The third outing of this year’s Killybegs Mariners winter league took place last week on Silver Strand, Co. Donegal.
Read the full report below…
Heading west in much anticipation last Friday for our first venture to Silver Strand as a competition venue as it can be very productive for flatties, and there was a salt spray of sea rain coming up off the Rathlin Sound that moistened the car on the scenic coastal drive along the waters edge on sundown.
Thick pockets of weed on the western end of the beach meant pegging the 17 anglers all into the eastern half and straight from the off some lovely catches were coming in with some on 5 fish after an hour before weed started to hamper proceedings for some pegs.
Quite a few double shots were landed and also treble hauls with Chris getting a treble of two flounders and a 5 bearded rocking. Also a treble of two flounders to 36cm and a turbot for Cara.
A total of 5 species were caught with flounders, turbot, coleys and 5 bearded rockling and weever. Longest flat was shared with 3 anglers having 36cm flounders but with the overall winner being one of them the pot of €51 was shared between Cara Boyle and John Burke. However, the main action was in the low pegs with a super fishing of 11 flounders and 3 coleys = 386pts taking 2nd overall (€51) for Johnny Byrne, and the winner with 9 flounders and 5 coleys shooting 454pts for €102 well done to Johnny’s uncle Pat Byrne.
Earlier in the week, John Marshall and his daughter Ava along with Cormac Burke had great fishing on the beach for a 3 hour session with 10 bass and over 20 flounder.
