Spearfishing in scotland

[ibifreak]

hi there,

I might be visiting scotland next month. How are the posibilities to go spearfishing arround there. I´ve got a 5mm suite wich is enough for me at 13º in the med for about 4 to 5 hours, would it work to go for 2 - 3 h up there?
My max depth is 15 mts
What type of captures do you have there and are there any restrictions?
Would be nice to get some feedback.
Kind regards from the mediterranean

 

[podge]

I’m not from Scotland but there are a few on here that are so let’s hope one or two will chip in.
A 5mm suit will be fine for a couple of hours spearing up there with no problems at all and as for species I know that there are lots of Lobsters and plenty of Pollock but I think it’s a bit to far north for many Bass or Mullet.

Just keep your eye out for the wild Haggis as after a glass or 6 of the finest Scotch Whiskey they can be a right hand full.
Enjoy your visit mate and I’m sure you’ll do fine.

 

[sunfish]

Hi, I'm not form Scotland either but I was born just South of the border.
Podge has said it mostly except for crabs. There're some nice eating crabs to be had there.
The tidal currents can be strong in some parts of Scotland so take care.

 

[ibifreak]

Which area near edinburgh would you recomend to go fishing. not to cold, hehe, is this possible? and lots of fish to catch. also with less currents, any idea

 

[sunfish]

Sorry, I've no idea. "grantl" is based at Jedburgh so maybe he might know?

 

[ibifreak]

Any idea about spearfishing near edingburgh pleeeeeeaaaaaase?

 

[andah]

I'm in the far north but up here you have to work hard at it. Bass on the north coast but they all seem to have gone now with the cold northerly we had last week. Pollock and I'm still looking for some accessible cod.

Got a 2lb flounder yesterday tho .

If your in the far north then let me know.

 

[ibifreak]

Hi Andah,

how is it to spearfish in november with a 5mm suite foa a couple of hours near edingburgh?
Would be nice to get some more feedback. In Ibiza (Spain) in winter I use it easily for araound 4 to 5 hours at 13º.

Regards from sunny spain, water here is still arround 22º rofl

 

[andah]

You'll be fine for a couple of hours. Expect the water to be about 9 - 14 but might be colder if the currents push in from the north. Not sure of the vis down that way tho.

 

[dario_deli]

I've just known I'll be in glasgow in august for a conference and I'm gonna take my gear with me and do some spearfishing. Has anybody ever speared the west cost near to that area?

 

[Gaz D]

I've just known I'll be in glasgow in august for a conference and I'm gonna take my gear with me and do some spearfishing. Has anybody ever speared the west cost near to that area?

Dario,

I was in Scotland, around the Western Isles, last week, and the visibility was excellent. I'm going back next week and am thinking about taking my gear with me this time.

Speaking to the locals, they say that there used to be plenty of cod in the area but the trawlers have hovered most of them up - but that doesn't mean that there might not be the odd one or two still lurking around.

In August I gather the main fish that anglers catch around there is mackerel, but these are obviously difficult to spear.

I'm gonna do some more research next week and will let you know what I come up with.

All the best,

Gaz D

 

[Old Man Dave]

There used to be a very big commercial shellfish fishery in Scotland especially the west coast. Scallops, crab and lobster. Definitely would be worth finding out if the dredgers haven't cleaned out the scallops from the shallows.

Good luck.

Dave

 

[abusingelves]

From the reading i've done on it, looks like the commercial divers have taken care of the shallows. read a piece on some forum or other which basicaly had divers saying that they had to go too deep to work any more.

maybe the islands up north are different?

 

[JRH]

I spend half my time in Aberdeen and go spearing most weekends I'm there. East coast of Scotland is best for lobsters by a long way, far better than West coast. Any time in August / September you can almost guarentee to find enough to feed the family (anywhere from Newton Hill to Peterhead). These days I tend not to use the gun, prefering the challange of taking them by hand (gloves and lobby hook essential). Visitility is the big problem on the East coast. Also you can forget scallops, almonst no chance in the east, everything has been trawled to death. Plenty of red crabs though and more velvet swimmers and squats than you can eat.

Good fish are more scarce these days on the east. Summer is the best time, flounder in most river estuarys, all harbour areas have shoals of small saith and pollock but hardly worth bothering with, the deeper gullies have pollock and wrasse. Never seen an east coast mullet or bass. Lots of congers especially at night but its pretty scary stuff unless you know the area really well. I've shot a couple but never landed them, they are just too strong - I don't bother any more - they'er more fun to just watch.

The following places are worth trying starting south of Aberdeen and moving north. Inverbervie beach (on a calm day), Newton Hill (north side) Cove (south of Harbour), Curden Bay (flounders at mouth of burn), anywhere around Slains Castle (nr Cruden Bay

'Andah' reported seeing a big bass up on the North coast last year near Thurso. We planned a trip but called off due to 4m swell. I'm keen to get up there this year and check it out.

If you are on the East coast near Aberdeen let me know.

 

[Gaz D]

I'm writing this from Thuso - travelled up the East coast of Scotland today. The only thing you can do around here at the moment is surf - in brown water!

I'd suggest that the only place you are gonna get the viz at the moment is on the west coast. As I said before, it was good around the islands last week, where there are some very sheltered bays.

 

[glowworm]

Have a look here chaps and cast your votes

http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/81814-uk-fish-year.html

 

[Gaz D]

Was back along the Scottish coast this week. My job over on the Western Isles was cancelled, so ended up staying around the North Eastern tip. The sea was way too rough to drop in but, right at the top, around the rocky shores of John o Groats, you could still discern a certain amount of 'blue' (rather than 'brown') amongst all the foam and spray.

In summary, it looks as though it could hold a certain amount of potential in that particular area, on a nice day, amongst the reefs, but while I was there it was still too rough to say anything for certain.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpfull,

Gaz D

 

[Mr. X]

Forum member Omega3 dives Scotland. Lots of lobsters not so many fish by the sounds of it. I believe the visibility can be very good in places. 5mm suit will probably be fine but if you're used to warmer climates, you might find it colder than we do. Also, probably less Gulf Stream warming up there(?).

 

[grantl]

Respect guys - talking about spearing in Scotland in February!!!

I've just come out of winter hibernation and as said previously the East Coast is good for flatties, crab and lobsters. I reckon the west is better for big Pollack and unbelieveable Viz.

I was down at Luce Bay last week for a look but the water was filthy brown. It sounds like there are Bass caught there though.

There also seem to be more Bass being caught as far up as Northumbria on the East Coast and there seem to be bigger ones caught every year.

Need to get in that water soon!