What a beauty!
One of the brilliant things about sea fishing out of Portrush is never quite knowing what’s going to come up on the end of the line. This colourful gurnard was caught on a baited white feather on a recent trip, photographed, admired by everyone on board, and then returned safely to its sandbank to carry on with its day.
Why Portrush Has Such a Variety of Fish
The seabed off the Causeway Coast is a patchwork. There are sandy banks, rocky ground and rough patches in between, and each one supports a different community of fish. That mix is why a trip from Portrush Harbour can throw up so much more than you’d expect. Mackerel in the water above, and all sorts of species on the ground below.
A Wee Bit About the Gurnard
Gurnards are one of the more unusual fish you’ll meet in these waters. They have a bony, armoured-looking head, big expressive eyes and, as this one shows, a stunning red-orange colour. They spend their time close to the seabed, using their pectoral fin rays almost like little legs to feel their way across the sand for food. They’re also known for making odd grunting noises when lifted from the water, which is where they get their name.
For anyone on board, especially first-timers and the wee ones, it’s a great moment. You don’t need any experience to enjoy a day’s fishing with us. Our crew will show you what to do, and they’re always happy to tell you about whatever turns up on the line.
Catch, Admire, Release
Not every fish needs to come home with you. Returning a fish like this one means it can carry on living in the same patch of seabed, and it helps keep our local fish stocks healthy for the future. If you’d like to find out more about how we look after this stretch of coast, have a look at our Sustainability Cause page.
It’s a lovely reminder of just how much life there is right on our doorstep.
Join us for a fishing trip from Portrush and see what’s swimming beneath the Causeway Coast.
