Struggle for Skate

Win some, lose some, but today’s skate session turned into a bit of a struggle to catch anything. You can’t fault us for trying though! Ian and I launched my Longliner at Puffin Divers before skirting the south side of Kerrera. Out past Bach Island we despatched the anchor to the ooze some 500 feet… Continue reading Struggle for Skate

A Little Round-Up

Morning coffee

Ah well, I’ve not been completely inert over the past few weeks, although there has been little real drama to report. A few upgrades to the boat, adding a bait board and a cabin top rack mount for spare rods and cameras, etc. Railblaza is nice kit, but eye-wateringly pricey! I’d an overnight trip to… Continue reading A Little Round-Up

Kicking off 2018 in Style – Targeting Skate and Conger off Oban

Ian bends into the first skate of the day

Lochearnhead was a freezing -5 degrees when Ian and I met up on Sunday in the pre-dawn darkness. We didn’t hang about, quickly shovelling the rods and gear into my car before heading across to Oban with the boat in tow. Gallanach managed a balmy -2C as we launched and headed out to Kerrera, very grateful for the shelter… Continue reading Kicking off 2018 in Style – Targeting Skate and Conger off Oban

A Couple of Days Fishing for Skate at Oban

A small male common skate of about 60lbs

To be quite honest, being an ageing office worker with the upper body strength of a 10 year old means I don’t always relish the chance to play tug of war with a skate almost as big as myself. I’m neither particularly keen or successful as a skate fisherman, but a great forecast, small tide and late… Continue reading A Couple of Days Fishing for Skate at Oban

Back to Oban for more Skate Fishing

Playing a skate as the sun fades

It was a bit of a toss up whether to head to Etive or carry on a bit and try fishing for skate off Oban, but a combination of small tides and calm weather tempted Ian and I into a spot of skate fishing from Gallanach. My reservations about skate hunting were further overcome when the sun… Continue reading Back to Oban for more Skate Fishing

Oban

A small spurdog in a big ocean...

I’m always a bit wary of Oban – there’s some big fish around but it can be pretty hit or miss with a lot of waiting around between any excitement. And hauling up a large skate in over 500 feet of water is a taste I’ve never really acquired, all of which perhaps explains why… Continue reading Oban