Ballycastle 9th October 2016

Last Ballycastle trip of the season for the Club, and we had a full turnout of members attending, 15 in total, fishing along with Skippers Sean McKay and Willie Vernor on 2 boats.

Great weather forecast for this day with calm seas and light winds predicted, and the Skippers agreed to take us out to the famous “Pinnacles” marks, North West of Rathlin Island. On the day it was a bit rougher than predicted, and we were tossed around more than expected, but the fishing turned out to be excellent.

Mackerel were in abundance and we wasted no time at all filling a box for bait before steaming out to the marks.

After a few drops on different parts of the reef fish began to show, with everyone taking Pollock Ling and Coalfish of various sizes. Hard fishing here for everyone with depths of up to 110 metres making reeling in a really big effort. The better fish showing were some bigger than average Ling to around 7 or 8 pounds before Alan Buchanan hit into a good personal best Ling of 12lbs. Stephen Montgomery then upped the standard with a beauty of 13lb 8oz, close to the long standing club record fish of 14lbs. However it was Dan Boyle who smashed the Ling record out of the ballpark with a fantastic fish which pulled the scales to an amazing 18lb 5oz. This beats a 20 year old record set by Don Ross in Mullaghmore.

Not to be outdone, Alan Buchanan then broke another club record with a fantastic Pollock of 11lb 8oz. Mark Buchanan had a tussle with what we thought to be another big fish, it turned out to be a double hit of big Pollock, 10lb and 9lb, which put up quite a struggle on their way to the net.

Mark then had another good fish on, and it surprised everyone when it broke surface. It was a baby Porbeagle Shark of 12lbs, a perfect miniature replica of a Great White. It took of all things a baited pirk. A first Porgie for the Club, and therefore another new Club Record. Stephen Burns and Roy McCoy hit the record fish bar so to speak, both with specimen Cuckoo Wrasse of 1lb 3oz, just 1oz below the club record.

A great days fishing was had by all, and a great day out for the entire Club.

1st place     Dan Boyle                          18lb 5oz Ling       15 points

2nd place    Stephen Montgomery     13lb 8oz Ling      10 points

3rd place    Dan Boyle                           13lb Ling              5 points

Club Record Ling                        18lb 5oz         Dan Boyle           10 points

Club Record Porbeagle Shark   12lb            Mark Buchanan   10 Points

Club Record Pollock                  11lb 8oz      Alan Buchanan    10 Points