Latest Fishing Reports: Highlands and Islands
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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
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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
The winter season has now come to an end for Size Matters in Liverpool on the mighty Mersey.
This season started off well with plenty of Rays to 12lb, Whiting, Dabs, odd Conger to 10lb and a few Cod to 7lb.
As the water temperature dropped the Rays moved off shore and we started catching more Cod to 12lb 3oz, Whiting and Dabs.
Once we started to get more rain and snow the fishing became quite hard at times, but once the Mersey got back to normal levels the fishing started to pick up.
This season was much better than last season so hopefully it’s going to get better each year now and we get back to catching 40 to 60 cod per trip.
There has been lots of micro Coding in the Mersey this year which is always a good sign for the future.
The wreck fishing never got going because we only managed to get out to the wrecks once because of the weather.
When we did get out we had 50+ Pollack to 6lb and the odd Cod.
We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has fished with us from Liverpool this season and we appreciate your continued support.
Here is a full list of available dates for next winter season from Liverpool.
OCTOBER
Friday 25th Wrecking 9.30am sailing £80 pp 9 places available.
NOVEMBER
Friday 1st 23 hour Wrecking trip £160 pp
7 places available.
Sunday 3rd Wrecking 4am sailing £80 pp
12 places available.
Tuesday 5th Wrecking 5am sailing £80 pp
12 places available.
Wednesday 6th Wrecking 6.30am sailing
£80 pp 3 places available.
Friday 8th Wrecking 8.30am sailing £80 pp
11 places available.
Tuesday 19th Mersey 5am sailing £45 pp
12 places available.
Wednesday 20th Mersey 5am sailing £45 pp
11 places available.
DECEMBER
Thursday 5th Mersey 6am sailing £45 pp
11 places available.
Friday 6th Mersey 7am sailing £45 pp
12 places available.
Saturday 7th Mersey 8am sailing £45 pp
9 places available.
Monday 9th Mersey 8.30am sailing £45 pp
11 places available.
Wednesday 18th Mersey 4.30am sailing
£45 pp 12 places available.
Thursday 19th Mersey 5am sailing £45 pp
10 places available.
Sunday 22nd Mersey 8am sailing £45 pp
9 places available.
Monday 23rd Mersey 8.30am sailing £45 pp
11 places available.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool).
07999628511.
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Shimano
#Liverpool
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
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01/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
It’s good to be back on the Mersey after our Christmas and New Year holiday.
The weather has been very mild for the time of year, this has seen us still catching Rays and the odd Dogfish.
The Cod fishing is picking up with our best days seeing over 20 keepers, most around the 3lb mark with the odd one to 9lb showing.
Also we are catching Whiting, Dabs and Flounders.
If anyone knows a guy called Leigh Willams who has book a trip on Size Matters this month tell him to call me the number I have for him doesn’t work anymore.
If you would like to joins us this winter then,
here is a list of available dates for Liverpool.
JANUARY,
Sunday 5th Mersey £45pp
1 place available 11.30am sailing.
Wednesday 9th Mersey £45 pp
10 places available 2.30am sailing.
Thursday 10th Mersey £45 pp
5 places available 3am sailing.
Tuesday 15th Mersey £45 pp
12 places available 5.30am sailing.
Wednesday 16th Mersey £45 pp
9 places available 6.30am 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
10 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
10 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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12/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Well if there was ever a year for a charter boat, 2018 was definitely Size Matters year.
We had the biggest fishing article feature in Sea Angler Magazine for over 10 years and managed two front covers!!!
Sponsorship from Shimano UK with a full range of new tackle to be used in 2019.
During 2018 we helped our anglers catch some truly amazing fish in UK waters.
Six Gill Sharks to 512lb ( Unofficial British record),
Blue Fin Tuna to 366lb (Accidental Catch).
Porbeagle Shark to 300lb.
Common Skate to 220lb.
White Skate to 160lb (Unofficial British record),
Blue Shark to 130lb,
Blue Skate to 40lb (Unofficial British record).
All this in just the space of five months!!!
That’s Six different species of fish in UK waters over 100lb, we also are the only boat in the UK to have ever caught all 3 species of Giant Skate!!!
You may be wondering how the hell we can better this next year, well we sure are going to try.
We have now changed our code of practice, we can now stay at sea for up to four days at a time, fully insured.
We now have a fully fitted shower with hot fresh water onboard, Satellite phone, all new safety equipment, three different appliances have been fitted for cooking meals, sleeping accommodation for four anglers and two crew.
It was costly to do this but we know this is going to be the future of UK charter fishing.
The charters we have planned over the next two years are going to push UK charter fishing to it’s limit!!!
All we need to make these charters happen is good weather and a bit of luck on our side.
Please note we do not target for Blue Fin Tuna and do not offer Blue Fin Tuna fishing charters.
We still have a few individual places available for Scotland in spring 2019.
Plymouth 2019 is fully booked and we only have 8 days available in 2020 from Plymouth.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends, customers and fellow skippers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Tight Lines and Screaming Reel’s!!!
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Liverpool #Scotland #Plymouth #Shimano #Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
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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
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
Well if there was ever a year for a charter boat, 2018 was definitely Size Matters year.
We had the biggest fishing article feature in Sea Angler Magazine for over 10 years and managed two front covers!!!
Sponsorship from Shimano UK with a full range of new tackle to be used in 2019.
During 2018 we helped our anglers catch some truly amazing fish in UK waters.
Six Gill Sharks to 512lb ( Unofficial British record),
Blue Fin Tuna to 366lb (Accidental Catch).
Porbeagle Shark to 300lb.
Common Skate to 220lb.
White Skate to 160lb (Unofficial British record),
Blue Shark to 130lb,
Blue Skate to 40lb (Unofficial British record).
All this in just the space of five months!!!
That’s Six different species of fish in UK waters over 100lb, we also are the only boat in the UK to have ever caught all 3 species of Giant Skate!!!
You may be wondering how the hell we can better this next year, well we sure are going to try.
We have now changed our code of practice, we can now stay at sea for up to four days at a time, fully insured.
We now have a fully fitted shower with hot fresh water onboard, Satellite phone, all new safety equipment, three different appliances have been fitted for cooking meals, sleeping accommodation for four anglers and two crew.
It was costly to do this but we know this is going to be the future of UK charter fishing.
The charters we have planned over the next two years are going to push UK charter fishing to it’s limit!!!
All we need to make these charters happen is good weather and a bit of luck on our side.
Please note we do not target for Blue Fin Tuna and do not offer Blue Fin Tuna fishing charters.
We still have a few individual places available for Scotland in spring 2019.
Plymouth 2019 is fully booked and we only have 8 days available in 2020 from Plymouth.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends, customers and fellow skippers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Tight Lines and Screaming Reel’s!!!
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Liverpool #Scotland #Plymouth #Shimano #Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
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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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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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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
