Ladies Day on the Firth of Lorne

[Certhia]

Species hunt 2007 Nos 27-29

Going out with Ronnie Campbell on his boat “Lorna Dawn” together with our old friend Derby Dave is another highlight of our Scottish trip each year. Vagabond has already given some of the story but here’s some more about some fish from the Firth of Lorne.

The mackerel were hard to come by to begin with so we tried feathering at a quite shallow mark and caught plenty small coalie which were to prove extremely good bait. Here is a picture of one.



At the deep-water mark, down went the whole-fish bait to great depth on the Penn International and the Tuna Stick - hoping for another skate, but it was Vagabond who got the skate this time. I think I am fated not to get big skate from the Firth . All my skate over 100lb have come from the Sound of Mull.

But there were some other really good fish to catch. This time a Thornback Ray of 6lb (species-hunt points)



was followed by a conger of 12 lb.(still more points and a PB).



Time for lunch, after which a PB thornback of 11 lb,



and a second conger of the same size were great sport, all of which were returned to grow even bigger.



All the time I was watchful for sea birds, kittiwakes and gulls sat around the boat, and a fulmar on the wing, a few gannets batted down the sound in line astern and a lone Storm Petrel skimmed by over the water without even noticing us.

The weather deteriorated but there were still some new species to come for me. On the 20lb gear with small fillets of fish as bait, plenty Lesser Spotted Dogfish were caught but a Spurdog and a Black-mouthed Dogfish were both PBs for me.



Another brilliant day with Ronnie and always a chance of a big skate on the Firth of Lorne for me next year.

[geejayy]

looks like a great day out on the water, glad you caught a few despite the lack of a skate.
never mind, always next time.

gj

[Greenheart]

Great report & Pics Certhia & well done on your new PB Thornie. Better luck next time with the Skate.