NORTHERN IRELAND

sea angling

M1

M2

M2

M22

M5

Belfast International

Airport

City of Derry Airport

George BestBelfast City Airport

Portrush

Portballintrae

Bushmills

DervockArmoy

Loughguile

Torr Head

Fair Head

Garron Point

CarnfunnockCountry Park

Rathlin Island

Ballintoy

Whitepark Bay

Giant’s Causeway

Portstewart

Downhill

Greencastle

Castlerock

Magilligan Point

BALLYMONEY

BALLYMENA LARNE

NEWTOWNABBEY

BELFAST

BALLYCASTLE

COLERAINE

LONDONDERRY

LIMAVADY

Macosquin

Benone

Garvagh

River Bann

River Roe

River Bush

KilreaRasharkin

Cloughmills

Cushendun

GlendunGlenaan Glencorp

GlensheskGlentaisie

Bann Valley

Roe Valley

GlenariffGlenballyemon

Glenarm Glencloy

SperrinMountains

Cushendall

Glenariff

Carnlough

Glenarm

Ballygally

Glenoe

Whitehead

Ballycarry

BallyclareRandalstownToome

Bellaghy

Castledawson

Magherafelt

Maghera

Upperlands

Kells

Islandmagee

WhiteabbeyGlengormley

Templepatrick

Antrim

Crumlin

Cullybackey

Ahoghill

Moneymore

Lough Neagh

BelfastLough

Lough Foyle

Cookstown

PortglenoneGracehill

Broughshane

Ballykelly

Eglinton

Dungiven

Feeny

Claudy

CARRICKFERGUS

BELFAST

DUBLINShannon

Galway

Limerick

Cork

Londonderry

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 Causeway Coast and Glens 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.

M1

M2

M2

M22

M5

Belfast International

Airport

City of Derry Airport

George BestBelfast City Airport

Portrush

Portballintrae

Bushmills

DervockArmoy

Loughguile

Torr Head

Fair Head

Garron Point

CarnfunnockCountry Park

Rathlin Island

Ballintoy

Whitepark Bay

Giant’s Causeway

Portstewart

Downhill

Greencastle

Castlerock

Magilligan Point

BALLYMONEY

BALLYMENA LARNE

NEWTOWNABBEY

BELFAST

BALLYCASTLE

COLERAINE

LONDONDERRY

LIMAVADY

Macosquin

Benone

Garvagh

River Bann

River Roe

River Bush

KilreaRasharkin

Cloughmills

Cushendun

GlendunGlenaan Glencorp

GlensheskGlentaisie

Bann Valley

Roe Valley

GlenariffGlenballyemon

Glenarm Glencloy

SperrinMountains

Cushendall

Glenariff

Carnlough

Glenarm

Ballygally

Glenoe

Whitehead

Ballycarry

BallyclareRandalstownToome

Bellaghy

Castledawson

Magherafelt

Maghera

Upperlands

Kells

Islandmagee

WhiteabbeyGlengormley

Templepatrick

Antrim

Crumlin

Cullybackey

Ahoghill

Moneymore

Lough Neagh

BelfastLough

Lough Foyle

Cookstown

PortglenoneGracehill

Broughshane

Ballykelly

Eglinton

Dungiven

Feeny

Claudy

CARRICKFERGUS

www.causewaycoastandglens.com

7BALLINTOY ROCKSRIGHT SIDE OF HARBOURBest time: July to January. Winter months are very good for cod and whiting. Westerly winds where the wind is at your back and the sea is rough. Drop net is handy as you are 15 feet above sea level.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Coalfish, pollock, flounder,dab, plaice, dogfish and codling.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, mussel, peeler crab and sand eel.Ground: Deep water over sand. Access: Car park at the harbour. Walk back up the hill from car park to the first bend in the road, here a lane will takeyou to the best mark, 5 minutes walk from car park.

8CARRICKAREDE ROPE BRIDGEBest time: July to 1st week in October. (WARNING - only fish this mark in calm weather and have a head for heights. You must climb around a lot of rocks).Best tides: Any time.Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasseand mackerel.Baits: Mackerel and sand eel, float fishing and spinning.Access: Car park off the main coast road. 20 minute walk to the rope bridge and island.

9BALLYCASTLE ROCKS Best time: July to December.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Coalfish, Pollock, Wrasseand Mackerel.Baits: Mackerel, Sand eel float fishing, spinning and fly fishing.Ground: Bottom rough with kelp.Access: Sea front car parks and access to beach from bridge to the rocks on the right hand side.

1PORTSTEWART ROCKSBEHIND THE HARBOURBest time: September to November.Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide is better.Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasse and mackerel.Baits: Mackerel strip, ragworm, lugworm, sand eel and all the usual spinning lures.Ground: Rough ground and is best fished either with float or spinning.Access: Seafront car park.

2PORTRUSH HARBOUR WALLBest time: April to November.Good for plaice April to July. July to September for other species. Octoberto December for whiting and codling.Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide is better.Species: Plaice, dab, dogfish, coalfish, pollock, flounder, wrasse, thornback ray, conger eel, whiting, coddling and mackerel (in season).Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, peeler crab, sand eel, squid and mussel.Ground: Rough ground for the first twenty yards then over sand. Access: Harbour car parks.

3BLUE POOL ROCKS BEHINDMAIN STREET IN PORTRUSHBest time: April to July for plaice, dab, coalfish and the odd sea trout. Other species from June onward.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Plaice, dab, dogfish, coalfish, pollock, flounder, wrasse, thornback ray,conger eel, whiting, codling and mackerel.Baits: Mackerel, ragworm, lugworm, peeler crab, and sand eel.Ground: Ground is sand.Access: Main car park at Landsdowne Crescent or you can park on the street behind the shops overlookingthe rock mark.

4PORTBALLINTRAE ROCKSLEFT OF THE HARBOURBest time: July to November.Best tides: Anytime. (WARNING - heavy sea can wash over these rocks).Species: Coalfish, pollock and wrasse.Baits: Mackerel, sand eel, spinning and float fishing.Ground: Very rough, rocks and kelp.Access: Small car park at the harbour.

5PORTBALLINTRAE ROCKSBest time: July to November.Best tides: Anytime. Rising tide better. (WARNING - heavy sea can wash over these rocks).Species: Plaice, turbot, dab, flounder, thornback ray, bass, dogfish, coalfish, pollock, wrasse.Baits: Mackerel, ragworm, lugworm, peeler crab and sand eel.Ground: Kelp tight to the rocks then deep water over sand.Access: Car park overlooking the bay and mouth of the famous river Bush.

6PORTBRADDEN ROCKSAND COASTAL PATHBest time: July to November.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Pollock, coalfish, wrasse,bass and conger.Baits: Mackerel and sand eel, spinning, flyfishing and float fishing.Ground: Mainly rocks and kelp From the harbour you can follow the coastal path west along the shore, to experience miles of rocks marks, gullies and coves. This is backpack fishing at its best!Access: Small car park at the harbour.

Rock fishing

10MURLOUGH BAY ROCKSBest time: May to January.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Coalfish, pollock, wrasse, mackerel with the odd bass.Baits: Mackerel, sand eel, float fishingand spinning.Ground: Rough with kelp.Access: No car park. You can park at the side of the road. The rocks are at the far end of the beach.

11CUSHENDALL ROCKSNORTH OF TOWNBest time: April to January.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, coalfish , pollock, codling, strap conger eel, whiting and the odd sea trout and bass.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel,sand eel and mussel.Ground: Patchy from rough to sand.Access: From the town follow signs for golf club this will take you to the car park and. Rocks at the north side of the town.

12CUSHENDALL ROCKSSOUTH OF TOWNBest time: April to January.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, coalfish, pollock, codling, whiting and the oddsea trout and bass.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel,sand eel, peeler crab and mussel.Ground: Kelp close in with a reef right in the middle of the rocks running out tosea the rest is sand.Access: Going out of the town towards Waterfoot take the last turn on the leftthe car park is at the bottom of this road.

13CUSHENDALL ROCKS BOAT HOUSEBest time: April to January.Best tides: Low water to 3⁄4 high (WARNING you will get cut of after this time).Species: Plaice, dab, flounder, dogfish, coalfish, pollock, codling and whiting.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand eel, peeler crab and mussel.Ground: Kelp close, patchy, mostly sand.Access: Car park at the boat house on the main coast road.

14LEDGES SOUTH OF WATERFOOTBest time: April to December.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Plaice, coalfish, pollock,dogfish and codling.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand eel, peeler crab and mussel.Ground: Rough for 20 yards then clean ground, deep water with strong tides.The ledges start about 1⁄2 mile south of Waterfoot beach. The first ledge is just past the broken down pier.Access: Lay-by on the main road nearthe broken down pier.

15GARRON POINTBest time: July to October.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Pollock, coalfish, wrasseand mackerel.Baits: Ragworm, sand eels, mackerel, float fishing, spinning and fly fishing.Ground: Very rough ground and heavy tackle is required. Access: Car park and picnic area is right in front of the rocks.

16GLENARM ROCKSBest time: July to December.Best tides: 2 hours either side of high water.Species: Mainly dogfish.Baits: Any fish baits; cocktails andpeeler crab.Ground: Patchy.Access: Car park at the head of the pier the rocks are off to the right.

17BALLYGALLEY ROCKSBest time: July to September.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Mackerel, pollock and coalfishBaits: Mackerel strip and sand eels, float fishing, spinning and fly fishing.Ground: Rough.Access: Lay-by on the south side ofthe village or a car park on the sea front. The hot spot is at the rocks around the head land.

18BROWNS BAY ROCKSISLAND MAGEEBest time: July to October.Best tides: Anytime.Baits: Mackerel, sand eels, ragworm, lugworm and musselGround: Patchy.Access: Car park and picnic area at the beach, you have to walk along the base of the cliff to the right of the beach below the golf course until you come to the head land (15 minutes).

21MAGILLIGAN POINTBest time: July to December.Best tides: 3 hours into rising tide until high water. Species: Flounder, dab, silver eels, seatrout and, nearer the point salmon, dog fish and bass.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm and mackerel strip .Tackle: Bass rods, light beach rods or heavy spinning tackle. Three hook traces and fifteen inch droppers or snoods on fifteen pound main line with shock leader, plain lead weighs and size 2 hooks.Fish forty to fifty yards out and keep your baits moving slowly. Hot spot is one hundred yards below ferry terminal. This is a very sheltered mark with easy excess.Access: At ferry terminal.

22BENONE TO DOWNHILLBest time: August to December.Best tides: Low water to high water.Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, turbot, bass,sea trout, with the odd dogfish and coalfish.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, maddies (small harbour ragworm) and mackerel strip.Tackle: Bass and beech rods. Three hook traces fifteen inch droppers which you should shorten to six inches in rough seas.(WARNING: This is an open Surf Atlantic Beach with strong tides and under tows).Access: Beach is sign posted from main coast road. (WARNING- Care must be taken if driving on the beach due to soft sand and fast rising tides).

23CASTLEROCK TO PIERON THE RIVER BANNBest time: August to December.Best tides: Low water right through to high water. Bass is a target fish here at night regardless of tide. Night fishing during November can produce Whiting.Species: Flounder, turbot, coalfish, sea trout and bass.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, maddies and mackerel strip.Tackle: Bass and beach rods, three hook traces. This is an open surf beach 3⁄4mile in length to the pier at the mouth of the river. If the sea is calm plugging and fly fishing with surface poppers along the side of the pier. The hot spot is beside the lifebelt. (WARNING - This is a very slippery place and care should be taken).Access: From the sea-front at Castlerock.

24PORTSTEWART BEACHTO BACK OF HARBOURBest time: September to November.Best tides: Low water to high water.Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, bass, coalfish, sea trout. Tackle: Open surf beach.Access: Beach is sign posted. You can drive onto the beach from the main car park.

25PORTRUSH EAST STRANDTO WHITE ROCKSBest 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.

19PORTMUCK HARBOUR AND ROCKSBest time: July to November.Best tide: Low water to 3⁄4 high.Species: Flounder, plaice, dab, dogfish, codling and whiting.Baits: Lugworm, ragworm, mackerel and mussel.Ground: Sand.Access: Small car park at the harbour. To reach the rocks you climb over the harbour wall then cross a small gully. (WARNING - the tide cuts off from 3⁄4 up. Drop back and fish the harbour wall).

20BALLYCARRY BRIDGEBest time: July to September.Best tides: Low water only.Species: Flounder and mullet.Baits: Maddies (small ragworm).Ground: Mud.Access: Parking on the side of the road either side of the bridge on the B150 to Black head from Ballycarry village. There is a sea pool approx 1⁄2 acre at the top of Larne Lough. The pool holds quite a number of fish that are trapped when the tide goes out. Very light tackle can be used and good sport can be had for an hour or so until the tide returns.

Beach fishing

26PORTBALLINTRAE BEACHBest time: July to November.Best tides: Rising tide is best but you can fish right through.Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, dogfish, bass and coalfish.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and sand eels.Ground: This beach is in a bay between two headlands and has strong currents and good surf. It is also the mouth of the famous River Bush.Access: At the sea front.

27WHITEPARK BAYBest time: July to November.Best tides: Rising tide is best but you can fish right through.Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, dogfish, bass and coalfish.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and sand eels.Ground: This beach is in a bay between two rocky headlands has strong currents and good surf.Access: From the main coast road and is well sign posted. It is a good half hour walk from the car park to the beach.

28BALLYCASTLE BEACHBest time: July to December.Best tides: Two hours from low water through to two hours after high water.Species: Flounder; dab, plaice, turbot, dogfish coalfish and the odd bass. Night fishing can produce cod from November to January.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand eels and peeler crab.Ground: This beach is quite sheltered and has rocks scattered along its length.Access: car parks at the town sea front and at the east end of the beach.

32CARNLOUGH BEACHBest time: September to March.Best tides: Low to high water. Species: Flounder, plaice, coalfish, whiting, codling small rockling.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and peeler crab.Ground: Fish from the promenade at high tide. Good lighting for night fishing.Access: Along the sea front promenade.

33GLENARM BEACHBest time: July to December.Best tides: Low water to full tide.Species: Flounder, plaice, coalfish, whiting, dogfish and rockling.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel and squid cocktail.Ground: This beach is a mixture of stones and sand and has good night fishing. There is plenty of light from the main road and it is very sheltered. Hotspot is in front of the police station.Access: At the left side of the harbour.

29MURLOUGH BAYBest time: May to January.Best tides: Anytime.Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, turbot, coalfish, cod and dogfish.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, sand eel and peeler crab.Access: There is no car park. Park on verge at the side of the road. Be sure not to block any gates or lanes.

30CUSHENDUN BEACHBest time: Mid April to January.Best tides: Two hours after low water on a rising tide (very good night fishing).Species: Flounder, dab, plaice, coalfish, cod, dogfish, rockling and the odd haddock and bass.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, peeler crab, squid cocktail with mussel .Ground: This beach is quite small and isa mixture of sand, shingle and patchy rock. It will fish well in an easterly wind and is better if the sea has some colour.Access: Car park north of town onthe seafront.

31WATERFOOT BEACHBest time: April to January.Best tides: Low water to 3⁄4 full tides.Species: Flounder, dab, turbot, plaice, coalfish, cod, whiting, and dogfish.Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, peeler crab and sand eel.Ground: Sheltered beach except on an east wind. Hotspot is just right of the river mouth.Access: Village centre behind the shops and at the other end of the beach off the main road.

KilreKilreaa

SperrinMountainsSperrinMountainsSperrin

RandalstownRandalstownTTToomeToomeT

BellaghBellaghy

CastledawsonCastledawson

MagherafeltMagherafelt

Maghera

UpperlandsUpperlands

MoneymoreMoneymoreMoneymore

Lough Neagh

Lough Foyle

Feenyeenyeeny

ortrushortrushortrush

Portballintraeortballintraeortballintrae

BushmillsBushmillsBushmills

Giant’s Causeway

ToTorr Head

Portrush

Portstewart

Greencastlee

Magilligan Magilligan Magilligan Point

ortrush

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13

14

15

16

32

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31

124

2 3 7 825 27

9 1028 29

3020

WATERFOOT PIERBest time: Produces good plaice and dogfi sh from April to September, Codand Coalfi sh in rough sea upto January.Species: Plaice, fl ounder, turbot, coalfi sh, pollock, whiting, codling and dogfi sh.Ground: Good, clean ground mostly sand. Will fi sh in most tides and winds can get very crowded.Access: Drive on pier.

35WHITEHEAD PROMENADEBest time: Good safe winter venue. Calm frosty nights will produce whiting and coalfi sh. Best tides: Best fi shed on spring tides2 hours either side of high water forthe bigger fi sh.Species: Whiting, dogfi sh, fl ounder coalfi sh and the odd codling (you tendto catch a lot of small fi sh).Ground: Patchy.Access: Park and fi sh right on the prom.

PORTSTEWART HARBOURBest time: Anytime for small boats.Charge: Free.

PORTRUSH HARBOURBest time: Anytime for all boats.Charge: There is a fee for launching, payable at the harbour offi ce. Access: Good parking for cars and trailers. Very busy in summer.

PORTBALLINTRAE SLIPBest time: Only useable 2 to 3 hours either side of high water. Charge: Free.Access: Small car park at the harbour. Car park is very popular.

DUNSEVERICK SLIPBest time: Only useable 2 to 3 hours either side of high water. Charge: Free.Access: Car park is above the slip.Do not block the slipway.

Map CMap A Map E

Map B Map D

D

A B C

E

BALLINTOY SLIPBest time: A very steep slip best used2 hours either side of high water. Charge: Free.Access: Very good parking above the slip. Café and toilet facilities. (WARNING - this is a short slip with a nasty drop-off). BALLYCASTLE HARBOURBest time: Very good slip at all states of the tide in a sheltered harbour. Charge: There is a fee for launching, payable at the harbour offi ce. Access: Good parking and facilities.

CUSHENDALL SLIPBest time: Anytime for all boats.Charge: Free.Access: Good car parking and toilet facilities. Very popular in summer.

CARNLOUGH SLIPBest time: Only useable 2 hourseither side of high water. Charge: Free.Access: Parking is away from the slipway.

Pier Fishing Slip Ways and Launch Sites for Small Craft

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5 6264

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Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Partnership11 Lodge Road, ColeraineCo. Londonderry BT52 1LU Northern IrelandT +44 (0)28 7032 7720F +44 (0)28 7032 7719E mail@causewaycoastandglens.com

www.causewaycoastandglens.com

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 5kRG08ENG312CCG

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