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30/04/2016
Fishing Report by DAN clarke
on FINS UP (Weymouth, Dorset)
30 Apr 2016 by DAN clarke
Report on-board FINS UP
30/04/2016 today's catch report - courtesy of Gavin Tyte.
When a Facebook friend asked if he could charter a boat for eight guys to go wrecking and that they were all beginners, part of me thought that this could either be an incredible experience or a complete disaster. The last time I took eight novices wrecking I spent the day mopping up piles of sick, re-loading expensive braid onto reels and re-tying leaders. But times have changed. Firstly, I now have more experience, but more importantly, I know charter skippers who can create a truly inspirational, fun and engaging angling experience. So, I told my friend that, yes, I could put him in touch with a great skipper and that he and his friends would have a day to remember. I also promised that they would catch fish. Okay, so I hoped that they would catch fish, however, knowing the skipper and that the wrecks had been fishing well, I was confident that the group would be able to take plenty of fresh fish home for dinner.
The boat of choice was Fins Up out of Portland Marina skippered by Dan Clarke. I had fished with Dan on several occasions and even notched up my personal best pollack on a recent trip. For me, a skipper makes or breaks a charter. I do not want to spend my hard-earned cash going on a trip with a miserable old bugger who spends the whole day in the wheelhouse chain-smoking roll-ups, and yes, I have experienced skippers like that! Dan, one of a new generation of skippers, realises that he is running a business and that his customers matter. He is not simply a taxi driver to fishing grounds but the creator of an experience.
Portland Marina is a great place to charter a boat. There are loos and shower facilities, a great bar and restaurant with beer at normal pub prices, free parking and trolleys to help you lug your gear to and from the boat; not that you need them with Fins Up as the boat has the closest mooring to the marina entrance! Dan and his deck hand Roger welcomed my friend’s group and I was pleased to see that they gave a proper safety briefing to the group prior to departure. We then set off, the kettle was on, and Roger took the group through how to use the rods and reels and answer questions. The sun was shining, the winds were light and we were all excited and hopeful about catching fish.
The trip out to the wrecks can take an hour or so, but there was plenty to see as we rounded Portland Bill and headed for the open ocean. Another reason I recommended Fins Up is the kit. The hire rods are a mixture of Abu and Daiwa 12-20lb class rods fitted with Penn reels loaded with quality braid. The leader is high quality and a sponsorship from Sidewinder means that there is a ready stock of every size, colour and flavour you could ever wish for. After further instruction from Roger and more teas and coffees we reached the wrecks. Dan deftly put us over the wrecks and he is not the sort of skipper who will put up with a poor drift. No, he adjusted the boat or re-aligned if the tide or wind threw us off course. Roger was a super deck hand too. There wasn’t a moment where someone needed help and he wasn’t already at their elbow offering friendly advice and helping out. It made such a difference to the day knowing the group were well cared for. Oh, and how many wrecking trips have you been on where several non-anglers didn’t lose a single weight or lure?
But did they catch fish? Of course! The first fish to the boat was nice cod, and we continued to land cod all day with a few quality pollack thrown in for good measure. At slack water, Dan had prepared ling rigs and brought along squid and mackerel for those that wished to try it. One of the group did manage to hook into a monster ling or conger but sadly it came off as it was being pumped up and away from the wreck. At slack tide we also caught the obligatory dogfish and ‘waterproof rats’ - otherwise known as pouting. However, despite losing the ‘big one’, the good news was that everyone caught fish and had a cracking day. On the way back to port, Roger filleted all the fish and popped it in freezer bags which were shared out equally. And when back on dry land we ambled the 20 yards or so to the pub and sat in the sunshine supping beers and retelling stories of fish landed and monsters that got away. As we drained the last of our beers, one of the guys from the group turned to me and said, “You know what? If I’d not caught anything I’d have still had a brilliant day.” That just about sums up the whole experience.
To charter a Fins Up experience along with skipper Dan and deck hand Roger costs £600 for a day with free tea, coffee, banter and laughter. The only catch is that you have to invite me along for the ride.
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UPCOMING INDIVIDUAL SPACES ONBOARD FINS UP
View Full Charter AvailabilityFri 07/03/2025 Blonde rays , turbot. £85pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Thu 13/03/2025 Offshore wrecking for new season Pollack using lures.£100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Thu 20/03/2025 Offshore wrecking using lures. £100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Thu 27/03/2025 Offshore wrecking using lures. £100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Fri 28/03/2025 Offshore wrecking using lures. £100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Sat 05/04/2025 Flatfish, brill, turbot. £85pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Thu 10/04/2025 Offshore wrecking £100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Fri 18/04/2025 Inshore, bass,bream and flat fish. £85pp. Contact Dan for more information 07734383440Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Sat 19/04/2025 Offshore wrecking using lures. £100pp Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details Mon 21/04/2025 Turbot and Brill £85pp. Contact Dan for more information 07734383440 Based at Portland Marina DT5 1DXView details
