stan4massey

Ian, who caught them is not up to me as they are keeping it quiet for the time being. A medium sized boat was brought up from S. England but catches were smallish and they intend coming back to try for bigger things. As for the brill and turbot, that is easier and subject to no official secrets I know of. A fairly small bank west of Craig Laggan light (S. of the Oust rocks). Rises from around 35-40mtrs to about 18-20mtrs. Its not on the charts but is about 6-800yds offshore, almost due west of the Craig light. Total bank size is about two football pitches. There`s a wreck about another three hundred yards out but seems pretty barren for most of the time. There are also still a few good plaice from time to time on the same mark as well as rays.

Bob on Stronsay, fair points you make Bob and if you read my second post above you will see I had no hesitation in posting an apology as I probably did go on a bit and write it in a manner which was not the way a lot of it was intended, as I indicated in the last post I can be un-diplomatic at times a definite failing on my part. The out and out lies were addressed by me on a one to one basis with the person concerned and with luck will not arise again. I also hope I can be of some help to one or two and having got the initial niggle off my chest will restrict my postings 100% to matters I may be able to assist with if any. Stan

Sam, yes, impressed by any fish that makes an angler happy with his catch. more so if a potential record is returned alive. I probably killed a few too many in years gone just in search of some sort of `not that important' glory. No, not a suicide bomber but as most of them, by the very definition, are blown up there are probably a few, (mabye a lot) who wish I was. Most of my applications to join the diplomatic corp have been knocked back. Stan

Geoff ` a bit of a baptism by fire' Bet it aint even started yet. I`m a bit long in the tooth to be bothered. I`ve also got a pretty substantial collection of similar baptisms.

Ian, so would I. Never caught a swordfish in my life and only a few chicken butts (3-4lb). Hadn`t thought of anyone looking at it that way. I am not claiming to have caught all of these species but I`ve aimed anglers at some in the past and they`ve been successful and I`m reasonably clued up on the where and when after about thirty years of research. Stan.

No intention whatsoever to either knock the forum or put down regular posters nor was I having a bad day. Possibly just a bit frustrated at the (apparent) lack of angling ambition by many. If you dont try you aint going to catch them. The main intention of the post was to highlight the simple fact that there are a lot more species available around the Scottish coasts than generally assumed and also in venues where they may well be least expected. For younger anglers or indeed any beginners then LSD`s and mackeral are fun and an almost certain way to ensure they are hooked on a healthy outdoor pastime but once a bit of experience is gained they should be aware that they can move on. I also screwed up my figures on the skate in the outer clyde, should have red 14 not 140 (wish it was 140). The `aquarium' is where many of the skate are tagged and whilst it gives good information it (imho) would appear to restrict the true information on the actual distribution of this species which can in fact be found in many marks from the Solway to Shetland as well as east coast marks. Quite a few of you have e mailed me. I am not ignoring or failing to reply I am a computer dummy (many would probably say more than just computers) All I am getting is a postmaster notification that someone has mailed me regarding the post, nothing else. As for the big game club it died an ingnimoious death in the mid 90`s with a vast array of chiefs and politicians but few indians. I would also at this point have no hesitation whatsoever to publicly apologise to any who think I was knocking the forum or to any individuals who think my purpose was to put them down (except one or two of course). The forum, again in my humble opinion, seems to give good sound information on a variety of aspects both boat related and fishing but the (apparent) assumption that this is our lot and we have to make the best of it is simply not true. The species I forgot to mention in my tirade is bluefin. I`ve spent many years studying that one and it is looking ever more possible that at certain times of the year they may well be within striking distance of some of you small boat anglers in relatively inshore and sheltered waters Self promotion was not even close to my thoughts when posting. I`ve done or more correctly had that done in the past and taken all the stick, niggles, ridicule, put downs, jokes etc etc. Not even remotely interested in that nonsense but I do have a lot of information and a bit of experience on the more `exotic' species which I am perfectly happy to pass on if anyone is interested. Actually catching them is down to you. All are probably only attainable from boat except the triggers which may just be within reach of a good beachcaster (I myself can manage about 60 yards with a force 6 back wind and that`s on a good day) Tight lines Stan

I have watched this forum for a while now and whilst I am impressed by the obvious genuine desire of many members to promote conservation of `some species` [obviously only the ones they consider worthy] I find it strange that a forum dedicated to sea should spend so much time and effort on posts regarding `minor' or indeed `vermin' species. Dogfish ! check back on how many posts relate to the 1 and 2lb dogfish catches. If that is fun why not go to the canal and catch perch (nothing actually wrong with that). Seems to me that a lot of young and up and coming anglers appear to becoming indoctrinated by [ what does Davy Holt call them?????] `relatively high profile anglers' or some similar phraseology. I read that to mean a tiny group of anglers, who undertake regular postings and so get a name. The fact that they may not know an awful lot about what they are talking about seem to have nothing to do with it. They congratulate each other on some spotty dogs, the occasional ray or a 10lb conger or then we hit the epitomy of sea angling , WOW! we catch some mackral !! And this is a forum that hopes to influence Government ministers, Government Depts and the likes on matters of conservation???????? A total joke!!!! To the younger anglers, I cannot speak for the English waters (although I did stay and fish there for about five years some twenty years ago) the waters around Scotland, in particular the West coast, are teeming with quality species. There is excellent light tackle sport (12-20lb) on tope to around 40 - 70lb, turbot and brill are in numbers around Stranrear and Mull of Galloway, Porbeagle shark exist on most S.W. southern facing headlands from late July through November, they also run off the headlands in the North, North East and N. West costs from October through March /April (a cyclic concentration based on moons phases). Halibut still exist in numbers off five marks near the Point of Stoer to around 150 -250lb, Trigger fish can be taken on shell baits ,West of Mull, almost as easy as Makeral and black mouth dogfish, on certain marks very close to Oban, can be taken in abundance. Common skate to 192lb have been taken in the outer Firth of Clyde in the past 6 years near Arran, (from memory the total is around 140 plus skate from 65lb up), all released [but not tagged in accordance with the silly programme currently only tagging fish in an `aquarium' off Lochaline and surounding waters). Pollack to 24lb have been taken off marks close to Ailsa Craig (not the marks fished by the cattle boats) and large regular catches of cod are still made a mile or two away from the 60`s and 70`s marks of Gourock and Dunoon. A SWORDFISH IN LOCH LONG!!!!!! Big deal!. They are an indigenous species to Scottish and European cool to temperate waters and can be taken `failry' easily on nightime rod and line but not regular, (6 in two and a half years) Check the number washed ashore on the Fife and close by East coast marks each Feb. March. Rays Bream, a regular (to be honest annoying catch) west of Barra in July - Oct when you are looking for other things, [pink muppets work well at around 50mtrs jigged fast] Again to the younger anglers. Dont believe that all you can catch off Scotland are doggies. Harrass and question the `high profile anglers' about their knowledge of the above and then question why they should even be high profile (apart from the fact they post more often, talk crap and tell out and out lies). By the way I`ve been fishing 49 years, hold multiple IGFA world records, was a charter skipper for many years and have some 7 box files full of info on Scottish sea species dating back to the 1880`s). Hold saltwater and freshwater fly rod records as well as some of the largest catches of common skate in any season (almost 3 ton, tagged and released in four months) Trust this may get some of you thinking and if it opens a can of worms, so be it. You have chased one good angler off in recent weeks, try again. Tight lines, Stan Massey (prefer pyro??? or did the court actions re those lies that cost you the boats stop you using that nickname????) what goes around comes around!!!