Latest Fishing Reports: Size Matters

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  • 22/12/2019 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    22 Dec 2019 by Kevin McKie

    2019 has once again been one hell of a year for Size Matters fishing from three ports around the UK.

    Here is how the year unfolded onboard
    Size Matters.

    SCOTLAND

    The Skate fishing from Scotland was truly outstanding at times, we totalled 641 Skate for a total weight of 80,617lb!!!

    We averaged 9 Skate a day with the average weight of 125lb 8oz!!

    At times we would have four Skate on at once, trying to get them all to the boat in over 600ft of water was challenging at times but we managed it.

    442 Skate where female and 199 were male, we caught 44 over 200lb and 359 over 100lb!!

    The biggest Skate was caught by Wirrel angler Mick Walsh a cracking fish of 232lb!!

    Bert Willams from the Wirral caught the first ever Blue Skate in Scottish waters all 22lb of it, this is an exceptional catch in UK waters.

    The most Skate we caught in one days was 37 for a total weight of 2790lb, by Garry Streeter and his lads from South Wales.

    The Liverpool A Team consisting of Phil Riley, John Owan, John Mcbride and Paul Hendrick, had the most weight in one day with 20 Skate for a massive total weight of 3590lb!!

    The best part about this is all the Skate are out there swimming around to be caught again in future.

    We did manage to get two the wrecks a few times and some of the wrecks held massive shoals of Pollack to 9lb, we will be doing much more wrecking in Scotland in the future.

    2020 is fully booked in Scotland but we do have dates available for 2021.


    PLYMOUTH

    When we arrived in Plymouth around mid June we done our first trip of the year to Jurassic Park, catching no less than 12 Six Gill Sharks to around 500lb, the biggest we boated measured and released was 410lb and the smallest was 145lb!!!

    That was definitely a trip to tell the gran kids about in the future and a trip that we will try to beat in the next few years.

    The wreck fishing on the drift was good from June to the start of August, once the algae bloom started to die and sink to the sea bed the fishing was very hard.

    Wreck fishing at anchor for Conger and Ling was slow in June and July due to the lack of fresh bait available, but in August and September the fishing really picked up with up to 70+ Conger and Ling per trip.

    Sadly we never caught any big Conger this year our best fish was 55lb, we did catch some monster Ling this year to 39lb 8oz a new boat record.

    Shark fishing was very poor from June to July because of the massive algae bloom we had, I got told by a marine biologist it was the worst algae bloom in 10 years, just goes to show how polluted our oceans really are.

    Once the algae bloom started to die and sink to the sea bed in August the shark fishing picked up a bit with our best day catching 19 Blue Sharks on a 23 hour trip and 11 Blue Sharks on a 12 hour trip, this is still very poor compared to previous years.

    In July we had big plans to go well off the charts but sadly the weather put a stop to that so plan B was to try for Thresher Sharks.

    We managed to pull it out the bag catching three Thresher Sharks to 150lb, pulled the hook on two more and missed one!!

    This was the 7th species over 100lb caught onboard Size Matters in UK waters.

    It was great to do a trip like this for the first time and learn so much in just a short space of time.

    It was definitely a very strange season in Plymouth not like any we have had in the last four years, the algae bloom didn’t help things either.

    We only seen a few Sunfish this year, in the pasted I have seen 17 in just one day.

    There was no Atlantic Bonito this year and last year you could catch them daily in September and October.

    We only caught one John Dory this year and last year we caught 11.

    This was the first time the wrecking fishing on the drift was over in August normally you can still chip away catching Pollack, Cod and Ling right through the year.

    From the start of August the weather got more unsettled as the season went on, we had so many good trips booked in but the weather put a stop to them.

    Even sailing to Liverpool we normally do some fishing on the way but the weather window was too small so we had to do the 360 miles none stop.

    2020 is fully booked from Plymouth and we only have a few individual places available in 2021.


    LIVERPOOL

    We arrived in Liverpool around mid October, we decided to target the off shore wrecks when the weather allowed and fish the Mersey as a back up.

    The wrecking was fantastic catching plenty of Pollack to 11lb 8oz, most where 4lb to 7lb.

    The Mersey in October to the end of November was full of Rays to 10lb, Whiting to 1lb 8oz and upto 20 Cod per trip to 9lb.

    As we went into December most of the Rays and Whiting moved off shore, this increased the Cod catches up to 39 per trip.

    We have available dates in 2020 for the Mersey and Wrecking.

    Once again we have some very big plans for 2020, we just need the weather on our side and a bit of luck.

    We would to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Shimano UK, everyone who fished with us and helped us out during 2019, we appreciate the continued support.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Kevin Mckie
    Size Matters
    07999628511.
    mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com

    #Scotland
    #Plymouth
    #Liverpool
    #Shimano
    #Mckiesfishingcharters





  • 07/2019 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    Jul 2019 by Kevin McKie

    I honestly don’t even know where to start, we are over the moon with the results of our latest adventure.

    Phil had booked Size Matters for four days to get a chance to fish a place well off the charts, sadly the weather to do this was not in our favour.

    So it was time for Plan B Thresher Sharks and Flip Flops.

    On the first day we stayed close to Plymouth and fished a mark only a few miles from shore that had produced a few porgies on previous trips.

    Sadly we blanked but did top up our bait supply, we then steamed well over 100 miles through the night to our chosen area to fish for Threshers.

    We knew this was going to be a challenge because none of us had ever seen a Thresher before let alone caught one.

    Five hours into the first day we got a screaming run Phil was up and once the drag went up the shark went air borne, it was a Thresher around 200lb.

    After about a 20 minute fight we had it about 20 meters from the back of the boat, it then turned and spat the hook, we where all gutted.

    The rest of the day we where trying to figure out how it spat the circle hook out, normally once a circle hook is in it stays in.

    I was changing hooks all the time, keeping them sharp and changing baits regularly.

    We never got anymore interest from Threshers just lots of small Tope 10lb to 20lb stealing baits and trying to bite our chum bags at the side of the boat.

    When it went dark the lads went to sleep and I carried on fishing though the night trying all sorts of Sword fish lights to see if they would attract the Threshers during the night.

    They sure did look good but the Tope loved them especially the green ones.

    As soon as daylight started to brake I steamed the boat back to the area where we got the first run the day before.

    I had just put all the rods out, John had just woke up and was on deck with me, with in 5 mins one of the rods had a short run I said to John it’s another Tope, as I picked the rod up and started reeling in it took off and jumped 4ft clear of the water it was a Thresher I was screaming at the other lads to wake up.

    I had no butt pad on, flip flops on my feet and the fish was heading to the bow of the boat, I jumped up the side of the boat with the rod in my hand then fought it for 30 mins on the bow.

    The problem was my mono leader had a nick in it so I needed to be extra careful, eventually we got it in, an incredible shark when you see them up close, this one was just over 100lb, I was well chuffed.

    Then a few hours later we missed a good run then about 20 mins later Phil had a run and was back in the game with one that looked around 250lb smashing through the surface for about 25 mins.

    The hook hold looked good and was coming to the boat perfect, then the same happened again it turned and spat the hook.

    Again we where trying to work out what we done wrong, then we started to do things a little different.

    Next up was John and he tested out our new approach to hooking the Threshers and bang it worked after a 40 min fight he landed a cracking fish around 150lb.

    Then it was Tony next and again the new system worked, he landed one around 60lb.

    Phil was back on the rods but once we started to lose daylight the Tope moved in and the Threshers disappeared.

    It was now home time and we steamed through the night back to Plymouth.

    Please note all Sharks where handled with extreme care, we used our Scottish National Heritage Skate sling to lift the Sharks just 10 inches from water to the deck of the boat supporting there whole body, we then used buckets of water to keep the sharks wet and release them as quickly as possible.

    If you love Shark fishing or just love Sharks then make sure you go out of your way to see these fantastic Sharks up close and personal, they truly are an amazing creature.

    This now means the Thresher Shark is the 7th species of fish caught on Size Matters over 100lb in UK waters.

    As always our Shimano rods and reels done us proud and never let us down, the
    Speed Master Dendou Maru 1000 20/30 rod is one of the finest sharking rods I have ever used with bags of power in the blank and teamed up with a Tiagra 30 it’s one hell of a combo for sharking.

    A massive thanks goes to Phil, John and Tony for there team work and taking the opportunity to try something new.

    Thanks
    Kevin Mckie
    Size Matters (Plymouth)
    07999628511

    #Shimano
    #Mckiesfishingcharters
    #Plymouth



  • 11/2018 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    Nov 2018 by Kevin McKie

    We would just like to say a massive thank you to our sponsors Shimano UK for all there hard work helping us get Size Matters fully kitted out for 2019!!

    Shimano fishing tackle is top quality and regarded as the best in the world.

    If you want to compete at the highest level you need fishing tackle that is reliable and won’t let you down when your anglers are hooked in to a fish of a life time.

    Here is a look at what we have on offer for any of our anglers to use free of charge onboard Size Matters.

    For drifting the wreck’s with lure’s and targeting Mersey Cod/Ray’s, we will be using the new Vengeance AX Slim 20/30 rod’s.
    These rod’s are ultra light in weight and have the action of a light 20lb class.
    They will be teamed up with Torium 20s and 30s reel’s in both right hand and left hand retrieve.
    These reel’s have a strong drag system, perfect for pulling in rays and cod in a strong tide or for pulling up big Cod, Pollock and Ling from a deep mid channel wreck.

    For anchoring the wreck’s targeting monster Conger and Ling.
    We will be using the new TLD 50lb class all roller boat rod’s teamed up with TLD 20A twin speed multiplier reel’s.
    This set up is perfect when you need to use 1lb to 3lb leads, fishing deep water mid channel wrecks for those big snakes.

    For Shark fishing we will be using the new Speed Master Dendou-Maru 1000g boat rod’s.
    (If you get chance check these rod’s out they are not designed for shark fishing but you won’t be disappointed it’s a real gem).
    Teamed up with Tyrnos 30 single speed multiplier reel’s.
    This set up is perfect for fishing baits suspended deep down and at long distance from the boat.

    We will also be using two spinning rod’s and reel’s for some fun when the sharks are quite happy to take baits off the surface very close to the boat.
    Rod’s will be the Speed Cast Kaibutsu 120g
    and Saragossa 10000 fixed spool reel’s.

    For the big Skate in bonny Scotland we be using the new Tyrnos 80lb class all roller boat rod’s, teamed up with the Tyrnos 30 twin speed multiplier reel’s.
    Last year we where using 50lb class tackle for the skate and some fights where lasting up to 1 hour 45 minutes in the strong tide in over 500ft of water.
    This time using heavier tackle should cut fight times down and be much better for both the Skate and Angler.

    For the big Six Gill Sharks and an other sea monsters we manage to catch.
    We will be using Tyrnos 80lb class all roller boat rod’s and Tiagra 80W multiplier reel’s.
    This set up is perfect for when you are hooked up to a fish over 500lb using a harness and holding on for your life!!

    We also have the new Ocea Jigger multiplier reel, this is one of the best reel’s I have seen for UK wrecking on the drift using lures.
    The only problem is they are only available in left hand retrieve to the UK.
    We are currently trying to get them in right hand retrieve from the USA.
    The perfect rod for this reel is the new
    Speed Master AX Slim 20/30 boat rod, ultra light with bags of power if you really need it.

    Please note we do not keep all this tackle onboard Size Matters, if you would like to use any of it free of charge you need to let me know at least 24 hours before your charter.
    Any losses of damages to any tackle must be paid for in full before leaving the boat.

    From January to December 2019 we will be giving away a Shimano Hoody, T-shirt and Cap worth over £70 to one angler each month.
    You don’t have to catch a big fish to win it, all you need to do is impress us.
    You can do this by catching a PB,
    or by catching something a bit special,
    or even just be a novice angler and show us how much you have enjoyed your day fishing with us.

    The skippers decision on the winner is final in this free competition.


    Roll on 2019 because
    SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER!!!

    Thanks
    Kevin Mckie
    07999628511
    mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com

    #Shimano
    #Mckiesfishingcharters
    #Liverpool
    #Plymouth
    #Scotland





  • 10/2017 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    Oct 2017 by Kevin McKie

    Here is the first ever Bluefin Tuna caught from Plymouth on rod and line. Back in July while we were fishing for Sharks we caught a 300lb+ Blue Fin Tuna, the fight lasted just on two hours. What happened during that time I could write a book about, it was truly a dream come true for all five of us onboard that day. The bite was just insane no warning, the reel drag went from 0 to 100 mph in a split second. On the first run it stripped over 350 yards of braid off the reel in seconds, then it went deep down and stayed close to them sea bed. It made three more long runs and at one point I had to chase it in the boat just to keep up. After the first hour with only a butt pad on Barry’s arms give up and he passed the rod to me, as I got the Tuna closer to the boat it started to try and go under the boat making big pin wheels. There was a chance we could lose it so I passed the rod to Tony while I got back in control of the boat.
    As we started to win the fight the Tuna kept hanging under the boat about 50ft down so I asked Bernie take control of the boat, bearing in mind he had never took control of Size Matters before he did a cracking job. I was now the wire man as none of the lads onboard had ever wired a big fish before so I had to be on that wire if we had any chance of catching this Tuna. Four or five times I had the wire in my hand and each time with a kick of its tail it shot off and hung under the boat. Finally we got him boat side I got Barry to hold the wire while I put a gaff in the bridge of its lower jaw then I got a second gaff and carefully placed it next to the first gaff. Gaffing a tuna in this part of its jaw results in no blood loss, the welfare of the Tuna was paramount. It took three of us to slide it through the stern door, as soon as it was on the deck we put the deck wash hose in its mouth to keep it oxygenated and kept pouring buckets of water over it to ensure it’s survival. We removed the wire trace and circle hook from its jaw, took some photos and measurements then released it. As the Tuna slipped back into the sea it give two kicks of its tail and was away. The five of us onboard where screaming with joy it was like we had won the World Cup, we all decided to stop fishing and go the pub to celebrate.
    Even weeks after, the lads where calling me to say that was one of the best experiences of their lives catching the first ever Blue Fin Tuna from Plymouth and the team work that took place from all five onboard that day.
    The Tuna measurements where length 79 inch x 54 inch girth, I have checked all different Tuna length to weight calculations and most are different. The Tuna was easy 300lb+, I have been lucky enough to catch them in Canada to 850lb and I have seen them to 950lb.
    (PLEASE NOTE I DO NOT OFFER BLUE FIN TUNA FISHING CHARTERS AND THIS TUNA WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE BAN WAS PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT).
    If you are lucky enough to hook a Tuna while fishing for Sharks onboard Size Matters, we will not bring the fish onboard and it will be released at the side of the boat.
    The only reason we are making this public now, is because we are at the end of our summer season at Plymouth and I did want this catch to affect my charters in the middle of a very busy season. Truth of the matter is I have seen Tuna feeding near the surface most days from July to October last year and again this year. I hope one day we will be able to target Bluefin Tuna in the UK on a very strict catch and realise system just like they have in Canada and Ireland. If this was to happen it would be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to the UK charter fleet. The sad thing about this is commercial fishing boats from EU countries that have quota for Bluefin Tuna can come to the UK and catch thousands of tonnes, while our own commercial boats are not allowed to catch them because they have no quota. What a joke but that’s the UK government all over, look after everyone apart from it’s own people.

    Kevin Mckie
    Size Matters (Plymouth)
    mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
    07999628511

  • 10/2016 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    Oct 2016 by Kevin McKie

    They say seeing is believing and that sure was the case during the last week. On one of the day's i had a group of lad's onboard from Bristol, the plan was to catch as much fresh bait as possible then steam out about 50 miles to anchor a wreck for big conger and ling.
    It took 10 lad's over two hours to catch half a box of mackerel and then we where on our way. As soon as we arrived at the wreck I set the boat up and sent the anchor down to the sea bed.
    Nothing happened for the first 30 minutes then as usual all hell broke lose, the lad's where all into conger and ling. There was one lad called Kush who had never fished with me before and he was using a uptide rod with a multiplier, but we where fishing in over 280ft of water using 1lb of lead. Not the best set up for this type of fishing, he then hooked his first conger and started to reel in with the reel under the rod, talk about hard work. But he landed a conger about 40lb, next drop he hooked a very good fish, he was struggling but after 20 minutes he landed the best conger of the day and it tipped the scale's at 82lb. On the same trip one angler caught a 34lb ling and then snapped his 30lb class rod on a good fish and his line snapped at the same time. As for other fishing the shark fishing has come to an end with just the odd blue being reported. The pollack and cod fishing is very patchy, this could be down to the fact there is not much bait fish about.
    We have still managed Conger to 82lb, Ling to 34lb and Pollack to 12lb. On one of the day's when we where bait fishing and one of the lad's caught a red band fish, I have never seen one before but what a cracking looking fish a first for me.

    Cheers
    Kev
    Size Matters Plymouth
    07999628511.

  • 10/2016 Fishing Report by Kevin McKie

    Oct 2016 by Kevin McKie

    They say seeing is believing and that sure was the case during the last week. On one of the day's i had a group of lad's onboard from Bristol, the plan was to catch as much fresh bait as possible then steam out about 50 miles to anchor a wreck for big conger and ling.
    It took 10 lad's over two hours to catch half a box of mackerel and then we where on our way. As soon as we arrived at the wreck I set the boat up and sent the anchor down to the sea bed.
    Nothing happened for the first 30 minutes then as usual all hell broke lose, the lad's where all into conger and ling. There was one lad called Kush who had never fished with me before and he was using a uptide rod with a multiplier, but we where fishing in over 280ft of water using 1lb of lead. Not the best set up for this type of fishing, he then hooked his first conger and started to reel in with the reel under the rod, talk about hard work. But he landed a conger about 40lb, next drop he hooked a very good fish, he was struggling but after 20 minutes he landed the best conger of the day and it tipped the scale's at 82lb. On the same trip one angler caught a 34lb ling and then snapped his 30lb class rod on a good fish and his line snapped at the same time. As for other fishing the shark fishing has come to an end with just the odd blue being reported. The pollack and cod fishing is very patchy, this could be down to the fact there is not much bait fish about.
    We have still managed Conger to 82lb, Ling to 34lb and Pollack to 12lb. On one of the day's when we where bait fishing and one of the lad's caught a red band fish, I have never seen one before but what a cracking looking fish a first for me.

    Cheers
    Kev
    Size Matters Plymouth
    07999628511.