Latest Fishing Reports: Highlands and Islands
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03/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
On April 1st we will be starting our charter season from Plymouth, if you would like to have a realistic chance at catching big Sharks, Conger, Ling, Cod, Pollack, plus many more. Then Size Matters is the boat for you, here is a full list of individual or small group dates this coming season from Plymouth.
All charters are 12 hour trips sailing at 7am to 7pm, from Sutton harbour (post code PL1 2LR) or Mount batten jetty (post code PL9 9SJ free parking).
Just let me know where you would like to be picked up from at the time of booking.
Wrecking is £750 (whole boat)
or £75 pp max 12.
Sharking is £600 (whole boat)
or £110 pp max 6.
Reefing is £600 (whole boat)
or £60 per person max 12
All tackle is included and hot drinks, if you lose or damage any tackle you will have to pay for repairs or replacement.
Deposits are £50 per person per day for individuals or small groups and whole boat bookings required a £250 deposit per day booked.
APRIL,
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
4th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
14th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
16th Wrecking £75 pp 1 place.
MAY,
1st to 4th Guernsey trip £400 pp 4 places.
(8 max).
24th Reefing £60 pp 4 places.
JUNE,
16th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
23rd Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
26th Wrecking £75 pp 1 place.
27th Wrecking £75 pp 2 places.
28th Wrecking £75 pp 2 places
JULY,
7th Wrecking £75 pp 2 places.
10th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
24th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
28th Sharking £110 pp 4 places.
AUGUST,
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
4th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
11th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
18th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
19th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
20th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
21st Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 8 places.
22nd Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
SEPTEMBER,
4th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
12th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
13th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 3 places.
15th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
16th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
17th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
18th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
24th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
25th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
OCTOBER,
5th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
6th Wrecking £75 pp 7 places.
13th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
Here are the last weekend and bank holiday dates available for whole boat bookings only.
APRIL,
Bank holiday Monday 17th,
MAY,
Saturday 20th,
Bank holiday Monday 29th,
SEPTEMBER,
Saturday 9th,
Saturday 23rd,
OCTOBER,
Sunday 1st.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters 07999628511,
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
View Boats Page
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02/03/2017
Fishing Report by Roger Eaton
on Blue Fin (Oban, Argyll & Bute)
2 Mar 2017 by Roger Eaton
Report on-board Blue Fin
A new season ahead.
The boat is coming on with most of the winter refit completed. Lots of work has been done but I won’t bore you with that here and will instead talk about fishing as I am looking forward to the start of a new season.
Last year the fishing proved to be a very good with some of the best skate fishing so far. Several fish topped the magic 200lb mark with plenty in the high hundreds. I will admit though that there were a few days when the fish were not interested but that’s fishing for you!
The general fishing in Loch Etive also had its moments with some very good days, even had a tadpole fish! It was a first for this boat but I expect we will see another at some point.
For 2017 I have treated the boat to a complete new set of rods and reels. The old 6/0 114H Penn reels have done their time and have been replaced with modern 2 speed reels. Also the Penn Ally rods that were showing signs of wear have been upgraded. The general fishing gear has also been upgraded with new tackle, so we will be starting the season with all new Penn tackle. All this is with grateful thanks to Pure Fishing UK Ltd.
The bookings are starting to roll in, with more so far than this time last year, so perhaps a good idea to make your booking now rather than risk disappointment later on.
With the hope of a good weather ahead I’ll sign off for now and wish you all good fishing for 2017.
Tight lines to all. View Boats Page
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02/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Feb 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
The winter season is now over for Size Matters on the mighty Mersey and what a good season it was. Cod to 15lb 8oz, Thornback Ray to 13lb 5oz, Conger to 13lb and Whiting to 2lb 6oz. The best day we had on the Cod was 64 keepers, most days we had 30+ between October and February.
The best day on the Rays was 56 (all returned alive) most days we had 25+ between October and early December.
This winter season was one of the warmest and most settled yet, we had one frost in November and only a few days of strong wind's.
Next winter season as well as fishing the Mersey on the neap tides, we are going to start fishing the spring tide's in places like the Queen's channel, Burbo bank and Liverpool bay. The tide is not as strong in these areas and spring tides fish much better, the only down side is the weather must be very good to do this. Our first charter back on the Mersey will be October 23rd to February 27th, already our weekend dates are filling fast.
Here is a full list of available weekend dates for the next winter season. Most charters are 9 to 10 hours, cost is £45 per person and this includes all tackle and hot drinks.
Mersey.
October,
Sunday 29th 7 places 6am sailing.
November,
Saturday 25th 11 places 4am sailing.
Sunday 26th 4 places 4.30am sailing.
December,
Saturday 9th 7 places 4.30am sailing.
Saturday 16th 7 places 10.30am sailing.
Sunday 17th 12 places 11am sailing.
Saturday 23rd 11 places 3am sailing.
Sunday 24th 12 places 3.30am sailing.
Saturday 30th 4 places 9am sailing.
January,
Saturday 13th 9 places 9.30am sailing.
Sunday 14th 12 places 10am sailing.
Sunday 28th 10 places 8.30am sailing.
February,
Saturday 10th 11 places 7.30am sailing.
Sunday 11th 10 places 8.30am sailing.
Saturday 24th 10 places 5.30am sailing.
Sunday 25th 12 places 6.30am sailing.
Queen's channel, Burbo bank, Liverpool bay.
November,
Sunday 19th 12 places 11.40am sailing.
January,
Sunday 7th 7 places 4.30am sailing.
Saturday 20th 10 places 3am sailing.
Sunday 21st 10 places 3.30am sailing.
February,
Saturday 17th 12 places 2am sailing.
Sunday 18th 12 places 2.30am sailing.
Cheers
Kev
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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02/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Feb 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
We are fast approaching the end of the winter Cod season on the Mersey. The fishing over the last four weeks has been up and down, most days we are boating 20+ to 30+ Cod a trip to 10lb 8oz. On February 7th we had a very good day we boated 64 Sizeable Codling from 2lb to 4lb 8oz. That's the most we have had in one trip all season. There is still a few big whiting around we had one that was 54cm it weighed 2lb 6oz that's a big whiting for the Mersey! Rays, flounders and dabs have started to show so spring is well on the way and it won't be long till the Cod move out to deeper water and the rays take there place in the Mersey.
Size Matters last trip on the Mersey is February 23rd then it's time to head south in March to Plymouth for the Summer season.
Here are the last available dates on the Mersey this winter.
Saturday 18th sailing at 5am sailing 2 places.
Tuesday 21st sailing at 7.30am sailing 2 places.
Wednesday 22nd sailing at 8.45am sailing 1 place.
Cheers
Kev
07999628511 View Boats Page
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01/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
On April 1st we will be starting our charter season from Plymouth, if you would like to have a realistic chance at catching big Sharks, Conger, Ling, Cod, Pollack, plus many more. Then Size Matters is the boat for you, here is a full list of individual or small group dates this coming season from Plymouth.
All charters are 12 hour trips sailing at 7am to 7pm, from Sutton harbour (post code PL1 2LR) or Mount batten jetty (post code PL9 9SJ free parking).
Just let me know where you would like to be picked up from at the time of booking.
Wrecking is £750 (whole boat)
or £75 pp max 12.
Sharking is £600 (whole boat)
or £110 pp max 6.
Reefing is £600 (whole boat)
or £60 per person max 12
All tackle is included and hot drinks, if you lose or damage any tackle you will have to pay for repairs or replacement.
Deposits are £50 per person per day for individuals or small groups and whole boat bookings required a £250 deposit per day booked.
APRIL,
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 6 places.
13th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
14th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
16th Wrecking £75 pp 2 places.
MAY,
1st to 4th Guernsey trip £400 pp 3 places.
(8 max).
12th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
25th Reefing £60 pp 4 places.
26th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
JUNE,
16th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
23rd Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
JULY,
7th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
10th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
24th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
AUGUST,
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
4th Wrecking £75 pp 6 places.
11th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
18th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
19th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
20th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
21st Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 8 places.
22nd Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 9 places.
SEPTEMBER,
4th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
12th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
13th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 5 places.
14th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 3 places.
15th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
18th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
24th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
25th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
OCTOBER,
5th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
6th Wrecking £75 pp 7 places.
13th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
Here are the last weekend and bank holiday dates available for whole boat bookings only.
APRIL,
Sunday 9th,
Saturday 15th,
Bank holiday Monday 17th,
MAY,
Saturday 20th,
Bank holiday Monday 29th,
SEPTEMBER,
Saturday 9th,
Saturday 23rd,
OCTOBER,
Sunday 1st.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters 07999628511,
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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01/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
Here is a full list of individual or small group dates this season from Plymouth.
All charters are 12 hour trips sailing at 7am to 7pm, from
Sutton harbour (post code PL1 2LR) or Mount batten jetty (post code PL9 9SJ free parking).
Just let me know where you would like to be picked up at the time of booking.
April.
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 6 places.
13th Wrecking £75 pp 4 places.
14th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
16th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
May.
12th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
25th Reefing £60 pp 4 places.
26th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
June.
16th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
23rd Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
July.
7th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
10th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
24th Wrecking £75 pp 6 places.
25th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places.
27th Sharking £110 pp 4 places (Max 6).
28th Sharking £110 pp 4 places (Max6).
August.
3rd Wrecking £75 pp 11 places.
4th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
11th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
18th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
19th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
20th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
21st Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 8 places.
22nd Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 10 places.
September.
4th Wrecking £75 pp 9 places.
12th Sharking £110 pp 3 places (Max 6).
13th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 6 places.
14th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 6 places.
15th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
16th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
17th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place.
18th Sharking £110 pp 2 places (Max 6).
24th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
25th Sharking £110 pp 1 place (Max 6).
October.
5th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
6th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places.
13th Wrecking £75 pp 10 places.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters Plymouth
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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01/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
As we kick off 2017 the Cod season is well underway in the mighty Mersey!!!
We managed to get out five times in the last week, best day we boated 51 Cod to 14lb 3oz (returned alive to fight another day). Over the next 4-6 weeks is probably the best time to target big Mersey Cod. Here is a full list of available dates onboard Size Matters.
18th 12 places sailing at 4.30am.
20th 6 places sailing at 5.30am.
23rd 2 places sailing at 8.30am.
25th 7 places sailing at 10.30am.
Cost is £45 per person, this includes all tackle, hot drinks and free parking.
Bait is extra on the day and most charters are for 9-10 hours.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters Liverpool
07999628511. View Boats Page
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12/2016
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2016 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
People say there is a story behind every photograph and this was know exception.
Here is Brian Houghton from Preston with a 15lb 8oz Cod he caught onboard Size Matters fishing in the river Mersey.
He caught the cod in the first hour of the trip during darkness, it was his personal best Cod. The photographs where not the best because of the poor light, so I filled the fish bin with sea water to keep it alive until we had enough daylight to get some better photographs. After we got the photographs we wanted, Brian bleed the fish ready for the table. A short while later I spoke to one of the other skipper's and I said when we go into the marina later can I weigh the Cod on your scales just to verify it, he said yes not problem so we kept the Cod in water to hold its weight. When we got back to the marina 8 hours later and after the Cod was bleed it tipped the other boats scales at 14lb 9oz. I was gutted and even more so was Brian who caught it, I couldn't believe it had lost 15oz and I was sure my scales where not out by that much. Later on when I was cleaning the boat down i emptied the fish bin full of water and at the bottom of the fish bin was a half digested whiting about 8oz, crab's and shrimp's. I got on the phone to Brian and said when you gutted the Cod was there anything in it's stomach, he said no and he thought it was very strange for a Cod like that to have nothing in it's stomach. I then told him it's belly contents was all in the bottom of the fish bin!
Moral of the story, always check the fish bin when weighing a fish or you could ruin someone's Christmas ha ha.
On that note Merry Christmas and all the best for 2017.
Thank you to everyone who has fished with us this year roll on 2017!!
Availability in January.
Tuesday 3rd, 6 places available,
Wednesday 4th, 12 places available,
Thursday 5th, 12 places available,
Wednesday 18th, 12 places available,
Thursday 19th, 9 places available,
Friday 20th, 7 places available,
Monday 23rd, 5 places available,
Wednesday 25th, 11 places available,
Cheers
Kev
07999628511 View Boats Page
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12/2016
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2016 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Over the last week the fishing on the Mersey has been up and down.
Our best day was 52 cod to 7lb, but the worst day was only 9 cod to 4lb.
Most day's we caught 25 to 35 cod, along with odd thornback ray and loads of good whiting and dabs.
When you are fishing the Mersey it's so important to use a decent size bait when targeting cod and you must change the bait every 15 to 20 minutes. Because the sent gets washed out of the bait in the fast tide. Even if the bait look's ok after being in the sea for 15 minutes or more it has no sent and must be replaced with fresh bait.
The amount of anglers I get on my boat who think I am just trying to sell them bait is unreal. I am not interested in selling you bait I just want you to catch lot's of fish, at the end of the day that's why you have booked a day's fishing.
Here are the next dates I have available,
Monday December 19th, 7 places sailing at 4.30am.
Tuesday January 3rd, 10 places available sailing at 3.45am.
Wednesday January 4th, 12 places available sailing at 4.30am.
Thursday January 5th, 12 places available sailing at 5am.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters (Liverpool)
07999628511 View Boats Page
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11/2016
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Nov 2016 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
The last set of neap tides on the Mersey started off very good. Catching up to 43 Cod a trip to 10lb, along with plenty of Whiting and a Dabs. Then we had two days of heavy rain and it thinned the Cod out to 20 to 25 a trip, most in the 2lb to 3lb range. The good news is we have had no rain since then and the fishing is improving day by day. The long range forecast for the next set of neap tides is giving light winds and no rain.
Here is a full list of available dates for December.
Saturday 3rd 3 places available.
Monday 5th 1 place available.
Sunday 11th 3 places available.
Monday 19th 10 places available.
Thursday 22nd 7 places available.
Friday 23rd 6 places available.
Cheers
Kev
Size Matters (Liverpool)
07999628511. View Boats Page
