snatcher
16-07-08, 10:52 PM
As prearranged I drove down to Toms van at Sandhead. I arrived there at nine bells and Tom was sorting the boat out,I really did have a good feeling about this one! Within 10 mins of me arriving Karen was backing us into the water - luxury,what a good wife she is Tom.
We steamed out into Luce Bay for about 10 mins and then started drifting in 20' of water looking for bait for our tope attempt.Every drop was nearly a full string so we quickly filled the bait box.By this time the wind was getting up and the sea was quite choppy,also is was starting to chuck it down.Not ideal conditions for toping.
We headed out further into the bay to a spot that Tom fancied. Down went the anchor with the rubby-dubby tied to it in about 50' of water. Tom dropped down a mackerel flapper and I elected to try a whole fish - well nearly whole,just chopped the tail off.
The long wait then began and we noticed that two of Ian Burretts boats were also at anchor nearby.The tope were not playing game and the baits were getting chewed up by doggies,not an encouraging sign.Tom got a couple of them in and they were not a bad size but not what we were after. After one good knock I tightened into a slightly heavier fish which turned out to be a a thornback of about 5lbs. The conditions were getting worse but we stuck it out for quite a bit longer but the tope never arrived.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/tope1-2.jpg
It was time for a move so Tom headed us back towards Sandhead and slightly closer in.Again our baits were being chewed up constantly by doggies.Now Tom had set up a third rod,a Fladden Maximus he had just bought a few weeks earlier. This rod developed a good tope run and Tom said for me to take it. I tightened into the fish and the Maximus became a Minimus!!!!! it snapped in half at the spiggot OOPSY - shot Snatcher. Well in my defence I did not give the rod any real wellie,just tightened into the fish. It must have been faulty and will be going back.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope2-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope3-2.jpg
Time was getting on and Tom said right John this is the last drop.Guess what? Tom got into a tope,and about time. The fish was about the 20lb mark and really gave a spirited fight. It was fairly deeply hooked but Toms new T-bar removed the hook no bother.We then headed off for Sandead but made a brief stop on the way in for a few fresh mackerel
for tea.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope4-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/tope5-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope6.jpg
Tom gave Karen a bell and by the time we arrived in front of Sandhead caravan park she had the trailer in the water waiting for us. The boat was recovered in moments and back we headed up the beach to Toms van.
Fishing wise it had not been the best but as always the "craic" was mint and we both enjoyed the day. Thanks again Tom for taking me out,it was well appreciated. Depending on the weather we plan to have another tope attempt this Friday.
This is your roving Mull of Galloway reporter Snatcher signing off - till next time !!!!!!!!!!!
We steamed out into Luce Bay for about 10 mins and then started drifting in 20' of water looking for bait for our tope attempt.Every drop was nearly a full string so we quickly filled the bait box.By this time the wind was getting up and the sea was quite choppy,also is was starting to chuck it down.Not ideal conditions for toping.
We headed out further into the bay to a spot that Tom fancied. Down went the anchor with the rubby-dubby tied to it in about 50' of water. Tom dropped down a mackerel flapper and I elected to try a whole fish - well nearly whole,just chopped the tail off.
The long wait then began and we noticed that two of Ian Burretts boats were also at anchor nearby.The tope were not playing game and the baits were getting chewed up by doggies,not an encouraging sign.Tom got a couple of them in and they were not a bad size but not what we were after. After one good knock I tightened into a slightly heavier fish which turned out to be a a thornback of about 5lbs. The conditions were getting worse but we stuck it out for quite a bit longer but the tope never arrived.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/tope1-2.jpg
It was time for a move so Tom headed us back towards Sandhead and slightly closer in.Again our baits were being chewed up constantly by doggies.Now Tom had set up a third rod,a Fladden Maximus he had just bought a few weeks earlier. This rod developed a good tope run and Tom said for me to take it. I tightened into the fish and the Maximus became a Minimus!!!!! it snapped in half at the spiggot OOPSY - shot Snatcher. Well in my defence I did not give the rod any real wellie,just tightened into the fish. It must have been faulty and will be going back.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope2-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope3-2.jpg
Time was getting on and Tom said right John this is the last drop.Guess what? Tom got into a tope,and about time. The fish was about the 20lb mark and really gave a spirited fight. It was fairly deeply hooked but Toms new T-bar removed the hook no bother.We then headed off for Sandead but made a brief stop on the way in for a few fresh mackerel
for tea.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope4-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/tope5-2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/snatcherphoto/Tope6.jpg
Tom gave Karen a bell and by the time we arrived in front of Sandhead caravan park she had the trailer in the water waiting for us. The boat was recovered in moments and back we headed up the beach to Toms van.
Fishing wise it had not been the best but as always the "craic" was mint and we both enjoyed the day. Thanks again Tom for taking me out,it was well appreciated. Depending on the weather we plan to have another tope attempt this Friday.
This is your roving Mull of Galloway reporter Snatcher signing off - till next time !!!!!!!!!!!