Small boat fishing in winter on the Scottish east coast is always a tad chancy in my experience. The odd good fish turns up but you’re usually pulverised by swell and it’s always pretty frigid. However, once in a while I succumb and let hope triumph over bitter experience – hence why I found myself on the quayside at St. Andrews on a fine sunny February morning, seizing a gap between the gales.
To be fair the harbour was a millpond as we motored out, but unfortunately that wasn’t quite true as we nosed out beyond the harbour wall. The same recent gales had left a fair swell running and we also encountered a decent offshore breeze. Not particularly hazardous but enough to make me glad of a little sunshine and some decent thermals!
Ian anchored over some rocky ground and we got to work. I lobbed out some mackerel baited muppets and did a little half-hearted spinning. Committed lure man Ian stuck with it did eventually pick up a small pollack, but it was hard going. I managed a couple of small codling on bait and Ian added a coalfish but that was it for the first few hours.
However, our last hour transformed Ian’s fortunes, if not mine. He proceeded to pick up about 6 or 7 codling whilst I just spectated. I was obviously doing something wrong, but I’m not sure what!
Unfortunately we lost the catch of the day – in the form of Ian’s anchor which was stuck fast to the bottom. Multiple attempts failed to free it so we had to waypoint it, then cut the rope and leave it to its fate. A fender marks the spot and, if he’s lucky, the recent savage easterly might just have jostled it free. Here’s hoping!
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Full marks to you both for making such an effort at this time of year, everyone ele is moth balled for the winter. Well done & good luck slinging yer hook.