Possible Skate Charter

[davem2005]

I have just had a reply from a charter skipper who operates in the area I have been fishing for skate.

I noticed he advertised fishing trips and asked him for prices on skate trips, he has come back with a figure of £50 per day plus tackle (which would not be necessary)

Would anyone fancy booking a day or two early next year(its a long drive but manageable for a day trip)

The fishing is superb to say the least. Take a look at

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/boat-catch-reports/15308-elsie-may-v1-2-3-4-11-07-a.html

If you haven't already read it.

I would be happy to organise the trip, provide gear and i probably have more marks than the skipper

I am contacting the skipper to see what the minimum number is he would take out as I dont like packed boats. Its a large catamaran that looks to me like the ideal fishing platform.

Cheers
Dave

 

[mark]

I'd thought about this idea earlier in the year as well

you thinking of a boat out of oban by any chance??

I was toying with the idea of andy jackson on sunart, hire the lodge from him as well so there's accommodation thrown in and a couple of little orkneys, so if the weather put paid to going out on the 'big' boat, we'd have the orkneys at our disposal to fish in the shelter of sunart

 

[Oblickta]

I'd be up for it and dont mind being at the back of the Q to give any newcomers to skate fishing a better chance

Must remember to order a XXL harness lol

 

[davem2005]

Mark,
The venue is not Oban.

I will PM the exact location as i will to anyone intrested in principal. We dont have to commit just yet, just get an idea of numbers.

Very few fish the area I have in mind so its a relatively untapped source, but in the ten days i have fished it I have averaged 6 + fish per day for an average weight of over 100 lb, and thats fishing with only two rods.

Makes me wonder what would happen if a charter boat had a go, the potential is huge.

Graham,
Spotty dog have large butt pads for sale and i will get you one next time I am down if you like.

Cheers
Dave

 

[gazzawill]

im intrested dave mate depending if you can give me a lift there and back bud

 

[davem2005]

Spoke to the skipper yesterday and he would be happy with four onboard max 5 people. ( Its out of season for the tourists )

Gazzawill the idea was we all travel in one car. Its a long way and the fuel cost would be higher than the fishing if we went seperate. My car will do the round trip for about 40-50 quid.

The best plan would be to book for mid february when the nights start drawing out a bit and after payday when most will have recovered from xmas.

We could do it for a day trip but it would be a long day. 4am start...fish 9-5 and midnight home. Alternatively make a weekend of it.

The skipper tells me his best bag has been 12 in a day. He was suprised to learn we have beaten that with two rods I hate to think what we could get with 4 or 5 rods fishing.

Cheers
dave

 

[JediX]

I'd be happy to go if it's not full so count me in if you need to fill a slot

 

[snatcher]

If you are short of a crew Dave Snatcher is game. Are you fishing the spot we fished last year???

Go on skipper give it some!!!

Smile then Snatcher

I managed to catch more skate than mackerel!!!

 

[northeast1]

Yes Dave very

 

[gazzawill]

im up for the weekend mate give me a pm

 

[davem2005]

Thanks for putting the pics up snatcher ...those have not been seen on this forum.

Thats the venue but on a catamaran instead of squashing on mine.

The suggestion is to book for the second weekend in feb but the skipper has said that booking wont be necessary till after new year.

You will notice that we are very close inshore and the likelyhood of us getting called off due to weather are very slim. the channel runs approx north south and is only 3 miles wide...no big swells unless you get a sustained sw'erly.

Skate fishing is not seasonal...they feed all year...so this trip may make a nice option to struggling for a few whiting off this coast.

I think it sums it up when to quote snatcher " I caught more skate than mackrel". You can never promise someone a fish because we all know that fishing is not a predictable sport, but this venue represents as good a chance as you are going to get of catching a three figure fish...and no one has failed in trips on my boat over the last 18 months, although do be warned we have had tiddlers of 24, 29,34 and several fish in the sixties.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Topfly]

love to have a go Dave, does the skipper tag the skate.? I know you will have all your stuff with you , but i was wondering if he was involved in the conservation / data side of things , like Ian & co.

 

[snatcher]

Dave just stumbled over our catch report for the 3 days at mark X last year. It reads -

Snatcher Male 71lb

Snatcher Female 41lb recapture

Dave Male 119lb recapture

Snatcher Male 124lb recapture - no harness or butt pad.OUCH!!!!

Dave Male 107lb

Snatcher Male 96lb

Dave Female 38lb

Snatcher Female 65lb

Kirk Male 119lb

Snatcher Male 98lb

Kirk Male 95lb

Kirk Female 36lb

Snatcher Female 182lb - it made us late getting in!!

Here are a few more pictures from that trip

And finally breakfast at Tiffanies!!

Bring it on

 

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Looks great and very very hard work ,great pics mate.

 

[davem2005]

He's been looking for a reason to post those again.

Topfly,
Forgot to ask if the skipper was in the tagging scheme. I have had quite a few recaptures from there. Only one has been my set of numbers. The others are all from another set which I assume are those of the person who put me onto the area.

You have reminded me I only have one tag left so will need to get some more.

Cheers
Dave

 

[snatcher]

Mind you all of my fish do not weigh 13 stones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out young Snatcher!!! it must run in the family

Oh well best ride off into this Port Logan sunset then!

 

[gazzawill]

looks a beautiful place im looking forward to it

 

[snatcher]

Have decide to invest in my own skate gear Dave instead of borrowing all the time!! Plan to ask Santa for a 50-80 lb class rod,suitable multilplier with lever drag,harness and butt pad. Will also be making my own traces/rubbing leaders.

Here is a useful guide provided by Davy Holt,a really top guy and what he does not know about skate fishing is not worth knowing!

The Scottish Angling Homepage

Bring it on . As far as bait goes have been looking at the fresh herring in my local supermarket. The price is ok and rather than waste valuable time trying for bait I reckon two or three bunched on a 12/0 hook should make an attractive bait.

What you reckon Dave ?

 

[davem2005]

HI Snatcher,
I know spotty dog have some varge butt pads in stock, dont buy the small V shaped ones I have they hurt after a while.

Agree about the herring, well worth a try I would have though.

When choosing a rod make sure you are aware of the difference between an igfa rated and a uk rated rod.

Vheers
Dave

 

[snatcher]

Dave who is in the squad? Will one car be big enough for us and the gear?

I just hope the skate virgins all pop their cherry! Bring it on mate