Latest Fishing Reports: Argyll & Bute
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03/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
After my charter yesterday me and my two friends went back out in the night for a few hours to catch our first skate.
Baz caught one of 163lb, I got one of 150lb and Glynn had one of 80lb, I need to tick that one off my list!
Today started off slow then after about two hours we hooked our first skate of the day, sadly the hook pulled after about 10 mins.
Then straight away on another rod one of the lads hooked something we could not stop, he had it on for about 5 mins until the line parted. I think it was a fool hooked skate kiting in the tide.
Then it was none stop skate after skate, we landed 10 again 199lb, 199lb, 194lb, 188lb, 182lb, 168lb, 160lb, 110lb, 80lb, 70lb.
Incredible fishing!!
We caught one skate with a large lump on its face and a few tagged fish with three different types of tags on them.
It’s great to see these fish can be caught time and time again giving great sport to anglers.
Please no negative comments, I would rather spend my time getting my anglers on the fish than replying to keyboard warriors.
If you have any issues regarding what I do give me a call, I am a civil scouser honest ha ha.
Thanks
Kev
07999628511.
View Boats Page
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03/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Mar 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Today was one of them fishing days as a charter skipper that I will remember for the rest of my career!
It was my first charter on the monster skate, none of the lads had caught them before including myself. So the pressure was on me big time, but the fish gods where on my side once again.
First drop with in a minute we had the first skate on, a small male at 56lb, not the biggest skate but the first one ever in Size Matters!!
The pressure was off, then every 30 mins or so it was a skate on!!
We caught 10 skate 210lb, 208lb, 191lb, 168lb, 161lb, 160lb, 141lb, 66lb, 56lb, 51lb.
At one point we had 3 of the biggest skate on at the same time, I was all over the deck like an octopus. My back is in bulk now but well worth the effort, I just hope the fishing continues like this for the next 2 weeks.
If you are booked on with us while we are in Scotland, then you are in for some quality fishing.
Thanks
Kev View Boats Page
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02/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Feb 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Size Matters has now finished on the Mersey for this winter season. The season started off very well back in October/November with good numbers of Rays and Cod showing in the Mersey and the wrecks where full of Pollack.
Sadly from the end of December after that very cold spell we had and all the rain,
the Mersey just never recovered and steadily got worse. On the plus side our last trip out we headed a few miles offshore and the lads caught 19 Rays to 10lb 8oz, Dogfish, Whiting and Dabs.
In the next few weeks the Rays will be back in the Mersey in big numbers and hopefully a spring run of Cod will follow them for the charter boats who fish there all year around.
As a whole this winter season on the Mersey was very poor compared to the previous years, anglers where expecting 30 to 70 Cod per day but we where lucky to get 15 keepers per day. I would like to thank everyone who fished with us this winter season on the Mersey, even though the fishing was not the best my hard core regulars still kept booking trips and kept us 98% fully booked all season.
If you like to fish from a charter boat that is clean, well maintained, fast, very comfortable and with more deck space than the QE2 then Size Matters is the boat for you.
Here is a list of available dates sailing from Liverpool next winter. If you want weekends or midweek with good sailing times then you need to book early. I will update my calendar on my website and CBUK as soon as possible so you can see what dates are available.
Mersey trips are £45 per person this includes all tackle and hot drinks, duration is 9 to 10 hours depending on the lock times, bait is extra on the day if you need it.
Wrecking trips are £80 per person this includes all tackle and hot drinks.
Any tackle you lose you must pay for, duration is 11 to 12 hours.
23 hour Wrecking trips are £160 per person this includes all tackle and hot drinks.
Any tackle you lose you must pay for.
October
Tuesday 23rd Mersey 11.30am sailing whole boat available.
Sunday 28th 23 hour Wrecking trip 1am sailing 6 places available. (Max 10)
Monday 29th Wrecking or Mersey 3.30am sailing whole boat available.
Tuesday 30th 4am sailing Wrecking or Mersey whole boat available.
Wednesday 31st 5am sailing Wrecking or Mersey whole boat available.
November
Thursday 1st Wrecking 5am sailing 8 places available.
Saturday 3rd Wrecking 7.30am sailing
3 places available.
Saturday 10th 23 hour Wrecking trip 1.30am sailing 10 places available. (Max 10)
Sunday 11th Mersey 1.30pm sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 15th Mersey 5am sailing 11 places available.
Tuesday 20th Mersey 9.30am sailing 11 places available.
December
Thursday 13th Mersey 3.30am sailing
11 places available.
Sunday 16th Mersey 5.30am sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 20th Mersey 9.30am sailing
9 places available.
Saturday 29th Mersey 5am sailing 10 places available.
Sunday 30th Mersey 5.30am sailing 8 places available.
January
Thursday 3rd Mersey 9.30am sailing 10 places available.
Sunday 6th Mersey 11.30am sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 17th Mersey 8am sailing 8 places available.
Saturday 19th Mersey 10am sailing 11 places available.
February
Sunday February 3rd Mersey 10.30am sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 14th Mersey 6am sailing 8 places available.
Saturday 16th Mersey 8.30am sailing
11 places available.
Thanks
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool)
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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02/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Feb 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Yet again the weather has put the fishing on hold for the time being.
Over the last few days we have caught Cod to 8lb 13oz, Rays to 6lb 13oz, Flounder, Whiting, Dabs and Dogfish. The fishing has been difficult at times both off shore and in the Mersey. Our anglers have still fished hard knowing there is a chance of winning £100 for the first Cod of the day over 10lb and £500 for the first Cod over 20lb. We only have 2 places available next week and our last charter on the Mersey is February 17th.
February
Tuesday 13th Mersey 10.30am sailing 1 place available.
Wednesday 14th Mersey 11am sailing 1 place available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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01/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Over the last set of tides we managed to get out to the wrecks for the first time since November.
The day before I explained to the lads we have had gales up to 60 knots in recent days and if the water is coloured we will struggle to catch. The lads decided they still wanted to go because the weather forecast was so good and it made a nice change from the Mersey.
Sadly when we got to our first wreck there was only about one meter visibility, we tried three wrecks with only half a dozen small Pollack being caught.
I then told the lads we would anchor a wreck on the flood tide to see if that made a difference. The lads caught plenty of Whiting, odd Dogfish and a single Pouting. The lads didn’t skip on bait either they used 24lb of Squid in 3 hours, I had the boat positioned perfect just up tide of the wreck. It was one of them days where nothing was working, you get this on the big jobs sometimes ha ha.
The highlight of the trip was when one of the lads caught a Whiting about 1lb and it spat out a Mantis Shrimp. It’s the first one I have ever seen in UK waters and I didn’t even know we got them in the UK.
So I am claiming the first ever Scouse Mantis Shrimp! Thank god Forest Gump wasn’t onboard ha ha.
The Mersey is tough going for Cod with our best one in the last week going 8lb 6oz, there is still plenty of Whiting, Dabs and the odd Ray showing.
Since I payed out £100 for a Cod over 10lb every group I have had onboard have asked me to do the same for them and being the gentleman that I am I have honoured it.
It’s actually worked out well giving the lads an incentive to change the bait more regular resulting in some better Cod coming out.
So from February 5th to 17th I will be offering £100 to the person who catches the first Cod of the day over 10lb and I am offering £500 to the first person of the day to catch a Cod over 20lb. Only paying out two cash prizes per day, one for a Cod over 10lb and one for a Cod over 20lb. I don’t have to do this because we are 98% fully booked but when the fishing is not at its best my anglers appreciate something to encourage them to fish hard or die trying!!
We are fast approaching the last set of tides on the Mersey for this winter, here are the last few available places for February.
February
Monday 5th Wrecking 4am sailing 3 places available.
Thursday 8th Mersey 5.30am sailing 1 place available.
Friday 9th Wrecking 7am sailing 1 place available.
Tuesday 13th Mersey 10.30am sailing 1 place available.
Wednesday 14th Mersey 11am sailing 1 place available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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01/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
The Cod fishing on the Mersey during January has been hard at times, this is due to all the flood water flowing down the river. We have managed to land some nice Cod to 11lb 9oz and with our best day being 13 keepers to 8lb 8oz. The anglers who change there baits every 15 to 20 mins are getting the best results. On one of the trips we hadn’t caught a fish for the first two hours, so to turn the lads in to lean mean Cod fishing machines. I offered to give anyone who catches a Cod over 10lb £100 cash and anyone who caught a 20lb Cod £500 cash. The lads started changing there baits regular and about an hour later Martin Grimshaw landed a Cod of 11lb 9oz it was 29 inches long and as fat as a big girls shoe!! To top it off it was Martin’s 62nd birthday, he caught his PB cod and took £100 off the skipper, well done Martin. It just goes to show if you put a little bit more effort in and anything can happen.
On another trip I told the group of lads who had booked the boat we had wind against tide on the flood SSE 18 to 25 Knots. I told them the boat was going to swing all over the place, they told me they don’t mind and still want to go. Now I have cancelled quite a few trips this winter on this type of forecast even though the lads still wanted to go. On this occasion I went with what the anglers wanted to do, big mistake when the flood tide arrived the boat was swinging from side to side for over 4 hours totally wasting half there trip because they couldn’t fish properly. I am not in this business to rip people off, if you book on my boat and I cancel due to wind against tide in the Mersey this is the reason why!!
Here are the last dates available this winter onboard Size Matters.
January
Tuesday 23rd Mersey 4am sailing 2 available.
Wednesday 24th Mersey 5am sailing 2 places available.
Thursday 25th Mersey 5am sailing 1 place available.
Friday 26th Wrecking 5.30am sailing 2 places available.
February
Monday 5th Wrecking 4am sailing 5 places available.
Tuesday 6th Mersey 5am sailing 3 places available.
Thursday 8th Mersey 5.30am sailing 2 places available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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01/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
[This report was written when Size Matters was operating from Plymouth]
If you are interested in fishing from Plymouth this summer then this is well worth a read.
Size Matters will be operating out of Sutton Harbour Plymouth from April 14th until October 14th.
Since Kevin bought Size Matters in March 2016 he has showed his anglers the true potential of the fishing on offer in the English Channel from Plymouth.
Catching Blue Fin Tuna 300lb+, Blue Shark to 130lb, Conger Eels to 90lb, Porbeagle Shark to 65lb, Sunfish to 40lb, Ling to 38lb, Cod to 20lb, Blonde Ray to 20lb, Pollack to 18lb, Undulated Ray to 17lb, Turbot to 9lb, Bass to 8lb 8oz, Coalfish to 8lb, John Dory to 6lb 8oz, Small Eyed Ray to 6lb, Tub Gurnard to 5lb 8oz, Brill to 5lb, Whiting to 3lb 8oz, Garfish to 2lb 8oz and Black Bream to 2lb.
We also caught Red Band fish, Top knot, Pouting, Poor Cod, Ballan Wrasse, Cookcoo Wrasse, Pilchard, Sardine, Herring, Mackerel, Scad, Launce, Spurdog, Bull Huss, Tope, Plaice, Dabs and Dogfish.
You just have to read through our reports on our website from Plymouth to see what the fishing has been like from month to month.
New for 2018.
Size Matters is now fully coded and insured for 23 hour charters, we have lots of these charters booked in for 2018. Not just wrecking but also sharking. The plan is to fish wrecks 70 to 100 miles from Plymouth, this will open up most of the western approaches fishing in depths of 300ft to 450ft plus. As for the sharking we will be fishing the same area targeting Blues and porbeagles. Hopefully something a bit special mite turn up fishing this far out like a mako, thresher or something totally unexpected.
Example 23 hour Wrecking trip.
Leave Plymouth at 1am sail for 5 to 6 hours start fishing in daylight for 12 to 14 hours going from wreck to wreck then sail back to Plymouth and arrive at midnight.
Maximum anglers 10.
Example 23 hour Sharking trip.
Leave Plymouth at 1am sail for 5 to 6 hours start fishing in daylight for 12 to 14 hours drifting miles and setting up one hell of a chum slick. Then sail back to Plymouth and arrive at midnight. Maximum anglers 6.
Most people know the English Channel is the best place on the planet for big Conger Eels. In recent years I have only had a hand full of anglers who wanted to target them.
This summer we have lots of anglers booked in for some serious Conger fishing. The weather, tide and a bit of luck have to be on your side for these charters if you want to hook a monster Conger Eel.
Here is a full list of available dates for 2018.
May
Thursday 3rd Wrecking £75 pp 2 places available.
Tuesday 8th 3 day Guernsey Trip £300 pp 2 places available. (Max 8 )
Tuesday 22nd Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place available.
Wednesday 23rd 23 hour Wrecking trip £160 pp 4 places available (max 10).
June
Thursday 28th Wrecking £75 pp 8 places available.
Friday 29th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places available.
July
Sunday 1st 23 hour Sharking Trip £220 pp 4 places available (max 6).
Wednesday 11th Wrecking £75 pp 6 places available.
Thursday 12th Wrecking £75 pp 6 places available.
August
Thursday 2nd Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 6 places available.
Thursday 9th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 3 places available.
Monday 20th Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 1 place available.
Friday 31st Wrecking £75 pp 8 places available.
September
Monday 10th Wrecking £75 pp 3 places available.
Tuesday 11th Wrecking £75 pp 1 place available.
Friday 21st Wrecking/Conger £75 pp 6 places available.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
www.mckiesfishingcharters.co.uk View Boats Page
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01/2018
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Jan 2018 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
During the holiday period we only managed to get out twice because of the weather forecast and on some of the days we cancelled the forecast was much better than expected.
When we did get out we caught cod to 7lb, plenty of whiting and Dabs. It’s now the half way point of our winter season on the Mersey and this year especially I have noticed some big changes. We are catching more cod and bigger ones on the tides ranging from 28ft to 30.5ft, I think this is because there has been so much fresh water in the Mersey and the bigger tides are bringing in more salt water which in turn is helping the fish feed more. Also since the completion of L2 container terminal the flow of the Mersey has changed and so have some of the areas we fish especially this winter season. You can fish the Mersey on a 30ft tide from the boat and the run is just like a 27ft tide in certain places.
We also have a few wrecking trips coming up, please remember the weather forecast for the Mersey is not the same as 60 miles out in the Irish Sea. For these wrecking trips to happen at this time of year the forecast has to be very good to travel the distance.
Let’s hope some good big cod have turned up after this set of big spring tides and storms we have had.
Mersey trips cost £45 per person includes all tackle, hot drinks and are 9 to 10 hours.
Wrecking trips cost £80 per person and include all tackle, hot drinks and are 12 hours. Any tackle you lose while wrecking you have to pay for.
Here are the last available dates this winter season onboard Size Matters from Liverpool.
January
Friday 12th Mersey 8.30am sailing 2 places available.
Saturday 13th Mersey 9am sailing 1 places available.
Monday 15th Mersey 10.30 sailing 1 place available.
Tuesday 16th Mersey 11.30am sailing 1 place available.
Wednesday 17th Mersey 12pm sailing 7 places available.
Thursday 18th Mersey 12.30pm sailing 12 places available.
Friday 19th Mersey 1pm sailing 9 places available.
Sunday 21st Mersey 3am sailing 2 places available.
Monday 22nd Mersey 3.30am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 23rd Mersey 4am sailing 7 available.
Wednesday 24th Mersey 5am sailing 6 places available.
February
Monday 5th Mersey 4am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 6th Mersey 5am sailing 8 places available.
Thursday 8th Mersey 5.30am sailing 3 places available
Friday 9th Wrecking 6am sailing 4 places available.
Tuesday 13th Mersey 10.30am sailing 2 places available.
Wednesday 14th Mersey 11am sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 15th Mersey 11.30am sailing 12 places available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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12/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Over the last three weeks fishing in the Mersey we have been catching up to 15 sizeable Cod to 9lb 8oz, loads of Whiting and Dabs per trip. The fresh snow melt and rain water in the river has knocked the cod fishing off and it hasn’t been as good as last year. We fished the Queens channel on two of the trips to get away from the fresh water and to find where the cod are holding up. Sadly this just resulted in lots of Dogfish, Whiting and Dabs. There was that much fresh water coming down the river the tide was still ebbing 1 hour after low water on a spring tide. With more trips booked to fish the queens channel, I decided to fish the Mersey on the spring tides and this involves keeping just out of the main flow of tide so the anglers baits where fishing effectively. Thank god I made the right decision, in just the last two days we have been catching a good stamp of cod to 8lb 4oz with most 5lb to 6lb. The good thing to see was most of the cod where fresh run fish (very light brown in colour) this mean they are moving in to the river from off shore and all the fresh water has gone. Now this could be the start of our cod season. There was still plenty of whiting and dabs to catch if that’s your sort of thing. We also lost a few better fish not monsters but good fish, over the next eight weeks it is prime time and your best chance of catching a double figure Cod on the Mersey. Sadly we are fully booked until January 16th and I don’t normally do reports if I am fully booked but I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my Anglers/Customers and friends for their support and keeping me in a job that I love doing, in fact it’s not a job it’s a way of life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
Here is a full list of available dates in the new year.
January
Tuesday 16th Mersey 11.30am sailing 8 places available.
Wednesday 17th Mersey 12pm sailing 10 places available.
Thursday 18th Mersey 12.30pm sailing 12 places available.
Friday 19th Mersey 1pm sailing 9 places available.
Monday 22nd Mersey 3.30am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 23rd Mersey 4am sailing 7 available.
February
Monday 5th Mersey 4am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 6th Mersey 5am sailing 12 places available.
Thursday 8th Mersey 5.30am sailing 3 places available
Friday 9th Wrecking 6am sailing 8 places available.
Monday 12th Mersey 9.30am sailing 4 places available.
Tuesday 13th Mersey 10.30am sailing 5 places available.
Wednesday 14th Mersey 11am sailing 10 places available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
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12/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Craobh Haven, Argyll & Bute)
Dec 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
During November we only managed to get to the wrecks twice and it was well worth the effort. The lads caught plenty of Pollack to 6lb, we will continue to fish the off shore wrecks throughout the winter. Please note this involves traveling for up to 3.5 hours each way, all Wrecking charters are £80 per person. If the weather is to bad to get to the wrecks then we will be fishing the Mersey.
Our planned charter trips to fish the banks and Queens channel on the spring tides during November where cancelled due to the strong NW winds. We have lots of these trips fully booked for December but there is still available dates for January and February. Cost is £45 per person all tackle is included and hot drinks.
As for the Mersey the the cod are starting to make more of an appearance especially towards the end of the month. An average day seems to a dozen Cod a day to 7lb 14oz with rays to 10lb, any amount of whiting to 1lb 8oz and Dabs. These charters are £45 per person includes all tackle and hot drinks.
Personally I think the seasons are getting later each year and it won’t be long till the Cod arrive in big numbers consistently.
Last winter we had our best day in February 64 Cod, I would settle for that again this winter.
Here is a full list of available dates this winter
December
Saturday 9th Mersey 5am sailing 1 place available.
Saturday 16th Mersey 10.30am sailing 1 place available.
Thursday 21st Mersey 1.30pm sailing 4 places available.
Friday 22nd Mersey 3am sailing 8 places available.
Sunday 24th Mersey 4am sailing 4 places available.
January
Wednesday 17th Banks/Queen’s Channel 12pm sailing 12 places available.
Thursday 18th Banks/Queen’s Channel 12.30pm sailing 12 places available.
Friday 19th Banks/Queen’s Channel 1pm sailing 12 places available.
Monday 22nd Mersey 3.30am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 23rd Mersey 4am sailing 10 places available.
Friday 26th Wrecking 5.30am sailing 9 places available.
February
Monday 5th Banks/Queen’s Channel 4am sailing 12 places available.
Tuesday 6th Mersey 4.30am sailing 12 places available.
Thursday 8th Mersey 6am sailing 4 places available.
Friday 9th Wrecking 6am sailing 12 places available.
Monday 12th Mersey 9.30am sailing 7 places available.
Tuesday 13th Mersey 10.30am sailing 6 places available.
Wednesday 14th Mersey 11am sailing 12 places available.
Wednesday 21st Banks/Queen’s Channel 4am sailing 12 places available.
Thursday 22nd Wrecking 5am sailing 12 places available.
Friday 23rd Mersey 5am sailing 12 places available.
Monday 26th Mersey 8.30am sailing 5 places available.
Tuesday 27th Mersey 9.30am sailing 12 places available.
Wednesday 28th Banks/Queen’s Channel 10am sailing 12 places available.
If you would like to book any of the above dates or like more information please contact me.
Cheers
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Liverpool)
07999628511
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com View Boats Page
