Gav Walker

p.s ardrossan itself has a large harbour but its a busy ferry port i think it'l be restricted for access.

thanks guys, one thing it might sound basic but am i better fishing on a rising tide? to keep things simple i'd intended to start with having a look for features when the tide is out, then using beefed up running leger tactics when the tide is in, perhaps 3-4 oz weights i dont think the rod would stand much more but i should get a decent distance with that. bait herring or mackerel strips or lugs if i can get fresh ones i've seen prepack lugs that a crow wouldn't eat! my local tackle shop sells frozen sandeels 4-5 inch they look pretty fresh are they worth a try? gav

hi guys, going on hols for a week in saltcoats/ ardrossan area, hoping to do some fishin while there. despite being a keen coarse fisherman for 20 years i've never really sea fished so a bit advice would be appreciated. target would be simply to catch a fish, any fish. i've dug out an old 2.5 test curve pike rod and a big old spinning reel for light shore fishing or harbours will that do? other than that i'm open to suggestions. i've read that mullet can be good sport on light tackle? cheers, Gav.

i've used the jrc stealth for about 18 months or so and can highly recommend it, although several companies market virtually identical versions. it takes seconds to put up and take down and is pretty roomy inside when the front panel is zipped in. slight drawback is it has developed a small drip down the centre pole in very heavy rain, but i've invested in an overwrap for this winter which should solve the problem. i should point out that i spend days on end out in it even in winter,and put it through a bit of abuse, i'd imagine the drip shouldn't be a problem for normal 3 season angling.

I've had a few accidental bird captures over the years, as have most anglers i would imagine. i think the point is we should have the sense to be carefull when the danger is obvious. surely its just common sense regardless of your angling experience? gav

i bought a tackle bag last year for 6.99, well made and sturdy piece of kit, a couple of weeks later saw it for sale in glasgow angling centre for 25 quid marketed by a well known brand!

i'm a piker living near falkirk. assuming u know the basics i'll not lecture u about traces, forceps and unhooking mats etc. just look for features which may attract pike, use fresh bait, look for signs of baitfish. even use a swimfeeder rod to put bait in, it attracts perch and roach and the pike wont be far away. catcing them passes the time too, just remember to stay focused on your pike rods and strike early! Gav

is this stretch permitted? if so anglers could sign a disclaimer saying they fish at their own risk with no comeback regarding the local authority.

i happily pike fish in summer, and have seen no visible ill effects to the pike, although my fishing is mostly on the large scottish lochs where lack of oxygen or high water temperature is not really an issue. alot of my fishing during the warmer months is at night too. if i did think for a minute i was harming fish by my actions then i'd stop, pure and simple. i feel proper bite detection and handling is more of an issue than the time of year. an inexperienced piker can damage a pike just as easily in winter as in summer.

over the years- a tufted duck, a coot, several cormorants, and a small octopus from my local docks. i dont know who was more scared. after squrting ink on my trainers it crawled back over the dock wall and hid in a patch of seaweed until the tide came in.

i fish loch ken alot.. theres generally fish every where but the cray fish are a real problem now. as a rule i find that the harder a bit is to get to the better it fishes so a bit of effort is usually rewarded. i avoid the bits next to the road, even walkin a couple hundred yards can make a difference. most baits catch but the crays seem especially fond of mackerel. expect lots of smaller fish in the 4- 10 lb range, there are biggies there but few an far between.

'never trust a man, who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on.' or- 'politicians-dont vote, it just encourages them.' a couple of billy connolly gems.

I use 15lb diawa sensor for all my piking,have done for years. it's not a fashionable choice in todays market but its never let me down so why change? I fish alot of lochs with snags and rocks and it copes admirably. at 7 quid for about 800 metres you can change it regularly without breaking the bank too.

when piking you should also use a rear drop-off indicator, so the line is free to peel off at the first pull. with pike you should strike as soon as possible. if you are in any doubt, strike any way. re-casting is better than a deep hooked pike. gav.

I find rucksacks that are built for fishing are poor compared to ones made by camping or climbing companies. They may not have little pouches for alarms and buzzer bars or things like that but they are far more comfortable when walking long distances and should last longer. Gav

I find rucksacks that are built for fishing are poor compared to ones made by camping or climbing companies. They may not have little pouches for alarms and buzzer bars or things like that but they are far more comfortable when walking long distances and should last longer. Gav

after a few efforts at cheaper alarms I spent a few quid on Fox SXV alarms and after 3 years of constant use are still perfect.They have even been under water a couple of times and still work. You dont have to spend too much though,I would use any of the Fox range. Heard good things about Delkims too.

after a few efforts at cheaper alarms I spent a few quid on Fox SXV alarms and after 3 years of constant use are still perfect.They have even been under water a couple of times and still work. You dont have to spend too much though,I would use any of the Fox range. Heard good things about Delkims too.

Des- sorry, I've not been ignoring you,but I've not been on line for a couple of months. having system problems. I will get back in touch. Cheers, Gav.

Des- sorry, I've not been ignoring you,but I've not been on line for a couple of months. having system problems. I will get back in touch. Cheers, Gav.

myself and few friends are going down to the lake district for a weekends fishing soon. We live in Scotland, so how do we go about getting rod licenses for the weekend? Any info would be appreciated. Cheers, Gav

myself and few friends are going down to the lake district for a weekends fishing soon. We live in Scotland, so how do we go about getting rod licenses for the weekend? Any info would be appreciated. Cheers, Gav