Number of posts : 6951 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 13887 Location : Colwyn Bay
Subject: The Scottish Archipelago Wed Sep 23, 2015 7:07 pm
It seemed unbelievable but after months of waiting our trip to the Shetlands was finally here
Last Thursday six of us set off in two cars on the long journey to Aberdeen to catch the ferry to Lerwick on Shetland then on to the Isle of Yell which is one short ferry ride north of Shetland itself.
Our destination was a small fishing port called Cullivoe.
The team;
Myself Arwel, Dave, Paul, Dave and Karl (Whose just joined the forum welcome along mate)
After seven hours in the car then another thirteen on the ferry our first stop in Lerwick was A&E Poor Arwel had been stung by a wasp at home but 24hrs later his hand had swollen up like a balloon so medical advice was sort
Once sorted we were off to catch the next ferry over to Yell which was a ten minute crossing A short time later we found the B&B we were booked into, dropped our gear off and headed to the harbour to see what was what for the following morning (Saturday) when our two day fishing adventure would begin
Unfortunately Arwels hand was to bad for him to fish the Saturday and he needed to go to the local medical centre for his dressing to be changed but he put a brave face on
Saturday morning 9am and we were on the boat and heading out to sea, within 5 minutes we were in 130ft of water and it kept getting deeper the further we went
It was a bit lumpy as we motored to the fishing grounds but it only took about half an hour so it wasnt to bad
The engine stoppped, the rods were ready, the drift began, the leads and lures were sent 300ft to the bottom, the skipper said 20 seconds and we'll be into the fish...20...19...18... I was counting Down in anticipation....5...4...3... BANG one rod after the other bent almost in two and we knew this was going to be arm wrenching fun and hard work too as we drifted into a shoal of something BIG
Next to me was Carl who was struggling to pull up his catch, I could hear grunts and straining going on all around the deck but I was having enough trouble hauling up my own catch to take too much notice of what was going on, after what seemed like an age my fish finally broke the surface and the skipper was straight there with a gaff and lifted the fish into the boat for me... A coalfish easily weighing 20lb
Next to me Carl brought in his first haul, two Cod weighing 18lb and 22lb It was no wonder he was struggling
All around the lads were pulling in similar sized fish and everyone had enormous smiles of joy on their faces mixed with silly grins of pain as our muscles were stretched and pulled, and this was only the start Lines were back in and sent to the bottom once more.
By the Sunday Arwel was feeling much better and his hand had almost returned to normal size so he was thankfully able to join us Some of the lures we used were huge but there was no point using small ones up there
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The skipper had music playing on deck too which was great
Muckle Flugga lighthouse the most northerly lighthouse in the UK
A long way to go but considering almost every fish was a double figure ranging from 12lb to 25lb and there were fish on every drop, must have caught 150 fish between us easily but no one was counting, and that between the six of us we had fifteen PBs at the end of it, many being broken on the very next fish it was well worth the effort and we're all definitely going again
My three new PBs are a 22lb Coalfish a 21lb Cod and a 9lb Pollack
Last edited by Logger on Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
stevo Swordfish Hunter
Number of posts : 3613 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 9921 Location : manchester
great report dave just looking at your face i can see you had a great few days you will have to grow your own spuds to keep the prise down on the chips to go with them fillets well done to you all
headwyn Sunnyrhyl Addict
Number of posts : 2016 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 8057 Location : Sunny Rhyl
Fishing looks rubbish up there, what are the women like?
Well done lads!
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 6:28 am
Good shout Karlph! Skipper is well worth a mention.
jimmyjizzmo Giant Squid Hunter
Number of posts : 274 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 4999
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 7:35 am
Brilliant report,wonder what the shore fishings like????
Logger Hunter
Number of posts : 6951 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 13887 Location : Colwyn Bay
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 7:36 am
He was a good Skipper, he knew the grounds and where the fish would be and how to get them and he was fun and made the whole experience one none of us will ever forget Can't wait till next year
Kirky's Dad Marlin Hunter
Number of posts : 2861 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 7847 Location : Stafford, Staffordshire
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 8:47 am
That was some trip Dave well done and another great report from you as usual. Let's hope the next one is just as good a big fingers crossed.
squidward Tope Hunter
Number of posts : 1096 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 7214 Location : Rhyl
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:12 am
That seems to have been well worth the effort, I hope you realise it`s all pin whiting from now on
Logger Hunter
Number of posts : 6951 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 13887 Location : Colwyn Bay
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:16 am
squidward wrote:
That seems to have been well worth the effort, I hope you realise it`s all pin whiting from now on
We've all said that we may have shot ourselves in the foot by going on this trip as it will take some beating
Notbad ADMIN
Number of posts : 6098 SunnyRhyl-O-Meter : 13635 Location : Sunny Rhyl
Subject: Re: The Scottish Archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:44 am
Brilliant Dave Mate
That is one heck of report, my arms were hurting just watching your video!
Guest Guest
Subject: the scottish archipelago Thu Sep 24, 2015 8:46 pm