Stefan Martin reports from Mullaghmore, where the Killybegs Mariners fished their hugely popular Charity Open…
What a great occasion we all had yesterday fishing the charity open beach competition in aid of Killybegs Community hospital patients comfort fund which was eventually held on Mullaghmore beach. The weather gods threw us a curve ball and a named storm which probably took effect on numbers but we still had a huge turnout of 26 anglers on the beach to fish.. Rossnowlagh was wild point break style surf so we moved up the road to Mullaghmore and it was a different world altogether like a soft spring day and very safe to fish in the shelter.
Fishing was sporadic with the flounders seeming to be on certain patches but they were fine fish over 30cm. As darkness was falling Frank turned on Christmas lights on his tripod and straight away his rod bounced and he reeled in a fine double shot of counting flounders, next cast a brute of 38cm to bring him into contention with the early pace setters. Good counting coleys also showed up on darkness bringing species points bonus to those who already had flounders which was nice. Some small trout also took a fancy to the sandeels.
Lines up and back to the Pier Head hotel for the prize giving and there was loads of prizes thanks to our local sponsors who donated generously. Scores were very close in the end with only 6 points separating the top 2. We had 3 junior prizes and 2 zone winners and a top 3 overall prizes plus longest fish prize.
3rd place junior prize a tackle box sponsored by Cartys Land and Sea Sports was won by Daire Patton
2nd place junior prize a tackle box sponsored by Michael McGettigan was won by Tori O Donnell
1st place junior prize a rod and reel sponsored by Mariners S.a.c was won by Nathan De Kleer.
Zone A winner a voucher €180 for hotel in Belmullet sponsored by Cormac Burke FishComm Ltd was won by James McGettigan
Zone B winner a beach rod sponsored by Mooney Boats was won by Frank Kane
Longest fish prize a box of assorted painted leads sponsored by Scotties lead weights was won by Frank Kane with a 38cm flounder
3rd overall prize a full suit FishComm wet gear sponsored by FishComm Ltd was won by Michael McGettigan
2nd overall prize a beach rod and reel sponsored by Mooney Boats was won by Stefan Martin
1st overall prize a tubertini rod sponsored by Shannon Tackle was won by Declan McGettigan
Great fun and the day went very well apart from Cormacs bait box falling into the tide before the event started washing away all his bait which won him a boobie prize of a toilet fishing game at the prize giving. Thanks to the whole angling community who ventured out in the storm to raise money for a worthy cause and drove from as far away as Virginia to fish. Thanks to all the sponsors who gave generously to the prizes for the event.. well done to all
Stefan Martin
Killybegs mariners SAC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mariner.sac
