel, ragworm, lugworm, 8 ray, conger eel, whiting, coddling and peeler crab and sand eel. CARRICKAREDE ROPE BRIDGE mackerel (in season). Ground: Kelp tight to the rocks then Best time: July to 1st week in October. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, deep water over sand. (WARNING - only fish this mark in calm peeler crab, sand eel, squid and mussel. Access: Car park overlooking the bay weather and have a head for heights. Ground: Rough ground for the first and mouth of the famous . You must climb around a lot of rocks). twenty yards then over sand. Best tides: Any time. Access: Harbour car parks. Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasse 6 and mackerel. 3 PORTBRADDEN ROCKS Baits: Mackerel and sand eel, float AND COASTAL PATH fishing and spinning. BLUE POOL ROCKS BEHIND Best time: July to November. Access: Car park off the main coast MAIN STREET IN PORTRUSH Best tides: Anytime. road. 20 minute walk to the rope bridge Best time: April to July for plaice, dab, Species: Pollock, coalfish, wrasse, and island. coalfish and the odd sea trout. Other bass and conger. species from June onward. Baits: Mackerel and sand eel, spinning, Best tides: Anytime. flyfishing and float fishing. 9 Species: Plaice, dab, dogfish, coalfish, Ground: Mainly rocks and kelp BALLYCASTLE ROCKS pollock, flounder, wrasse, thornback ray, From the harbour you can follow the Best time: July to December. conger eel, whiting, codling and mackerel. coastal path west along the shore, to Best tides: Anytime. Baits: Mackerel, ragworm, lugworm, experience miles of rocks marks, gullies Species: Coalfish, Pollock, Wrasse peeler crab, and sand eel. and coves. This is backpack fishing at and Mackerel. Ground: Ground is sand. its best! Baits: Mackerel, Sand eel float fishing, Access: Main car park at Landsdowne Access: Small car park at the harbour. spinning and fly fishing. Crescent or you can park on the street Ground: Bottom rough with kelp. behind the shops overlooking Access: Sea front car parks and access the rock mark. to beach from bridge to the rocks on the right hand side. 10 13 16 ROCKS CUSHENDALL ROCKS BOAT HOUSE GLENARM ROCKS Best time: May to January. Best time: April to January. Best time: July to December. Best tides: Anytime. Best tides: Low water to 3⁄4 high Best tides: 2 hours either side of high water. Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasse, (WARNING you will get cut of after this time). Species: Mainly dogfish. mackerel with the odd bass. Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, dogfish, Baits: Any fish baits; cocktails and Baits: Mackerel, sand eel, float fishing coalfish, pollock, codling and whiting. peeler crab. and spinning. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand Ground: Patchy. Ground: Rough with kelp. eel, peeler crab and mussel. Access: Car park at the head of the pier Access: No car park. You can park at the Ground: Kelp close, patchy, mostly sand. the rocks are off to the right. side of the road. The rocks are at the far Access: Car park at the boat house on the main coast road. end of the beach. 17 BALLYGALLEY ROCKS 11 14 Best time: July to September. CUSHENDALL ROCKS LEDGES SOUTH OF WATERFOOT Best tides: Anytime. NORTH OF TOWN Best time: April to December. Species: Mackerel, pollock and coalfish Best time: April to January. Best tides: Anytime. Baits: Mackerel strip and sand eels, float Best tides: Anytime. Species: Plaice, coalfish, pollock, fishing, spinning and fly fishing. Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, coalfish , dogfish and codling. Ground: Rough. pollock, codling, strap conger eel, whiting Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand Access: Lay-by on the south side of and the odd sea trout and bass. eel, peeler crab and mussel. the village or a car park on the sea front. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, Ground: Rough for 20 yards then clean The hot spot is at the rocks around the sand eel and mussel. ground, deep water with strong tides. head land. Ground: Patchy from rough to sand. The ledges start about 1⁄2 mile south of Waterfoot beach. The first ledge is just Access: From the town follow signs for golf 18 club this will take you to the car park and. past the broken down pier. Rocks at the north side of the town. Access: Lay-by on the main road near BROWNS BAY ROCKS the broken down pier. ISLAND MAGEE Best time: July to October. 12 Best tides: Anytime. 15 CUSHENDALL ROCKS Baits: Mackerel, sand eels, ragworm, SOUTH OF TOWN GARRON POINT lugworm and mussel Best time: April to January. Best time: July to October. Ground: Patchy. Best tides: Anytime. Best tides: Anytime. Access: Car park and picnic area at the Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, coalfish, Species: Pollock, coalfish, wrasse beach, you have to walk along the base pollock, codling, whiting and the odd and mackerel. of the cliff to the right of the beach below sea trout and bass. Baits: Ragworm, sand eels, mackerel, float the golf course until you come to the head Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, fishing, spinning and fly fishing. land (15 minutes). sand eel, peeler crab and mussel. Ground: Very rough ground and heavy Ground: Kelp close in with a reef right in tackle is required. the middle of the rocks running out to Access: Car park and picnic area is right in sea the rest is sand. front of the rocks. Access: Going out of the town towards Waterfoot take the last turn on the left the car park is at the bottom of this road. Beach fishing

19 21 23 HARBOUR AND ROCKS MAGILLIGAN POINT CASTLEROCK TO PIER Best time: July to November. Best time: July to December. ON THE RIVER BANN Best tide: Low water to 3⁄4 high. Best tides: 3 hours into rising tide until Best time: August to December. Species: Flounder, plaice, dab, dogfish, high water. Best tides: Low water right through to codling and whiting. Species: Flounder, dab, silver eels, high water. Bass is a target fish here at Baits: Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel and seatrout and, nearer the point salmon, night regardless of tide. Night fishing mussel. dog fish and bass. during November can produce Whiting. Ground: Sand. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm and mackerel Species: Flounder, turbot, coalfish, sea Access: Small car park at the harbour. strip . trout and bass. To reach the rocks you climb over the Tackle: Bass rods, light beach rods or Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, maddies and harbour wall then cross a small gully. heavy spinning tackle. Three hook traces mackerel strip. (WARNING - the tide cuts off from 3⁄4 up. and fifteen inch droppers or snoods on Tackle: Bass and beach rods, three hook Drop back and fish the harbour wall). fifteen pound main line with shock leader, traces. This is an open surf beach 3⁄4mile plain lead weighs and size 2 hooks. in length to the pier at the mouth of the Fish forty to fifty yards out and keep river. If the sea is calm plugging and fly 20 your baits moving slowly. Hot spot is one fishing with surface poppers along the BALLYCARRY BRIDGE hundred yards below ferry terminal. This is side of the pier. The hot spot is beside the Best time: July to September. a very sheltered mark with easy excess. lifebelt. (WARNING - This is a very slippery Best tides: Low water only. Access: At ferry terminal. place and care should be taken). Species: Flounder and mullet. Access: From the sea-front at Castlerock. Baits: Maddies (small ragworm). 22 Ground: Mud. Access: Parking on the side of the road BENONE TO DOWNHILL 24 either side of the bridge on the B150 to Best time: August to December. PORTSTEWART BEACH Black head from Ballycarry village. There Best tides: Low water to high water. TO BACK OF HARBOUR is a sea pool approx 1⁄2 acre at the top Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, turbot, bass, Best time: September to November. of . The pool holds quite a sea trout, with the odd dogfish and coalfish. Best tides: Low water to high water. number of fish that are trapped when the Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, maddies (small Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, bass, tide goes out. Very light tackle can be harbour ragworm) and mackerel strip. coalfish, sea trout. used and good sport can be had for an Tackle: Bass and beech rods. Three hook Tackle: Open surf beach. hour or so until the tide returns. traces fifteen inch droppers which you Access: Beach is sign posted. You can should shorten to six inches in rough seas. drive onto the beach from the main car park. (WARNING: This is an open Surf Atlantic Beach with strong tides and under tows). Access: Beach is sign posted from main 25 coast road. (WARNING- Care must be PORTRUSH EAST STRAND taken if driving on the beach due to soft TO WHITE ROCKS sand and fast rising tides). Best time: September to December. Best tides: Low water to 3/4 high tide. (WARNING - This beach is used by surfers). Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, coalfish, bass and dogfish. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and sand eel. Tackle: This beach is noted for its heavy surf and strong tides. Single flowing traces work well and standard three hook traces. 6oz leads, twenty pound main line with appropriate shock leader. Access: Car park at east side of the town. 26 29 32 PORTBALLINTRAE BEACH MURLOUGH BAY CARNLOUGH BEACH Best time: July to November. Best time: May to Januar y. Best time: September to March. Best tides: Rising tide is best but you Best tides: Anytime. Best tides: Low to high water. can fish right through. Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, turbot, Species: Flounder, plaice, coalfish, Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, coalfish, cod and dogfish. whiting, codling small rockling. dogfish, bass and coalfish. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and sand eel and peeler crab. peeler crab. sand eels. Access: There is no car park. Park on Ground: Fish from the promenade at Ground: This beach is in a bay between verge at the side of the road. Be sure not high tide. Good lighting for night fishing. two headlands and has strong currents to block any gates or lanes. Access: Along the sea front promenade. and good surf. It is also the mouth of the famous River Bush. 30 33 Access: At the sea front. CUSHENDUN BEACH GLENARM BEACH Best time: Mid April to Januar y. Best time: July to December. 27 Best tides: Two hours after low water on Best tides: Low water to full tide. WHITEPARK BAY a rising tide (ver y good night fishing). Species: Flounder, plaice, coalfish, Best time: July to November. Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, coalfish, whiting, dogfish and rockling. Best tides: Rising tide is best but you cod, dogfish, rockling and the odd Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and can fish right through. haddock and bass. squid cocktail. Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, Ground: This beach is a mixture of dogfish, bass and coalfish. peeler crab, squid cocktail with mussel . stones and sand and has good night Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and Ground: This beach is quite small and is fishing. There is plenty of light from sand eels. a mixture of sand, shingle and patchy the main road and it is very sheltered. Ground: This beach is in a bay between rock. It will fish well in an easterly wind Hotspot is in front of the police station. two rocky headlands has strong currents and is better if the sea has some colour. Access: At the left side of the harbour. and good surf. Access: Car park north of town on Access: From the main coast road and the seafront. is well sign posted. It is a good half hour walk from the car park to the beach. 31 WATERFOOT BEACH 28 Best time: April to Januar y. BALLYCASTLE BEACH Best tides: Low water to 3⁄4 full tides. Best time: July to December. Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, Best tides: Two hours from low water coalfish, cod, whiting, and dogfish. through to two hours after high water. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, Species: Flounder; dab, plaice, turbot, peeler crab and sand eel. dogfish coalfish and the odd bass. Night Ground: Sheltered beach except on an fishing can produce cod from November east wind. Hotspot is just right of the to January. river mouth. Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, Access: Village centre behind the shops sand eels and peeler crab. and at the other end of the beach off the Ground: This beach is quite sheltered main road. and has rocks scattered along its length. Access: car parks at the town sea front and at the east end of the beach. Map A Map C Map E

17

21 22 23 24 1 28 9 29 10

18 19

20 30

35

Map B Map D Pier Fishing Slip Ways and Launch Sites for Small Craft 34

WATERFOOT PIER PORTSTEWART HARBOUR BALLINTOY SLIP Best time: Produces good plaice and Best time: Anytime for small boats. Best time: A very steep slip best used 11 dogfi sh from April to September, Cod Charge: Free. 2 hours either side of high water. and Coalfi sh in rough sea upto January. Charge: Free. Species: Plaice, fl ounder, turbot, coalfi sh, PORTRUSH HARBOUR Access: Very good parking above the 12 pollock, whiting, codling and dogfi sh. Best time: Anytime for all boats. slip. Café and toilet facilities. (WARNING - 2 3 25 4 5 26 6 27 7 8 Ground: Good, clean ground mostly Charge: There is a fee for launching, this is a short slip with a nasty drop-off). sand. Will fi sh in most tides and winds payable at the harbour offi ce. 13 can get very crowded. Access: Good parking for cars and BALLYCASTLE HARBOUR Access: Drive on pier. trailers. Very busy in summer. Best time: Very good slip at all states of the tide in a sheltered harbour. 34 PORTBALLINTRAE SLIP Charge: There is a fee for launching, 35 Best time: Only useable 2 to 3 hours payable at the harbour offi ce. WHITEHEAD PROMENADE either side of high water. Access: Good parking and facilities. 31 Best time: Good safe winter venue. Charge: Free. Calm frosty nights will produce whiting Access: Small car park at the harbour. CUSHENDALL SLIP and coalfi sh. Car park is very popular. Best time: Anytime for all boats. 14 Best tides: Best fi shed on spring tides Charge: Free. 2 hours either side of high water for SLIP Access: Good car parking and toilet the bigger fi sh. Best time: Only useable 2 to 3 hours facilities. Very popular in summer. Species: Whiting, dogfi sh, fl ounder either side of high water. 15 coalfi sh and the odd codling (you tend Charge: Free. CARNLOUGH SLIP to catch a lot of small fi sh). Access: Car park is above the slip. Best time: Only useable 2 hours Ground: Patchy. Do not block the slipway. either side of high water. Access: Park and fi sh right on the prom. Charge: Free. Access: Parking is away from the slipway.

32

Giant’s Causeway

33 Portballintrae Greencastle Portrush C Magilligan Point Bushmills Torr Head A Portstewart B

16 Lough Foyle D

Kilrea

Feeny Upperlands

Sperrin MountainsMountains Maghera Bellaghy E Castledawson

Randalstown Magherafelt Toomeoome

Moneymore Lough Neagh www.causewaycoastandglens.com

Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Partnership 11 Lodge Road, Coleraine Co. Londonderry BT52 1LU T +44 (0)28 7032 7720 F +44 (0)28 7032 7719 E [email protected]

Ref Mark Wind Tide rising Tide ebb Night fishing Day fishing 1 Portstewart Rocks South calm Good Average Very good Good 2 Portrush Harbour Wall South calm Average Very good Very good Good 3 Blue Pool South calm Average Average Good Good 4 Portballintrae Rocks left Calm Very good Average Good Good 5 Portballintrae Rocks West calm Very good Average Very good Good 6 Portbradden Rocks Light / calm Very good Poor Good Good 7 Ballintoy Rocks West Very good Poor Very good Good 8 Carrickarede Rope Bridge Calm Very good Poor Closed Good 9 Ballycastle Rocks Calm Good Good Dangerous Good 10 Murlough Bay Rocks Calm Good Good Dangerous Good 11 Cushendall Rocks North North calm Very good Average Very good Good 12 Cushendall Rocks South West Very good Average Very good Good 13 Cushendall Boat House West Very good Average Very good Good 14 Waterfoot Ledges East Very good Average Very good Good 15 Garron Point Light west Very good Good Very good Good 16 Glenarm Rocks West Very good Very good Very good Good 17 Ballygalley Rocks Light west Very good Very good Very good Good 18 Browns Bay Rocks Any light wind Very good Good Dangerous Good 19 Portmuck Harbour Rocks Any light wind Very good Good Very good Good 20 Ballycarry Bridge 21 Magilligan Point Westerly Very good Poor Very good Very good 22 Benone WNW Very good Poor Very good Very good 22 Downhill WNW Very good Average Good Good 23 Castlerock WNW Very good Average Good Good 24 Porstewart Beach Westerly Very good Good Good Very good 25 Portrush East Strand Westerly Very good Average Very good Good 26 Portballintrae Beach West calm Very good Average Very good Very good 27 Whitepark Bay WNW Very good Poor Good Very good 28 Ballycastle Beach West calm Very good Average Very good Very good 29 Murlough Beach Calm Very good Average Very good Very good 30 Cushendun Beach NE light Very good Average Very good Very good 31 Waterfoot Beach East light Good Poor Very good Good 32 Carnlough Beach Easterly Good Average Very good Good 33 Glenarm Beach Easterly Good Average Very good Good

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information given in this Guide is given in good faith on the basis of information submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism and McCadden Creative. Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism and McCadden Creative cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this Guide and accept no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained in this Guide, or in the event of the bankruptcy or liquidation of any company, individual or firm mentioned, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded. Photography by Esler Crawford / CCAG / Arthur Ward. Design by McCadden Creative. Printed in Northern Ireland. NB 07.08 5k RG08ENG312CCG