Spring Pollack from Mull

[@michallowther4160]

Brilliant Doug.....love the way you do everything right from fish handling and release to camping , not leaving any trace. Understated commentary....perfect!

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Cheers, and I'm glad you enjoy my videos. You never know what ends up being edited out! 😁😁 I do very much like to leave places as I find them though, sometimes better where I can.

[@c_mcalister3636]

Love your videos sir but I must also admit I envy you a great deal 😂. What more can you ask for than a stunning backdrop, a blissful day and rod and line in hand. I'll have to try get out to some of these places eventually. Until then I look forward to seeing more content

[@tamlyon4435]

A good session Doug 👍

[@Corkwing-DougK]

This turned out better than I expected as there were loads of fish around on the wreck, but I didn't pick up any anywhere else I tried on the way there. The sternpost of that wreck shows above water at low tide (as I nearly found out the hard way), so you need to take some care dodging around it.

[@dougsmcv]

I'm loving your videos sir. Keep up the good work.

[@noelduggan72]

Good Stuff....Love The Mull!!!!

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Ah! - Isle of Mull, not Mull of Galloway. Both great places to fish though, although the isle is pretty tough going from the shore.

[@paulfitzpatrick8470]

Subscribed the other week.Magic I’ll make the dinner later!

[@stewartcollingswood8079]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@mattwebster675]

Hi Doug. I just started watching your vid's and found them very interesting. In fact iam looking for new places to fish out on my boat with my boys and already ur've gave me ideas. I would like to hear about your set-up and the type of lures your using as it would be a good help. Thanks for taking the time of posting ur vid's. Great stuff. 👍

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Matt,I'm really not very sophisticated in my lure fishing. 7 or 8 foot spinning rod, 20lb braid and a lead head in the 20-60g range (depends on water depth), usually armed with a firetail jelly worm or 4 inch shad of some description. Alternatively, something like a Koster or slim pencil lure fished sink and draw can pull fish out if the soft baits result in nips rather than takes. One of my favourite methods (mainly 'cos it's the laziest) is to pop a 1 or 2 oz bullet lead, followed by thin mackerel belly strip or sandeel on a 5-6 foot long trace. Fish it directly under the boat 10-15 feet off the bottom and it can be very successful, especially when the boat is moving at a fair pace. If you're trying to keep interest with young kids then a set of tinsel lures or feathers can pick up loads of small fish, especially if you tip a couple of the bottom hooks with mackerel. The trick is to find the fish, then the catching isn't usually too difficult. Reefy ground with a decent tide run would be the sort of place I'd look for.

[@fishingwithfilitsa]

Very good

[@AdrianxGill]

Another great video, and I'd be very happy with your version of a small Pollack! I hope you'll do a full review of the longliner 2 soon and how you've organised your kit, I've been watching to get tips on how you've kitted her out - I've got my railblaza mounts and some side rails but not quite ready yet to take the plunge with drilling holes irreversibly! Have you found a way to secure the wiring from the nav lights and aerial cable in the cuddy without making more holes?

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Well I've just taken delivery of a small shedload of extra railblaza kit, which will mean quite a few more holes need drilling! A rack for the cuddy, additional camera mounts and a bait board amongst other things. I'll probably do a video after I'm happy with that lot, and before they get too covered in slime'n'scales. I've got the cuddy wiring in flexible conduit which is laid across the ends of bolts used to fix handrails to the edge of the cuddy roof. Rather than cut off the excess length of the bolts I've used them as supports for the conduit - easier to show than to describe I think. It does all need tidying up though.

[@edwardharrison3555]

Hi Doug love the videos thinking of fishing the sound of mull in the summer got a seahog shorty 50hp 4 stoke mercury on it. never fished there before but fished the mull of galloway most summers any tips on the crossing from oban and parking of car and trailer

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Edward, I've been using the slip and carpark at Ganavan, just north of Oban. Big slip that drops onto hard sand about half tide. It's a fair way to get into the Sound of Mull itself, and it can get nasty if you have wind against tide, so it's only something to do in good weather. I've only been up that way 2 or 3 times from Oban, but it's a nice run on a decent day.

[@edwardharrison3555]

Hi Doug thanks for the reply. will be going in the summer weather permitting Thanks again Edward

[@WolfKillerLestat]

Loving the video's,will you be doing a review on the boat I have the same one would like to see how other people have them kitted out..also what rig you using for the pollock fishing thanks.

[@Corkwing-DougK]

The pollock rig is an easy one - just a 6" jellyworm or shad on a leadhead (something like 21g I think). I was using a heavier spinning rod than normal, just to prevent fish getting into the wreck, with 20lb braid.I'm hoping to get around to a review fairly soon, as I've had the boat for nearly a year. However it's not the sort of thing that comes naturally to me, and I'm very conscious that what suits me as a boat may be a poor choice for someone else. Also, the more times I use it, the more I realise still needs to be done, and neat DIY ain't exactly my trademark... The only reason I'm really considering doing one is that there is very little information out there for anyone thinking about a Longliner 2, and it would've helped me when I was thinking about buying one.

[@WolfKillerLestat]

Doug K yes that's what I was thinking their is very little out their on the ll2, it is my first boat and I love it it's easy get in and out of water by myself and easy to run.

[@stevesdaysoff2759]

Hello Doug, Do you use mono or braid for your spinning and what breaking strain. Great video and subbed you. Really enjoyed watching. Atb Steve 👍.

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Steve, I nearly always use braid nowadays. Usually around the 20lb mark for saltwater. I do sometimes use mono for trout spinning, around 3lb bs or else 9lb 8 strand braid.

[@LauraDawn11]

Hi Doug... I live in oban and work on a creel boat on all the South ground of kerrera.... However I do own my own boat and launch at Ganavan.. If you ever fancy going as a couple of boats.give us a shout.. Ps I've had common skate ling etc and some nice pollock cheers.!

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Rather you than me on the creels - at least I get to choose when I head out and can dodge the weather! I fish Etive a fair bit but I'm not actually out of Oban all that often, although I do fancy a wee trip out to the Torran Rocks again if the elements behave over the summer. More likely you'll find me anchored up in the deep water just off Kerrera looking for skate on a calm day sometime this autumn!

[@brynmitchell5774]

Hi Doug ,I think I have watched n read all of your super vids ,Corkwing inspired me to get my O LL mk 1 with a 10 hp old Mariner, Took her to the Coast around Pembroke for 2 weeks 2 weeks ago , 160 Mackerel, 2 stonking Ballans around 4 lb each but no Pollock or Bass. The Boat performed so well and although only a 10 hp she went plenty fast enough , using about 2 gallon of fuel over 3 full days. She towed lovely , my only concern is trailering her alone as I need guide bars on the trailer.It's tricky even on a calm day ,I was going to drive the 6 hrs to Etive having seen all your pics n vids but alas my brothers backed out at the last min and I didn't want to go alone due to recovery of the boat .Two questions for you , would you do a vid on how you Moor / Anchor your boat overnight when sleeping on her,your Mull Vids have fired me up to drive from Stoke on Trent to either Mull or Etive for a full weeks fishing and camping , any help with your method of Anchoring overnight would be great.Also could you advise me on where to Launch to get my boat around Mull as I so want some good Pollock and have a week free in Oct [ weather permitting] Thanks for all your vids !

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Bryn, Glad to hear you're having fun with your boat - I don't think I've ever managed more than a week out with mine. Guide bars sound like a good idea, although I find that you can often "bounce" a lighter boat so that it sits better on the rollers. To answer your second question first, I'd suggest launching at the Puffin Dive Centre, a little south of Oban. The slip is narrow but otherwise in good condition, although I don't know what they'd charge for several overnights as well as a launch. The obvious alternative would be just north of Oban, at Ganavan, but this is a slightly more exposed slip that leads on to a sandy beach. I might put together a video of my mooring at some point, but I do tend to stay clear of the technical details in my videos, partly because I'm no expert and also what suits me might be completely wrong for someone else. It is designed for sheltered waters only, and I wouldn't trust it in exposed territory or strong tides!! My setup is based on a very simplified version of this article - www.neilmoomey.com/howtos/anchor_buoy/. I unshackle the anchor chain from my rope and then shackle a 5" stainless steel ring to the free end of the anchor chain. I pass the anchor rope through the ring and then tie the rope off on the boat (really important, if you don't want to lose your anchor!). Simply drop the anchor over at the point you want to moor and then head back ashore, paying out the free end of the anchor rope - I normally just reverse slowly back to the beach. At this stage you should have two lines pointing back to your anchor, with one end tied to the boat and the other running free from your mooring basket. Take the FREE end and tie it off securely to winch eye at the bow. Untie the other end of the rope that was fastened to your boat and use haul on this to pull your boat out to where your anchor is (take great care to make sure the other (free) end of the rope isn't too short, or you'll see the end heading out to sea). When your boat has reached the anchor then just secure each end of the rope ashore. I usually try and tie off to a tree root or rocks. Essentially your anchor rope becomes your mooring rope, and a 220m rope will allow you to anchor 70m(ish) out from the shore. To be honest, I doubt you'll get the weather to circumnavigate Mull in October safely or comfortably. It's south and west coasts are very exposed to swell as well as local winds. Anchorages might be tricky to find except well into the sea lochs of Scridain and Na Keal. Equally, Etive for a week will probably get boring. Work with the weather obviously, but have a think about fishing the 3 sea lochs Etive, Leven and Sunart as an alternative - they are all quite different. If you're keen on pollack then Skye offers plenty of fish, with some degree of shelter, and has many more launch options than Mull. Cheers, Doug

[@brynmitchell5774]

@@Corkwing-DougK Thank you very much for that Doug, I am loving being at Sea even so far my trips are alone, cheers for your reply

[@brynmitchell5774]

Hi Doug, I think I have watched all your vids now , you inspired me to buy a 2nd hand orkney L L, I am taking her out for the maiden sea voyage at the Llyn peninsula Nwales , I will be taking two brothers, I have searched for info on utube for what wind speed is considered safe when fishing within a mile of the shore, probably much less but cannot find anything of use as to what wind speed should stop or deter me from going out , please could you give me your opinion on safe wind speeds for fishing .

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Bryn, you really need local info, not internet suggestions from a bloke who's never fished in Wales! If there is a local boat club then think about joining them, or at least getting some advice - I don't know how much fishing is possible in your area over the winter, for example. For a first trip out I'd suggest leaving the rods behind, and concentrate on getting used to the boat and trailer, checking the outboard is OK, etc. Safety depends heavily on swell, tides and wind direction as well as speed and it can quickly get scary if a lightish wind goes against a decent sized tide, for example. Initially I'd stick to really sheltered water, on a smallish tide and with a wind speed less than 10mph. You can build from there as you get more experience. Personally, I rarely bother with a windspeed much above 10-12mph in a small boat unless it's very sheltered water - the boat can easily handle it, but the quality of the fishing rapidly heads downhill as you get battered about. If you haven't found it already I'd strongly suggest you have a look at the free book download at www.boat-angling.co.uk. Enjoy yourself, but please don't push your luck and have a bad experience - or worse!

[@brynmitchell5774]

Thanks Doug , trialled the boat on a local flash and slow moving river , have a 4 stroke 10 hp Mariner and a 3.3 Evinrude 2 stroke as a back up, I will upgrade to 25 hp asap but not tried this set up in anything but mild wind , 4 to 8 mph , I have a sib which I have taken out in 15 miles wind which can be lumpy but I am hoping the longliner will be stable enough to manage 25, thanks for the link I ill look immediately , thanks for your time I am sure you must spend a lot of time helping and replying , time is precious so thank you .

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Bryn, didn't mean to teach you to suck eggs, but I was a bit worried in case you'd never headed out to sea before. Not sure which longliner you have, but if it's an original then there's not a lot of point in going over a 10hp engine as you won't get much benefit in a displacement hull. Longliner 2 is a very different boat and will benefit from a 25hp (not so much with 3 aboard, though). 25mph is force 5-6 and well beyond my comfort zone for any sort of fishing unless tucking in under the shelter of a cliff, although both LL and LL2 are capable of handling these sort of conditions from a seaworthiness point of view.

[@brynmitchell5774]

I am asking to be taught lol, my LL is the mark 1, I think I will fish from the shore in winds over 20 as if you are not comfy at 25 I certainly wont be, but hoping I can do ok in under 20 mph with 3 of us aboard, experience is needed so I will restrict myself to less than force 4 until experience is aquired , again , many thanks .

[@huntingryan123]

Hi, I'm off to scotland in over a weeks time and Iv been doing some research on fishing but would you be able to explain the laws on fishing in scotland....if you could help that would be mush appreciated, thanks

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Ryan,One of these topics that gets complicated quickly, but:(1) There is no rod or state licence required for salt or freshwater fishing. (2) In the sea (including sea lochs) you can fish as you like for what you like. However restrictions apply on what you can keep - minimum size limits, and a complete ban on keeping bass and some other species. You cannot target sea trout or salmon in the sea (or estuary) without a permit and must return them if caught by accident - there tends to be quite a lot of argument over this point, but I'm assuming you want to avoid hassle.(3) Freshwater is more complicated, but most popular fisheries will have a permit system and maybe local restrictions (fly only, barbless hooks, etc.) Most fisheries will be open season at this point in the year. It's very specific to the individual water you plan to fish, so I'd google the names you're interested in.(4) It's illegal to fish for salmon and sea trout without a permit and I think Sunday fishing is still banned. Many areas also have protection orders which ban trout fishing without a permit, but in others (especially the more remote areas) you will probably be OK unless a google search shows the loch or stream as having permits available. It's worth knowing that you have the "right to roam" (on foot), subject to behaving like a responsible adult. So you can access pretty much anywhere as long as you keep a reasonable distance from someone's home. You can also camp on the same basis, except where restricted in the Loch Lomond/Trossachs area. Google for Scottish Outdoor Access Code.This is the general position in Scotland - but it's very different if you cross the border into England.And enjoy your visit!

[@huntingryan123]

Doug K thanks that's brilliant and I will take all your advice and I will enjoy my visit been planned for about a year

[@hairyscone]

Hello Doug I have just moved to Oban and i'm looking for help with some shore based marks and a couple boat ones if you are willing to help out. love the videos great stuff hopefully could join you one day I moved here to study at SAMS UNI - Cheers

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Ben, I've never actually shore fished at Oban, although I do sometimes in Loch Etive (more often from the Glen Etive end, which probably isn't much help to you). If you haven't checked it out yet there are a couple of guys on the World Sea Fishing site who do shore fish at Oban with decent results, and there are loads of threads on fishing Loch Etive. Dunstaffnage Castle is pretty handy for you at SAMS and will throw up spurs, although I don't know exactly where from. Despite appearances this year, I fish Oban quite rarely from the boat and generally only when I forget how back breaking skate fishing is and Ian and I decide to give it another go. Normally the only mark I fish within 10 miles is basically a run down the west side of Kerrera, turn right at Bach Island and head out until you reach 500 feet of water (seriously!).That said, you might like the next video that's just about ready to go. A couple of days out of Oban although no actual fishing with 20 miles of the place.

[@robertwalker3168]

Hi Doug, I've got relatives on Mull. Where did you launch from? Looks like a good slip. I launched my boat last year at Tobermory, then had the boat moored on the pontoon for the week, popping out fishing in the Sound of Mull. First time up there so I was quite happy with the nice Mackerel we caught - beautiful freshly BBQ'd Are you familiar with any fishing marks out that way. Lovely video by the way - just bought a Go Pro so hoping to do a bit of that this year, regards Bob.

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Hi Robert - I launched near Oban, at the old seaplane slip at Ganavan. I've fished the Lochaline area and in Loch Sunart, but not really anywhere around Tobermory. Sunart is worth exploring as it's very scenic, but fishing can be pretty hit or miss. Coming from Tobermory I'd be trying Laga Bay, especially where it drops away to 300+ feet as you enter it. Anchor up for ray, spurdog, conger and the odd skate on fish bait. Not the easiest fishing though!

[@robertwalker3168]

Thanks Doug, loving the videos, think I might have seen them all. Yes I'll have a look on the charts for that, don't know when we'll get up there bur it wont be until there's a chance of better weather. If we do manage a few fish I'll let you know, happy fishing. Tight lines mate, Bob.

[@robertwalker3168]

@@Corkwing-DougK Thanks, made a note of that. I've been looking at my charts, specifically around the Tobermory area. There is a wreck on the chart by the N.East corner of Calve Island. Despite searching dive reports logs etc I cant find any mention of it. With my limited knowledge and chart expertise I make it about 6* 02" 56* 37.7" Any ideas what it might be, could be worth me drifting over it with a hook or two..Bob.

[@ernieplucknett2816]

I'm not a fisherman..Although i must admit watching this video does interest me into giving it a try..One question though and i'm guessing you get asked this quite a lot..Do you catch fish to eat?

[@Corkwing-DougK]

Most definitely - although mainly fishing on the east coast for cod where I keep a reasonable number (most still go back). Pollack are pretty good eating too, but I only keep ones which are deep hooked and unlikely to survive. A decent haddock would definitely visit the freezer but apart from that it's only the odd mackerel, herring or gurnard that gets eaten.