Latest Fishing Reports: Highlands and Islands
-
12/10/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
12 Oct 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
The 2019 summer season in Plymouth has now come to an end for Size Matters due to the very unsettled weather over the last few weeks.
We started the summer season in June this year two months later than normal because we where up in Scotland catch hundreds of giant Common Skate.
When we arrived in Plymouth 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!!
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!!
It was great to go and do a trip like that for the first time and learn so much in just a short space of time.
It was definitely a very strange season 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 back to Liverpool now we normally do some fishing but the weather window is too small so it’s 360 miles none stop.
We are now fully booked from Plymouth for 2020, we have no whole boat dates available in 2021 from Plymouth.
I have set a side dates in 2021 for individuals, so if you want the chance to fish on
Size Matters from Plymouth in 2021 here is your chance to book.
View Boats Page
-
21/09/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
21 Sep 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
In just over a months time we will be starting our winter season in our home city of Liverpool on the mighty Mersey.
From the end of October to mid November we mostly try to target the off shore wrecks up to 60 miles out, the weather plays a massive factor for these trips.
If we get lucky enough to get out Wrecking you can catch Pollack, Cod and Ling most are 3lb to 6lb with the odd double figure fish every now and again.
If the weather is not so good we can fish the mighty Mersey as a back up, targeting Thornback Rays up to 60+ in a day, Cod in to double figures, but most are 3lb to 5lb, Whiting, Dabs and odd Conger.
From mid November to the end of February we fish the sheltered waters of the mighty Mersey, targeting Cod in to double figures but most are 3lb to 5lb, Whiting and Dabs.
Every season is different and the biggest issue when fishing a tidal estuary is too much fresh water can be a bad thing for sea fish.
We have over 2300 packs of top quality frozen black lug and 96 x 1lb frozen boxes of calamari squid in storage, this is only available to anglers fishing onboard Size Matters.
We also have a full range of top quality Shimano fishing tackle available to use free of charge. View Boats Page
-
17/09/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
17 Sep 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
During the last week the fishing has been very up and down.
At anchor we have been catching Conger to 45lb and Ling to 21lb, our best day we caught 50 Conger to 45lb in just 4 hours.
But when we have had east winds the fishing has been very poor, this is very strange because we have had some of our best days on an east wind in previous years.
We did give the off shore wrecks ago on the drift with lures and bait.
Sadly there is no change and they are fishing very poor, on one of the days and we done a 15 hour charter traveling over 140 mile round trip for just 25 Pollack to 10lb and a Ling of 17lb.
Hopefully some fish will turn up on the off shore wrecks before we finish our season in October.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511.
#Plymouth
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
-
11/09/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
11 Sep 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
After taking time off for a fantastic family holiday, we are now back in on the action.
Over the last four days we have been fishing at anchor for Conger and Ling.
We have boated 202 Conger to 54lb
(all returned) and 23 Ling to a massive
39lb 8oz and a new boat record for
Size Matters!!!
On our best day the lads boated 72 Conger with four over 50lb with the biggest at 54lb and 8 Ling to a massive 39lb 8oz!!!
The massive Ling of 39lb 8oz was caught by Jason Morgan from Tintern, we took a few photos of the Ling so you can see just how big it was, well done Jason.
Tony McQuillan caught two Conger on the same trip over 50lb with the best tipping the scales to 54lb, this was his personal best Conger and it was his birthday, well done Tony.
Sadly the wreck fishing on the drift with lures and bait is extremely poor, just the odd small Pollack and Ling showing.
Over the next few weeks we will try to get the anchor down as much as possible to give our anglers there best possible chance of a good days fishing.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511.
#Plymouth
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
-
08/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Aug 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
As the old saying goes, when the wind is in the west the fish bite the best, when the wind is in the east the fish bite the least.
That sums up the fishing from Plymouth during the last week, there is never two days the same in the fishing game.
Sharking is definitely not a patch on previous years, ebb tide has been much more productive than the flood tide for the sharks and we have only had blues to 60lb and Porbeagles to 20lb this week.
Fishing at anchor for Conger to 55lb and Ling to 24lb has been good when the conditions are right, but every wreck we have fished this week has had lost wreck nets on and we have been having to pull the fish through the nets, this is a nightmare when trying to land big Conger.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511.
#Plymouth
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
-
08/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Aug 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
We managed to get out for a few days after nearly a week of bad weather.
We had a group of anglers on from South Wales and Bristol who fish with us each year, the plan was to go for Conger.
The water was like pea soup up to three miles out after all the bad weather and the mackerel where very hard to find, it took four hours to catch 50 pin mackerel, Pouting and Whiting for bait to put the anchor down.
When we got the anchor down the lads where straight into Conger after a few hours the lads started to run out of bait so I fished for Whiting and Pouting on baited feathers.
The lads done well considering the bait shortage, Conger to over 50lb, odd Ling and Cod.
The lads pulled the hook on some nice Conger and lossed a few in the wreck, but that’s Conger fishing.
Then I had a group of regulars on from Peterborough, they booked a four day Guernsey trip, but the with the weather forecast the only option was to fish from Plymouth for two days.
We decided to stick to the reefs and we got quite lucky considering the way the weather has been and we where fishing neap tides.
The lads caught plenty of Pollack to 8lb most where 4lb to 5lb, odd Bass to 5lb, odd Cod to 3lb and the first John Dory of the year.
The weather looks quiet bad now for a few days, let’s hope it settles down quickly so we can get back out and try and make a few dreams come true.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Plymouth View Boats Page
-
08/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Aug 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
We are now just 11 weeks away from starting our winter season in our home city of Liverpool on the mighty Mersey.
From the end of October to mid November we mostly try to target the off shore wrecks up to 60 miles out, the weather plays a massive factor for these trips.
If we get lucky enough to get out Wrecking you can catch Pollack, Cod and Ling most are 3lb to 6lb with the odd double figure fish every now and again.
If the weather is not so good we can fish the mighty Mersey as a back up, targeting Thornback Rays up to 60+ in a day, Cod in to double figures, but most are 3lb to 5lb, Whiting, Dabs and odd Conger.
From mid November to the end of February we fish the sheltered waters of the mighty Mersey, targeting Cod in to double figures but most are 3lb to 5lb, Whiting and Dabs.
Every season is different and the biggest issue when fishing a tidal estuary is too much fresh water can be a bad thing for sea fish.
We have over 2000 packs of top quality frozen black lug and 96 x 1lb frozen boxes of calamari squid in storage, this is only available to anglers fishing onboard Size Matters.
We also have a full range of top quality Shimano fishing tackle available to use free of charge.
If you would like to join us, check out our calendar, check out our Facebook page, give us a call or email.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool).
07999628511.
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
#Shimano
#Liverpool
#Mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
-
08/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Aug 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
From hero to zero in just a week, that’s the life of a charter skipper, we are only as good as our last charter and if last week is anything to go by it’s time to sell the boat ha ha.
After our amazing three day Thresher trip, we had Sefton Sea Anglers with us for a few days, the plan was off shore wrecking.
We thought we knew where there was some quality fish, but after traveling over 200 miles and trying 16 wrecks over the two days we had very little to show for our efforts, just Conger to 30lb, Ling to 15lb and Pollack to 8lb.
Then I had two brothers down from Stoke who book the whole boat each year for sharking.
They managed 11 Blues to 110lb (released in the water) and only boated a few small ones for photos, so it was a welcome boost we needed, well done lads.
Then I had The Ship Fishing Club from the Wirral with me for there annual few days each year.
They wanted to go Wrecking but I advised them it was extremely poor, so we hit the inshore reefs and caught plenty of
Pollock to 7lb, Ling to 16lb, odd Bass to 3lb and odd Cod to 3lb.
At the end of the week I had Heartcliff Sea Anglers onboard for there first sharking trip of the year, conditions where perfect, plenty of bait and chum.
Hopes where very high after our last sharking trip but it was very slow we only managed one small Blue about 35lb.
After speaking to a few other skippers in Plymouth and other ports along the south west coast they where struggling on the sharks too some boats catching up to 5 a day and some none.
What we have noticed is the water is very clear now, all the algae has started to die off and is sinking to the sea bed.
When sharking the deepest rod was getting lots of red slime on the line this is the algae dieing and from passed experience the fish don’t feed to good when this is about.
There is some good news though, the Mackerel have turned up in massive shoals, good size too some over 2lb.
I was even catching them out side the lock gate while waiting for it to open each evening.
I have had family down to visit me and I took them out for an evening mackerel fishing, they all loved it.
If you ever want to get anyone into sea fishing then take them mackerel fishing for the first time.
We caught our first Chub Mackerel this week that’s now 64 species caught on Size Matters so far.
This coming week we had some very serious anglers booked in for our first proper go at some big Conger, the lads where traveling from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
Sadly the weather forecast is terrible so we have had to cancel, the big Conger will have to wait now till the net set of neap tides.
I personally think this bad weather we are going to have this week will do the fishing some good, it will get the sea stirred up and get the fish on the move and feeding again.
We are no fully booked for Plymouth till 2021, massive thanks to everyone who has booked onboard Size Matters, you all know how hard I work and love the job I do.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Plymouth View Boats Page
-
07/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jul 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
After doing 30 straight days of charters, it was a relief to take time off last week when the weather turned bad.
This give me chance to see the family and recharge my batteries, as soon as the weather settled it was back to work as usual and putting our anglers on fish.
The lads from Bristol who fish with me every month where kept busy catching Pollack and Ling in to double figures.
They also managed to catch some monster Tub Gurnard and a surprise Red Mullet.
After catching the Red Mullet I totalled up how many species we have caught on Size Matters and it stands at 63 so far.
The best news of all is that the Shark fishing is in full swing, the lads today managed 19 Blue Sharks to 105lb, long my it continue.
Here are the last few dates available for 2020 from Plymouth onboard Size Matters.
INDIVIDUALS PLYMOUTH 2020.
APRIL
Saturday 4th 12 hour wrecking trip
1 place available.
Sunday 12th 12 hour wrecking trip
1 place available.
MAY
Friday 22nd 12 hour wrecking trip
2 places available.
JULY
Thursday 23rd 12 hour sharking trip
places available.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters Plymouth.
07999628511
#Shimano
#Mckiesfishingcharters
#Plymouth View Boats Page
-
07/2019
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jul 2019 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
We have had perfect weather and tides to target big Ling on the drift with some crackers coming out.
I had our regular three amigos from Nottingham onboard for the monthly trip they wanted to target big Ling, they managed 34 Ling to 31lb, 29 Pollack to 10lb and Conger to 45lb between the three of them.
Ste Radford caught his biggest ever Ling of 31lb, Bob Booth caught Ling to 27lb and Malcome Smith caught Ling to 20lb.
Yours truly caught a monster Ling of 34lb, but don’t tell the boss because I am not ment to fish when on shift ha ha.
We have also started splitting our Sharking trips half day sharking and half day Conger fishing, this has produced up to 3 Blue Sharks a day to 50lb and plenty of Conger to 45lb.
The algae bloom is holding off shore about 30 miles out so hopefully this will start to clear and the shark fishing will be as good as last year in the coming months. View Boats Page
