Latest Fishing Reports: South West
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10/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin McKie
on Size Matters (Plymouth, Devon)
Oct 2017 by Kevin McKie
Report on-board Size Matters
Here is the first ever Bluefin Tuna caught from Plymouth on rod and line. Back in July while we were fishing for Sharks we caught a 300lb+ Blue Fin Tuna, the fight lasted just on two hours. What happened during that time I could write a book about, it was truly a dream come true for all five of us onboard that day. The bite was just insane no warning, the reel drag went from 0 to 100 mph in a split second. On the first run it stripped over 350 yards of braid off the reel in seconds, then it went deep down and stayed close to them sea bed. It made three more long runs and at one point I had to chase it in the boat just to keep up. After the first hour with only a butt pad on Barry’s arms give up and he passed the rod to me, as I got the Tuna closer to the boat it started to try and go under the boat making big pin wheels. There was a chance we could lose it so I passed the rod to Tony while I got back in control of the boat.
As we started to win the fight the Tuna kept hanging under the boat about 50ft down so I asked Bernie take control of the boat, bearing in mind he had never took control of Size Matters before he did a cracking job. I was now the wire man as none of the lads onboard had ever wired a big fish before so I had to be on that wire if we had any chance of catching this Tuna. Four or five times I had the wire in my hand and each time with a kick of its tail it shot off and hung under the boat. Finally we got him boat side I got Barry to hold the wire while I put a gaff in the bridge of its lower jaw then I got a second gaff and carefully placed it next to the first gaff. Gaffing a tuna in this part of its jaw results in no blood loss, the welfare of the Tuna was paramount. It took three of us to slide it through the stern door, as soon as it was on the deck we put the deck wash hose in its mouth to keep it oxygenated and kept pouring buckets of water over it to ensure it’s survival. We removed the wire trace and circle hook from its jaw, took some photos and measurements then released it. As the Tuna slipped back into the sea it give two kicks of its tail and was away. The five of us onboard where screaming with joy it was like we had won the World Cup, we all decided to stop fishing and go the pub to celebrate.
Even weeks after, the lads where calling me to say that was one of the best experiences of their lives catching the first ever Blue Fin Tuna from Plymouth and the team work that took place from all five onboard that day.
The Tuna measurements where length 79 inch x 54 inch girth, I have checked all different Tuna length to weight calculations and most are different. The Tuna was easy 300lb+, I have been lucky enough to catch them in Canada to 850lb and I have seen them to 950lb.
(PLEASE NOTE I DO NOT OFFER BLUE FIN TUNA FISHING CHARTERS AND THIS TUNA WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE BAN WAS PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT).
If you are lucky enough to hook a Tuna while fishing for Sharks onboard Size Matters, we will not bring the fish onboard and it will be released at the side of the boat.
The only reason we are making this public now, is because we are at the end of our summer season at Plymouth and I did want this catch to affect my charters in the middle of a very busy season. Truth of the matter is I have seen Tuna feeding near the surface most days from July to October last year and again this year. I hope one day we will be able to target Bluefin Tuna in the UK on a very strict catch and realise system just like they have in Canada and Ireland. If this was to happen it would be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to the UK charter fleet. The sad thing about this is commercial fishing boats from EU countries that have quota for Bluefin Tuna can come to the UK and catch thousands of tonnes, while our own commercial boats are not allowed to catch them because they have no quota. What a joke but that’s the UK government all over, look after everyone apart from it’s own people.
Kevin Mckie
Size Matters (Plymouth)
mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com
07999628511
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06/10/2017
Fishing Report by Colin Penny
on Flamer IV (Weymouth, Dorset)
6 Oct 2017 by Colin Penny
Report on-board Flamer IV
Peter Gillett and friends who had their orginal angling break blown out in June re scheduled for October and despite at times dealing with breezy conditions fished all 5 days catching 23 different species. David Barton caught 19 different species and won the friendly/competitive competition with 516 points, Runner up was Lee Page with 416 points.Peter Gillett and David Barton both had Hat Tricks of Turbot and Brill respectfully during a drifting session on a bank.Twice during the week Peter Gillett and Russell Latimer had un stoppable runs from which must have been Porbeagle Sharks.There was also some big rays lost as well. With all this going on it only added to the banter and Mickey taking that went on all week with every one enjoying thems selves.The lads have booked up their Angling Break for 2018.David Barton is pictured with his 17Ib 8oz Blonde Ray which he caught while drifting a bank.
Weymouth Angling Breaks - Book Now, Don't miss Out,*** NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2018 ***
A few days away fishing out of Weymouth along with the social side is a nice trip to do.The variety of fishing and the amount of different species caught at Weymouth is probably second to none.There are plenty of places to stay which are angler friendly and some excellent places to wine and dine around the harbour and in Weymouth Town centre.
If you want to try a Weymouth Angling Break then contact me, I cater for whole boat charters and individuals.
Planning your trip well in advance is essential you need to arrange your boat booking and your accommodation as early as possible to avoid disappointment, some of my regular groups plan their trips at least 12 months in advance, this allows them to discuss with me the best tides for the type of fishing they are targeting. View Boats Page
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04/10/2017
Fishing Report by Philip Higgins
on Mistress Linda / San Gina3 (Poole, Dorset)
4 Oct 2017 by Philip Higgins
Report on-board Mistress Linda / San Gina3
Rays still dominate the inshore fishing on the outer banks with plenty of Undulates and Small Eyed Rays being caught closer inshore along the piers Plaice ,Gurnards, Bream and the sought after Trigger Fish remain the main focus and if your are lucky a Turbot or Codlng can be landed, towards the eastern marks of the beaches good size Bream are being caught in good numbers.
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10/2017
Fishing Report by Paul Smith
on Rapid Fisher (Poole, Dorset)
Oct 2017 by Paul Smith
Report on-board Rapid Fisher
Good days fishing on rapid fisher loads of plaice some confers gurnard and rays caught
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09/2017
Fishing Report by Kevin Wyatt
on Obsession (Mevagissey, Cornwall)
Sep 2017 by Kevin Wyatt
Report on-board Obsession
Well, now we have had our sparkly new engines fitted we can get back to the business of Angling. Obsession has had 2 Yanmar 315hp engines and ZT370 drives fitted and is back in Brixham ready to get out amongst the action.
We decided to Take her out of the water for a month for the refit and had her lifted in Torquay and transported up to Portishead where the guys at Advance Marine were given the task to take out the old and put in the new and what a fantastic job Phil, Mitch and Bradley done. Nothing was too much trouble for these guys and the work was completed with a week to spare, so gave us time to see if there would be any glitches, which there was just the one or 2 minor issues which Advance marine attended to and resolved without any further to do.
We achieved over 34 knots on our sea trials and cruised along at 25knots with the engines purring.
So now we are back in, give Kev a buzz to book your place on Obsession
Tight Lines View Boats Page
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23/09/2017
Fishing Report by Dave Pitman
on Atlanta (Weymouth, Dorset)
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09/2017
Fishing Report by Ross Parham
on Spot On! (Brixham, Devon)
Sep 2017 by Ross Parham
Report on-board Spot On!
With a break in the weather we headed out tintype mid channel wrecks.
Good constant fishing all day with plenty of pollock and some lovely prime double figure fish coming in.
Some nice cod, bass, coalfish, tub gurnards, pout and scad made up the rest of the day's catch.
It's good to see wrecking improving and nice to see some big fish once again.
Pictured is Rob with his 9lb bass.
Officially Torbay festival 2017 top charter boat once again.
2018 diary is up and things are filling fast so please get in contact if you want to book up. Book early to avoid disappointment.
www.spot-on-charters.co.uk 07878 668662
Brixhams premier charter boat. View Boats Page
UPCOMING INDIVIDUAL SPACES ONBOARD Spot On!
View Full Charter AvailabilityMon 09/06/2025 5 Spaces £550.00pp 5 day Alderney trip. Brill / Turbot.View details Tue 10/06/2025 5 Spaces £550.00pp 5 day Alderney trip. Brill / Turbot.View details Wed 11/06/2025 5 Spaces £550.00pp 5 day Alderney trip. Brill / Turbot.View details Thu 12/06/2025 5 Spaces £550.00pp 5 day Alderney trip. Brill / Turbot.View details Fri 13/06/2025 5 Spaces £550.00pp 5 day Alderney trip. Brill / Turbot.View details -
25/09/2017
Fishing Report by Colin Penny
on Flamer IV (Weymouth, Dorset)
25 Sep 2017 by Colin Penny
Report on-board Flamer IV
My last wreck trip of September produced some good size Pollack and some Bass and Cod caught on a variety of lures, but the Pink Red Gill proved to be the best one.
Peter Gillett and Phil Harrison both got Grand Slams catching Pollack,Bass and Cod. Pictured is Steve Giggins with his 13Ib 3oz Pollack.
My Next Wreck Trips with places available are on November 3rd, 10th, 17th, DON'T MISS OUT.
*** NOTE: LOOK - my diary is now open for bookings in 2018. *** BOOK NOW FOR 2018 *** I have put up an Itinerary of trips for 2018 on all my web sites, take a LOOK, the itinerary is not set in stone so I may be able to change it to suit your needs subject to the tides.
NOTE: I am looking for anglers to join the Flamer IV team to fish in the Weymouth Conger Festival which is on August 20th , 21st, 22nd 2018.
INTERESTED? Contact me by e mail colinpennyfu2@gmail.com or tel 07968972737 View Boats Page
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23/09/2017
Fishing Report by Colin Penny
on Flamer IV (Weymouth, Dorset)
23 Sep 2017 by Colin Penny
Report on-board Flamer IV
A Drifting session on a bank with mackerel baits on two hook flowing traces produced Rays, Brill, Turbot, Plaice. Don't Miss Out on catching these wonderful fish. Book your Places/Trips. Pictured is Paul Milkins with a 16Ib 14oz Blonde Ray.
*** NOTE: LOOK - my diary is now open for bookings in 2018. *** BOOK NOW FOR 2018 *** I have put up an Itinerary of trips for 2018 on all my web sites, take a LOOK, the itinerary is not set in stone so I may be able to change it to suit your needs subject to the tides. View Boats Page
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22/09/2017
Fishing Report by Colin Penny
on Flamer IV (Weymouth, Dorset)
22 Sep 2017 by Colin Penny
Report on-board Flamer IV
The good old Reef and Bank Trips are so consistant at giving a good days fishing with a variety of species. Like on September 22nd we caught plenty of Rays,Tope,Congers etc. Pictured is Paul Milkins with his new Personal Best Thornback Ray weighing 12Ib 8oz.
LOOK - The Next Reef/Bank trips with places available are on September 23rd, October 1st, 6th, 9th,14th,DON'T MISS OUT ***
LOOK - Also places available on October 7th and 8th which includes a Ray Competition - Trophies/prizes to be won.
*** NOTE: LOOK - my diary is now open for bookings in 2018. *** BOOK NOW FOR 2018 *** I have put up an Itinerary of trips for 2018 on all my web sites, take a LOOK, the itinerary is not set in stone so I may be able to change it to suit your needs subject to the tides.
NOTE: I am looking for anglers to join the Flamer IV team to fish in the Weymouth Conger Festival which is on August 20th , 21st, 22nd 2018.
INTERESTED? Contact me by e mail colinpennyfu2@gmail.com or tel 07968972737 View Boats Page
