Red Bay 26th May 2013

This was the clubs second scheduled outing for the 2013 season, the first unfortunately being cancelled due to bad weather. On the trip were,

Bill Bannon

Stephen Montgomery

Alan Buchanan

Alan Campbell

Paul Campbell

Roy McCoy

We arrived in Cushendall harbour to find the sea conditions to be perfect, totally flat calm, which was a relief to see. After launching Predator, our boat for the day, Skipper Hamish Currie got us aboard, and we headed swiftly out to the nearby salmon cages, around which we hoped to feather some mackerel for bait. Hamish had said that the mackerel had been very scarce of late, maybe due to the long winter we had all experienced. However, we did manage to pick up a dozen or so mackerel, and a solitary herring, which, along with the ragworm we had brought with us, we hoped would be enough.

Hamish anchored Predator over an inshore sandbank, where we hoped to connect with flatfish, rays and maybe some codling. The predicted strong tides that day prevented us from heading out to the more productive offshore banks.

We fished for most of the day on this mark, and caught a few whiting, 2 codling, and 2 plaice. We were pestered all day by dogfish, of which we caught dozens, and we eventually decided to try the Pollock grounds around Torr Head to see if our luck would improve.

Despite our best efforts with a variety of techniques, this mark produced only a few smallish Pollock and coalfish, and the inevitable doggies.

Overall a disappointing day for both the Skipper and us, as Hamish usually finds us good fishing. Hopefully as the water warms up and the summer takes hold, things will improve.

1st Place               Alan Buchanan                 3lb 12oz Codling     15 points

2nd Place             Stephen Montgomery       1lb 13oz Pollock     7.5 points

2nd Place             Alan Buchanan                 1lb 13oz Pollock     7.5 points