Latest Fishing Reports: Scotland
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12/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
We are just approaching the half way point of our winter season on the mighty river Mersey.
Since we arrived in Liverpool around mid October, Size Matters has been fully booked till January, this is why we have not done any reports.
In October we mostly had wrecking trips booked, sadly we only managed to get to the wrecks once.
The lads managed 57 Pollack to 6lb and 1 Cod about 3lb.
On the days we never got to the wrecks we fished the Mersey catching up to 40+ Rays to 11lb 10oz per trip, along with Conger to 10lb, Cod to 4lb, Whiting, Dabs and hundreds of Dogfish.
In November we still had a plenty of wrecking trips booked in but the weather wouldn’t allow us to get out to them.
So the lads fished the Mersey catching
up to 40+ Rays to 10lb per trip along with Conger to 9lb, Cod to 7lb 12oz, Whiting, Dabs and Dogfish.
At the start of December right on que the Dogfish disappeared and most of the Rays moved off shore.
This then give the Cod chance to feed instead of competing for food with all the rays and Dogfish.
We kicked December off with our first double figure Cod of the season bang on 10lb, the next day Nathan Barrie from Cleveleys landed his biggest Cod of 12lb 3oz, he returned the fish and it was his birthday.
Well done Nathan!!!
Up till this point we had a very dry few months, then it decided to rain for several days.
This had a knock on effect to the Cod fishing with too much fresh water in the Mersey.
All we need is a week of dry weather and the Cod fishing will be back to its original form.
From now till March is my favourite time to fish the Mersey, all the Dogfish have gone, so have most of the Rays and the whiting are thinning out.
This means your Cod baits are fishing at there full potential and gives you the best chance of catching a Mersey monster.
If you would like to join us this winter here are the last available dates this winter onboard Size Matters.
JANUARY,
Wednesday 9th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 2.30am sailing.
Thursday 10th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 3am sailing.
Monday 14th Mersey £45 pp
3 places available 5am sailing.
Tuesday 15th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5.30am sailing.
Wednesday 16th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 6.30am sailing.
Thursday 17th Mersey £45 pp
1 place available 8am sailing.
Thursday 31st Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 8am sailing.
FEBRUARY,
Monday 4th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 11am sailing.
Tuesday 5th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 11.30am sailing.
Wednesday 6th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 12.30pm sailing.
Thursday 7th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 1pm sailing.
Monday 11th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 4.30am sailing.
Tuesday 12th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5am sailing.
Wednesday 13th Mersey £45 pp
6 places available 6am sailing.
Thursday 14th Mersey £45 pp
6 places available 6am sailing.
Friday 15th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 7.30am sailing.
Monday 25th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5am sailing.
Tuesday 26th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5am sailing.
Wednesday 27th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5am sailing.
Thursday 28th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 6am sailing.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool).
07999628511.
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Shimano
#Liverpool
#Mckiesfishingcharters
View Boats Page
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11/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Nov 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
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 View Boats Page
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28/10/2018
Fishing Report by dominic wilson
on Dawn Venture (Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway)
28 Oct 2018 by dominic wilson
Report on-board Dawn Venture
Finally managed to get out on the last sunday in October with Matt White and his boys and we had 11 species...we had Tope(23lb),spurdog(8lb),bullhuss(13lb)pollack and coalies from the harbour entrance(3.5lb),cod haddock,whiting,doggies,pouting and a very rare (and after much discussion!) a poor cod of 3oz! whiting were noticeable by their absence but those that landed whiting and fished them as flappers caught the better sharks. It is proven that whiting definitely outfishes mackerel for the bottom sharks and the common skate are quite partial to it also!
A date for the lift out at Girvan has yet to be agreed and so,the fishing continues with bookings being taken upto mid/late December providing the wind will let us! Looking at going uptiding for cod this year if anyone fancies their hand....some gear held onboard View Boats Page
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10/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Oct 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Size Matters is now in Liverpool ready to start the winter season.
We would like to say a massive thanks to everyone at Shimano UK for the delivery of our first range of Shimano tackle!!
On the Mersey we will be using the
New Vengeance Slim boat rods and Torium 20 and 30 reels loaded with braid.
We even got our hands on some left handed Torium reels to cater for anglers who find it more comfortable using left handed reels.
These Shimano rod and reel combos are perfect to tackle the strong tides on the Mersey weather you are up tiding or down tiding.
Please note tackle hire is included in the price of our charters but any damages or losses must be payed for.
Available dates for Liverpool this winter season.
NOVEMBER,
Tuesday 13th Mersey £45 pp
3 places available 4am sailing.
Thursday 15th Mersey £45 pp 5 places available 5am sailing.
Monday 19th Mersey £45 pp 1 place available 8.30am sailing.
Thursday 29th Mersey £45 pp 10 places available 5am sailing.
Friday 30th Mersey £45 pp 1 place available 5.30am sailing.
DECEMBER,
Thursday 13th Mersey £45 pp
9 places available.
Monday 17th Mersey £45 pp 6 places available 6am sailing.
Tuesday 18th Whole boat available 7.30am sailing.
Wednesday 19th Mersey £45 pp 10 places available 8.30am sailing.
Thursday 20th Mersey £45 pp
4 places available 9.30am sailing.
Sunday 30th Mersey £45 pp
1 place available 5.30am sailing.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool).
07999628511.
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Shimano
#Liverpool
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
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05/10/2018
Fishing Report by dominic wilson
on Dawn Venture (Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway)
5 Oct 2018 by dominic wilson
Report on-board Dawn Venture
covers period 5/6 october.....
the wind as always(it seems) has hampered the fishing and coloured the water.That said,we got out with Glenn Craggs' boys on the friday and caught loads of whiting some small codling/haddock,2 mackerel and the sharks decided to show up....
we caught 1 tope at 35lb,6 huss all around the 15lb mark and we hooked into and lost 3 common skate...one skate even snapped an 8/0 bronzed O'shaunessy hook!
pictured is the 35lb tope View Boats Page
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10/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Oct 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
The Summer 2018 season has now come to an end in Plymouth for Size Matters, we are now steaming north to Costa Del Liverpool for the winter Cod season on the mighty river Mersey.
Looking back over the 2018 season in Plymouth it’s been the best year for weather for many years.
Some days we where praying for bad weather just to get a day or two off for a rest, it’s not often a charter boat says that.
The fishing this year was very good for sharks,
our best day was 80 Blue Sharks in a day and a new boat record.
The wreck fishing on the drift for was good from April to July our best day was 93 Pollack, 21 Ling, 16 Coalfish , 3 Megrim and a Conger.
The Conger fishing was very poor compared to previous years, this was because we had two algae blooms this summer.
Normally we only get one in May but this year it happened in May and again in August, at times it was like red snot dripping from the line.
I have never seen it this bad before and I do truly believe when it settles on the sea bed it gets in the Congers gills and they don’t feed as much as they would normally.
Our best day on the Conger was 65 to 58lb and 6 Ling to 18lb in just 4 hours fishing.
Last year we out best day was 109 Conger to 63lb, 4 Ling to 28lb and 1 Cod 16lb.
All in 5 hours fishing, Nigel Mcloughlin from the British Conger Club was onboard that day and he said that was a very busy day!!
Also it was good to see so many John Dory’s, normally we only catch a few in a season but this year we managed 11 to 7lb!
New species this season on Size Matters,
Six Gill Sharks (Unofficial British Record),
Blue Skate (Unofficial British Record),
Blue Whiting, Atlantic Bonito Tuna and Megrim.
We caught over 40 species of fish this season if we done more species hunts we would get well over 50 a season.
We are now fully booked for 2019 from Plymouth and only have 16 days available for 2020.
It seem like a life time ago when I bought
Size Matters back in March 2016 and this was only our 3rd season in Plymouth, imagine what we are going to catch in the future!!!
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
07999628511
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Plymouth View Boats Page
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10/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Oct 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
It’s been good to get back to work after a few weeks off welcoming the new arrival of my daughter and future skipper of Size Matters ha ha.
On one of the days we had ago for Porbeagles and Threshers again, it didn’t quite go to plan.
After a few hours fishing we got one hell of a run on the heavy tackle, after an hour of the fish hugging the sea bed it swam straight up towards the boat.
It was a job to keep up with the fish then the line went all slack we thought we had lost it, then all of a sudden the line went tight and it was just a very heavy weight and no movement.
I knew from experience the fish was tail wrapped so we put the drag up to get the fish to the surface, then from under the boat I could see it wasn’t a shark but a big Blue Fin Tuna tail wrapped.
As we got it to the surface I could see the only option was to boat it to cut the wire trace off its tail and remove the hook.
As soon as we got it on the boat we put the deck wash in its mouth to keep it alive, we then removed the hook and cut the wire trace from its tail.
The Tuna was on the deck for no more than a few minutes, we then took a quick measurement and photo then slipped it back, it gave one kick of its tail and was away.
An amazing fish it taped out at 366lb, we never did get any sharks that day but the lads went home with a day to remember.
Straight after we caught the Tuna I called the MMO office in Plymouth to report the capture and our reason for boating the tuna.
If you are lucky enough to catch a Tuna when shark fishing please realise it ASAP at the side of the boat!!
We have also been catching lots of Atlantic Bonito Tuna only the size of mackerel but great to see new species arriving in our waters.
The Bass fishing has been steady with most fish 3lb to 6lb along with plenty of Pollack to 5lb.
Off shore wrecks have been ok with Ling to 34lb, Pollack to 10lb and the odd Coalfish to 4lb.
The Conger fishing has been ok with Eels to 58lb and I also witnessed a bass caught on a Conger bait using a 300lb hook length, no need for fluorocarbon when bass fishing ha ha.
The weather has stopped play for the next few days, if you would like to join us next year then here is a list of the last available dates remaining.
Available dates for Plymouth 2019.
JULY.
Thursday 18th Wrecking £80 pp 1 place available.
SEPTEMBER.
Thursday 12th Wrecking/Conger £80 pp
1 place available.
Monday 16th Wrecking £80 pp 2 places available.
Tuesday 17th Wrecking £80 pp 4 places available.
OCTOBER.
Sunday 6th Wrecking/Conger £80 pp
1 place available.
Monday 14th Wrecking £80 pp 6 places available.
Tuesday 15th Wrecking £80 pp 6 places available.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters Plymouth
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
07999628511
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Plymouth View Boats Page
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28/09/2018
Fishing Report by dominic wilson
on Dawn Venture (Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway)
28 Sep 2018 by dominic wilson
Report on-board Dawn Venture
The wind finally eased for the first time in weeks and we sneaked out to see what was on offer.....we caught a few mackerel and whiting for bait wit a sprinkling of grey gurnards and then it was decided to anchor up.First fish on board was a 60lb common skate which would be followed by 2 more at 139lb and 15lb(smallest onboard so far).we also caught several huss upto 15lb and about 60 spurdogs in the 3-7lb range....fishing was hectic but good for the boys.Pictured is Sandy with his 139lb common skate
View Boats Page
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09/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Sep 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
Well by now most of you will have seen this months Sea Angler Magazine.
If you haven’t then I suggest you go out and buy it, there is an eight page feature on an exploratory trip we did to target Six Gill Sharks and Blue Skate in UK waters.
Lots of people have been asking me how did we find out where to go, well without giving too much away I have a friend who is a commercial fisherman.
He fishes with gill nets well off shore and showed me photos of Porbeagle Sharks and Blue Skate that had been caught in his nets accidentally.
By the time he got his nets onboard the Porbeagles where being eaten by much bigger Sharks!!
When he showed me the photos I said I am going to this place ASAP, this is my type of fishing!!
I called Phil Riley to tell him the dates he had booked in a months time for Wrecking where perfect to have ago for Six Gill Sharks.
At first he was like are you sure they are there, so I send him the photos of the Porbeagle Sharks been eaten in the nets.
He said let’s do it 100%, i then got in touch with Dave Lewis, I told him what our plan was and he said get me on that boat.
As they say the rest well that’s history!!
6 Six Gill Sharks to 512lb (smashed the British record) and 2 Blue Skate to 35lb (no British record exists) a long with lots of other stuff.
I have been told by lots of people that the 512lb Six Gill Shark, is the biggest Shark caught in UK waters that has been boated, measured and returned.
It’s safe to say this is why I called this mark the UK Jurassic Park.
The amazing thing about fishing this area is the potential, you literally do not know what you are going to catch next.
Every time one of us was reeling a fish in weather it was a small fish or big fish all of us we looking over the side of the boat.
It’s got the potential to produce 1000lb+ Sharks, along with Albacore Tuna and maybe one day a Bill fish.
All we need to do is spend more time fishing Jurassic Park and we are the only charter boat in the UK who knows where it is.
So as we speak Size Matters is being coded to do 48 hour charters.
Part of the coding requirement is you need sleeping accommodation for all persons onboard.
This limits us to 4 anglers and 2 Crew for the 48 hour charters.
The cost is £3200 for the whole boat or £800 per person for individuals.
We already have four 48 hour trips booked in for 2019 and three for 2020.
If this type of charter is up your street then contact me, there are only a few limited days in 2020 when we can do these trips.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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14/09/2018
Fishing Report by dominic wilson
on Oberon (Cullivoe, Shetland)
14 Sep 2018 by dominic wilson
Report on-board Oberon
Fished with kenny again on 13-17/9/2018 and in amongst the big swells off the muckle flugga we found some large fish....cod at 34lb/32lb and 30lb also coalfish at 30lb and 29lb and some ling with best at 26lb.On first day it is unlikely that any of the cod were under 20lb
View Boats Page
