Latest Fishing Reports: Sea Urchin IIl
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16/08/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
16 Aug 2023 by Andy Savage
It was a bit more like Summer today…. light winds, sunny and warm.
The tides are building and we had a 5.2m tide to deal with. Not massive, but a day of mixed fishing between wrecks and rough ground on the cards. After a bit longer than normal, we managed to get some Mackerel for bait from the Bell Buoy. No strings, just one’s and two’s.
Slack water was imminent so I didn’t want to miss it by running off to distant wrecks. Our first one was just over a mile out and we picked up some small Codling and Ling. We moved on another half a mile after twenty minutes, as the bites tailed off. First drop on the next wreck saw seven rods out of ten go into fish!
We had a great time for the next forty five minutes taking plenty of fish. The pick of the fish was a cracking 10lb 8oz Cod to Soran Barber. Once the drift speed increased we shuffled out for a few drifts on the three mile ground; but we only had a handful of fish. Once the drift got to 1.9 knots we pushed out to the seven mile area.
Just like on Monday, it turned out to be a happy hunting ground for a few hours. The baited Hokkai’s were producing mainly small fish, so slowly but surely most of the lads switched over to muppet bait traces. As always, Squid and Mackerel did the business. Most drifts saw 6-8 fish come up, with Mat Rodgers taking a 9lb Ling as the biggest fish off the ground.
We ran back inside for the second slack water, to fish some more wrecks. The first two weren’t brilliant, but the last one threw up some nice Codling to 6lb.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad day. Everyone had plenty to take home and we had a decent stamp of fish. -
14/08/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
14 Aug 2023 by Andy Savage
After a ten day layoff for big Spring tides and poor weather, we were back at it on Sunday.
We planned to spend the day on both wrecks and rough ground. A fresh wind to start the day made the wrecks unviable, so we ran to an area of rough ground at five miles. The majority went down with baited Hokkai’s and we started to pick away nicely at some small Codling. Some keepers, but plenty of throwbacks.
The wind eased significantly after an hour or so, and the conditions stayed fairly settled for the rest of the day. We fished rough ground and also wreck hopped around slack, but we couldn’t put up anything other than small Codling and Ling. The biggest fish being a Codling of around the 5lb mark to Andy Collinge.
Today was a complete contrast and after seeing how much rain was forecast, I put my waterproof pants on!! For once, the forecast was right and Alan with his group of friends had the boat for the day and got a bit wet!! But to be fair, that didn’t mater a bit. We initially had a couple of drifts on a wreck, but the wind over the tide made the drift too quick at 1.4 knots, so rough ground it was.
Firstly the three mile ground produced nicely for half a dozen drifts. We took plenty of Codling and Ling each run up to 7lb. The drift speed built each run and when the drift got to 1.9 knots the bites stopped, so we ran to the seven mile ground. With a better drift speed and a perfect drift line, we clumped them for a couple of hours. Some anglers taking 3 fish in a drift! Nothing huge was landed, but there were some quality clean fish caught.
Biggest Codling to Alan at 8lb 12oz and biggest Ling to Joe at 9lb 4oz. All the usual suspects produced today, Squid, Mackerel, Hokkai’s, Muppet traces and Shads.
All in all a brilliant day out in brilliant company. -
11/08/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
11 Aug 2023 by Andy Savage
Even though we knew the forecast wasn’t going to give us perfect conditions, the anglers I had on today were very experienced and come as much for the banter and day out as the fishing. A great day is always on the cards.
After a quick “Mackerel Bash” on some ground at three miles, we started the day on the five mile ground on some marks which usually chuck out a Ling or two. For the first few drifts we took four or five fish every run through. Nothing enormous, but some nice clean Codling and Ling. “Uncle Alan” taking the biggest one at just over 8lb.
As the last of the Ebb Tide began to fade, the action slowed somewhat, so we dropped on a tiny wreck which entertained us for a few drifts. Most of the fish were actually sitting off the wreck, so we picked a few up and lost no gear….bonus!
That turned out to be the best of the action for the day. Slack water was nothing spectacular, we took a dozen or so Codling off another wreck, then as the Flood Tide came through, we moved to rough ground.
Disappointingly, just like yesterday, the fish just didn’t seem to feed with much vigour on the Flood Tide. We were hampered by a pair of seals on the seven mile ground which kept nicking fish off the hooks, and the nine mile ground was pretty pants.
Bait fishing dominated today, with Mackerel taking the majority. Shads (Pink in particular) worked ok during the Ebb, but the Flood Tide yielded very little on them.
The chat and banter was brilliant throughout the day, which is what makes these days so special for me.
Thanks to all the lads for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining day. See you next time. -
10/08/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
10 Aug 2023 by Andy Savage
First day back out today after a 10 day lay off for Big Spring Tides and poor weather.
We headed out this morning with a mixed group of lads, with the intention of fishing a few wrecks, as it was a 4.7m tide. After a bouncy exit through the pier ends on the Northerly swell, we set about catching some Mackerel for bait. First stop at 3 miles gave us loads for the day, which was good.
With a hour to go of the Ebb we dropped onto a couple of the inshore wrecks. Most of the lads went in with muppet bait traces with Squid or Mackerel. We had a few fish, usually 1 or 2 a drift with David Kwapisz taking a nice early Codling of 5lb. We kept on the move for the remainder of the day, looking for a wreck that would give us a decent return. Unfortunately, we just kept picking up a handful of fish off the ones we tried.
Once the Flood tide had run through, the drift speed increased dramatically and we ran onto some rough ground to end the day. It wasn’t sensational, but Jamie Britton and Don Wang both picked up a 7lb Cod and Ling apiece, within seconds of each other.
Mackerel was the dominant bait today, but I found the lack of consistency frustrating. Everyone kept on trying all day and caught a few, but it certainly wasn’t sensational. Thanks to everyone who came for the day out, you were all excellent company. -
31/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
31 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
With some big tides and poor weather coming, today turned out to be our last trip for what looks like a week or so.
Sea Urchin regular, Alan and his crew had the boat for the day, which is always a good laugh. We had a stop at the Bell Buoy to gather some Mackerel for bait, then headed out on the Ebb tide to try a few wrecks. The first inshore wreck we tried produced just a solitary Codling (and a gazillion Mackerel). With a similar result on the second and third wreck, I began to think we were going to struggle.
We ran a bit closer in, to one of the wrecks which is nicely spread out and not steep sided. Thankfully, the first drift on that wreck saw seven rods go in during the drift. All nice plump Codling, that fell to a mixture of baited Hokkai’s and Muppet bait traces. The fishing was consistent for the next couple of hours, right up to slack water at dinnertime. The fish weren’t enormous, mainly Codling to just over 5lb and a few Ling, the best going 9lb 12oz.
As the flood tide came through, the Westerly wind lifted a bit, so we ran in close and spent the remainder of afternoon drifting rough ground back towards Whitby. Thankfully by this time, everyone had a few fish in the bag, so it was mostly Mackerel bashing to finish off with.
Everyone was fantastic company and I was was pretty pleased with the result, considering the conditions. Well done everyone, some good angling on display today. See you in a couple of weeks. -
27/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
27 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
Catch report aboard Sea Urchin for Wednesday and Thursday……
Wednesday was our first day out this week, there was still 3-4ft of lazy swell hanging around and Westerly winds for us on the 4.9m tide. A great group of mixed experience anglers, came for the day out. After catching Mackerel for bait on the three mile ground, we saw a drift speed approaching 1.5 knots, which was a bit quick for the wrecks, so we covered some rough ground for an hour or so. We got a few fish each run through, but no great shakes.
Once the tide eased, we spent the remainder of the day wreck hopping. Despite the best efforts of the lads, we just picked up odd fish here and there. I believe the water wasn’t quite clear enough on the closer inshore wrecks we tried, as we moved out to the six mile stream for the last hour and picked a few more fish up. I was disappointed that we didn’t do better, but thanks to the lads for their perseverance.
Armed with yesterdays experience, we did almost a repeat, but pushed out a bit further where I was confident the water would be clearer.
Thankfully the wrecks we visited yielded much better results. One in particular kept us entertained for over two hours with 3-5 fish every drift. Everyone caught a few today, but long time Sea Urchin angler, Carl Madin, played an absolute blinder. He was top rod by a long way, filling his fish box with some great fish. Lots of Ling and a smattering of Codling, with his biggest going 15lb 12oz.
It was nice to get amongst a few fish today, but as I always say; irrespective of the fishing, I will only stop trying when the anglers do. Thanks to all the anglers for joining us the last two days. -
20/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
20 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
Today was almost a day of two halves……at one point this morning I thought we were really going to struggle, but then things turned out ok after all.
Another friendly mixed group of lads; some I had met many times before, but the first time for others. We also had very mixed angling experiences, from complete novice to very experienced. It was my kind of day….I love getting the less experienced anglers fishing well. We had a look at the Bell Buoy first for some Mackerel, but there were scant pickings. Thankfully a run out to the three mile ground got us plenty for the day.
I had hoped to drop on a few wrecks close by at the first slack, but the wind and tide together made the drift too fast, even at slack!! As the Ebb Tide came through, sea conditions deteriorated and I thought that we were really going to struggle. However, a run out to the seven mile ground proved to be a decent move. As the wind and tide were against each other, the drift was very slow, but ran in the perfect direction to cover some cracking ground marks.
All of a sudden, the Codling started coming up with some regularity on the bait traces and Hokkai’s. Nothing enormous, but everyone got a few. Once the drift changed, we pushed out to the nine mile ground and the bites continued for another hour or so. Dave Worsfold and Brendan Swain both taking a nice Ling apiece, amongst the Codling.
Just as the tide began to ease , we ran back in for a couple more drifts on the seven mile ground, with a view to finishing on a couple of wrecks at the end of the day. We overran on one particular drift whilst I untangled some lines and Andy Mason went and rattled up a nice 9lb 12oz Cod!! Well done Andy.
We finished on a couple of wrecks for a few more Codling, then ran back in. All the anglers were fantastic company and it’s nice when everyone on the boat gets on well. Thanks for coming today boys, I really appreciate the support. -
13/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
13 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
With a group of very experienced anglers aboard, some decent weather and with a good tide for wrecking, we had all the ingredients for a cracking day out today……
To start the day we managed to get all the fresh Mackerel we needed from the Bell Buoy, which was pleasing. After that we spent the rest of the day on the wrecks. The last of the Ebb Tide and Slack water weren’t particularly productive on the three wrecks we fished in that period. Although Ian Steadman literally caught on every drift, having a great start to the day. Taking Ling and Codling to 6lb.
Once the flood tide came through, we ran further south and fished a few wrecks which don’t see as much attention, in the hope of finding a better sized fish. Muppet bait traces with either a whole fresh Mackerel fillet or Squid and Mackerel cocktail took the majority of the fish, although Hokkai’s still produced a fair few.
The four wrecks we fished for the rest of the day weren’t too bad at all. Most drifts saw 2-4 fish come up. Proportionately, it was a 50/50 split between Ling and Codling. The average size of the fish wasn’t amazing, but we had a fair few in the 4-6lb class. Ian Kellock took the biggest Ling of the day at 8lb 4 oz and Neil Pickard the biggest Codling at 10lb 10oz. There were also a couple of Codling double shots, which are always good to see.
Such was the banter and excellent company, all too soon it was time to head back in. Everyone had a few to take home today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plenty of laughs and mickey taking. Thanks to all the lads for a fantastic day out. -
10/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
10 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
We’ve had completely contrasting days out for the last two days. Sunday saw a group of mixed experience anglers aboard and with it being a 5.4m tide, we spent most of the day fishing the rough ground at seven and nine miles.
The lads tried hard all day but the fishing wasn’t particularly great. Some struggled to keep the gear on the deck which makes a massive difference to the number of bites. Baited Hokkai’s picked up plenty of small Ling, Haddock, Whiting and Pouting, the biggest fish landed was a 7lb 12oz Ling to Neil Fell-Edwards.
A different group of more experienced anglers aboard today. Gary Grantham had the boat booked for him and four friends. The day started slow, and frustratingly we failed to find any Mackerel. Half an hour on the bait traces on the five mile ground yielded nothing at all either; so we moved out another couple of miles.
Thankfully, we fared much better taking a few fish each drift. The bites came in flurries as we covered the ground. Some quality Codling and Ling were caught. Gordon Blyth taking the biggest Ling at 10lb 13oz.
Shads and Hokkai’s were tried, but in the end, the lads all went for muppet bait traces with either a whole squid or Mackerel fillet. The bigger baits definitely produced a better stamp of fish today. As we caught hardly any small Haddock, Cod and Pouting etc.
We ran out to a wreck at slack water and picked up some belting Codling. Gary Grantham taking the biggest at 8lb 12oz. Overall it turned out to be a lovely day spent in brilliant company.
Thanks to everyone for coming for a day out. I really appreciate your support. -
30/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
30 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
What a cracking day out…..with a cracking group of lads. Although it was a good wrecking tide, we had a brisk South Westerly forecast, so I felt there would be limited time on the wrecks (if any).
I gave the anglers booked on, the option of coming through or not, as some anglers don’t seem to like fishing close in, under the cliffs; which is where we head to when the wind is off land. This affords us some protection from the elements and allow us to fish, when otherwise we would have to cancel a trip. Three lads decided to drop out, so we sailed with seven this morning.
After getting a few Mackerel from the Bell Buoy, we ran south and had a stop on a nice piece of rough ground off Robin Hoods Bay. Baited Hokkai’s were dispatched and we had a couple of Codling each drift, nothing fantastic.
We set off, heading further south, when I noticed the wind had backed off a little. It was an opportunity to have a look on a wreck, so we adjusted course and dropped on one nearby.
The wreck gave us a good few Codling to 5lb on the run into slack water, 2-3 each drift kept things interesting. Muppet traces baited with squid or Mackerel landed them all. After the Flood tide came through, the wind lifted, so we ran back inside to finish the remainder of the day under the cliffs.
It turned out to be a good move, with the area we settled on being very productive for the last three hours. Everyone caught well, with a good stamp of lovely clean 4-6lb Codling. Baited Hokkai’s did plenty of Codling, but Jason Sheilds was the star of the show today, clumping them on Shads. He put together a lovely box of quality Codling and threw back a good few as well.
All in all, it was a brilliant day out and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks lads.
