My first Scottish bass!

 Had a lovely break down Dumfries way with the family last week. Obviously, it would be rude not to try and wet a line in the salt and freshwater down there and it was the perfect opportunity for me to get my first Scottish bass. I had an Invitation from my mate Colin last year but with covid and other commitments (plus the 7h drive) I never got round to it.

Througout our stay the weather had been very warm and I had a day on Loch ken in the kayak. It was some hard fishing as the water levels were low and I lost the morning by the time I managed to sort out the fishing permit and launch. Why cant we have online permits everywhere in this day and age...! Anyway, I only fished till mid afternoon and I was baked by the end of the session with barely a fish to show for my efforts. A feisty jack and a couple perch but at least I enjoyed the pedaling. Lovely Loch but super busy and I think itd be better in Autumn.

The next day, I met Colin on a bouldery beach at mid-morning to go after some bass. I used my APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96MLX paired with Shimano Stradic FL 3000XHG and mainly casting Savagear Seekers as we reasoned the fish would be keeping further out in such a sunny day. There was a good face-on breeze blowing though, something I find positive when bass fishing on beaches. Colin indicated the spot we'd be casting from and within a few casts I got a good strike and fish on. It was only a schoolie but I was very happy to finally tick it off the list. 

We had about half a dozen fish each in a couple hours, mainly schoolies with some keepers too. They were stubbornly holding far out and with the chop and high sun wouldnt hit topwaters. Thus, seekers and similar lures were the best option. We each had a couple falls in the water as its been a while since I've waded a beach and wasn't wearing studded boots. To my surprize, the water temperature was very pleasant and in retrospect I should just have worn some shorts!

My first in Scotland!

Beautiful!

Perch from loch Ken.

Theres definitely good potential for better fish down there but unfortunately, we live so far away that it can only be a once a year treat. Back in Skye now and the weather seems to be holding up. Planning some fishing very soon...

 

Tight Lines

Two new spots with decent fish.

Today I decided to go on a reconnaissance mission in places I've been postponing fishing for too long!
The weather finally settled a bit and it was a mix of showers, sunshine and SW winds... Not perfect by any means but good enough for me! Both spots are near well known marks and at this time of year I try and avoid the crowds as much as I can, hence it would be very positive if the new spots produced a couple good fish ..!
I would be fishing the ebb straight after high water as the second spot is easier to approach over low water. This meant a late start (not advisable at this time of year) but the first spot was very deep and hopefully the fish wouldn't be put off by the bright conditions.
After a short but energetic stroll through dense shrub, I was on my first spot, a sheltered, deep bluff wall. I started with a Salty bait/gulp combo and could feel that the bottom further out was fairly clean while it was getting reefyer with some weed (not kelp) at the base of the rock-wall. Most nibbles were coming close in but didn't develop. After a while, I changed to a 4" paddletail on a 22g cheburashka and finally after lots of little bites I got a positive take while the lure was curve-falling towards the base of the wall.
The fish fought hard and stayed deep, a few runs later I got it further up and saw it flash, but then it took me to a snag and managed to unhook itself soon after. I persevered around the same area and soon after I got a take and solid resistance. Another good fight but this time I managed to get the fish up and away from the snags...

A solid fish.

The bites slowed down after this fish and only managed another smaller one before deciding to move and drive to my second spot.
Now the second spot is very close to Neist Point but Ive never seen anyone fish it and after an easy hike and a less easy decent  I was standing on a ledge overlooking a kelpy bay.
I started with a 4" paddletail on a 18g cheburaska but only got a couple 'snapy' bites that didn't develop. In my experience this kind of bites indicate limited interest yet the fish usually come around with a change in presentation (most times a more natural one). Thus I switched to a 4" Ribster and the bite came bang on first cast! A weird fight ensued with the fish swimming towards me at times (!) but soon got it under control and on the rocks, another good fish for the day..

Another one...

I kept to the same presentation and had a few more fish straight after along with some missed takes. Fish can be fussy at this time of year hence all the misses. After dropping a fish close in at some point, I kept retrieving only to be hit again close in by another (or possibly the same) fish and after a spirited tussle I got it on the rocks. While I was truing to lip-grip it I noticed something in its mouth. At first I thought it was seaweed but on closer inspection it was a hook from a feathers/sabiki rig that the fish obviously managed to cut loose from!

Tenacious!

This isn't the first time I encounter this and it reinforces my opinion that pollock and most fish in general are good at overcoming hooks stuck in them (especially away from vital organs) and don't feel too worried when they manage to cut me off in the snags.. Got to admire their tenacity though!
Hopefully these winds will die down a bit next week as I need to get some fish OTT!

Tight Lines!

Gear used.
Rod: APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96 MLX
Reel: Shimano Stradic FK C3000
Mainline: Unitika Shore Game X8 PE 1.2
Leader: Daiwa Tournament FC fluorocarbon 18lbs
Lures: Mainly paddletails and straight Sp's on 18g-22g cheburashka

New spot in the wind!

The other day I had a half day off and thought it was a good opportunity to check out a spot that I've been wanting to fish for ages... Its very close to one of my favourite shallow water marks that I favour when there are strong Southerlies (as it has been lately).
I had my Apia with me and also wanted to get some footage of it in action and was thinking that Id soon have it in my sheltered spot..
After going through various lures I managed to get two pollock on a metal and softplastic but the bites were few and far between.
I thought it might be worth checking out the aforementioned spot even though it was exposed to the wind. A short walk later I arrived to the ledge and the sea here was much rougher with plenty of whitewater close in. The kelp was almost up to the surface close in but further out the bottom was cleaner and the depth grew abruptly though still only 10m or so..
I decided to stick to lures that would swim through the kelp without snagging and thus the two most effective presentations were: a 20g Salty Bait baited with a slim sp, and a slim jerkbait style sp on a 30g Crazyg offset jighead.
After a few casts I started getting some serious takes and fish in quick succession. They were clearly there in numbers and were staging just in front and to the side of a rocky spit where the wind and current 'broke'. These were good 4-5lbs fish and this signifies a good mark in my book!
The only problem is that this spot is tidal and thus I had to leave after a while as the water was rising..
Definitely going there again!
Below some pics and a video of the session.

A hard fighter!

Salty Bait slays...

A bruiser...

Tight lines!

Gear used.
Rod: APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96 MLX
Reel: Shimano Stradic FK C3000
Mainline: Unitika Shore Game X8 PE 1.2
Leader: Daiwa Tournament FC fluorocarbon 18lbs
Lures: 20g Duel Salty bait with sandeel sp, 30g Ocean Ruler offset Crazyg jighead with 5" jerkbait style sp.

Another guiding trip with pollock on the fly!

Last week I made a trip with Frazer and his son Rowan. Both keen fly anglers coming from Manchester and wanting to try their hand at fly fishing for pollock and also modern lure fishing.
We arranged to meet in the morning as the tide was ebbing at a kelpy mark that holds fish very close to the shore. The lads didn't have time to purchase fast-sink lines and specialised flies that I recommended to them but in the end we thought there's nothing wrong with trying... Besides, the spinning gear was at hand as well.
Thus both lads started off with 8wt setups they use for their trout fishing and various flies.
It didn't take long and after a few casts and adjustments Rowan caught the first pollock of the day (and his first on the fly!) with the fish getting his rod in a good bend! Soon after I got it in the net and hoisted it on the rocks. Only a 2 pounder or so but on this gear it fought very well!
We persevered and the guys took turns to cast in the tight spot... A few more pollock followed by both anglers and I was fortunate to be wearing my polarised sunglasses and witnessing most of the takes as they happened mere meters away from the rock I was standing! Heart-racing stuff and it struck me how unfussed and natural the pollock acted when taking the flies. None of the ferocity you encounter with say, topwater lures or metals, just straight opening the mouth and the fly disappearing in it, with the fish then swimming towards the kelp  without realising it was caught at times!

Superb fun on the Fly!

Watched this fish take the fly!

Unfortunately we hit the low tide mark soon after and the fish moved off the shallows and couldn't get them on the fly any longer. It was then time for good old fashion lure fishing that gave a few more fish on softplastics. The fish would bite very subtly for some reason but it was here that my Apia's sensitive tip helped immensely...

He's in!

Proud angler.

Another one...

After a few fish for Frazer and Rowan the mark went quiet and it was time to move. The next mark was Neist and although there was some swell coming in from the South I thought we'd have a good chance of some fish.
I intended to fish two spots but finding the one too rough and after dropping two fish there we decided to move to the second (sheltered) one.
Once there things were much quieter on the swell and fishing front but soon young Rowan started getting some quality fish! He seemed to have found the honey-hole and had all the fish come to him!

Father and son in action...

He found the honey-hole!

A bruiser!

Soon it was time to go though and we made the long walk up to the car park. It may not have been a lunker-filled day but considering the conditions and the time of year, it was good going.

Late June, July and even into August are my least favourite months for big pollock fishing as the fish are fussy, spread out and feed in shorter spells than in the colder months. Typically early mornings/dusk sessions seem to do the deal and shallower areas can be more productive.
In any case seeing the pollock take flies almost at the surface was fantastic and I may even look into getting a fly setup at some point...!
It was a pleasure fishing with such passionate anglers like Frazer and Rowan and glad that they managed to get their first pollock on the fly!
Will be getting a video of the day up soon.

Tight Lines!

Gear used.
Rod: APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96MLX, .
Reel: Shimano Stradic FK C3000
Mainline: Unitika Shore Game X8 PE 1.2
Leader: Duel Hardcore Powerleader fluorocarbon 16lbs
Lures: various

A wee LRF flounder session.

Yesterday I had the afternoon off and I had a double plan in my mind... I was gonna hit some harbours and jetties with the LRF to see if the mini-species started to show and later on would target Neist with the new rod to give it a workout and see how it behaves.
Thus I drove down to an often overlooked little harbour that is en route to one of my pollock marks, but this time I got the Crostage out and had a few casts.
Started with a 4g cheburashka, #8 hook and a 2" Berkley Sandworm as its a very effective search-bait. It was almost high tide and there was a brisk wind to my face but not too strong so as to affect my fishing.. The bottom was mostly sand with patches of weed and the water clear although with some drifting weed. I worked the lure near the bottom mostly and got a small pollock within the first few casts.. I then started to cast around the patches of weed and work the lure to the base of the harbour-wall, got a positive take and struck. The fish was holding down but soon enough I got it up and it was a lovely little flounder! Its been a long while since I caught one as I don't really target sandy areas that much, but very welcome.
It appeared that it had some company and I kept getting more of them with the sizes getting better. All the bites were pretty hard to miss and positive, with the fish getting well hooked. Kinda reminiscent of perch.. Since there were a few about I changed lure to a Jackall Peke Ring on a 1.8g Decoy Rocket head as I wanted to see if they'd take a 'normal' sofplastic and I have to say it appeared equally effective. I got a decent one after a while that headed straight for the base of the rockwall and managed to cut me off (!) as I was standing further back... Even flounders crash-dive up here! 😲

Oh hello!

Camo...

Flounders are cool..

The lure of choice..

After spending about 30-40mins there, the bite started to slow down and I thought it best to move. I drove to a different harbour then but it seemed to be devoid of life thus I decided it was time for Neist Point and the new rod's test!
Once at Neist I hastily walked to my spot and set up. Tried a couple presentations but as the current was very strong a 25g cheburashka gave the solution, rigged with a 5" Jerkshad.
I paired the rod with the Shimano Stradic FK C3000 and it felt like a good much. Instantly I could feel more bumps and the bottom much more 'defined' than with my other rods. Despite its length it feels shorter and after a while I hooked into a nice pollock that pulled some drag and got the rod in a good shape! It subdued the fish in good time and the butt seems to hold a lot of power. In all very happy with my purchase!

Christened!

Looking forward to some guiding sessions this weekend and using the rod more. In addition Ill be trying to find more areas that might hold flounders up here and generally start using the LRF gear more as its sheer fun of course!

Tight Lines!

Gear used.

Rod: MajorCraft Crostage CRK-T782AJI, APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96MLX
Reel: Shimano Stradic 1000Fc Shimano Stradic FK C3000
Mainline: Unitika Night Game PE 0.3, Unitika Shore Game X8 PE 1.2
Leader: Toray Excellent fluorocarbon 6.8lbs, Duel Hardcore Powerleader fluorocarbon 16lbs
Lures: Berkley 2" Sandworm, Jackall Peke Ring, Berkley Jerkshad

Fish are in the shallows and new weapon added!

The past week I thought it was about time I visited some of the shallow Summer marks up here as I was sure the pollock must be on them by now. The first mark is a pinnacle overlooking a kelp filled bay and I found the fish feeding very actively as the tide ebbed. I was very surprised to see them hitting sandeels on the surface a couple times not 2m from the rock I was standing on! Made a couple close pitches and got hit but both times the fish snagged me up on the kelp at the base of the rocks.. But that's pollock fishing for you... I was fishing the ML setup and it doesn't have the power to stop these fish on such 'hairy' ground, something that I hope to soon rectify as I got a new rod and Ill talk about it further down.
Apart from the fish hunting at the surface, it was interesting to note the capture of a re-caught fish that probably managed to unhook itself earlier on in the session...!

Bruiser...

Pegging the lure on cheburashka.

Shallows.

The next session was only a short one as there was considerable wind and swell building up. I decided on starting with a good old fashioned spoon, a Solvkroken Jensen Tobis, as it offers long casts, intense flash and slow fall with minimal rising on the retrieve. The mark has clear bottom further out thus I wasn't worried of the treble snagging. And it didn't take long before a pretty pollock showed interest! Then followed by a couple coalies before another pollock that cut the line only meters away from me and took my lure with it! I managed to get another decent fish on a softbait before going home...

Good old spoons are killers for pollock!

A good couple sessions and I think Ill be taking the topwaters out soon! The new rod will hopefully help me work slightly heavier ones better and also get those 'friskier' fish landed from the snaggy marks... The rod is the APIA Foojin'R Best Bower 96 MLX and I honestly cant wait to try it out ASAP! First impressions are very good, light yet sturdy with a fine tip. This will become my main rod hopefully and on paper it has all the characteristics of a good pollock rod. Around 9 feet, soft tip but fast action and able to work a variety of hard and soft lures.
I will come back to it after spending some time fishing it...

Tight Lines!

 Gear used.
Rod: MajorCraft KGEvolution Basic KGS-902L.
Reel: Shimano Stradic FK C3000
Mainline: Unitika Shore Game X8 PE 1.2
Leader: Duel Hardcore Powerleader fluorocarbon 16lbs
Lures: various