Latest Fishing Reports: Luna-Sea (Merlin)
Back to Main Charter Page-
27/04/2021
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
27 Apr 2021 by Rob Lee
*** Fishing Report 27th April 2021***
Today Merlin set out for her 1st trip of the season with the maximum 6Anglers permitted. The weather was forecast to be fresh but turned out to be a lovely calm but overcast day
We departed Rhyl @ 9am for a 5hr trip and head towards the North Hoyle Wind Farm.
Once we arrived on location, we drifted for a short period in the hope of some Mackerel but to no avail (still slightly early in the season yet)
Once we dropped the hook, we were into the fish, fishing steadily for a good couple of hours. Plenty of Whiting, Dabs and an abundance of Dogs. One angler was well into double figures.
We then decided to head back to Rhyl and set anchor just off the End Perch. This proved to be a good call as the fishing improved and a lovely Smoothound was landed as well as a good sized Whiting.
Once the time was up, we made our approach and arrived safely back in Rhyl at 2pm with a happy bunch on board.
For all booking enquiries please visit our website www.merlincharters.co.uk or call Sarah on 07863774909 -
12/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
Dec 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report 11th December 2020***
Merlin set sail @ 09.30 today for a wreck session.
We head out 11nm to a wreck of a steam coaster ship and fished a steady few hours sweeping the whole wreck.
There were a good few Pollack, Pouting Whiting and Gurnard caught and a PB Pollack for one of our Anglers.
After 4hrs on one wreck we steamed 4nm west to our next wreck for hlf hr where we had more pollack before heading back to Rhyl harbour in the dark with amazing light trails through the water.
The weather today was flat calm, beautiful rainbows and a lovely still passage through Gwynt y Mor windfarm.
Everyone on board were happy with their catch and a good few meals.
Most of the fish were returned to fight another day which is good to see.
We still have availability throughout December so please call Sarah on 07863774909 for bookings. -
06/12/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
6 Dec 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report 6th December 2020***
Today we sailed @ 11.40 for a 5hr inshore session with a party of 4.
There was next to no wind and the sea was settling all the time which made for perfect conditions.
The 1st half hour was a little slow off the mark but a 50m alteration in anchor position proved clinical.
Once we were settled in our new spot, the fish came in and we had a constant flow for the rest of the session and the buckets started to fill with good sized Whiting and Dab's.
At 16.25 we picked up the anchor and head back for Rhyl Harbour with the fading light & a satisfied party of anglers.
There is plenty of fish about at the moment so for booking enquiries, call Sarah on 07863774909.
Merlin Sea Angling -
02/09/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
2 Sep 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report 02/09/20***
Today was meant to be a 10hr Charter of 6 @ 11:30 but due to the unfavourable forecast we mutually agreed to make it just a 5hr @ 09:00.
We set off towards North Hoyle and briefly stopped at Chester Flats for some Mackerel bait but the wind started to gust 2hrs earlier than forecasted so, with just a handful of Mackerel and a realease of a couple of Lesser Weaver we set course for Prestayn Barkby Beach for a Smoothound session in the shelter of the Southerly wind.
On arrival, the fish were coming in nicely producing double figures of Smoothound, Dogs, Dabs, Whiting, Huss, a lovely 39cm Sea Bass (unfortunately 3cm too small to keep☹) and a (Strap) Conger Eel.
@ 13:25 we set off back to Rhyl with yet another bunch of happy (but wet) Anglers.
For Booking Enquiries please get in touch -
01/09/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
1 Sep 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report 01/09/2020***
Today we left Rhyl on a 10hr Individual Trip towards the windfarms.
Went stopped NE of Rhyl Flats for a Mackerel drift and caught a glimpse of a lovely Large Whale. Unsure of type as it only breached the water just the once but all on board witnessed so no one missed out.
We then head towards Rocky 1 to drop the anchor and there were plenty of Red & Tub Gurnard of a mixed size.
After just 1hr at Rocky 1 we decided to go for a few sweeps over some wrecks as the fishing was less than steady at this point other than Mackerel and Gurnard and Whiting.
We had a good few drifts over the Dublin and Penstone wrecks catching Pollock and Pouting whilst one our Anglers had his whole rig taken into the wreck by an unknown species.
Then it was time to head for the Ocean Monarch for the turn of tide.
Once we dropped the hook we steadily fished Huss, Thornbacks, Dogs, Whiting & Mackerel until it was time to set course for Rhyl with fading light and a spectacular Large red moon over the hills.
We arrived back at Rhyl @ 21:00 with satisfied Anglers & plenty of fish after a lovely day of sunshine and flat calm seas.
For Booking Enquiries please get in touch -
31/08/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
31 Aug 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report 31/08/20***
Today was an 8hr Charter sailing at 12:00 with x3 Anglers and my trainee Skipper (Son Dylan).
We set sail directly toward NE Rhyl Flats for the usual Mackerel drift and filled our boots in 20mins and were lucky to drift over a shoal of Herring before heading for the Rockies.
Once we dropped the hook we were straight on bottom rigs and fishing well throughout producing good sized Huss, Whiting, and Gurnard.
After a couple of hours at the Rockies we set course for the Ocean Monarch (Plate Wreck) and dropped the hook 1hr before low water.
Straight away we racked up an impressive x7 Thornback Rays in just half hour before the fishing slowed down over the slack.
At 18:50 I asked the guys to reel in for home and BANG, one rod started to spool out quickly. After a good 10min fight, there it was, a gorgeous big silver Tope. Unfortunately, as we tried to land it in the net, it broke through, snapped the trace and disappeared back into the deep. Gutted was not the word right then.
But, that disappointment was soon forgotten when the Huss of the day was landed weighing in at 12.5lb.
After an extra half hour of fishing we decided to head back for Rhyl (still on our way in) with 3 happy Anglers and a trainee skipper that enjoyed his 1st day on the job.
For Booking Enquiries, please get in touch -
30/08/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
30 Aug 2020 by Rob Lee
*** Fishing Report *** 30/08/20
Today was a 10hr Individual trip sailing at 09:15 with glorious weather awaiting us.
We head out towards Gwynt y Mor windfarm and stopped for a drift 1nm south of the west field for some Mackerel. With the water being crystal clear, the Mackerel were coming in by the string and also producing some nice Gurnard.
After half an hr of drifting we then sailed towards the west substation for another brief drift producing even more Mackerel and some larger Gurnard.
Now it was time to head to the S.S Dublin Wreck to see what we could get.
Once we arrived at the wreck site, we had several drifts over the wreck and landed some great eating size Pollock while some anglers remained on feathers and caught some fantastic jumbo sized Mackerel.
When we had enough of playing on the wreck we dropped anchor near the OSPW (Substaion) and steadily fished for a couple of hours landing some large Whiting, Mackerel, Dog Fish & Grey/Red & Tub Gurnard.
We then lifted the anchor and proceeded back to Rhyl Harbour with buckets full of fish and a satisfied bunch of Anglers.
All in all, a good steady days fishing with clear blue sunny skies and calm seas.
For Booking Enquiries please get in touch -
27/08/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
27 Aug 2020 by Rob Lee
***Fishing Report***
After a poor week of weather, we finally got out today with Individuals on an 8hr sailing from Rhyl at 8am.
We had to get out a few miles before reaching clear water where we drifted for some Mackerel. The Mackerel were coming in steady and a varied range in size.
After approx 40mins of drifting we head NW of Rhyl Flats Wind Farm to the Rockies where we dropped the anchor and fished the bottom.
Straight away the first of many good sized Bull Huss was landed which weighed in just shy of 9lb. Followed by a very feisty Large Tope which was unfortunately lost at the surface due to snapping the braid line.
Then......... a Merlin 1st!!! Not one but TWO Red Mullet were landed which are rarity and a pretty special catch in this area.
We steadily fished the Rockies for approx 4hrs producing plenty of Dogs, whiting, Mackerel, Red Gurnard, Tub Gurnard, Bream, and Huss.
We then decided to head to pastures new during slack water and ended up settling once more just NE of Turbine N°1 on RFWF. This produced pretty much the same but more quantity of Gurnard and Whiting.
With the last hour of fishing time, most reverted back to feathers for some more Mackerel and a good idea it was too. Our final hour produced some fantastic Jumbo Mackerel and the only Dab of the day.
At 3.30pm we recovered the anchor and set course back for Rhyl Harbour with a boat of very satisfied anglers who were a fantastic bunch and a pleasure to have on board.
For Booking Enquiries please gret in touch.
Merlin -
19/08/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
19 Aug 2020 by Rob Lee
Today we ran a 5hr Individual Trip sailing at 09:30 for an inshore day due to the forecast.
We head out with the rest of the Rhyl Charter Fleet to drift for some Mackerel inshore but with the water clarity not being the best we decided to head a little further out towards Prestatyn Buoy where the fishing improved massively.
Once we had enough Mackerel we head towards Prestatyn and the rest of the fleet just outside the Channel adjacent to Barkby Beach where we had a few Tope and Huss.
With time to spare, the Anglers requested we head back towards Rhyl for some more Mackerel.
We returned to the harbour at 14:30 with yet another group of satisfied anglers.
For Booking Enquiries please drop us a message or give us a call -
18/08/2020
Fishing Report by Rob Lee
18 Aug 2020 by Rob Lee
Fresh Mackerel caught on Merlin today, lightly salted with the finest Anglesey Sea Salt and pan fried with Lemon and Home Grown Cherry Tomatoes 'Delisious'