Latest Fishing Reports: Wales
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04/2011
Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen
on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
Apr 2011 by Gethyn Owen
Report on-board My Way 2
As expected the fishing has been picking up with nearly every day afloat. Not too many more species to add to the list, but more the quantity of fish being found at our more favoured marks. From the beginning of the year I had suspected a good start to 2011 and also a better run through the year, owing mainly to the more settled start to the year.
In recent years, we have been hit with snow, ice and prolonged periods of minus temperatures in February, March and on occasions into April, this time around we got rid of the bitterly cold weather at the start of Winter 2010, with it all but gone by the time the end of the year came around.
This really does bode well now for the year ahead, sunshine, waters are warming, crabs are peeling and the fish really are on the move! When My Way was launched earlier this year the sea temperature was around 7.5degrees; during our last run out we recorded an average temperature of 9.1 degrees.
The species list now stands at 19 so far for 2011: - 3 bearded rockling, ballan wrasse bull huss, coalfish, codling, dab, dog, dragonet, herring, ling, plaice, pollack, poor cod, pouting, ss sea scorpion, spurdog, thornback ray, tope and whiting.
Inshore we have started to spend a little more time drifting a variety of rocky grounds and have been rewarded with some excellent catches of pollack & coalies in abundance and also a nice early run of herring. We don’t tend to see the herring in such great numbers early season; they have though been with us for a number of weeks now and are always a major plus this time of year.
The pollack are small at around 1 to 2 lb, as are the coalies and codling, with the odd few reaching 4lb at times. Ballan wrasse are starting to show, nothing too big once again with the biggest only touching the scales at around 2lb.
The last few trips has once again seen lady luck allowing neap tides and settled weather to coincide, thus deep water adventures ruled the plans when deciding on our days afloat.
Thankfully the species of the deeps have been obliging with far too many huss to count, along with some excellent double figure spurdog and the first few tope for 2011. These tope tend to be pack sharks that swim with the spurdogs, our biggest so far being 19lb 3oz; a first tope and heaviest fish for captor Wayne.
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09/04/2011
Fishing Report by Gareth williams
on Spindrift New Dawn (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
9 Apr 2011 by Gareth williams
Report on-board Spindrift New Dawn
April has started off with good fishing had a full boat on saturday sailed from the fish dock at 5.30am to go 19 miles from Holyhead my deckhand made the tea and i set the G.P.S Headed the boat on a W/SW course for 1.5 hrs and spindrift soon made 12-13 knots on a flat calm sea .when we arrived on the G.P.S mark not a boat in site for miles then the fishing was on with a Huss 12lbs first and one-two dogs but one rod on the stern bent over it was the first Tope off the year 20lbs then two spurs 10+12 lbs we had 19 Tope / spurs ?? lost count with Huss we had 4hrs fishing on this mark the tide was runing fast in the last hr but with v good anglers old hands it was no problem at all .we moved in to T Bay fished 1 hr with dogs-huss-small codling- pout went on the drift for 1 hr polack-coalfish-codling up to 3 lbs .
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10/04/2011
Fishing Report by Aaron Smith
on Bad Boyz VI (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
10 Apr 2011 by Aaron Smith
Report on-board Bad Boyz VI
Weekend of the 9/10th of April.
Sun, Sea and lots of fish, The Saturday we had a full boat of lads wanting to catch as much fish as possible and to be able to relax in the sun at the same time.
Started with a few drifts around South stacks with plenty of Pollack, Wrasse, Coalies and Codling up to around 4lb coming aboard on feathers and a few Warsse rigs, After a couple of hours drifting we steamed round to Trearddur Bay to anchor up for the slack with the decision made to try maen piscar, within lines going down they were already coming up with Pollack, Coiles and codling before hitting the bottom so we dicided to hang around for the rest of the day to try a few big baits later on in the day to try out luck with a few Huss which was the right idea with well into double figure amounts of Bull Huss coming up and a few ling around 4-5lb.
We ended the day with 19 Huss, 32 Codling to 4lb 10oz, Ling, Pollack, Pouting, Coalie, Warsse, Dogfish, Whitting and a few Dabs which totalled just over 200 fish.
Sunday 10th,
One thing in mind for the day HOLYHEAD DEEPS, which saw us leaving at 7 ready to head straight off for the 10am low water, Upon arriving Dogies were hitting the big baits instanly but soon as the tide slackend the fishing started to become mental with every drop producing either Huss, Spurdog or Tope the action was none stop for 3 hours (so busy took an hour to make a brew !) after the tide had picked up we had a couple of hours fishing left but with the guys a bit tired after all the hard battles the thought was a few leisurely drifts on the inshore reefs would be the best way to carm the day down but yet again once arriving at the reefs only produced strings of fish instead of the calm fishing we hoped, after over a hundread fish coiming up we had a 10 minute break which was kindly interupted by a hug pod of Dolphins jumping across my bow as i was heading to another reef so a few great picture opportunities for the lads, after a few more pollack off the last reef we called the day to an end with the sun still shinning and pictures to look back at one of the best days for early April we have ever had !
No Mackerel as yet but have heard of reports about them only 10 miles away :D
Fishing is brilliant at the moment with still pleanty to look forward to.
Plenty of dates availble for 4/6/8hour trips for the smothound run starting in the middle of May running through till June/July, Prices availble to include crab for bait.
So get booking and Tight Lines Once Again! View Boats Page
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04/2011
Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen
on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
Apr 2011 by Gethyn Owen
Report on-board My Way 2
Spring Bank Holiday Smoothhound Challenge
North Wales has long been established as a venue for smoothhound, with Holyhead being the mecca for those wanting to catch big double figure hounds in the area.
Fishing for smoothies in waters relatively shallow at only 45’ can be a very exhilarating experience. Hounds first move in for us during early May, and hang around until mid-July. These fish often hit well into double figures with many in the high teens. In the last few years we have landed 11 smoothhound over the 20lb mark, including two at 25lb.
During the Spring Bank Holiday, Monday 30th May 2011, we are running a normal smoothhound only trip, with the slight twist that if you catch the heaviest, (weighed in our purpose made sling) you will be rewarded with a new rod & reel.
The rod & reel up for grabs is a Fladen Super Senor multi tip rod combined perfectly with a Fladen 444 multiplier reel. Personally I would say that the Fladen Super Sensor rods are probably one of, if not the best rod Fladen produce. With 3 varying strength tips and its extremely sensitive nature, the rod is a useful addition to the armoury of any angler wanting to catch those elusive small species in our waters. However these rods are equally at home landing the 20lb+ smoothhounds seen in Holyhead, this set up with a hard fighting opponent on the business end, offers an exhilarating angling experience.
30th May 2011
9am sail for 8hrs
£45 per person includes 16 fresh peeler crab
Heaviest smoothound wins Fladen Super Senor multi tip rod combined perfectly with a Fladen 444 multiplier
Check website for further details View Boats Page
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31/03/2011
Fishing Report by Gareth williams
on Spindrift New Dawn (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
31 Mar 2011 by Gareth williams
Report on-board Spindrift New Dawn
Spindrift 2 March Report
The fishing in March has been very good with Conger up to 50lb on the wrecks and Pollack up to 3-4 lb also the occational Ling .
On the reefs fished well with Dogs Huss Codling and Rays. Last weekend was excellent on the drift with Herring and hundreds of Coalfish up to 3lb and Pollack up to 4lb .You could see the schoals of Herring on the fish finder and the coaly under them.The Gannets are also a good sign as you see them diving in the distance for the Herring .
Spindrift is one of Holyheads fastest charter boats with a scania 400hp engine to get you further down the coast quicker also fitted for this year a new d v d system so the anglers can watch in the comfort of the wheelhouse a veriaty of Tope and Smoothhound fishing upon Spindrift. View Boats Page
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30/03/2011
Fishing Report by Aaron Smith
on Bad Boyz VI (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
30 Mar 2011 by Aaron Smith
Report on-board Bad Boyz VI
MARCH - with 11 trips including 6 offshore trips in march between our 2 boats we have seen some good fishing and not so good fishing ( when people bring chub for bait ! ).
Over the last couple of years the number of rays coming to the boat has been an improvement on recent years and with 2011 well on its way it is looking to be yet again a spectacular year, with anglers coming out with us and working for CEFAS targeting fish to tag we have seen 41 rays in our 11 trips all returned to fight another day with 1 blonde ray at 13lb from Holyhead Deeps and the rest being thornbacks with a spectacular PB for me with a 21.6lb thorny thrown in from one of our most northern marks we fish.
March 25th-29th we had one of our boats working for CEFAS tagging Spurdog to try and find out what they get up to and source any new information to help protect this fantastic fish. We covered nearly 150miles and succesfully tagged around 20 spurdog, with all being returned alive, hopefully one day these will feed information back to CEFAS.
Summer is almost upon us now with the mackeral expected in the next 2-3 weeks and the inshore reefs are producing better fishing everytime they are visited.
There are still a few dates available to fish the almost famous Holyhead Deeps, and still a few tides left for us to get further down the coast then any other boat off Holyhead, to try and beat the boat record of 48 rays and 5 turbot in one session.
There are two tides left for the fun 10hr boat match out with Aaron on Bad ladz to try catch as many species as possible in one day.
Get booking and tight lines for all you anglers our there !!!!! View Boats Page
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03/2011
Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen
on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
Mar 2011 by Gethyn Owen
Report on-board My Way 2
With the moon closest to the earth for over 20 years last week helping produce some of the largest spring tides for a long time, we looked forward to the next set of neap tides that would allow us to push offshore and see if spring was working its way to Holyhead in the shape of big huss, spurdog and if lucky a tope or two.
I know I shouldn’t continually whinge about the weather, but being such a critical part of a days boat fishing, we cannot help but moan when things go against us. That said, I should try to remember that we are still only in March and traditionally it is not a month known for calm winds and flat seas! So back to the whinge, similar to the last set of neap tides, the wind gods kicked up a stinker for the vast majority of the neaps just gone, restricting our movements on all but one of the days to marks inshore or on the edge of Holyhead Deep.
Inshore the fishing was once again consistent, with a variety of fish coming over the gunnels of My Way. Most marks consisted of numerous dogfish, small codling and whiting. Other marks also gave us numerous small and also large bull huss along with small ling, sea scorpions and also a few nice plaice once again. The thornbacks have continued close inshore along Holyhead Bay, nothing out of this world but acceptable at around 6lb average.
On our first deep water anchor for 2011, 26th March, just at the edge of Holyhead deep, we only managed an hours fishing, thanks to the strong 7mph wind slamming into the boat! Ok it was a little more, it was actually 18mph gusting over 20mph, so we didn’t hang about too long and as soon as the tide showed signs of turning we upped anchor and retreated into the bay. For our efforts, we were though rewarded with a few huss, dogfish and 1 spurdog, we did lose a few other big fish – spurs or huss I cannot say.
The following day, the sun was up high and we had no wind, not even a breeze, not the slightest of puffs! Big fun in deep water was the plan; before then though we set sail to load My Way with some fresh bait and fodder for the dubby bag to help bring the bigger targets to us. We managed to hook into a fair number of small pollack and herring over various marks on our travels around to Trearddur Bay, the herring were to prove extremely useful for both additional dubby and hook bait. Their extremely oily bodies can prove a major attraction for many species around our shores.
We managed a very happy 3.5hrs in the deeps, catching continuously huss, dogfish and some cracking spurdog. Many of the spurs were released outside of the boat with only a handful of cracking double figure specimens coming aboard for a quick photograph
More often than not when looking at attracting fish or shark to your boat you need to lay down a 'rubby dubby' trail. This usually consists of mashed up fish bits and blood. This mixture is poured into a bag and can be tied off onto the anchor before it is despatched to the sea bed.
As the oils and particles get washed out of the bag they are pushed down tide and help attract predators into the area in which you are fishing.
I have already heard a rumour that a new welsh record spurdog has been set in south Wales, although I am waiting to hear a little more, please note that the WFSA allows fish to be weighed aboard a boat and then released.
It looks like this could be another good season for spurdogs, thats if you can locate them!!!
It is certainly nice to see the hard work carried out by Save our Sharks and the SSACN in obtaining the ban on lining proving successful with increasing numbers of spurs as the years go by, hopefully this can be succeeded with correct future management. View Boats Page
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27/03/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
27 Mar 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
The wrecks are still fishing well for Quality Cod and some cracking Pollock but we are travelling a fair way offshore.
Luckilly the Skate fishing inshore is electric at the moment, perfect if you prefer to fish rather than travel. Expect 10 or so on an average day and 25 plus is easilly possible. One of the local boats had 36 on Sunday. Frozen Herring as bait is the key.
Keep it tight,
Dave.
Www.kentcharterfishing.com View Boats Page
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20/03/2011
Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen
on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
20 Mar 2011 by Gethyn Owen
Report on-board My Way 2
With neap tides again upon us last week and everyone chomping at the bit to throw off the small fish shackles and get to grips with the monster of Holyhead deep, in blew gales to put an end to those ideas. With a couple trips cancelled we managed to sneak out into Holyhead Bay on Sunday 13th.
The strong westerly wind restricted our movements, and the small neap tide restricted the flow of water required to help get the fish around on the feed this time of year, we really did struggle. Despite many moves around the bay, locating a sufficient amount of fish to make the day an overwhelming success was very hard work. That said, all the anglers on board My Way that day, knew what the day may, or may not hold! It’s a day out, we’re fishing and we’re also catching – what more could you ask for, ok admittedly a little more than the dogs, whiting and small codling …. the warm chilli certainly helped that day for sure though.
My Way regulars Carl & Annie, know only too well how things can pan out both for the good and sometimes the bad. Undeterred they returned the following weekend in the hope of more fish to pull their lines. But how would they and the other anglers fair this weekend fishing on top of the biggest tide for 20years.
The Moon's gravity pulls more strongly on the near side of the Earth than it does at its centre. It does though pull more strongly on the centre than on the far side. This 'differential' causes the tides that we see daily. Essentially, the water on the near side is pulled up and away from the Earth. Since the Earth turns on its axis, the bulge moves around the Earth, causing the level of the ocean to rise and fall, forming the tides. Spring tides at Holyhead are normally big at the 32 to 33ft mark, we were looking this weekend at battling the elements with tides over 34ft, this meant the water would move fast.
Saturday saw a crew of My Way regulars along with 2 guys new to fishing and 2 new to My Way. Despite the previous night giving a wind speed under double figures all day, our revised forecast before sailing was for winds of F4 to 5 from around lunchtime. With monster ebbing tides, Trearddur Bay was out of the question on that forecast as if the wind blew up early, we would be unable to find safe passage through north stack, and hence Holyhead Bay it was.
The morning started in 50ft of water a few miles north of Holyhead. The broken ground always throws up a variety of species for early season, but equally as important, a consistent supply of fish. We were not disappointed, straight into fish were the newcomers Dave and Chris pulling in dogfish and small codling, this trend then continued around the boat as many fish, including the odd double and triple shot came aboard. A My Way first for 2011 fell to Carl Burns’ fishing rod in the shape of a small plaice. Carl also pointed out that this was his first ever plaice whilst aboard My Way. We’re not renowned for our plaice fishing in this part of north Wales and sadly those we do get are rarely the dustbin lids you see in the magazines; still a great catch.
Mixed in with the codling, dogfish we were also pulling in many small bull huss. This area whilst it is accepted you can catch the odd huss, is not famous for numbers of the smaller huss we were catching today. Other parts of our fishing grounds, Trearddur Bay for example are often ear marked for competition fishing, were the reliability of small bull huss to boost a points tally is second to none; today though it was Holyhead Bay that was throwing up numerous small to miniscule sized bullies.
Why, well, I’m not too sure however we were anchored around 300yards off our normal mark. Where I had originally planned to drop anchor was out of bounds to us thanks to lobster pot markers. Never one to opt for the ‘near enough’ option, we had a little look around the area for a spot of broken ground that …. looked fishy ! Using the down-looking imaging on our new Lowrance HDS system, we were able to isolate a patch of ground that appeared to have fish holding capabilities; anchoring uptide, so that our baits could trot back nicely over the broken ground, the rewards where very quickly upon the boat. Could this be the reason for the sheer number of small huss coming aboard the boat today, brilliant broken kelp covered ground, ideal for small fry to shelter and small huss to feed on them?
True to the forecast the wind was steadily increasing throughout the day, a quick check at the weather station at RAF Valley and the wind was higher than forecasted. Inshore though, the tide had already turned to start flooding and now running in the same direction as the wind, our day was as comfortable as it was with the slight breeze of the early morning.
The following day, once again the weather gods had outwitted the forecasters and delivered a few more mph, uncanny how they continually do this really!!
With a forecast of around 20mph from the south, I arrived at the marina to a constant 26mph with gusts of 32mph. Not fancying the day too much, March stuck in close cannot always be the best - I called the lads around 90mins before we were due to sail. Mike the organiser greeted me with, is it safe and will we get a few fish, erm, oh yes we could do it I suppose, so off we went.
Rewards came in the way of dogs, codling and some small huss for the first few hrs. Great fun alongside the tea, coffee, biscuits and sausage butties. As the day went on and the tide ebbed away, the wind slowly decreased, as if with every 5mph decrease we managed to sneak further out from our shelter.
Our day eventually ended up on a small patch of mud around 1 mile outside the harbour, here the lads were rewarded with far more fish than in the morning and additionally 2 thornback rays, both firsts for the anglers including trip organiser Mike himself.
As I finish writing this now, the wind outside, or should I just say the puff of air outside is 9mph! Oh for 9month of 9mph. The light winds are forecasted to continue, we have individual spaces available for this coming Weds 23rd March sailing at 9am. Still a big tide, but plenty of fish and a good selection of species to have fun with for the day. View Boats Page
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20/03/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
20 Mar 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
A few Lunker cod reported inshore over the weekend and a few skate.
Noteable catches were a cracker of 23.5 lb on Pace Arrow and a 15lb`er on Duke IV.
Ramsgate is Rockin !
We went offshore and continued the run of outstanding catches of cod and pollock.
It may be hard graft but the results are worthwhile, over 100 quality eating fish on Saturday and an exhausted crew !
Dave.
www.kentcharterfishing.com View Boats Page
