Warden Beach, Portsalon, Co Donegal

Situated towards the mouth of Lough Swilly the beach has a rock headland on the south side with exposed rocks in the middle, but is otherwise clean sand. Fish tight to the headland or either side of the rocks in the middle of the beach for the best results.

The beach carries a fair surf during north, northeast and east winds, but is sheltered for the most part from westerly winds bar the swell coming down the Lough.

It can literally fish at all stages of the tide due to the incoming and outgoing tide as the Lough fills and empties, but for a variety of species either side of low water and the last two hours of the flood give the best fishing. Fishes well from June through to January.

SPECIES
Summer species include thornback rays, spotted ray, turbot, plaice, dabs, all three gurnards and flounder, with the occasional huss when fishing close to the headland. Local rods have also hooked tope here during June and early July. Winter fishing features whiting, dabs, flounder, codling and coalfish.

BEST BAITS
The rays, turbot and huss take either mackerel strips or fillets, and sandeel. Lug and ragworm are the top baits for flatfish, with whiting, gurnards and dabs taking smaller strips of mackerel, squid and herring. Razorfish works well for the big winter flounder.

TACKLE
The beach fishes best to long range tactics, so choose a 5-6oz beachcaster and reel loaded with 15lb line and a 60lb shock leader. The top rig for the rays and huss is a one-hook clipped down rig with a 3/0 hook. For general species use either a three-hook flapper for medium range, or a two-hook clipped down rig with size 2 Aberdeen hooks.

5oz leads hold in most conditions, but also carry a few 6oz leads when close to the headland as it can run strong during the bigger ebbing tides.

Target the plaice and turbot by using a plain lead and letting the bait travel with the tide to cover more ground and give movement to the bait.

GETTING THERE
From Letterkenny take the R245 as far as Ramelton, then branch right on to the R247 heading towards Rathmullan. From Rathmullan follow the coast road for Portsalon. You come down a steep road over the top of the headland which gives a panoramic view of the whole beach. Plenty of parking is available directly behind the beach.