North Scotland novice needing help???

[andah]

Hi - I'm kinda new to spearfishing and new to this forum. I've had a couple of outings in the far north of Scotland (both east and west coast) but without much success.........actually, I haven't even seen a fish!!!

I was at what looked like a perfect spot near Lochinver - it was rocky and weedy and it just looked really fishy....but nothing......I had a good swim tho.....

Is it the wrong time of year? Am I looking in the wrong places? Any help would be much appreciated......I'm starting to get blood lust.


Andrew

[podge]

Hello Andrew and welcome to Deeper Blue.
The fish down here are just starting to show themselves again after the winter so I guess it’ll be pretty much the same up there, although I’m no expert.
From what I’ve been shown and found out for myself is that if it looks fishy with underwater structure, weed and kelp growth or reef then it probably does hold fish.
Just keep looking and be patient and you’ll find them. Maybe let the weather warm up a bit which will make it more pleasant for you and the fish, look under and into the weed, under overhangs of rocks and into holes and you’ll find them.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how you get on.

[abusingelves]

welcome to DB.

presume north scotland is pretty much like ireland west coast, i know the fish species are mainly the same except you guys have cod !

pollock usually go deeper in winter, and start coming shallower from now on.

you'll find loads of good info on here. good hunting .

[andah]

Thanks guys - I thought it may be seasonal. I'm finding this forum a great resource already!

I'll just keep searching for fishy looking spots and wait for the fish to arrive!

[foxfish]

Hi Andy, you can ask any questions you might have while waiting.
What type of kit have you got, must be a bit chilly where you are?

[andah]

Hi - Its not warm anyway! West coast is a good bit warmer than the East at the moment though. Was in the water for 2hrs no probs at the weekend.

I've got a Sommap Sportline 75 (the spear is 1.15m). It may not be the best but it is what I could afford and anyway, at the moment the gun is a lot better than I am! Using my surfing wetsuit at moment and it seems ok.....just.

The far north west coast (around Lochinver, Kylesku) is amazingly clear. I might be out again tomorrow and then Sandwood bay at the weekend.....hope you have a map?!

[abusingelves]

dude, two hours in a surfing suit. well done. balls of steel

[UK Spearo]

Not sure if Bass migrate that far up.... might be wrong, but think you should get some nice sized Pollock up there in the summer months.

[Pastor]

I think Cumbria is as far north as they go in any numbers but Cod and bigger pollack are ore common, maybe the odd wolf eel if your lucky too

[Old Man Dave]

When I have been up to Scotland the vis has been awful. However that's the west coast Glasgow area. I know tht further north the vis can be good. St Abbs on the mid west coast (I think) is a famous scuba spot with supposed good conditions.

Species wise it's all about cold water fish. Cod must be the number one, but they get plaice too . Ling and haddock are more deeper water and they get dogfish aplenty. Flounders make it up that far as do a few dabs. Pollack are present but coalfish and whiting more so, especially coalfish (saithe) The odd small bass has been caught. A few conger and small wrasse are also found. Lobsters are common as are scallops. In fact some of the best fishing for both anywhere in the UK is in Scotland.

Sharks. Did I mention sharks? Over 500lb potential maneaters. All less than 2 miles offshore and often a few hundred yards. Go right up north to the Pentland Firth. British record rod caught porbeagle. No blues though.

Have to confess a lot of my info isn't first hand. However, think it's more or less correct. Based on some personal experience and many years of gathering semingly worthless information.

Find out if your area has scallops as that would be a big bonus. Buy a bigger gun for the sharks .

Good hunting.

Dave

[abusingelves]

sharks is right! there are definitely porebeagle over here, very close to shore. think i heard of a guy who caught one from the shore on a mark west of lioscannor, but can't substantiate that.

also know a guy who ued to longline for them in summer around the aran islands. and he caught a few large ones.

i'm on the scallop trail too, so if you find any, let me know, it will give me hope!

[andah]

Well I'm a lot closer the the Pentland Firth than the Glasgow coast! Whats a wolf eel?

You,ve given me a problem now - spent the weekend trying to convince my girlfriend (she has started spearing too) that there was nothing to worry about as there are no sharks in Scotland!

[Pastor]

A wolf eel



Don't pay any attention to them, they are winding you up. They may be there (they are here too) but you'll be bloody lucky to see one (before it bites your leg off that is )

[foxfish]

Originally Posted by abusingelves

dude, two hours in a surfing suit. well done. balls of steel

Yep he does sound fairly tough but what about his girlfriend - hope she got a nice 6.5 custom elios?

Sommap Sportline 75 interesting choice - looks like a good gun though, I think some of the db free divers use Sommap mono fins.

[andah]

Nope - she was in a 5mm surf suit too.......she was more distracted by the threat of sharks!