Wee trip to say hello to Sharpie - Day 2

Day two started with unexpected torrential rain, but as there wasn't much wind we thought a conger bash at Cullen harbour. That was quickly needed to be re thought as when we arrived it was obviously not safe on the harbor wall. Three hours to high tide and waves already coming over the wall. The picture doesn't do them justice but there were some huge lumps of water hitting the harbour and streaming across Cullen bay towards the beach. Quite an awesome sight to watch but far to heavy a sea to fish nearby, or so we thought. Next stop was Portknockie.

We didn't think we had a chance of fishing there and only went for some photos (did get one I am pretty fond of). The headland here was actually providing the harbour with more protection than we thought, and though the outer wall and breakwater were off limits the inner harbour and fishing into the harbour mouth were definitely safe.  After watching for a while just to make sure we set up. One rod each into the harbour mouth behind the breakwater and one each into the harbour hoping for a conger.

Sharpie made the break through first with a small coalie followed by a couple of angry shore crabs. I got my own blank off with a tiny pollock. Still they are all fish lol.

All this time Sharpies conger rod was getting we knock knock knocks, ratchet drags but nothing more. I was fairly sure it was either a large crab or lots of small fish and decided to test the theory by changing out the conger rig far another flapper.

Sure enough this quickly led to the culprits unveiling with a coalie quickly tacking the bait as soon as the lead hit the bottom. Lots and lots of coalies later the only other 'species' to appear was an edible crab. Pity the sea state stopped us with our other plans but a fun few hours. never the less.

Hopefully cod o'clock after tomorrows trip...

Wee trip to say hello to Sharpie

After an invite up to Elgin to stay with Sharpie for a night, we decided to meet up as Sandend Bay for a few hours fishing into night then see what the following day would bring weatherwise before we decided where to go.

On arrival the weather was cloudy but reasonably warm (for the time of year) and the wind no more than a stiff breeze. First thoughts were to target flatties until dark O'clock then see if there were any silver spikies about. As there were half dozen to a dozen or so surfers in the bay when we arrived we walked towards the far end of the beach to set up and see what was about. Lots of different baits went out, mackie, squid  lug, sand eel  bluey and prawns.


Things started well, first in was myself with a not bad flounder of 22cm. This was quickly followed by a belter Sharpie reeled in, 29 cm and pretty chunky.

All I was getting was casting practice (but I need it :))and stripped baits. Sharpie was much the same till after another hour he landed a lovely double shot of fat flounders at 28 and 27 cms.


The wind was building and the skies becoming more menacing as dark fell. But this didn't stop Sharpie. Another double shot of flounder 27 and 29cms.

So the flattie bash part of the session went well (for Sharpie 5-1) for the couple of hours we were at it. Unfortunately the bass hunt never really got began. A couple of casts in we were hit by a really strong wind and heavy (and bloody sore) hail storm. And after I just managed to stop my tripod going over for the second time we decided discretion was the better part of valour. We were lashed all the way back to the cars with pretty big hails stones, face and hands stinging by the time we got the gear stowed and off to Sharpies for some scran and to plan day 2.

Usan and beyond

So short trip up to Dundee to meet Jimmy a few how do you dos etc and off we went to Usan to start with.

First stance was a nice rocky outcropping it had a channel behind but we reckoned we had about 2hrs fishing there before we'd have to move. there were a lot of creels close in and a creel boat working them so we had to be pretty careful casting but there were a few nibbles to keep us there for a bit and I missed one cracking bite. But though the sea was fairly calm to start with over the first hour it got up a fair bit so with safety in mind we moved round to another spot.

The move here produced a lot more positive bites, with combos of lug, squid, crab, bluey and mackerel all getting interest. Firstly Jimmy has getting a few nice big knocks but nothing was hooking up. I was getting some nice bites as well but was missing them. But that was just the start of the frustration. Next wee nibble I get set to strike felt it again and, fish on. I felt a decent fish (nothing massive) thumping its tail and knocking its head. In it came until things just seized up, into a bloody snag. Nothing would shift it, I slackened off the line and left it for a while hoping the fish would lift it out but not to be. I pulled for a break and the bloody swivel went and not my weak link. More frustration to come. Next cast right back to the same spot and after only about 2 mins same again; nibble, strike, fish on, snag and broken off. The air was blue, I can laugh now but was pretty annoyed then lol.

We moved again shortly after and tried another spot but with nothing doing we decided to have round to Elephant Rock.

Again out with the rods there were loads of wee bites from the off. Jimmy got the blank off pretty soon with a small but super fat rockling and with that decided to move to the other side of where we were as he'd heard of conger being hooked.
With the bites dying off I moved over to where Jimmy was fishing to see what was what. Shortly after he had a couple of decent bites and as he lifted up his rod it slammed over and it was obvious he had something decent on. Was it cod or conger? As Jimmy was fighting it he said he could feel it rolling over and over so we both thought conger. And so it was as Jimmy quickly got it to the surface a big black shape appear below us. I'd skipped down on to some lower rocks to help land it and got a really good view, it was death rolling over and over like I've seen crocodiles on the telly and was getting wrapped up in the trace. I reckon it was in the 10-15lb range and was giving Jimmy a hell of a battle. hen just as it was out of the water and starting up to us the line went. Arrrrgh another lost fish. Looked like it had bitten through the line. Was a killer when Jimmy remembered he had a drop net in the car! Jimmy was buzzing, exasperated and exhilarated all in one. We fished on another hour but nothing more came of the session.

We're planning to go back and land the fecker soon.