Red Bay

Red Bay cuts into the Antrim Glens coast at Cushendall, sheltered to the south by the dramatic red sandstone headland that gives the bay its name and backed by the green slopes of Lurigethan mountain. It is one of the most visually striking angling destinations in the north of Ireland, combining productive mixed fishing with scenery that few coastal venues anywhere on the island can match.

The bay offers both shore and boat fishing. Shore anglers access Cushendall beach for plaice and dogfish, while the pier at Waterfoot on the northern side of the bay produces cod on night tides in late summer and coalfish through the autumn. The rough ground at Garron Point to the south holds good fish but extracts a toll in lost tackle. Mackerel, pollack and wrasse can be taken from the rocks on a summer tide.

The real prize at Red Bay is offshore. Charter boats work the deep water north of the bay — some marks lie 25 kilometres or more from the harbour — where productive reef ground holds substantial conger, ling, spurdog and bull huss. Red Bay has also established a reputation for Porbeagle shark in season, with organised tagging trips contributing to national shark population data. The salmon cages to the south-east of the bay attract coalfish and mackerel year-round.

Peak time for all species runs from August through September. The ISFC specimen data from Red Bay reflects the productive mix of rough-ground and open-water species that characterise this stretch of the North Antrim coast. Charter vessels operate from Cushendall with access to marks that the casual visitor cannot reach independently.

Red Bay is within easy reach of the Antrim coast road (A2), one of the most spectacular driving routes in Ireland. Cushendall village offers accommodation, food and a tackle shop. The Glens of Antrim provide extensive walking country for non-fishing days, making this an ideal base for a mixed touring and fishing holiday in Northern Ireland.