Back to the Maidens, we have Peter Ross reporting:
With a decent forecast we could not wait to get out for another bash at the Maidens. We decided to go on Mark’s boat Iona, but on arrival things didn’t look good as there was no power to the engine . It was a dodgy isolation switch which was soon fixed and we were underway Plenty of mackerel at Skernaghan and straight out to anchor in the hole. It was an ebb tide which is always stronger than the flood but it was stronger than we thought . After a while I landed a good spurdog 17lbs 06 oz great to see them back.
The tide then got too strong and the anchor dragged for about an hour but when it held again Mark got a lovely spurdog 16.5 lb and then followed up with a decent 12lb bullhuss.
Meanwhile Davy could only manage the usual doggies.
As slack tide approached we were thinking of heading in when Mark got a cracking take but whatever it was bit through his braid(probably a tope)
We decided to give it another 15mins and as we were tidying the gear away Dave’s rod bent over. It was defo skate on and the lucky bugger had got it at slack tide.
After only 15 mins it was at the side of the boat , but it went straight back down . It only took another 15 mins until it was safely gaffed and brought aboard. It was a lovely female which had a previous gaff tear in her wing.
Measured and tagged it turned out at 188lb exactly the same as the one I got on Wednesday.
Well done Dave as he got it on a doggie trace on a 4/0 hook
Despite the old tear this fish was in very good condition and swam away strongly .Once ashore we relaxed with a few beers . Even Dave who doesn’t drink celebrated with a tinnie.
A great trip and good to see the Maidens back to it’s best.
Peter Ross
Boat Angling Ireland
