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Warden Beach, Portsalon, Co Donegal

Mike Thrussell 01 January, 2006 08:30:00

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.

WSF Tackle
SEARCH FOR TACKLE
DEPARTMENTS

BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each
Berkley PopperThe most versatile topwater bait ever produced. The Frenzy Popper just might be the best ever! Its unique balanced design allows it to be fished several ways. Chug it or pop it, and it spits water like a big fish chasing little ones. Slow it down with soft twitching actions, and it walks with the best of 'em.

TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each
FeathersAs any boat or shore angler will tell you, lure rigs when used alone or with bait are great for catching all manner of species. We've selected the very best rigs from the Shakespeare TideWater range that are idea for boat and some shore work.

7" WSF Jelly Worms
Berkley Power WormsDeadly 7inch jelly worms that are deadly for all manner of predator fish, especially pollack. We allow you to buy individual colours so you can mix and match what you want!
Jelly worms are 30p each!

Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers
Blue PilchardBuy 3 Devil's Own Diving Plugs you get one of them for free in our 3 for 2 offer.
Check out our Devil's Own Lures.
These lures are ideal for bass and other predatory species. Price: £2.74 each. or £5.48 for 3.

WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
Sakuma HooksSuper strong Japanese Hooks from Sakuma. We now stock the 545 Manta Extra, 540 Manta, 560 Stinger and 543 Pennel Manta Extra hooks. All hooks are supplied in boxes of 30.

Bass PoppersBASS POPPERS! FROM £3.67
These excellent long range casting popper lures are ideal for numerous saltwater species including Bass. Berkley Frenzy Poppers.

SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25
Saltwater FliesWSF Now stocks the high quality range of saltwater flies from Fulling Mill. We have picked out a deadly selection from the Fulling Mill range that will help any saltwater fly angler this season.

BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS
Captiva ReelsPRICE FROM: £37.18
Sea spinning reel, ideal for use with the Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod. Packed with features including an ultra smooth front drag, permanent instant anti reverse and a metal spare spool. The 5000 is idea for use with spinning with heavier nylons between 12 and 15lbs and Braid.

BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL
Captiva Reel DealsIdeal spinning combo from Penn and Shakespeare. Featuring the hugely popular Salt Spin 10ft, 3 piece spinning rod, and the fantastic Captiva 5000 CV2 Spinning Reel from Penn. PRICE: £73.39

BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18
Abu CardinalThis Front Drag version of the popular Abu Cardinal range of reels is an ideal reel for braid. Each reel features 7 bearings (1AR) Bearing, Instant Reverse and a spare spool. It holds 210/10lb line. Each reel comes with a free Abu Cardinal Reel Bag.


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