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  • 09/2013 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

    Sep 2013 by Gethyn Owen

    Report on-board My Way 2

    With the last week of August producing some great fishing in the deeps, it was hoped that things would continue in similar fashion with next set of small tides in early September. Sadly the weather decided to play its part and curtailed our movements offshore. Thankfully the fishing was lively inshore, with a general species hunt being the order for a good few days.

    Starting September we were joined once more by the Skegness Pier Angling Club, a great bunch of male and female anglers all eager to test out the varied fishing on offer from our coast. The wind stopped play on the Saturday, leaving a few to brave the elements on Holyhead Breakwater, but thankfully settled down for Sunday and despite blustery conditions we were able to have a good fish both at anchor and whilst drifting.

    Despite a valiant effort from the men, it’s fair to say that the ladies came up trumps with a variety of species on the day including plenty of Gurnard at anchor and both Ballan and Cuckoo wrasse on the drift. Sadly the majority of September was littered with wind, all directions and speeds, leaving us grabbing the odd day here and there.

    During the second week we did manage to sneak a day in the deeps and most of the anglers were rewarded in pollack to 5lb in weight. Not monsters, but quality fishing none the less and enjoyed by everyone catching.

    Towards the last week of the month we started to see some settled weather, and with the addition of neap tides from the Tuesday we had high hopes for some good fishing.

    Inshore for the penultimate weekend of the month we were treated to an abundance of fish again with gurnards once again making regular appearances along with the ever present doggies, huss and whiting etc. Drifting the inshore rocks the pollack and wrasse fishing had fish averaging 2 to 3lb regularly coming to the boat; some pollack staying aboard whilst many others returned for another day.

    Best of the few days inshore fell to the charm of My Way regular Carl ‘Monty’ Burns whilst fishing a slack water over Holyhead’s mussel beds. As the tide started to run once again, Carl changed tactics to fish a whole whiting he had caught earlier on a large hook and 150lb running ledger.

    As the tide strength reached un-fishable, the ratchet from Carl’s reel screamed off and his 12lb class BeastMaster arched over towards the water …. Tope on! This tope ran downtide, using the added momentum of tide to nearly spool Carl’s reel as he delicately tried to apply pressure and slow the tope down; without snapping off!

    After what seemed an eternity, Carl managed to turn the shark and started to make some ground back, only for the tope to take turn after turn back down the tide. 40 minutes later, a magnificent looking tope finally broke the surface and into the net of My Way, a bent net that was showing signs of some great fishing in 2013. Quickly weighed in the sling Monty had his biggest tope aboard My Way a very impressive 45lb specimen! A few photographs later she was returned carefully.

    This was a fishing frenzy for Carl, with a further 2 days booked aboard My Way and both of them looking to be a full on assault in Holyhead Deep for more tope, huss and hopefully a few pollack.

    The 2nd day of Carl’s adventure we were joined by father and son Malcolm and Dave Shepherd form the midlands. Puddle anglers at heart, they wanted to experience the ‘other’ side of fishing and take in some of the quality sport that was being reflected in the My Way galleries. Setting sail to fish the deeps with novice sea anglers can be a little daunting, but I really needn’t have worried. Explaining how the sidewinders needed to work through the water with the drop and retrieve scenario over the wreck, Malcolm and Dave took to this like, erm, ducks to water! On the first drift, Dave hooked straight into a pollack, followed closely by Malcolm, who then went on to catch on all subsequent drifts.

    Poor Monty not having such a good time, however a quick change of lure and the next drift he pulled out a pb pollack of just under 9lb that proved also to be the best of the day. During the anchor work everyone managed to bag a tope or two each. Sadly nothing as big as what Carl had the previous day but for our intrepid fresh water duo, 20lb tope form 200ft of water, 10miles out was indeed great fun!
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    Sadly increased wind overnight left the following morning lumpy, so a day inshore, however with a mass of angling talent aboard My Way it was always going to be a good laugh catching a variety of species. Tompot Blenny’s are not rare, but neither are they a regular catch, this day however we managed to land 7 on the boat, from a mark not known for throwing up too many mini species!

    The follow day with more settled conditions it was back off to the deeps with a first stop on the wreck. Despite my suggestions of heavier leads for the 200ft and 1.4knot drift and also a change of lure (plenty available aboard My Way) the crew decided they knew best. We caught 1 pollack! Thankfully the anchor work made up slightly, but the comment of “Thought the drifting would have been better” really did annoy me!

    So moving on swiftly, back out the following day and onto the wreck, we had a fair few pollack again, amazing difference a change of crew can make. Sadly no real size to them, but a good number around the 4lb mark making it home with the anglers for a nice fresh fish supper. At anchor, the deeps didn’t disappoint. Tope and huss coming aboard fairly regular, with 2 guys catching their first ever tope, Jack first off and then Kris, after failing to connect in previous trips afloat managing to catch a couple during the day. Preston Angler Richard Priest showed his skills with a few double figure tope and also 2 great tope, a 20lb and cool 35lb Deeps tope!

    One great feeling aboard My Way is when regular anglers become friends and take it upon themselves to bring offerings for everyone on board. You often see shared bait, rigs or lures being handed out to anglers slow on catching, not just club bookings neither, but individual days.

    Besides all that there is also the Floating Café tag My Way often receives, and why not! Part of a good day is good food. The last trip I spoke of is perfect example, local rod Dave from Benllech had been busy in the kitchen watching his wife Karen preparing some fantastic homemade shepherds pies for everyone to enjoy. Brooksy had popped into the bakery the previous evening and secured a bag full of cheese covered rolls for the group, whilst Jacks wife Claire had been baking and treated us all to a most delicious Victoria Sponge.

    I love my job!

    Read more at http://www.goangling.co.uk/Report-2013-September.htm

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