Ballure, Isle of Man

SPECIES
A good venue this for smaller species including dabs, flounder, coalfish, whiting and dogfish. A few turbot also show in summer and autumn. Mackerel shoal tight to shore here during the big spring tides from June to September.

BAITS
Local anglers tend to stick to mackerel strips or sandeel, but rag and lug will boost your catch here, and razorfish is a top bait for the flounder, especially later in the year.

TACKLE & TACTICS
This is an easy to fish clean sand beach backed by shingle towards high water. It is very shallow and although fish can be caught at close range on the flood the tide races across the sand and you're constantly on the move backwards so aim to be mobile. It fishes best either side of low water, and the hour over high water. Stick to night fishing, especially if the sea is carrying some surf as it brings the fish in.

Due to the clean ground 15lb main line and 50lb shock leader is ample with a 6500 sized reel and match style beachcaster, though the big hitters will take fish using more powerful rods at longer range.

Three-hook flapper rigs with size 1 or 2 Aberdeen hooks are ideal for the close range tactics, but switch to a two-hook clipped up rig when casting distance is needed. A Cascade rig is also a good choice here with the bottom longer trace picking up the flatties and the top trace catching the coalfish.

Deliberately moving the bait by choosing a flat plain lead can help you take more fish here. Also try and cast in to the slightly deeper gullies that can feature along this beach.

LOCATION
Easy to find by heading for Ramsey and then taking the South Promenade road for Queens Pier. There is parking by the pier and steps leading to the beach. Most anglers choose to fish well away from the pier.