Fishing Marks: Ballagaraghyn
Location and description
Ballagaraghyn is the common name for the stretch of beach half way between Jurby and Blue Point. Access to the beach is down a roughly surfaced lane about a mile north from Jurby airfield. The turning to the lane is on the left hand side, shortly after passing a house which has a three legs marking on the stone gatepost (if travelling from the south). There is parking for several cars at the end of the lane, and the beach is a 50 yard walk, although some scrambling is required to get down the short steep bank.
The beach itself is relatively shallow, and is typical of most along the north west coast. The gently sloping sand/shingle mix gives way to a series sandbars and gulleys at low water. When fishing for flounders and bass, it pays to make a mental note of where the deepest gulleys are (although they can change during winter storms).
Species
The main attraction in season is tope, but dogfish, coalfish, flounder and the odd bass can also be caught here. Coalfish are generally small in size, and are more abundant in late autumn/early winter. Flounder and bass start to show in May, and can be caught right through until November. The odd turbot also turn up here, although they are mostly small.
Tackle required
If tope are the intended target then standard beach tackle is required, 12-13ft rods, 15lb reel line etc. However, if you intend to fish closer in for bass/flounders then a lighter outfit capable of handling 2-4oz weights can be used at times when the weed isn't a problem.
If fishing at close range then it pays to use a rolling lead of just enough weight to allow the trace to drift slowly round in the tide. Traces should have a long hook lengths to allow the bait to move enticingly in the tide. Size 1 hooks are more than adequate, being capable of holding decent bass as well as being small enough for flounder to take baits without difficulty. A fixed spool reel loaded with braid can be a benefit as the thin diameter of the braid helps reduce weed build up.
Best fishing
Summer evening high tides offer the possibility of tope to mackerel or large sandeel baits. Dawn and dusk sessions coinciding with either high or low water can be good for flounder and bass, both of which will take sandeel and lugworm baits, but peeler crab will give best results. Flounder are most active during the first couple of hours of the flood tide. Darkness or coloured water encourage the coalies inshore.
Weed can be a nightmare on most beaches along the north west coast, and Ballagaraghyn is no exception. Even moderate onshore winds can create virtually unfishable conditions. Settled spells of weather, and neap tides offer the best chance of the weed being tolerable.
