Oban Area
Oban is the largest town in north Argyll and is know as the 'Gateway to the Isles'. From here ferries run to many of the Hebridean islands including Mull, Coll, Tiree, Islay, Colonsay, South Uist and Barra. The population of 8500 residents swells by a factor of three in the busy summer months.
Facilities for visiting boats in Oban are surprisingly poor for a town of this size and outstanding location. There is only one public slipway in the town itself, and landing facilities are fairly poor.
There are three fishing tackle shops in town that stock a good range of piscatorial supplies. A number of charter boats operate from the bay that specialise in giant skate fishing. The Oban area is well know as being the UK capital for big skate, as well as being one of the best places to catch specimen spurdog.
Dunollie Point lies in the shadow of Dunollie castle, along the Oban to Ganavan road. In summer months it is popular with locals fishing for mackerel as it's one of the best shore marks near to town. Maiden Isle lies a few hundred yards off the point. You can expect to catch pollack and wrasse around the reef, as well as dogfish and the occasional spurdog to baits fished on the bottom. The ferries run close to shore here so watch out for their wash. There are some good shore marks between here and Ganavan Sands where there also a public slipway.
South of Oban bay is the Sound of Kerrera. There are good shore angling marks past the Kerrera ferry towards the end of the public road near Oban Caravan & Camping Park. Boat fishing is by far more productive in this area as it gives access to many small islands and reefs that hold a wide variety of fish such as good-sized pollack, rock cod, wrasse, conger and sea trout.