Latest Fishing Reports: Highlands and Islands
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04/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Apr 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Plymouth Seafarers SAC have just spent two days on Size Matters, the lads wanted to break the club record for Common Skate set at 190lb in Ireland many years ago.
We had amazing weather, top quality bait and a cracking bunch of lads.
The fishing was tough at times, the bites where very light and the Skate seemed to play with the baits making it hard to hook them.
As always we pulled all the stops out and landed 10 Skate to 204lb with 5 over 190lb, so that was the club record well and truly smashed.
We did catch one Skate with a rope around its tail from a commercial boat and one Skate with another £50 reward tag on.
Also we caught 3 skate that where giving birth, so maybe this is why they where not hitting the baits as hard as in previous weeks.
Massive thanks to Plymouth Seafarers SAC, cracking bunch of lads who all helped each other out while baiting up and fighting fish.
I have got a cancellation for May 15th and 16th whole boat charter only, if you are interested give me a call or text.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
For the last two days we have had the Phoenix Fishing Club from Liverpool onboard.
The night before there first day, I met the lads in the pub for a chat about what the plan was for the first day.
The beer and rum was flowing, so luckily enough I managed to escape so I was fresh for there first day.
In the morning only four of the lads managed to make it to the boat and the other two where bed bound.
The four lads where a bit rough but managed to solider on and catch 8 Skate to 205lb.
On the morning of second day all six lads where heading down to the boat, it was like a seen from the walking dead.
The lads had all over indulged again the night before on whiskey, gin, rum and brandy.
I knew then that we where in for a very hard day, at times on the boat it was more like a homeless shelter than a charter boat.
The lads only managed to catch 3 Skate to 211lb, this just goes to show alcohol and fishing boats don’t mix.
On the plus side I took some cracking photos of the lads in a right state ha ha.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511. View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Well the last two days have been very eventful, for the lads from Gerry’s of Morcambe Fishing Tackle Shop.
On the first day and first drop Jack fought for
1 hour and 55mins what I thought was a big Blue Fin Tuna, before it went into a shallow reef.
We never seen the fish at all during the fight and only once we got it 5ft from the surface about 30 yards from the boat.
We all know seals can not hold there breath for 1 hour 55mins, we have encountered them before on a few occasions in the past.
After we lossed the fish I just couldn’t stop thinking about it and the Skate fishing took a back seat.
Once we got back on the anchor the lads started catching Skate to 205lb, they finished with 7 in total.
On day two as we where steaming out all I was thinking about was that big fish we lossed the day before.
I personally started to think it might of been a porgie tail hooked and that’s why the fight resembled a Tuna, but my gut instinct said it was a Tuna because I have caught so many over the years.
As we turned up at the same spot I dropped the anchor, once the boat set just right in the tide I said to the lads they where good to go.
As they where dropping there baits down I walked into the wheel house and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on the sonar.
Three marks that resemble Blue Fin Tuna just like the ones I see nearly every day out of Plymouth from August to October.
I got the lads chunking just so we could get them up on the surface to get a video, but sadly they disappeared.
The lads kept chunking all day while skate fishing but they never returned.
The lads went on to catch 12 Skate to 199lb, with two triple hook ups.
Darren Breen was top rod with Skate of 205lb and 199lb, followed by Stephen Kane with a nice fish of 199lb.
Massive thanks to the lads at Gerry’s of Morcambe for there excellent team work and good banter onboard.
Please note we are fully aware we are not allowed to target Blue Fin Tuna in UK waters and the ones we have caught in the passed have always been accidental while Shark fishing.
I am sure from now till mid June in Scotland there will be many more surprises for the anglers onboard Size Matters.
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
The Pot Noodle boys from Kent done well on the first day with 8 Skate to 201lb, along with Black Mouth Dogfish, Spurdog and Dogfish.
On the second day the conditions where very tough to say the least making Skate fishing very hard, but Team Pot Noodle still managed 4 Skate to 188lb!!
So far all our anglers have caught Skate and we still have not had a blank day.
We have totalled 144 Skate to 232lb, with 14 over the magic 200lb mark!!
We have had a few cancellations for individuals.
APRIL.
Sunday 14th 1 place available £110.
Wednesday 24th 1 place available £110.
Thursday 25th 1 place available £110.
Friday 26th 1 place available £110.
All top of the range Shimano tackle hire is included in the price.
Massive thanks to Ammo Baits Scotland 07854 888293 for the constant supply of top quality bait.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Well the A team from Liverpool didn’t want to be out done by the Welsh lads.
On the first day we had very good weather so I suggested trying a mark over 30 miles out side the marine protection area.
I had never fished there before but was itching to give it ago, it was alive with Spurdogs at first then after about an hour the Skate moved in.
The lads landed 11 Skate to 176lb, but most where very small 15lb to 100lb.
It was great to find an area that holds all the smaller Skate, this is a great indication that the Skate are reproducing and making a big come back.
On the second day the lads wanted a chance of hooking into a 200lb Skate, so we went to one of our favourite marks.
The lads landed 20 Skate from 119lb to 219lb with a total weight of 3590lb of Skate between 4 anglers in just 9 hours fishing!!!
That’s the new Size Matters record totally smashed for most skate caught in one day.
On the third day the lads wanted to get right back on the same mark, the only problem we had was we where very low on bait.
Graham had drove up from Manchester for the last day, he was first up to get his first skate.
After over a 3 hour wait we got the first bite Graham was into something big, after over an hour of fighting what we thought was a monster Skate it turned out to be a old lobster pot swaying in the strong tide ha ha ha!!!
The lads ended the day on 6 Skate to 216lb.
Biggest fish of the trip went to John Owen with a cracking Skate of 219lb.
Second biggest went to Paul Hendrick at 216lb.
This was followed up by Phil Riley with Skate of 210lb and 208lb.
John Mcbride had Skate to 198lb and Graham Dickingson had Skate to 188lb and a lobster pot ha ha ha.
As you can see the skate fishing is on fire at the moment, sadly Size Matters is fully booked.
If you would like to book to get in on the action then give Buoy Alba Charters a call on
07854 888293, they have dates available from April.
Massive thanks to Ammo Baits Scotland for the constant supply of top quality bait.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Well the welsh boys have smashed it over the last two days, 25 Skate to 211lb, with a total weight of 4323lb!!!
On the first day the lads landed 14 Skate in just 8 hours and set a new record for
Size Matters.
Top three anglers where,
John Frayne he had the biggest skate of 211lb followed by skate of 211lb again, 207lb, 180lb, 119lb, 85lb.
Aled Nicolas had skate of 204lb, 199lb, 193lb, 193lb, 193lb.
Scott Browz had skate of 199lb, 188lb, 185lb, 168lb, 164lb.
As you can see the skate fishing is on fire at the moment.
If you would like to book to get in on the action then give Buoy Alba Charters a call on
07854 888293, they have dates available from April.
Massive thanks to Ammo Baits Scotland for the constant supply of top quality bait.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Over the last few days we have been fishing in some very tough conditions, but we have managed to keep all our anglers catching Skate.
Best day has been 9 Skate to 216lb, with the average size of skate over 180lb each day.
Are total number of skate so far is 70, with 5 over the magic 200lb mark.
Again we would like to thank Ammo Baits Scotland for supplying all our anglers with top quality bait 07854 888293.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
The Skate fishing in Scotland continues to be excellent, best day this week has been 10 Skate.
Top angler so far has been 66 year old Mick Walsh from Wallasey, he landed two skate with in a hour of each other.
The biggest was 232lb (90 inch x 73 inch) followed by a cracking fish of 199lb (86 inch x 66 inch).
When the weather has been settled we have continued to fish outside the the Marine Protection Area.
On one of the days we caught a Skate of 174lb in 640ft of water and 4 hours later we caught the same fish.
On another day we caught our first Skate with no tail going by the wing span of 68 inch this fish was over 200lb.
So far we have caught Skate every day and every angler has caught Skate, long my this continue for the rest of the season.
Total amount of Skate so far is 47, we have also caught Thornback Ray, Spur Dog and Dogfish.
Massive thanks to Ammo baits Scotland for supplying my anglers with top quality bait.
Size Matters is fully booked till November.
From mid April Buoy Alba Charters will be available, this boat is a 30ft Evolution Skippered by Davie.
We will be working as a team to bring you some top quality fishing on the west coast of Scotland.
Davie is no stranger to big fish in Scottish waters, he is one of only a few people to have caught Porbeagle Sharks over 300lb from his own boat.
He has also caught hundreds of Skate from boat and shore.
Give him a call for available dates
+44 7854 888293.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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03/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
We have had a great start to the skate fishing in Scotland, in just a few days we have had 28 Skate, the best day so far is 11 Skate to 207lb.
When the weather has been good we have been fishing well out side the Marine Protection Area for Skate.
The results have been excellent with Skate caught every day, this is very encouraging considering they are not protected areas.
We even had one Skate cough up a Torsk about 4lb, so who knows what mite turn up over the next few months.
Ammo Baits Scotland have just received 7 pallets of Mackerel, XL Squid and Octopus, so if you need any bait give them a call or message on 07854888293.
The anglers we have had on so far have loved the Shimano Tyrnos 80lb class rods and Tyrnos 30 twin speed reels, they are excellent for skate fishing as you can see in the photos.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
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02/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Feb 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Size Matters has now moved to Croabh Haven Scotland, we will be here till mid June mostly targeting Common Skate.
We do have much bigger plans while we are here, when the weather allows I will give everyone the option of fishing the many reefs and wrecks offshore over 40 to 60 miles out.
For the more adventurous anglers I will give them the option of trying for sharks and even trips out to the continental shelf on 48 hour charters.
I have May 2nd and 3rd whole boat available this would be the perfect opportunity to head out to the shelf for a crack at a six gill shark or god knows what else lives out there.
Just in case you are wondering how we will get the anchor down on the shelf we have 2300ft of rope onboard and 100ft on chain especially for these type of trips.
On the trip from Liverpool to Scotland we struggled to catch anything on the wrecks and broken ground marks off the Isle of Man.
So we got a heads up from two of my mates to try a mark off Port Logan for skate bait, thanks lads.
Before heading to Croabh Haven Marina we decide to try for a Skate because the weather was so nice it was more like costa del Scotland then normal Scotland.
No wind and the sun was out, in just 3 hours fishing we had 4 Skate 191lb, 190lb, 178lb, 170lb and dropped 2, we even had a treble hook up with just two of us on the boat, that was fun.
The new Shimano Tyrnos 80lb class stands up sticks and Tyrnos 30 twin speed reels have cut the fight time down to 20 to 35 mins, this is much better for the Skate and angler.
I got lucky with the biggest and it had a data tag on it with a £50 reward, nice little Scottish sweetener or a welcome back present from the Skate gods ha ha.
We have arrived early so we have a few dates available this week.
Available dates for Scotland 2019.
MARCH,
Friday 1st 3 places available £110 pp.
Saturday 2nd 2 places available £110 pp.
Sunday 3rd 2 places available £110 pp.
Tuesday 5th 1 place available £110 pp.
Sunday 10th 1 place available £110 pp.
MAY,
Thursday 2nd Whole boat available.
Friday 3rd Whole boat available.
Thursday 9th 1 place available £110 pp.
Please note all top of the range Shimano tackle is included in the price and you can fish from dawn till dusk.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Scotland View Boats Page
