Maybe afloat on Saturday ?

I was looking at Divas log the last time we went afloat was the 7Th of November last year.
I have never known a winter to be so windy.But we may get a trip this Saturday,Lets hope so.


I'm looking forward to this year its going to be an exciting time now that Diva is OK.
I'm going to concentrate more on soft plastics mostly Mojos and Red Giles for Pollock.Cod and Bass.Then not forgetting Tope, Conger,Spur Dogs and Porbeagle.

I now have a calendar on my Charter Rates page it will make it so much easier for individuals to see the availability when looking for a trip.

THE END OF 2011 GOOD

I'm glad to see the back of 2011 with Cummins and Macdonald Power taking thirteen month to replace Divas broken crankshaft add to that three month of none stop gales the amount of times i went fishing in 2011 you can count on one hand.

A bit of good news is that the ferries have now moved from Stranraer to Cairnryan this means that we can now fish in the deep Channel no longer used by the ferries.It will be like a motor way for the Tope chasing the Mackerel.

Lets all have a good 2012 .All the best for the new year.

Conger Rods

Well what can i say about November it was wind wind and yes more wind not just for Scotland but the whole of the UK.

At this time of year i start to give the rods and reels a good looking at and start thinking about next year.

Iv been looking for same time now for a good Conger rod.
Daiwa had the Powerlift and Shakespeare had the Ugly Conger but both don't seem to be available anymore but they are the rods for the job.

To days trend is for 30lb class gear or less,i read one article where they recommended a 20lb class rod and an ABU 7000 reel. YEAH RIGHT.
Light tackle has its place but not for large Congers

The thing to remember is that once a rod is at full compression it cant go any more it becomes a solid stick.

If a fish makes a bid for freedom by making a powerful dive to which the rod is at full compression two things could happen.
One the hook can pull out or two the rod breaks both Leeds to disappointment.
USE THE RIGHT ROD FOR THE JOB
I would not even use my Daiwa Kenzaki 30/50 for conger fishing it just has not got enough back bone to it.

I'm also going off stock rods most of them today seem to only last a year or so and weeks if your a charter skipper.
I'm thinking of going back to making my own rods i can make a rod to my own specification with the best of parts at about the same price as a stock rod.

I will think i will start by upgrading one of my old rods its a 30/50 stand up rod with cheep rings that have broken as they do.
Its a fast taper with good tip action but with a lot of power in the butt,that should do it. OLD SCHOOL

Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Andy Kendrick of jackslrf sent me same Nojos soft plastic baits 6 and 9 inc serpent worms for me to try out.
I took them down to the boat and had a little play over the side with them.

O boy what an action they move just like a real serpent no Pollack or Cod could refuse this lure.

Then tried a jelly worm they look lifeless in the water compared to the Nojos.
Then tried a red gill better but not as good as the Nojos.

Cant wait to try them out for real.
Go to www.nojosbaits.com and have a look at the video or www.jackslrf.co.uk.
They may just be the best thing since sliced bread.

Pollack fishing in Scotland

We had same good weather over the weekend good out onto the wrecks and lets catch same Pollack but it turned out lets see how many large Pollack we can lose.

You read so much in the angling press about having fun on light gear yep that's fine for inshore Pollack up to about 5lb in shallow water.but you try light tackle in 70/100
meters of water with very very hard fighting Pollack The Pollack will win most of the time.

Why tackle to light and the clutch on the reel to slack are the two main reasons.When a large Pollack takes the lure you don't have much time before the fish has worked out it been hooked and is heading at full speed back into the wreck as most of them did over the weekend.

Tackle to use,a good 30/50lb boat rod, reel a Shimano tdl or Penn 4/0 not ABU 6500,
Line i use 50lb power pro braid with a 40lb fluorcarbon leader.You may think that this is been a bit over gunned but same still get away.

Top Tip When you get hooked into a good large pollack don't mess about showing all your mates the rod bent double you have to get it clear of the wreck as quick as possible or YOU WILL LOSE IT.