[dab hand]

Six of us including happy hibee and sandyhill from the forum were out today with Mike Watson aboard his Orca. Another friend of Mike, who is down on holiday made up the party. The forecast was for wind from the East at 18 mph. They got the direction correct but the speed was nearer 35 mph.Bonus was sunshine all day. Plenty of good sized mackerel at the mouth of the bay near the bell buoy at Milleur point, then as too gusty to anchor on a wreck, moved up to within a mile of Ballantrae to fish a clean ground area, but fish were on the small side with the exception of numerous dogfish. Things were slow so another move which again saw little action, so did not dally long, moved to an area of hard ground approx 2 miles in front of the mouth of the bay. Much better here, most fish on the small side but plentyful. Species caught were codling, dogs, haddock, whiting, tub gurnard, coalfish and a bullhuss. Mikes pal Angus was the one who caught the huss, a nice fish of 10 lb. 6 oz. This was the heaviest fish of the day.No tackle losses whatsoever and everybody enjoyed the trip.
Bad news, in a couple of months Mike will retire leaving Stranraer without a charter craft. We all wished Mike a very long and happy retirement.

 

[happy hibee]

as you say jackie pity about the wind but still enjoyable day , nice to see a couple of nice tub gurnards and the bull huss , although not the fastest
craft at sea Mike always tries his utmost you give customers a good day
so best wishes for his retirement
Andy
ps when i see the group photo i defo
think i should get a carers allowance for today lol

 

[kennythejoiner]

Six of us including happy hibee and sandyhill from the forum were out today with Mike Watson aboard his Orca. Another friend of Mike, who is down on holiday made up the party. The forecast was for wind from the East at 18 mph. They got the direction correct but the speed was nearer 35 mph.Bonus was sunshine all day. Plenty of good sized mackerel at the mouth of the bay near the bell buoy at Milleur point, then as too gusty to anchor on a wreck, moved up to within a mile of Ballantrae to fish a clean ground area, but fish were on the small side with the exception of numerous dogfish. Things were slow so another move which again saw little action, so did not dally long, moved to an area of hard ground approx 2 miles in front of the mouth of the bay. Much better here, most fish on the small side but plentyful. Species caught were codling, dogs, haddock, whiting, tub gurnard, coalfish and a bullhuss. Mikes pal Angus was the one who caught the huss, a nice fish of 10 lb. 6 oz. This was the heaviest fish of the day.No tackle losses whatsoever and everybody enjoyed the trip.
Bad news, in a couple of months Mike will retire leaving Stranraer without a charter craft. We all wished Mike a very long and happy retirement.

Sorry to here no one taking over from Mick, manys a good days Pollock fishing off the the wreck at the mouth of the loch.
well done also on your days fishing

 

[bmac]

Good report and photo's Guy's :1a: Sadly i have not managed a trip this year out with Mike, He is a great skipper and i have had a fair few superb trips with him over the years....... he will be missed.

Glad you had a good day.

 

[Rab-A]

We too had a good day on the Orca on Tues...bull hull to 10.5 lb, pollack to just over 5.5 lb (5lb 10 oz) and lots of species too...incl doggies, whiting, haddies, pouting (some good sizes there) ling, and a skate of around the 120 lb mark...so not too bad a day.


Rab.


PS.
As Davy Holt will prolly be along to doubt this skate catch...we havw witnesses.















a leprechaun from dublin and a local junkie who also witnessed the landing of the largest pink elephant from inshore waters.

 

[DANTHEFISHERMAN]

As rab says Brilliant days fishing on tuesday .But will miss mike when he retires . He told me he is going to buy a yaught and enjoy HIMSELF (Think he deserves it ) :clap3:

 

[eggy]

looks like you had a good day jack.speaking to billy c today he enjoyed his day.heading to rascarrel with larry tomorrow (sun) for a mullet bash weather looks ideal .plus whatever else going about.

 

[MARTYB]

good catchs its a shame somebody is using your thread for a pointless b1tch.

 

[scootb73]

Nice pics,that doggie looks a right cracker!!!

 

[Matty Burrett]

We too had a good day on the Orca on Tues...bull hull to 10.5 lb, pollack to just over 5.5 lb (5lb 10 oz) and lots of species too...incl doggies, whiting, haddies, pouting (some good sizes there) ling, and a skate of around the 120 lb mark...so not too bad a day.


Rab.


PS.
As Davy Holt will prolly be along to doubt this skate catch...we havw witnesses.















a leprechaun from dublin and a local junkie who also witnessed the landing of the largest pink elephant from inshore waters.

Hi
was the skate for real????

cheers matty

 

[willeton]

Well done:clap: sounds like you all had a great day. And no mention about sleeping on deck. Great report and pictures guys, good luck.

Steven

 

[conger conger]

Have also had my share of good trips with mike...

Good Skipper - Very long and happy retirement

Davie

 

[dab hand]

Aye it will be a pity if there is no charter boat operating in those waters. It would be better if one could operate out of Cairn Ryan, or Ballantrae. I have a couple of wrecking trips booked for a party of seven in sunny South Devon in a months time, yet may be able to squeeze in one final trip with Mike. Looks like the sun is coming through now, so better off down to the shore to get some bait and have a short session.

 

[Rab-A]

Hi
was the skate for real????

cheers matty

lol....Noooooooooooooooooooo


Rab.