I may have the chance to get up to the Oban area for a couple of days, if it comes off it would be within the last two weeks of this coming September.

Basically I would like to have a crack at those Common Skate! …. if anyone can give me some info on sorting out a boat trip I’d be very appreciative.
I will be travelling up on my own, would anyone be aware as to if these charter boat skipper are likely to take single anglers out to make up the party numbers?

If there are those that are aware of the Skate fishing around this period “ last two weeks September “ I’d be grateful likewise for any info … rigs, bait, tackle, etc anything you think might assist me ….

Sorry if it sounds a bit like the Spanish inquisition … but I am just trying to get as much info as possible ;O)

Cheers …. Peter

Hello Peter

Glad to see you are up for giving it a bash...

My list for what it's worth...

Skate measurement charts.

min 80-100lb Braid on the best 2 speed reel you can lay your hands on

Kidney harness as opposed to a shoulder harness - Penn are doing some suitable ones, veals versions have to be tweeked.

A very wide butt pad to distrabute the load.

A friend to hold you when it runs - I honestly would not recommend having your first skate on a solo passage. I've seen enuff ppl pulled to the edge of a boat by a Common.

Simple running ledger with a short 350lb mono trace (18 inches) with a 12/0, (barb removed)

1 or 2 mackerel fer bait.

gloves - they have razor sharp pointy bits and watch the sharp bits on the males wings.

**** off long handled T-Bar. With bolt cutters as a last resort and backup.

Gaff fer holding it still in the water for when you T-Bar it.


I'm sure there is more but I'm too tired to think...

Mibbes try - ‘Laura Dawn’ (Oban) Come fishing for giant skate with Ronnie Campbell, new 35ft offshore 105, COP 60 miles, licensed for 12 anglers, toilet, hot drinks and galley, for skate and general fishing, rods and bait available, beginners and individuals welcome, accommodation can be arranged, call Ronnie or Jayne on: 01631 750231 or boat 07721 640024.

Or ‘MV Cheviot’ (Oban) Skate or general fishing, 33ft licensed fishing boat, COP 12 anglers, tackle hire available, free bait, toilet, free hot drinks, beginners welcome, accommodation available, call Donald Maclean on: 01631 720414 or boat 07775 501658.

That way you can be fairly sure of 'local knowledge' putting you over good marks and learn how to handle the fish at the same time.

That's good advice from Sand Tiger - but a rod would be useful too

Seriously, if you go out with Ronnie Campbell (and probably with Donald too) for an extra fiver you can hire the right tackle on the boat.

On the upside that relieves you of a lot of hassle. The only downside is that the reel will be a bog standard Penn Senator 6/0. Nothing wrong with that, I and many others have landed skate on them. However, there will be a bit more grunt and groan involved - its amazing how much easier the whole task is with a Penn International II Class 50 (or similar - Tiagra 50 etc)

Have a search under Davy Holt's posts for "Skate Tackle" there is some good advice on tackle (with diagrams of rigs etc) there somewhere.

....or take the easy way out and let Ronnie or Donald lend you the gear.

Either way, good luck.

Rod, I use my teeth!

Actually Shakespear have kicked out a specialist Skate rod but I'm buggered if I can remember wot it's called

Hiya hoggy

I can solve you problem for you providing you don't pick the week starting the 27th of Sept as I'll be doon south then

(remember you still have an outstanding invite to take up)

:cool: It's call the Atlantis and you want the 50/80 version and it should be out sometime in September.

I saw this rod yesterday and I have to say, it's a cracker, with a big real on, it's a heavy beast though, might save my pennys though

Cheers for all the info much appreciated indeed

ello Tig ... hope your keeping well as it appears you are by all accounts, congrats is the order of the day I believe

Davy I have emailed you and if your able to help me out that’s great if not, then no problems m8 .... I will be off for two weeks starting from 19th Sep.

The mother in law is terminally ill, as long as she doesn’t take a turn for the worst I will be able to travel as and when it suits you Davy, any time after the 19th Sep, I was thing of fishing at least one day if possible two. Accommodation wise I can sort out the day prior on arrival, I’ll trundle up there using a whole day, no rush … ( haven’t got a rush in me nowadays, which is nice! )

Stopping off as it pleases me, its been a while since I’ve been to Loch Lomond and I would like to spend a hour or so there.

Anyhow Davy if its possible I can get in touch with you by phone ….

Listen m8 if its going to put you out anyway and interfere with things you might have planned, please feel free to tell me so Davy, I don’t want to lean on you m8!

Rods, reels, rigs etc …. Is all the fun, I’ve never fished for a species this heavy before and its something that I enjoy doing prior to fishing.

Rods wise I only have a Hardy 30lb class boat rods, Daiwa TDX 30lb class and an old 80lb class rod that looks like it was last used out of Whitby in the 30’s … in good condition and useable all the same though.

Reels wise, I have a Policansky Monitor 4B … in good nick, might not have even be used before … other than that they are all going down in size, albeit they are top quality reels ( Daiwa Saltist 30 ) .. Abu 10000CL …. I don’t mind if a reel dies on its shield lol ... I might even pick something up for the occasion, I often get offered the odd reel that’s big, I could use it and sell it on after or even keep hold of it if the bug bites me

Anyhow thanks for all the kind help to all.

Cheers Peter

Thanks Hoggy, Tis my best catch ever and not one that could ever ever be broken

`Doon sooth`, Davey?
About time too! You`ve had my invite for years!