Pollack Fishing off the Rocks on the Sound of Islay

Fishing from the rocks on Islay's East Coast in to the waters of the Sound of Islay

Following the three part series I featured on this blog relating to fishing on Islay in July 2012 and before moving on at least for now to pastures new, I thought this postscript would be appropriate. This trip actually took place in the summer of 2011 but these pictures and details are all previously unshared and unpublished. They relate to a different part of the island from any previously spotlighted. The target species was pollack and the venue was a rocky formation on the East Coast of Islay, fishing the treacherous waters that are the Sound of Islay, the narrow channel which separates Islay from its neighbour, the Isle of Jura.


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A decent pollack taken from the rocks

The bait used on the day was mackerel and calamari squid, together with a number of different lures. Beachcasters and spinning rods were used, over a variety of different casting distances. It was actually a miscast - landing close in to shore - which resulted in the dogfish featured below being taken.

Lesser spotted dogfish will also be around when fishing for pollack on Islay

The pollack were generally taken on spinning rods and of course provide good sport on this lighter tackle. As more people are fortunately starting to realise, pollack also make for great eating.

Decent pollack keep coming and make great eating

The scenery in this part of Islay is particularly stunning, with fabulous views available over towards the Paps of Jura on a clear day.

The Paps of Jura as seen from Islay, across the Sound of Islay

Rock fishing can be dangerous at the best of times but it is especially important when fishing the Sound of Islay to be aware of the treacherous currents which run down through this narrow channel of water. These currents even see the Islay to Jura ferry requiring to follow a long, indirect course at stronger stages of the tide. Falling in to the sea here would see you whisked away in no time.

The waters of the Sound of Islay are beautiful but treacherous

A Warm Welcome and an Introduction to Sea Fishing on the West Coast of Scotland

Airds Bay boat pick up point, Loch Etive

Welcome to this brand new blog, devoted to sea fishing and all its associated factors on and off the West of Scotland. It is my aim here to look at sea fishing venues, my experiences and those of my friends while fishing these locations, great places to stay if your trip lasts more than one day and - of course - fabulous recipes of my own creation for cooking up your catch when you get home. I hope you will come with me on this journey and perhaps get to see and know the West of Scotland as you have never seen or imagined it before.

The head of Loch Long at Arrochar

It amazes me to think that it is but a beginner's cast off forty years since I first wetted a line as a very young boy at the small pier in Lochaline. I remember that the first sea fish I ever caught was a coley. I even remember that after having caught a number of coley, my second caught species was pollack and my third, mackerel. Sadly, times have changed considerably since those halcyon days in the 1970's, with the despised EU Common Fisheries Policy in particular to blame for the over-fishing that has decimated the fish stocks in Scotland's inshore waters. Although most of the fish have gone, one way of looking at the problem is that knowledge of where to fish, at what time of year, at what stage of the tide and with what bait and equipment becomes all the more important.

Inveraray from the shore of Loch Fyne

This blog cannot guarantee to improve your sea fishing record on or just off the West of Scotland. What it does guarantee is quality, up to date and relevant information, designed to hopefully help you in your quest to catch more fish, of your targeted species, more often. Tight lines - and happy fishing!

Out on the boat on Loch Etive