Change again..

Well I've now moved to Glasgow after a 10 day holiday, driving around Scotland and North England. I did almost no fishing but I enjoyed visiting places that I haven't been for in a while.. I did get the chance for a couple casts at Loch Linnhe and I winkled out a couple codling but not much else. I'm not complaining though as this is the latest I've ever fished saltwater in a year and I'm pretty sure that with the first opportunity I'll head straight for Loch Fyne since its not that far away..  I am optimistic that there will be fish to be had in the lochs throughout the colder months. Below a little video and some pics of my last fish here.

Hope they will still be there in January! 

My last pollock for 2014..

I need to find a place with bigger ones!

I have to look closer at home first though, and the Forth and Clyde canal seems promising..
I already identified some stretches on Google Earth and today had my first reconnaissance session near Maryhill. I was after perch mostly but seeing how cold it got since yesterday I thought it more likely to catch jacks.
I started fishing jigheads but then switched to dropshot with a pilker instead of a weight, something that's worked for me well on tough, cold days. After a few casts around likely looking spots, I was soon getting the jacks I was waiting for.. Really tiny pike but they were my first fish from this canal and in this horrible weather very welcome!
After fishing for about an hour and a half I decided to call it a day and head home.
I was very surprised with how well the fluorocarbon mainline (I couldn't find my K2K traces!) managed to withstand the jack's teeth as it took 4-5 fish till I had to retie.. I think that it was a good choice upping the line to 6lbs and using it exclusively on dropshot.

New canal looks promising..

Some nice features..

Tiny jacks were the catch of the day!

No matter how cold, they always give some sport..

Another baby pike.

Don't think I've caught smaller!

I will now start focusing more on the canal for my every day short sessions and whenever I get the chance (weather allowing!) I will still make the trip to the lochs to see how the fishing changes in the colder months. Moreover I'm really keen to try with the heavy gear on the East coast for bigger cod, but that may be more of a gamble returns-wise... In any case I'm not hanging my rods (!) and hope that the canal lives up to expectations...

Tight lines!

Gear used.
Rod: Awa Shima Qlite spin, 1-5g, 2.40m
Reel: Tica Libra SA 2500
Mainline: Sunline FC guide special fluorocarbon, 6lbs
Rig: dropshot
Lure: LFT Live baby shad with pilker instead of lead.