Newboy Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Second day of our Scotland trip. We were up before the crack of dawn which wasn't that difficult since it was only 7:15am. We fished a shallow wreck in Loch Spelve for pollocks, using shads without weigh casting near the wreck and retreive. We caught 5 pollocks upto 8 lbs, good sport on 12 lb set up, they fought every inch of the way. Also saw a couple of sea eagle working near the cliffs. Although from a distance, they looked awsome diving down. We then moved near where we were yesterday, the tide wasn't quite right yet, so we settled down for some ground fishing. I put down a couple of rods, 60 lb trace 8/0 hook, as congers are only in the 30lb-40lb mark. One with a mackeral flapper, the other with a mackeral fillet with a squid. Not long after putting the bait down, I had some interest from the mackeral flapper. A few violent pull and it was on, a conger I shouted, it felt big on my 30lb set up. it fought really well for about 15 minutes, it was nearing the boat and it took a dive and dive and dive and then nothing, *#@+"#, I shouted. We thought it must have biten thru the trace, but on retreiving, the trace was fine, the 6/0 O'shagnessey was straightened. I have caught eels upto 50lb before without any problems. At this point John said, 'It was definitely a conger and a good fish, I would say a big fish, in fact a potential Scotish record as it is only 46lb.....' . C K was next, a more subtle pull. Got it up to the surface and it was a thornback, not huge but 10-15 lb, then it got caught up with a few of the other line, and somehow dislodge the hook from its mouth, he was gutted. I then caught a small spurday, only a kiddie about 3 lb which we keep as bait for the skate. We moved a couple of hundreds metre across to the same skate mark fished thru the slack but nothing, I did manage to catch a small conger about 8 lb, so I guess I won't bother the record book. John stayed out as late we he dare risk, but it was not to be our day, we were a little disappointed, but we did have a wonderful first day. I thoroughly recommend a skate trip to anyone. You can drive up or get a cheap flight up, John would even pick you up from the airport, top bloke, one of the best skipper I've came across. Nothing is ever too much trouble. Or if you want to be really adventurous, there are many slipways near Oban. Started our journey south at 6:00pm and arrived back at Andover at 1:30am, grab a few hours sleep and set off for Weymouth at 5:30am........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Kam..this is nothing short of Death wish 2005. where do you get the energy from.If its on sale.I want some !. jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 Nice report Kam - well done. John sounds like the man - I know when I spoke to him during his brief stay in Poole this summer he was a top bloke. I have been tempted to take BW to Oban - it doesnt get better than catching a skate on your own boat - its a HELL of a long way to tow though. On a more serious note - I am considering changing Alderney 2007 to a Scotish skate trip after the poor take-up this year. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted November 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 The cost will be lower especially if air travel is booked well in advice, it's something like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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