Mackerel and wild camping West coast Scotland

[Mungo]

So the season is just about here.

I’ve always wanted to try the West Coast for mackerel, so I’d be extremely grateful if anyone had any recommendations.

Shore fishing, ideally somewhere a bit remote - happy to walk an hour or two. And even better if there’s somewhere to wild camp.

 

[finbar]

Drummore port Patrick
Mite be up there me sell soon

 

[Scuffy]

Fascadale Ardnamurchan

 

[co’den]

Calgary Bay, Mull for camping. Good fishing off Gribun Rocks.

 

[Utectok]

Mackerel can be a bit hit and miss from
The shore I’d go for pollock.

 

[tarponhead]

Mackerel can be a bit hit and miss from
The shore I’d go for pollock.

You can cover the bases by using a wedge or heavy paddle tail as the weight on a string of feathers - I get wrasse, pollack, bass and mackerel in that rig.

 

[Mungo]

Mackerel can be a bit hit and miss from
The shore I’d go for pollock.

I’ve done very well from certain places!

Just need a headland or pier that drops into reasonably deep water.

My best day was off the shore - had to stop when the buckets were full!

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I had a few really good sessions on the Mackerel from the shore at Arrochar on Loch Long when I was living up in Killin back in the 70s!
Not sure about the "Wild Camping" around there but there's certainly some stunning scenery!

Edit- I did on one occasion meet up with a group of "bikers" who had camped out and slept "under the stars" on the West Side of the loch while I was on an early morning foray and treated them all to fresh caught mackerel cooked on an open fire for their breakfast (The Mackerel were all cooked within 5 minutes of being caught so you don't get much fresher than that) which they were all very thankful for before they went on their way!

 

[Camdig]

Kempock Point Gourock, can be good and you are definitely in wild camping territory.

 

[Mungo]

Kempock Point Gourock, can be good and you are definitely in wild camping territory.

‘Wild’ camping…

 

[Demetrius]

So, are we talking driftwood fire on the beach for the mackerel.........fish gutted and hung over the embers on a bit of wire strung between two sticks?

D.

 

[Mungo]

So, are we talking driftwood fire on the beach for the mackerel.........fish gutted and hung over the embers on a bit of wire strung between two sticks?

D.

Of course!

 

[Demetrius]

I'll just get my plate.......

D.

 

[FrenchieBoy]

So, are we talking driftwood fire on the beach for the mackerel.........fish gutted and hung over the embers on a bit of wire strung between two sticks?

D.

But of course, it's the best way to cook and eat fresh Mackerel!

 

[finbar]

No a lover of mackerel but can suffer the odd one
What we used to fish for was the pollock spinning & on the fly
Old fly rod gold heads big fancy feather flys deadly
As gud as wild brownies
Wud love to take a bass on the fly
Take them back to camp gutted wrapped in foil put at edge of fire 5/10 mins salt pepper bit of lemon juice
Dog fish we ate as well mare to skin but worth it
Called rock salmon in fish mungers

 

[Demetrius]

It's called "Huss" down here on the south coast, "Rock Eel" where I come from......best way to skin it is to tease up the skin just behind the head with a knife, enough to grip, wrap a bit of damp towel round each hand and use the cloth to get a grip on the flap of skin..
Then hold down the head with the other hand. and pull the skin firmly. Also works with skate, thornbacks etc. any fish with rough or thorny skin.

D

 

[pob]

So, are we talking driftwood fire on the beach for the mackerel.........fish gutted and hung over the embers on a bit of wire strung between two sticks?

D.

Try wrapping one in a large piece of kelp, sitting on the embers. Bay leaf in the belly. Chef's kiss.

 

[Husky]

Fascadale Ardnamurchan

The beach at Fascadale is comprised of stones with rocks either side of it, from Fascadale to Achateny it's mostly rocky but there is a sandy beach at Port Ban.

You can park up alongside the road to Fascadale as there are a few spots that have enough room for a car and a tent, the landowner has no problems with people doing this as long as they leave no mess, there is also a gravel parking area just before the cottages at Fascadale.

 

[User00056]

There can be few greater pleasures than sat on a shingle beach with a fire going, a couple of cold beers, and fresh-caught fish straight out of the sea

 

[VSS]

It's called "Huss" down here on the south coast, "Rock Eel" where I come from......best way to skin it is to tease up the skin just behind the head with a knife, enough to grip, wrap a bit of damp towel round each hand and use the cloth to get a grip on the flap of skin..
Then hold down the head with the other hand. and pull the skin firmly. Also works with skate, thornbacks etc. any fish with rough or thorny skin.

D

An even better way is simply to pour a kettle of boiling water over it. Then the skin just wipes off.