Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Deep sea fishing with Peninsula Charters, Portaferry

Last night the five of us went out fishing from Portaferry with Peninsula Charters on a 3 hour trip, from 5.30 till 8.30, taking advantage of the tide times. Those of you how know me well will know how much I love getting out onto the water, usually up around Bangor or Donaghadee. So we tried something different last night and boysadear did it pay off! Best night's fishing I can remember, and the family were amazed at the variety and quality of the catch. The freezer is well stocked now with pollock (lythe) and coalfish (blockan), we landed a few good cod which we barbecued earlier today and also some wrasse (but we only kept one of them as a trial - it was tasty, soft, but very bony). The men that run the boat have fished the bottom end of the Peninsula, Strangford Lough and the coast of Lecale all their lives and so when we got going the banter and oul stories were mighty.

Website is here. We are definitely planning a few more trips with them before the summer is out, so anyone who lives in the area who fancies coming with us during August please get in touch with me and I'll make the charter arrangements.

Otherwise feel free to contact them directly and prepare for a trip to remember!

Farewell Portaferry
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First coalfish
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With the Mourne Mountains behind
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Nice coalfish for Charlie
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The SeaGen tidal energy turbine
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Homeward bound
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Gutted, mostly beheaded...
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...and battered fillets for supper!
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Two cod and a wrasse heading for the barbecue
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A happy chef!
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You could spend a lot of money travelling to (for example) the west coast of Ireland or Scotland for an experience like this. Now it's available right on our own doorstep. Scenery, banter, stories, the satisfaction of catching your own dinner... and far more enjoyable (and sustainable) than queueing at the fish counter at Tesco! We just need to get a bigger freezer...

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