GREENOCK & GOUROCK WATERFRONT
One of the easiest and most accessible places in central Scotland to fish, Greenock, on the upper Clyde Estuary, is a great place for kids, novices as well as seasoned species hunters and LRF addicts too
Back in the seventies, the Clyde was renowned for huge bags of fish, in particular massive cod, haddock and coalfish. However, a myriad of factors – not least overfishing by the commercial trawlers and the estuary losing a lot of the effluent that flowed through it from Glasgow’s industries and drains – has seen fish stocks decline dramatically in the last four decades. There’s an argument to be had about the deterioration of the fish stocks in the area with those in the know and those who have other ideas; it’s a debate that will, no doubt, continue.
However, in recent years, the upper Clyde has seen something of a mini resurgence. It is nothing like the glory days of double-figure cod and huge bags but there is definitely something stirring. Greenock has mostly been known as a mackerelbashing spot due to its easy accessibility and literal
“fishing out of the car” location. Most summer’s days will see anglers almost elbow to elbow flinging strings of feathers out after the shoals that visit from late July onwards. Unfortunately, this can bring the typical problems with alcohol use and litter that is the bane of regular anglers’ lives. Nonetheless, aside from the mackie bashing, the shore and waterfront of Greenock Esplanade has some sport to be had and is a great place to take younger kids for a safe place to catch some fish.
MARKS TO TRY
Most of the spots are easy enough to access: the “Morrisons” mark is across from the supermarket and behind the Tail O’ The Bank pub and restaurant. The Custom House Quay is similarly “drive up to the sea” and the Gamble Steps at Gourock is a two-minute hop from parking spaces.
TACKLE & TACTICS
You can go a lot lighter than most Scottish marks; there are snags and weed but given this was once the heart of the country’s shipbuilding industry, it’s not a tackle graveyard by any means. A light beachcaster or a flattie rod will give you decent enough pulling power for bait fishing and a standard spinning set up will do for lure or float tactics. Keep the hook sizes small: under a 1/0 for the most part as you’re not going to catch Jaws around here!
SPECIES
The species tha
