Making a decision on the spur of the moment can often pay dividends on the Southwest coast of Scotland. With so many factors that could affect sport, trips planned weeks in advance aren't usually worth their weight in mud!
The shallow waters of Wigtown bay are seriously affected by the weather. An onshore wind turns the water a dark shade of brown, and the fish go on a feeding frenzy. On the other hand, heavy rain sends too much fresh water downstream, which in turn, pushes the fish out to sea.
One species, which is the envy of every Scottish sea angler, turn's up in this particular estuary in packs...providing the conditions have been perfect. Agile smoothound's run the channels and sandbars, and may even come to within casting range of the shore.
Living at the opposite end of Scotland doesn't give me much hope of knowing when such a valuable window of opportunity will arise. Luckily I have a contact that lives close to the area in question. Scott Mcnicol can boast to having some remarkable fishing on his doorstep, and he will occasionally ring the alarm bells if anything exciting is brewing down at his Dumfriesshire homeland.
Fellow Edinburgh angler and International team-mate Mike Kyle was also excited at the prospect of perhaps getting the opportunity of seeing one of these rare visitors north of the border. I consulted him regarding a trip targeting the hounds within the next few days. Surprisingly he jumped at the chance, but was a little apprehensive as to our bait situation.
We had been told that fresh Peeler crabs where absolutely essential to a successful days hound fishing. Our local crabbing haunts where totally devoid at this early stage in the season, luckily 'big Scott' came to the rescue again with buckets full of his local fresh peelers. Scott and his regular fishing buddy, Colin McGarva, had been busy during days previous to make sure they had plenty crab.
Upon arrival at our meeting place, I braced myself for what was bound to be punishment. South-western anglers have a habit of under exaggerating when it comes to their fishing, and getting to their marks is no exception. A 'short stroll' would compare to a painful, sweat-extracting hoof back on home grounds.
Continual winding through thick woodland before scrambling down a rocky escarpment left Mike and me in a state of asphyxiation. I noticed the local double act had already arrived on our mark for the day, despite giving us pair of "Jessie's" a head start on descent. We eventually joined them, immediately collapsing on our stance, which was a comfortable looking flat rock jutting out from a boulder beach.
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I watched closely as Scott and Colin whacked out crab baits on pennel rigs. These where sent at variable distance with one out at maximum range, and another in close a tactic I noticed the dangerous duo using. Not minutes passed before Scott's rod at extreme distance walloped over. He hit into a speeding fish, which swam toward shore faster than he could wind, only to spit the hook. Loud cries consisting of "they are here lads" echoed around the cliffs behind us, which gave me the energy to get my rods set-up at lightning fast speed.
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My up 'n over rig was sent out rapidly after what had just happened. Can you imagine my disappointment when my first bite turned out to be a dogfish. So much for adjusting my drag encase of our much-anticipated quarry!
Colin hit into a very crab like bite which slowly but surely inched shoreward. As his shock leader knot appeared it became clear that this was no crab! The beast awoke darting from side to side towing the youngster all over the place!
Eventually the fish was subdued and rapidly tailed out of the water.� A torpedo shaped starry smoothound brightened our moods no end as I snapped shots of the delighted captor and his prize. A smile as wide as the Bay itself told us that Scottish Junior team member Colin was one happy lad! A few frantic phone calls later we had discovered his 8lb+ fish was not far off the Scottish shore caught record.
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Scott was next into action; he had sneaked off to rescue one of his rods as me and Mike drooled over a beautiful fish. Another violent smoothound striped line in small but sharp bursts as it made a good account for itself in the shallows. Colin returned Scott's favour and was soon wrestling another good starry at the waters edge. Although slightly smaller, it was still a good fish by northern standards and went 7lb 8oz.
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High tide approached and the current eased. Mike landed two dogfish in a row sparking a change in tactics by myself. 4/0 Pennel's where changed for a 2-hook clipped down with size 1 hooks baited with fish-bait. Whilst everyone's rod tips sat motionless, I had landed 8 doggies on the trot and made sure my success was recognised. My smiling mates perched to my right reminded me about the size of their crab baits, which would choke even the most determined of dogfish!
I prepared some crabs in a state of readiness for the tide to start ebbing and hopefully more smoothound action! The pressure was now turned on, as I still hadn't connected. There isn't a great deal of opportunities when these unpredictable tourists show in Scottish waters. Considering my busy schedule for the next few months, the reality was now or never. I looked over to Mike who was looking equally anxious as to when things would start happening again...Three hours went by without as much as a sniff!
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We gathered over in the shadow of Scott's tripod and rods. I couldn't help feeling costrephobic in between the human brick house Mike, and 6 foot tall Scott. Our conversation was shattered as a long ratchet run screeched from our left. Staring over with eyes franticly scanning the area, I notice my line was lying limp below the rod-tip. I scrambled dangerously over ridges and sharp boulders to reach my set-up.
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Upon lifting my rod from its stand something dashed out and ran 5 yards off my reel. In a dizzy, adrenaline fuelled moment, autopilot took over and I was soon connected to a powerful, opposing force. At great speed, the fish turned and shot towards me so much so that the shock leader knot came flying through the rod rings. Perhaps I could pry it from water right now I thought... Not a chance! It put up a spirited battle below me before I had it within grasp.
I was overjoyed with my first smoothound of around 4lbs and took great pleasure of watching it cruise back through the water. Looking back towards Scott I noticed he had another very similar fish to mine on the bank.
In the wake of our antics Colin had expertly tamed a 6lb 'smut' all on his own. His next two casts produced a couple more hounds of smaller size. I hit another fish, though this one felt like just another dogfish. Just before breaking the oily calm surface it threw a tantrum and started thrashing about giving me a proper soaking; my fish was a 3lb hound, which was not at-all, amused by being interrupted.
Mike was now understandably agitated. Somehow he managed to miss three sizzling runs in a row, although he did miss them in style. On one occasion his line parted sending him rearwards, flattening me in the process! As usual, he kept his head high and persevered, after thanking me for breaking his fall. I think even the boulder on which we stood clicked onto the sarcasm in my "any time, mate" remark.
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His patience was rewarded with a stunning smoothound of 3 1/2lbs.� This was followed up when his second rod folded to the tune of another fish, which looked identical sizes to the previous. He made sure I had the camera ready to capture the moment.
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Our last few casts remained busy with each of us landing another fish each with Scott landing a baby which I was surprised was eating solids. This seemed the perfect note to end our session as darkness closed in and the task of finding our way back through some dense forest waited. My first session after the hounds was unforgettable, and I can't wait for the next time my schedule allows and conditions are favourable.
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Smoothounds are not that common in Scotland and should be treated with our utmost respect. Their fighting qualities really are second to none, and we should all try our best to conserve stocks; it's only fair to allow everyone to enjoy something as special.� The majority of Scottish sea anglers have never even seen one. Wigtown Bay is littered with likely areas that the fish will pass through. Water, which has been coloured by an onshore wind, is the all-important factor in success in the area.
Most of the areas rock marks give way to forgiving clean ground, so no need for extremely heavy tackle. Rods capable of casting 5oz are adequate and are best coupled with a 6500 sized multiplier loaded with 18lb line. End tackle must be up to the job; a strong fish can easily find weakness in terminal tackle.
Hooks should be strong and sharp and anything in between the sized of 1/0 and 4/O when targeting hounds. Odd bass up to double figures provide variety, be prepared for a passing tope too!