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  • 04/2014 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

    Apr 2014 by Gethyn Owen

    Report on-board My Way 2

    Early April and the weather played havoc with our scheduled days afloat. This year we cancelled the vast majority of trips during the first two weeks of April, with our first day afloat not coming until Friday 11th.

    This day was planned for Holyhead Deep, following our last day in the Deep during the previous set of neap tides in March, hopes were high for a good number of double figure spurs. We started off at anchor with everyone pulling in regular quantities of dogfish and small whiting or the odd codling.
    Once the tide had eased slightly we continued our day on the drift, looking to help a few of the guys to first pollack and coalfish species for their 2014 hunts. Thankfully the fish were obliging and we managed to bag a few around the boat; nothing big, with the vast majority all under 2lb in weight.


    We made our way to the deeps and decided to have a little play on one of the wrecks on our way. A little early on the calender for our part of the UK, but always worth a go when you're passing. Sadly, nothing doing, not even one small take this time around. Anchored in the deeps, photos from the last trip out here in everyones mind but the fishing just didn't get going. We managed a few good huss, and also a handful of spurs, but nothing of any great size.

    Gareth P managed his first ever spurdog, despite being only a few pound in weight, a first is always a great achievement. Another My Way regular, Tojo, also managed to land a few spurdogs, but again nothing of any real size.

    The following couple days we were stuck tight inshore with strong southerly winds taking control of the seas around Holyhead. Anglers still managed to bag plenty of fish including a decent variety with dogs and huss playing a large part of every day. Together with codling, whiting and a splattering of other species.


    Each year during the Easter break we run Introduction trips, where children and adult novices alike get to sample boat fishing at a reduced cost. Our first day was met with swell left over from the weekend, along with the remnants of a strong NW breeze. Despite this the youngsters made the most of their introduction to angling trip. Restricted travel, but we still caught plenty of dogfish along with a few huss, codling and a nice ling. Great fun and some brilliant smiles through the day. You can read more on this trip and the following Introduction trips in the June 2014 issue of Boat Fishing Monthly.

    With spring tides and breezy weather, we spent the next week fishing in and around Holyhead Bay. All crews managed some good fishing, again hampered by very dirty water, with many dogfish coming over the side of My Way, with some anglers fishing for them in quantity, the dogs appeared in 1's, 2's, and 3's!

    Changing tact slightly and adjusting rigs and baits, species aboard My Way included the regulars such as huss, whiting, dabs and codling abut also a good number of small ling, a good few thornies, along with more pollack and coalfish and also a lost spurdog!

    During one conversation with Harry, we spoke of the possibilty of seeing a new species aboard My Way during 2014. In recent years we had been fortunate enough to see a few rare species, tadpole fish, topknots and also an angler fish and streaked gurnard. Couple days later, what happens along, a lumpsucker! An amazing looking creature.

    As the last week in April drew nearer, the tides started to drop and again we turned our attentions to fishing the deeper water 8miles off the coast of Anglesey. The unpredictability of the month to date can be clearly seen from 2 trips, to the same mark that week.

    Our first day provided the guys with some great early season fishing, with a good number of spurdogs into double figures, huss, conger and also the first tope of the year, a well conditioned long male weighing in at 26lb.

    Couple days later, we were back out there, same mark, similar tide & weather conditions! Sadly though the fish never read this particular script. We managed to pull in only 1 tope, a few small spurdogs and couple huss. With the exception of a small conger at then end, but thankfully a first for young Rhys, the remainder of the catch was dogfish with the odd whiting!

    Back inshore for the last few trips of the month, with a good number of pollack and coalfish once again on the drift with a reliable mixed bag at anchor.
    Waters are showing signs of clearing up nicely and with both the air and sea temperatures on the rise, crabs are peeling and many more species are moving into our waters. Our focus will soon be turning to the long awaited return of the smoothhounds, a firm favourite with many of our crews.


    More photos at http://www.goangling.co.uk/2014-April-report-01.htm

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