101_North

I'll have to give a go again sometime. Maybe even try Cockenzie as I've seen them round there too. Was determined to get one this year after last years blank but haven't bothered to target them yet. I'll maybe try Torness later in the year after the Bass cull has finished. I believe they can be caught all year round there - maybe a crisp autumn morning is an idea.

Good luck with the mullet mate. Hope you do better than me. Tried a few times at Torness with bread. Managed to hook a few but never actually landed one - still not sure what I was doing wrong. If you speak to one guy he'll swear by small hooks but others have told me that a size 1 is what they use. I found knowing when to strike the fish was the most frustrating. Good fun though!

Certainly better than last year! Not a single fish at Granton last summer! Let's hope we get a decent run and that it stays this good right through September. Still waiting to nail a Pollack this year so fingers crossed!

Popped down to Granton last night for a few hours after work. The weather wasn't great - very windy and pretty rough. Rubbish conditions for Mackerel fishing so not a 'Mackerel King' in sight I had some rag with me so I set up a float rig and fished just out past the ledge. It was almost impossible in the conditions but I stuck with it and was rewarded with a couple of decent Wrasse. In the end I had to give up with the float. I stuck out the larger rod on the bottom with rag and spun with the light rod. I managed a couple of Mackerel on the spinner which was a surprise and got a nice codling on the bigger rod on my first cast. I fished well into darkness but didn't get another bite. All in all a very enjoyable evening despite the wind and the fact it was freezing!

Just got back from a few hours in Burntisland. Got a good bag of Mackerel. As Dougie mentioned in an earlier post there were huge shoals moving up and down the breakwater chasing sandeels. The water was bubbling all afternoon - fantastic. Was a bit disappointed that there were no other species about. I tried float fished rag and then rag on the bottom but had no interest all afternoon. Maybe the tide was the problem as it wasn't fully in - I have plans tonight so couldn't stay after 5. Not sure I found the exact mark you talked about Dougie but I was on the breakwater behind the harbour - took me a while to find out how to get the car round! Have to say it was almost like a 'Mackerel King' convention. Plenty of dead fish lying around the grass which was nice to see :mad: Quite fancy going back and trying the rocks at the left hand side of the breakwater. All in all a good day and nice to try a different mark. Was also great to see the Mackerel still about in such large numbers. [ 06. August 2005, 06:13 PM: Message edited by: 101_North ]

The BBC seem to change their 5 day forecast every hour Not looking great right now!

Cheers again Dougie - you know what - you've almost convinced me to make the trip over Seriously thinking about it for tomorrow now!

Granton was fishing very well in the past few weeks but I haven't got down in over a week. Can't imagine much has changed though as there were tons of them! Maybe get an hour or so tomorrow before heading Dunbar direction - maybe Cove harbour? Whereabouts were you in Dunbar? As a matter of interest does anyone know any decent Wrasse marks? Torness inflow usually produces and Eyemouth can be OK but I've not got a hint of one yet this summer!

Cheers Dougie. Still not 100% on that mark you've mentioned but look forward to finding it if I head over (is there more than 1 breakwater). Still not sure where I'm heading tomorrow but probably a few hours North Berwick followed by a few hours with the float somewhere further along the coast. If anyone else is heading out then good luck.

The breakwater you mention - is it a high tide mark or like Granton does it not really matter? Cheers

The mackies I've had from Granton and North Berwick so far have all been a very good size. This is the best summer I have had in a while for not only numbers of fish but also their general size.

Where do get your info on wind direction mate? I checked but got a westerly :confused: Would I be right in guessing that the fife coast would be better in a northerly?

Anyone planning on getting out this weekend then? If so keep the reports coming. Me - I'll maybe try somewhere like Eyemouth.

I've spoken to quite a few people who won't fish Torness again due to the annual Bass slaughter and the abuse/threats they've suffered. I myself will only fish there very occassionally - if at all now. I'm even led to believe that things have improved there over recent years I've been threatened several times in the past for caring enough about what was going to on to speak out but sometimes you discover quite quickly that it's not worth the hassle

quote:101_North, I trust your comment wasn't aimed at me. Not at all mate - sorry if that was the impression you got. To be honest it wasn't aimed at anyone in particular - well maybe the Bratislava/Nikes comment got me going I was just expressing my opinion that blaming an entire group for the actions of a few was treading on dangerous territory - an opinion which others seem to share. Every year I witness the annual Bass slaughter at Torness and have seen the damage which locals can do. If these people are ever caught though they should be hung up by the b***s be they East European, British or whatever.

Good to see a bit of latent racism creeping in here Summer has hit the nail on the head. From my experience there are many, many more locals willing to plunder fish stocks, cheat quotas, land undersized fish etc. etc. etc. I think care needs to be taken to not apply the tag to East Europeans across the board. Yes some are guilty of cheating the system but the majority are over here to work and work very hard at that. It's East Europeans who are holding the UK's service industries together at the minute. It's the same with locals - no point labelling all anglers/fishermen because of the actions of a few!

Cheers Dougie. I'll check again when I get home from work. Thanks

What happened the report mate? Interested to read it. Cheers 101

Cheers Dougie. Look forward to reading it

I came on to ask pretty much the same question! Just back in the flat after flying home for the weekend so I never got out myself. I had planned to get out while I was away but the lure of the pub was too much

Beer?

You do get a right mix of punter down there alright. To be fair though most of the people who fish there are grand. I've never had any problems at Granton which can't be said of at least one mark further up the coast! I had a laugh last week though as this one guy who had clearly had too much Amsterdam cheer spent the best part of an hour calling everyone over to look at my 5oz lead. It was brilliant as all he could say was "that's a pure dead good weight pal - I wish I had a weight like that" I recommend everyone goes down there on a good day as even when the fish aren't biting there's plenty going on

Granton is an odd place mate and I agree the litter is a disgrace. I saw a guy last week force his kids to pick up all his beer tins, crisp packets, bait bags, food wrappers etc into a black bag. 'considerate dad' then set a great example by kicking the bag into the tide Not sure what's happened the mackerel then as last wednesday there were loads. Maybe just the weather? I've always found the mackerel in closer after a period of warm still weather. Maybe give it an hour tomorrow evening. North Berwick was fishing well a few weeks back so maybe worth a shout? I saw the guys with the tent the other week aswell. Thought it was a bit sad in 20+c

I've always preffered that side of Torness to the outflow side. No great surprise but the annual Bass slaughter is well under way round there :mad: If you visit the dollies mate let us know how you get on.

From the rocks before the helipad I've got Pollack, Coalie, Mackerel, Wrasse, Codling and Dab. Pretty much the same as you get from the helipad - I think the reason I fish the rocks is because there's way more room if other anglers turn up. I usually float fish with one rod and have another put out at distance. I have lost a fair amount of tackle there but that's just the way it is - a rotten bottom rig certainly helps. The ground close in is very rough but it smooths out quite well further out. You need to be careful on the retrieve though to avoid snagging. I've looked at the dollies myself mate but never quite ventured down. I tried one day with my kit and gave up. It's a brave man who climbs down there with his gear! Maybe someday!