Common Skate

[TimOH]

Sea Angling Ireland - Boat & Shore Tactics, Irish Record and Specimen sizes http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/skat ... common.htm
More information on the status, distribution, rigs and techniques http://britishseafishing.co.uk/common-skate/
The scientific bit from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_skate

While Graham Smith is our resident expert, Bob Robinson, John Griffin, Mike Thompson and Darren Spellman have also caught these from a kayak.

Well done Bob Robinson

Bob Robinsons Skate.jpeg (148.32 KiB) Viewed 1112 times

Graham.JPG (65.42 KiB) Viewed 1108 times

Graham 2.JPG (69.99 KiB) Viewed 1108 times

Graham Smith is our resident expert

[Dave O Donovan]

Whilst it wasnt caught in a kayak, I must give me brother a congratulatory pat on the back for the longest skate (I think) in 2019.

[Graham Smith]

Thanks for the kind mention Tim.
That was a fine fish Karl caught.
I'll get a list of what my rig is up soon.

[mikethomson]

Nope. I've never had one. Wish I had though

[Graham Smith]

Nope. I've never had one. Wish I had though

I was wondering when you had one lol. But you had a fine stinger from the beach on holidays.

[mikethomson]

Nope. I've never had one. Wish I had though

I was wondering when you had one lol. But you had a fine stinger from the beach on holidays.

Yep, my arms are still sore from that fecker !

[TimOH]

Nope. I've never had one. Wish I had though

I'm fallible after all

[Graham Smith]

Nope. I've never had one. Wish I had though

I'm fallible after all

Maybe not entirely you were half right with his big stinger.

[Graham Smith]

Rod;My set up is a 50lb class rod,
A decent multiplier or large fixed spool reel, an 8000 size or bigger. I use a 990 dam quick royal and a fin nor offshore.
Line; 80lb braid or 60lb mono.
Windon leader; 250lb 15ft long.
Trace; 3ft of 250lb mono or 400lb wire if there are sharks about.
Weights/running leaders; I use a 25lb weak link to my lead instead of a running boom as using a running boom in rocky areas can cause problems.
Hooks; I prefer a 10/0 catfish hook, but a 12/0 O'shaugassey will do fine.
Bait; a coalie of 2lb is a nice size or one about 3 and cut in two through the gut cavity to get some extra smell going. Large mackerel are good too but really you want a bait at least 1.5lb. Dogfish can be used though I find they take other baits much quicker. Especially smaller skate are slow to take doggie baits.