30-05-08 Portmahomack
Jun 2, 2008 9:01:55 GMT -1
Post by THURSOMAN on Jun 2, 2008 9:01:55 GMT -1
Thought I'd share my report even though I live no where near Portmahomack and neither do you. 
Unfortunately I don't have a waterproof camera so I have no photos, so you'll have to believe me.
I started out collecting bait in Thurso where I live, before heading down the road to see the family.(You know the score:wife wants to see family I agree but get fishing as a reward ;D ;D ;D) I collected mussels, lug-worm, limpets and defrosted some mackerel I caught the other week.
Apparently there are Cod to be had in Portmahomack so reckoned a Lug and Mussel cocktail would work the best. (I was wrong!)
Nightmare! I realized after getting there I totally forgot my wet socks and boots! Oh no!
I'm going to get soaked and freeze I thought.
I had no option but to improvise. I had 2 plastic bags in the car.
I took off my shoes and put the bags on then put my shoes over them. To my surprise it worked really well. It was a little cold initially but soon warmed up once on the kayak. I stayed dry even though looked daft.
The first fish was a Ling taking my mackerel fillet on the pirk. (No surprise there) Then I was onto a Codling. (Also on the Mackerel)
I was really pleased to see it was a Cod however the thing fell off the hook just as I held the line.
Next fish was another Ling. This was a much bigger fish so decided to keep it.
Finally I was onto another Codling this was a decent size and this time I got it into the kayak very quickly! ;D
Next thing I knew I was snagged!!! I broke free but there was a tremendous weight! Was I pulling up a power line or something? No, it was a big stone full of holes! It just so happened my bottom hook caught in one.
Next fish was a Bull head (ugly things) Then another Ling. And another Bull head. Finally I was onto something else heavy but didn't seem to be fighting. I couldn't believe what I saw! It was a bloomin octopus!
When I pulled it out of the water is squirted water at me and wouldn't let go of my bait. When I tried to hold onto the bait(I wasn't too keen on touching the octopus I have to say) It then tried to grab onto my arm! Eventually it decided to give up and took off at some speed.
I ended up keeping 1 Cod and 1 Ling. What surprised me was the fact that all the fish ignored my lug and mussels. All that effort digging. lol.
Just thinking now about using a landing net from now on. I reckon that first Cod would not have escaped if I had one.
What do you guys do yourself? Do you simply grab the line and pull it in as me or what?
Also what do you do with your fish? I normally simply put them in a big "Next Clearance" Bag with a draw string I put in to keep the catch safe and clip it somewhere in the front. Need to do something else if I'm gonna get more fish.Things just get too cluttered at the front. I do have a cool bag at the back but seems too much of a reach unless I swap things around there. Again any input would be brilliant!
Anyway, if you are ever up north Portmahomack is a good place for a variety. It's a rocky are so expect to get a few ling.
All and all, it was a good 2 hours worth of fishing with lots of first times. First Cod, Ling, Bull head, Octopus and Stone off a kayak.
Hopefully I can get hold of a decent camera to share some pics for my next adventure.
Chris
Unfortunately I don't have a waterproof camera so I have no photos, so you'll have to believe me.
I started out collecting bait in Thurso where I live, before heading down the road to see the family.(You know the score:wife wants to see family I agree but get fishing as a reward ;D ;D ;D) I collected mussels, lug-worm, limpets and defrosted some mackerel I caught the other week.
Apparently there are Cod to be had in Portmahomack so reckoned a Lug and Mussel cocktail would work the best. (I was wrong!)
Nightmare! I realized after getting there I totally forgot my wet socks and boots! Oh no!
I'm going to get soaked and freeze I thought.
I had no option but to improvise. I had 2 plastic bags in the car.
I took off my shoes and put the bags on then put my shoes over them. To my surprise it worked really well. It was a little cold initially but soon warmed up once on the kayak. I stayed dry even though looked daft.
The first fish was a Ling taking my mackerel fillet on the pirk. (No surprise there) Then I was onto a Codling. (Also on the Mackerel)
I was really pleased to see it was a Cod however the thing fell off the hook just as I held the line.
Next fish was another Ling. This was a much bigger fish so decided to keep it.
Finally I was onto another Codling this was a decent size and this time I got it into the kayak very quickly! ;D
Next thing I knew I was snagged!!! I broke free but there was a tremendous weight! Was I pulling up a power line or something? No, it was a big stone full of holes! It just so happened my bottom hook caught in one.
Next fish was a Bull head (ugly things) Then another Ling. And another Bull head. Finally I was onto something else heavy but didn't seem to be fighting. I couldn't believe what I saw! It was a bloomin octopus!
When I pulled it out of the water is squirted water at me and wouldn't let go of my bait. When I tried to hold onto the bait(I wasn't too keen on touching the octopus I have to say) It then tried to grab onto my arm! Eventually it decided to give up and took off at some speed.
I ended up keeping 1 Cod and 1 Ling. What surprised me was the fact that all the fish ignored my lug and mussels. All that effort digging. lol.
Just thinking now about using a landing net from now on. I reckon that first Cod would not have escaped if I had one.
What do you guys do yourself? Do you simply grab the line and pull it in as me or what?
Also what do you do with your fish? I normally simply put them in a big "Next Clearance" Bag with a draw string I put in to keep the catch safe and clip it somewhere in the front. Need to do something else if I'm gonna get more fish.Things just get too cluttered at the front. I do have a cool bag at the back but seems too much of a reach unless I swap things around there. Again any input would be brilliant!
Anyway, if you are ever up north Portmahomack is a good place for a variety. It's a rocky are so expect to get a few ling.
All and all, it was a good 2 hours worth of fishing with lots of first times. First Cod, Ling, Bull head, Octopus and Stone off a kayak.
Hopefully I can get hold of a decent camera to share some pics for my next adventure.
Chris
