Again a tough week Weather-wise for us here on the southern Lofoten. Only a few shorter trips in the surrounding areas could be completed and the result is also the same, but one day the guests in the guide boat drove for haddock with good results after only a couple of hours of fishing despite the strong wind. A few others caught some Halibut with good results and reported three in the 80cm class.
What we really want to talk about is the last day when it really broke loose in the afternoon with really nice fishing. All the boats at Camp set out already at 7 o’clock in the morning in the hope of being able to pass the southern tip of the Lofoten and be able to get out on the outer slopes where the large Cod literally terrorize the small fish. Unfortunately, after a valiant attempt to round the southern tip, our guides had to make the decision to cancel the passage as it was actually so bad that it would have been a safety risk to continue. Sad but still hope was not lost, and after talking together everyone decided to continue fishing in the eastern fishing spots until 2 o’clock in the afternoon when the current would turn to rising again.
Kristian, who guided two boats with really tagged Swedes, was able to report 3 Halibut after a dream start in a smaller area, all of which were over size with 130cm at the top. For the rest of us, it took quite a bit of brainpower to endure the last few hours and as a gift from above, we got to see a really nice display of a large flock of Killer Whales!
Well at two o’clock everyone arrived longing for nice weather and the opportunity to get out to the really hot places, Kristian immediately set off towards the area that delivered earlier this year and after a couple of drifts they were able to report a whole bunch of nice Cod over the radio with a top of about 15 kilos, the companion boat also had a nice fishing where several personal bests got to see the inside of the boat.
Daniel and the guide boat had a clear goal for the day and that was to first lure up some food Halibut and then try the real flats for fish that are out here at our camp here on Å! All said and done, the plan nailed down and after a while Daniel was able to pick up a nice fish of about 105cm on a spinner. A quick move later and once out in deeper water it felt even hotter, the first drift starts well and after a while three more Halibut between 90 and 100cm were in the boat, the drift continues and approaches the shallower plateau of 35-45 meters where Guide Daniel previously been in really nice Halibut. and as if out of nowhere, the most brutal echo ever comes up on the plumb line and Daniel barely has time to tell the guests to be prepared for 2m+ Halibut before Morgan stands with full rod bend and shouted that it is pulling!
The rod is bottomed and despite the hard pressure the fish is stuck to the bottom and no line is won, not a shake of the head, it was simply just dumbfounded! Morgan struggles and after about ten minutes the fish finally leaves its hold from the bottom and we can see it slowly coming up towards the boat via the sonar, the minutes tick and finally the fish is finally glimpsed under the boat and Daniel prepares for landing. The Halibut hook is set on the first try and roars of fear and delight take place in the boat as everyone views this beautiful huge fish. After a careful measurement, the fish was able to swim back into the depths after a couple of pictures. Big congratulations Morgan on a fish of a lifetime at an incredible 236cm measured fork length ie from the middle of the fish’s tail fin to the tip of the closed mouth.
Now we await a week with clearly better weather conditions and endless possibilities!
Tight Lines// Daniel Freland, Kristian Hausken and Ludvig Smedjebrink
CONTACT US
If you, like many others, have ever dreamt about fishing the prolific waters of Å on the Lofoten Islands in Norway and would like to know more information on how you can join us, you can contact our sea fishing specialist, Paul Stevens, on 01603 407596 or email at paul@sportquestholidays.com.
