New boat for the new season!

 Having exhausted my patience waiting for an F-Rib, I started thinking of different options.  Unfortunately, right now is a terrible time to be buying new boats so I was thinking I'd get something later in the Summer if the F-Rib still hadn't turned up. As if happens, an ad came up on the local buy/sell Facebook group, for an Australian Quintrex 420 aluminium dory with 25hp 2 stroke yamaha and trailer. Now I wasn't really keen on the trailer option before as I'd have to fit a towbar to the car as well, but the more I thought about the fishing I end up doing 90% of the time, the more sense it made to go for something like that.

Real boat club...

Easy to launch and retrieve. 

With the help of a friend we picked her up a couple weeks ago and then I had a towbar fitted to the car. Last week I took her out for a wee trial and a couple casts. She performed really well and on Saturday I had a guiding session with Andrew. 

It was a cracker of a day and turned out to be a bit of a red letter day as anywhere we fished and anything we dropped gave fish! Fishing from the tinnie is much more comfortable and we both commented on how dry the ride is. I still use the Haswing Cayman GPS on its marine ply panel and although it doesn't look the prettiest on the boat, it still does the job effortlessly. I used my old transom mount for the transducer and I have to say I really enjoyed the whole setup. The outboard seems to be going well and we done 19-20kts on the day. In combination with using the trolling motor, the fuel consumption was pretty low.

This man again...

On the fishing now, the pollock were stacked and hungry. Lure choice really didn't matter and they'd hit OTD but also on the retrieve. The fish were typically a bit skinny but very energetic on the fights especially for this time of year. Fish from 20m+ depth though would invariably come up blown up and we kept them, while no issues were had with fish from shallower water. 

They were stacked.

Some better conditioned ones too.

Darker one...

Andrew really loves his coalies though so we had to move to another spot for them. We got plenty on the metals and again they were skinny with a few better ones among them. Andrew reckons a better one was over his pb as well!

Pb coalie for Andrew.

Sunny May days...

We hit one last spot before calling it a day in the hope of getting a few cod. I got one but couldn't find the rest of them and Andrew hit some more hard fighting pollock before we headed in.

Recovering the boat was pretty straightforward too as it's fairly light and easy to pull on the trailer. We then divided the fish and said our goodbyes. Couldn't have asked for a better day's fishing and so glad it worked out well for Andrew as we had to work hard for our fish last time...

I'm pleasantly surprised with the way the fishing is firing up just now and can't wait for the next outing. Moreover, I really need to get a few sessions in for the trout. Hopefully I'll get more of this good weather this month for it...

Just a few thoughts on the boat now. It really feels much more robust, tracks better and offers a dryer ride than the sib. The amount of space is just fantastic too. Saying that, it's only rated to 4 people and feels a little less stable when for example 2 of you lean over the same side. I do feel that it'll make my island hopping sessions much easier though as I'm not worried about barnacles and sharp rocks while landing anymore. This will now be the boat I'll be using for all of my local fishing while I'll be taking the sibs further afield where access isn't as straightforward. Need to improve on my trailer reversing skills but thanks to YouTube I'm already making progress on that...

Tight lines!

Slowly picking up...

 Been a busy month workwise and with the gardening, fishing has taken a back seat. Moreover I had to change the keel to my boat as the old one was beyond repair this time. I put on a similar length keel from Aliexpress and after careful inflation (its wider) it seems to be doing OK.

I had a couple outing with clients from shore and boat and the results have been pretty good for this time of year. I think the reasonable weather we've been  having helped a lot.

The fish haven't all spawned out yet and they are in declined condition but seem very keen to improve that! As long as we had settled conditions and hit the right tide state, they wouldn't be too fussy.  Loud colours and softplastics done the deal. Slow jigs gave some fish as well.

Elvin and Manzhu with a double header!

Girl power!

Good conditions...

Some decent fish about...

She's in again...

And again..!

A few warriors for Dave!

Chilly but sunny!

It's great to see some better weather and I might be putting up a post with a new boat soon... 

It's also time I dusted the trout gear and go after the spotted beauties. I've got a new rod I want to try for them along with endless wee hard lures!

Tight lines 

The Springtime grind...

Was contacted by some lads coming on holiday to Skye, for some guiding over the weekend and I managed to make it happen yesterday. Forecast was surprisingly good but it deteriorated on the day (sigh!). Nevertheless I decided to get Dale and his large company (7 people in total) across to the island in two loads. 

We got settled and set off for the first mark of the day.  I informed the guys that as we're getting into the spawn now, it would take persistence to coax them out. Usually when they are spawning,  you get sessions with immature fish and a couple larger prespawners if they can be bothered to bite. We used mainly loud colours and metals throughout the day and we started getting some small fish straight away.  

Keen group...

On a productive rocky outcrop.

It took a while for quality to improve but Dale did it with a plump female that took his 60g metal OTD. This proved to be the fish of the day too and went back to the drink after a good fight. A few more eater-sized fish were caught but there was no real pattern. Most of the guys caught (and lost) fish throughout the day but even though conditions were good, you could feel the change from a few weeks back where even while there was a swell and big tides, the fish were more aggressive and there was a discernible pattern.

Man of the day.

The highlight of the day was when one of the guys caught a tadpole fish on a slow jig!

It's the first time I saw one alive and couldn't believe it went for a metal!!! Told the lad to go get a lottery ticket because he wouldn't get another one like that in his life... For the story, it was caught in about 23m water in an area with underwater caves and lots of boulders. It took a 40g pink slow jig.

Unbelievable!

Young gun.

Soon enough the session came to a close. The wind had really picked up and it got a bit hairy (wet more accurately) when leaving the island. We all got back at the slipway in the end and we said our goodbyes. The guys were proper troopers and hopefully they'll be back in better weather.

I think I'll only go for another session if conditions are perfect otherwise I've got too many projects that needing completion just now. 

Tight lines.

SEAL operations in February.

Last weekend I hosted Zubair and the lads again for a day's fishing. The weather has been atrocious this month so managing to get out was very lucky. Nevertheless, conditions weren't that great. Day started frosty but dry and there was a good swell running.  

I met the boys down the pier and the plan was to get on the boat and cross to one of the Islands where we'd spend the day fishing from the rocks. The guys really wanted to fish from the boat but I had warned them that it wouldn't be possible due to the weather and they should come prepared for rock and boat fishing.  Unfortunately, a couple didn't get the message and came with casual footwear that wasn't ideal...!

We crossed to the island and secured the boat. Then made our way to the first rock point. The swell was significant and after getting a couple skinny coalies I decided to move to the other side of the island. The swell was still significant here but the greater depth made fishing slightly easier. I setup the guys and had a couple casts with my rod. Surprisingly,  I got hit  straight away and managed a chunky pollock on a homemade yellow/white fork tail on 30g darting jighead. I recommended loud colours to the lads and soon enough Zubair was in as well.  The fish were typically holding low and near the rock-kelp transition.

Don't look too bad...

It's the same day..!

 There were average size pollock but they were in great condition and the gonads made them much heavier. Hence why this is prime time for the biggest fish of the year although unfortunately the weather has been prohibitive for fishing this winter.

Next one to have a fish was Khurram and he also lost a bigger one. Most of the other guys found it difficult to stay in the zone and unfortunately didn't get any fish. Winter fishing can have great rewards but its definitely more demanding skillwise.

After we lost a good amount of gear and with the tide receding (big tides) I decided to run and gun along the rock wall and Khurram followed me while the rest went back to the boat for a break. I soon found a pocket of fish and called Zubair back. The three of us had some more plump fish before deciding to call it a day. Unfortunately I didn't get many photos during the day as we kept most fish for the table and they were dispatched quickly! 

On the way back we had to lift and walk with the boat to the water as 2 of the bolts holding the wheels snapped  hence the title... It was good fun spending the day with the lads and even though not everyone caught, we still had some fish. They assured me they'll be back in the summer months for some relaxed boat fishing!

I was hoping for another day out before March but the weather is just showing storms all the time so I don't think I'll manage it. Plenty of other stuff keeping me busy right now anyway...

Tight lines 

Account opened for 2022!

 Done very little fishing the past couple weeks as I had a stinking cold before Christmas and also some family over too. Nevertheless, Skye-addict Rob, let me know he'd be coming up for a week after New year's day and was keen to get some fishing done. Typically, the weather was horrible but we found some workable conditions on the Saturday. I was planning to take the easy option of just getting of on one of the islands and spending most of the day rock fishing there but as the day was better than forecasted, we decided to fish off the SIB all day.  Moreover, Rob was keen to see the Haswing Cayman GPS trolling motor at work as he's interested in the concept. 

We fished a few spots further out first and picked up a couple average fish before it got a bit choppy and uncomfortable to fish. My first fish came to the 'trendy' Inu-rig and I'm glad it got a fish.  Its an interesting presentation but I think it'll be better at close range and weightless lures for big perch etc. Love trying new presentations anyway.

Liked the Inu-rig. 

This guy again!

We moved to a more sheltered spot that has been very consistent for me this year and it didn't take long to get some good bites. The fish were holding at 19-20m and they were really up for it. We were using mostly loud coloured sandeels and shads on 30-40g jigheads. The fish didn't want anything fancy, hit bottom and a steady retrieve with a couple pauses did the trick. These were some cracking fish and me and Rob kept some for the table. There were mostly females but also a few males and they all had developed gonads as spawning is just around the corner. Moreover all the fish were absolutely stuffed with a variety of baitfish.  From gurnards and scorpions to whitting and sprats/young herring. We did notice plenty of baitfish close to the bottom and higher up. Usually they aren't so plentiful this time of year but the pollock must've been glad they were there.

Cracking fish!

 

Full bellied.

 

He's in...

It was great to kick off the New Year with Rob and hope this fishing continues. If there's some settled weather coming through then that will mean some good conditions for the big mamas...

I was really hoping to have received my 

F-Rib by now but no sign of it yet. Would be ideal if I can get in time for the summer season. The YAM 380S keeps on going but the wear and tear shows now.

This year I'm hoping for some more warm weather fishing along with my usual targets. Let's see how things go...

Tight lines.

New PB Cuckoo!

 The other week, we saw a window in the weather and me and dad headed to Neist for some proper rock fishing. 

I was keen to actually take him to my 'spiritual home' on the island and also try my new shore jigging rod (Savage Gear SGS2 shore jigging 100MH). It was a beautiful day and we set up on one of my favourite rocky points.  We soon got amongst the pollock although none of them over 4lbs. Good eaters though.  They weren't too fussy and would hit metals and softplastics. 

Cracking day...

Run of the mill...

After getting a few for the pot, I started trying some heavier metals and put on a 60g extra wide slow jig. The rod cast it some distance away and I started working it close to the bottom. I got an aggressive take on the drop and some thrashy resistance.  No problem on the big rod but you could tell the fish would go well on lighter gear. I knew it wasn't a pollock but was pleasantly surprised when I saw a big Cuckoo wrasse on the surface. It was clearly my biggest Cuckoo and as the fish wouldn't go back, I put it on the sling. It went to just under a kilo and was a stunning fish. Felt bad I had to keep it but they don't return well sometimes. 

A cracker!

PB for sure.

Found the rod a good tool for those 60g jigs and I suspect it'll work 80g equally well too. Seems to work better closer to it's upper limit.  A bit overkill for the fish on the day but I reckon it'll fit the bill for distance work and big mamas. I tried some big softplastics on it too and it did reasonably well with 40g darting jigheads and 6"-7" soft jerkbaits. Now just need to give it more fishing time.

Tight lines 

Luck of the Cornish!

 Months ago I had a booking for 3 lads that was meant to take place last Saturday.  As these thing usually go, getting closer to the day it became apparent that the weather wasn't playing ball. Thankfully the lads were staying the whole week so we could pick a calm day. I picked Wednesday and the plan was to land the boat on one of the islands where we'd have some shelter from the SW wind and plenty of fishing ground. 

The day came and I got Daniel, Aaron and Graham onto the island. It was a lovely morning and for once the weather was much better than the forecast. We started targeting the major points and soon enough the fish appeared. Aaron got bit first on a pink Ecogear Power Shad and produced a nice fish. 

The water was looking a bit milky so I advised the use of loud colours. Soon enough Daniel was in too and after moving around a bit, Graham found some good ones. Unfortunately my beloved and battered extendable Major Craft landing net broke while I was trying to land one of those fish and I had to scramble down the rocks and use the net head to land fish all day...!

Aaron with 1st fish of the day.

Graham with the average stamp.

Happy chaps.

As the day went on, we kept running and gunning along the coastline, encountering pockets of shoaled fish but also picking up single patrolling ones here and there. The preference for loud colours weared off as the fish got more aggressive and I picked one on the Autowalker just as it was leaving the water!

What surprised me this day was the deliberate nature of the fights. I mean its part and parcel of this game to lose fish that reef you but not to such a degree as on that day.  Every fish fought hard and dirty using the reefs and kelp to their advantage and the losses were noticeable. I put it down to the excellent condition all fish were in with well rounded bellies. 

Daniel is in!

So is Aaron!

Heart attack take!

Graham seemed to have keyed in on a good presentation and location leading to the most consistent catches and better sized fish. Soon enough he had a much better one and after a powerful fight, I managed to get it in the net. A proper lump of a fish that took the scales to 4.6kg! Quickly released to fight another day. Graham was chuffed as he was having a red letter day.

Double for Graham!

Cracking condition! 

Throughout the day, a combination of soft plastics and metals were used with the soft plastics bringing in the better fish. 

A cracking day was had by all and we headed in around lunchtime. It was a pleasure fishing with the lads and glad to see people coming here from the other end of the country! 

Weather is still crap but I reckon any windows of calm are gonna see some good catches!

Tight lines!