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
We are delighted to announce we have caught the first ever Blue Skate in Scottish waters on rod and line all 22lb if it (43 inch x 30 inch).
The lucky angler was Bert Willams from the Wirral Merseyside.
This now puts Size Matters on all three species of giant Skate in Scottish/UK waters, SMASHED IT!!!
We have had some very good weather over the last week and on some of the days we ventured over 30 miles out side the Marine Protection Area.
All the marks produced Skate, Spurs, Blackmouth Dogfish and Dogfish.
We fished in depths from 180ft to 850ft, trying all manor of baits and tactics.
We now have 9 new locations that produce Skate, when we get the weather and anglers are willing to go exploring then we are more than happy to do it.
Even when fishing areas that are new to us we have still managed to keep our record with no blanks and all anglers catching Skate.
Biggest Skate over the last week was 216lb caught by Tony Sulcas and it was his first ever Skate!!
This takes our total to 251 Skate for the season so far with 31 over the magic 200lb mark!!
We still have May 15th and 16th available whole boat charter only.
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Scotland
#mckiesfishingcharters
View Boats Page
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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
The Preston lad’s joined the 200lb club over the last two day’s, with Roy’s lucky school shoes, as he likes to call them.
On the first day the lad’s caught 9 Skate,
4 over 200lb with the biggest going
90 inch X 71 inch 226lb!!
George got the big Skate at 226lb, followed by Roy with his biggest ever Skate of 207lb,
Brian was very lucky he caught 2 Skate over 200lb (201lb & 202lb) on his first ever Skate fishing trip!!
On the second day we started off very well with two Skate over 200lb for Mick (204lb) and Luke (203lb).
Then the light rod (for Blackmouth Dogfish) bent over with a Skate on, George was up for the challenge and 1 hour and 10 mins later he landed a Skate of 143lb on a Shimano Vengeance 20/30 and Shimano Torium 20HG reel loaded with 50lb braid.
After that the lads caught 5 more Skate to take the total to 8 for the day.
While Roy was fighting one of the Skate we realised he had left his bum in his going out suit ha ha (check the photo out).
Joke’s aside we did catch a Skate with a rope around its tail again, we quickly removed it but by the look of it I think it will lose it’s tail.
Massive thanks to the lad’s for all the good banter and team work onboard.
So far we have now caught a total of 216 Skate to 232lb with 26 over the magic 200lb mark!!
We still have May 15th and 16th available whole boat charter only.
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Scotland)
07999628511.
#Shimano
#Scotland
#mckiesfishingcharters View Boats Page
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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
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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
