Latest Fishing Reports: South West Wales
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08/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Aug 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
See video number 2 on our page.
Book early for the best tides next year !
August has been great, in between the showers !
Lots of cod on the wrecks and plenty of top quality inshore bassing.
The smoothounds have made a good showing along with loads of tasty gurnards, yum yum !
Keep it tight,
Dave.
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21/08/2011
Fishing Report by Luke Rees
on Atlantic Blue (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
21 Aug 2011 by Luke Rees
Report on-board Atlantic Blue
A first for the Danglers. A trip out of The Haven, turning right and going beyond the beautiful inshore island of Skomer and surroundings and heading North to The Bishops and Clerks. Today we were on board Volsung from Dale with skipper Andy. Earlier in the year Andy has had some cracking reef Pollack up to just under double figures. Hopes were high among the 10 Danglers on board for some good fish and we weren't to be disappointed.
I myself had yet to bag a Cuckoo Wrasse this year, and wanted one for my species hunt. I was not let down as on the first drop of my Silver Blue Dream Lures I had a good knock and took up the first fish of the day, a Cuckoo Wrasse. There's a way to start the day, one happy Dangler.
There was then a steady stream of smaller Pollack and small Coalfish, along with the odd Ballan Wrasse before anything of size came up. But it did. Interesting to note that despite excellent persistence from Daihook gilling with a Sidewinder, he didn't land a fish with this method. Others tried and failed too... All good fish today came on Hokkai's and after making the switch Daihook (Ian) did hit some good fish.
Here's a good Pollack had by Mike Middleton, a nudge over 5lb. Mike took the fish using orange hokkais.
We hit a patch of good ground, I'm told there was a small wreck around the area and fishing was hectic so I didn't have many opportunities to take pictures. My brother Tom who was guest for the day lost a rig so I set him up quickly with my previous rig ready to go, first drop he had a cracking Pollack and over 5lb. I had a smaller one at the same time too. Brotherly picture ey.
Tom was feeling a bit queasy and had it up over the side a few times which limited his fishing time but he did well to persist and bag a few fish. Jim was also ill and slept it off in the cabin all day. I managed a pretty good Pollack of my own at a nudge over 5lb, he just would not stay still for the picture so Greg gave the fish his last rights and we had a good picture.... then I forgot it was dead and chucked it back as I was on a Cod mission today ...ooops. Luckily the net was handy and we scooped him back up.
Mike Middleton was having a cracking day, in the end he managed the biggest Pollack of the day and one of the few Codling we managed to muster off the reefs. His Pollack was 5lb 14oz and the Codling was 5lb 4oz.
Greg, being the Samaritan he is went to help Mike net a fish while Andy was making a tea. Now Greg did ask me to watch his rod while he went and helped. So I did, until in the blink of an eye there was a huge bit on it and it got ripped straight in. Despite my dive for it that Ian said Warren Gatland would have been proud of it was now the property of a large Pollack somewhere around the Bishops. So he had a bun had reflected on the one that got away, by the time we got home it was talked up to a double figure Cod I think.
Here are the buns expertly modeled by Ian before being ravaged at the hands of the Danglers. You cant beat an afternoon tea break out there.
I managed to get a nice picture of the rocky formations of the Bishops as we left. They were a beautiful and eerie place to fish. We made a pit stop on the way home at Martins Haven to bag up with some Mackerel for tea and freezer filling. They were of a smallish size here, nothing like the size from the Smalls last week.
Thanks to Andy for a great day out. The trip was a first for the club and was rated a success with the good average size of the Pollack. They were of a much better size than the Hats and Barrels. Today we had Ballan Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Mackerel, Launce, Coalfish, Pollack and Codling so a nice mix of species.
Cheers
Luke View Boats Page
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18/08/2011
Fishing Report by Luke Rees
on Celtic Wildcat (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
18 Aug 2011 by Luke Rees
Report on-board Celtic Wildcat
Anticipation built in the week leading up this trip, whilst someone from the club couldn't make it I saw it as an ideal opportunity to try my hand at sharking and get the fish of a lifetime.
Numerous phone calls between Greg (Co-ordinator for the day) and I had me kitted out with gear that would be suitable for the day. Big rod, big reel and lots of line to rip off. Greg had also recommended to me a company called Rok-Max for all the end bits for sharking. So I had all the gear, and no idea we set off from Neyland Marina at 7 am on board the spacious Celtic Wildcat with Nick O'Sullivan.
Nick had already prepared a rubby dubby, essential for shark fishing I learnt. Rigged in such a way that the bag of oozing minced mackerel and fishy oils dispersed an oily slick away from the boat to attract the predators.
Our first stop was the Smalls Lighthouse. Here we would fill a box up with Mackerel for the days bait supply, and for any more rubby if we needed it. Conditions were good as we arrived at the smalls, a very quick and smooth journey in the fast catamaran she is saw us making good time. We were going in to the wind, not that you would really tell. The sky was cloudy, and there was talk on board among The Danglers of rain and wet weather gear. Nick branded us jonnas, as you would expect with the anticipation of the rain and so the days banter began.
12 minutes at The Smalls, 12 minutes is all we were filling a box, yes filling a very large box full of Mackerel. They were jumping in the boat, and I'm told by the old sea dog Greg Laycock that it was a record. So Mackerel feathers were unclipped and big traces went on, and I mean big.
Greg showed me how to rig a shark trace, and a little while after departing the pretty lighthouse we were at The Celtic Deeps. Rubby bags in, floats over the side with huge Mackerel baits and we were set. The traces for most consisted of a 15ft wire rubbing trace and a 3ft wire biting trace with a semi barb less hook ranging from 9/0-14/0 across the boat.
We had set up in the middle of a mass of wildlife. Before long there were sharks breaking the water with their fins. Dolphins, masses of them passed us jumping gleefully time and time again. And then there was the whales, huge massive Fin Whales spouting water up all over the place and coming pretty close to the boat too. So close in fact Nick thought it a good idea to put 1 of the engines on make the whales aware of our presence.
In terms of fishing, I had a good and bad day. I was getting help from all angles with the guys and I really appreciated it. But I lost a few bits of gear, I am in debt of one float, one biting trace and a rubbing leader to Greg. Sorry. But it was all worth it in the end.
The first shark of the day, went to Clive Jones. And to every ones surprise it was a Porbeagle and not a Blue.
Nick really showed he knew what he was doing, wrestling with the Sharks to get them safely on board. Well done Clive a fish measured to 93lb. This was the first of a brace of sharks for Clive today, as he later (after failing to find any Garfish) caught a good size Blue.
Action was very hectic, and you were a bit reluctant to leaving your rod in case it was your turn so my pictures are limited.
Paul Canning had a good Porbie too..
The day had become glorious, the sun was now beaming down and sharks were ripping lines here there and everywhere. Dangler Steve had the best haul of the day with 4 Blues and 1 Porbie. He must have been knackered.
Mike Steer had done battle with a shark, a bloody good one we guessed too. He fought it for close to 40 minutes and looked like he was gaining on it.. until ping. Gone. A humble man he said "That's fishing". A much better man than me I would have needed my mouth washed out.
I had a good run, and did battle with a shark of my own for a couple of minutes before a tangle prevented me from gaining line and all of my gear was lost.
It was now late in the day, Jason had the boats biggest under his belt for the day with a 124lb Porbie. There were two sharks currently being played by Ian Pratt and Greg. Then, with only my bait in the water as some were packing down.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!! It dropped it, so Steve advised me to leave it a few seconds. I then picked it up and bang fish on. It took me two laps around the boat, climbing here and there. Jason kindly secured a butt pad around me which made it a bit easier... not much. And it wasn't long before skipper Nick pulled my first ever shark in. A Blue measuring to 70lb. Fantastic and what an experience.
It was time to set off on the long journey back to Neyland all 43 Miles of it. In total we had boated 21 sharks, 10 Blues and 11 Porbies. It was a day for records with PB's here and there, first Porbies, quickest box of bait and boating more Porbies than Blues.
A huge thank you to both Nick and Greg (Skipper and Co-ordinator/My mentor for the day). Both worked hard to ensure that all Danglers had a fantastic day on the water. So much so I have booked again, better get some more gear in.
Thanks
Luke View Boats Page
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22/07/2011
Fishing Report by Luke Rees
on Celtic Wildcat (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
22 Jul 2011 by Luke Rees
Report on-board Celtic Wildcat
A full boat of 12 eager Danglers boarded Nick O'Sullivans Celtic Wildcat for an 8am departure from Neyland. Today we were reefing, out to catch some Cod and Pollack, plus whatever else came along. With the weather forecast to drop through the day and a NW wind the journey down the Haven was pleasant. The Wildcat made mince meat of the journey down the Haven and before we knew it the engine was off and quite literally every colour of lure hokkai and worm was dropped over the side, it must have looked like Christmas down there....
Any way fishing was good to start, I personally hooked into a couple of Codling and Pollack that where just shy of the keeping mark but it was nice to feel the rod bouncing. First into a nice fish was Mike Middleton, who, on most trips seems to bag a nice Wrasse. This trip was of course to be no exception and he boated this beauty of 4lb. It was that exited to see him it was foaming at the mouth!!!
What a scrap it put up on his white/red hokkais lures.
The first part of our day continued to fish well, a few Cod and Pollack has come aboard of a keep able size, none worth taking the camera out for... mustn't forget the shed loads of Mackerel that plagued users of lures and hokkais small enough for the rabid mackerel. The first Pollack worthy of a snap was the biggest of the day. At a boats weight 4lb 10oz for Andy caught on the ever impressive and reliable Rhubarb and Custard Sidewinder.
Now by this point our trip co-ordinator for the day was slyly baging up on nice Codling, using Silver Blue Dreams that only seemed to be picking up Pollack for me. He posed with this brace of fish that were a beautiful plate size. Nice one Wayne.
John Codd pulled up surprise number one (of three...each more amusing than the last) for the day. A Ling, weighing 4lb. My what teeth you have.
All was quiet then for a while, when the fish where hard to find ( I shan't bore you with that pish pash) . But the weather settled that little bit more and the tide turned and BOOM, fish back on.
Keith was persistent after a slow start but connected with the fish using a pink Sidewinder and bagging the biggest Cod of the day at 5lb 8oz. He also took some other good Cod on this lure and bagged up well on the Cod for the day. His advise that the fish were feeding well up in the water saw me switch to a shad and flying collar rig that I worked a good way of the bottom and bagged a 2 Codling and a Pollack. Keith also landed a very pretty male Cuckoo Wrasse.
Joe had a nice double shot of Pollack...
Ian then caught surprise number two of the day. A velvet swimmer crab on a Sidewinder. EH?
Now, a wee tale between the fish for you. Joe Barnikel went and caught himself the bottom. Being snagged he wanted to get rid of it so decided to go and make for his fish hittin' stick to wrap the line around and snap it off. In the mean time his rod had other ideas and ....SPLASH. "Who's rod was that"...uh-oh. Joe's rod and reel had been pulled in by the boats drift and the snag. How gutting ey....but oh no wait. John Codd went and reeled in surprise number three of the day, and possibly the catch of the day... Joe's rod and reel! It was incredible, how lucky can you get!!!! Joe's luck didn't stop there though... no no. Keep reading..
The next nice fish of the day was a nice Cod.... I mean Wrasse! Ian who was dying for a nice Cod fell victim to disguise as his Wrasse nodded and thumped the whole way up. He was not amused, but on the plus side a lovely 4lb 8oz Ballan Wrasse...
Yours truly had my biggest Pollack of the day at a nudge over 4lb caught on Berkley Mounted Sandeel... mid water.
As in true fashion the best is always saved for last, and as I said that Joe's luck had yet to run out he went and caught him self this stunning Ling and the biggest fish of the day at 6lb 10oz. What a cracker.
Sadly after that we headed for home, thanks to Nick for the extra 15 minutes out there. Joe wouldn't have had his Ling without it. The lighter colour Sidewinder (4inch) where the order of the day and the Hats later in the day definitely out fished the Barrels earlier in the day.
The drop in wind made for a quick and smooth journey home, and time to reflect on a great day out. Gorgeous conditions on a great boat and the fish where biting. Things are looking good out there for later in the year. Today we had Coley, Codling, Pollack, Mackerel, Cuckoo Wrasse, Ballan Wrasse, Pouting, Launce and Ling.
Thanks to Nick for a great day out.
Cheers, Luke@westwalesfishing. View Boats Page
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03/07/2011
Fishing Report by Luke Rees
on Celtic Wildcat (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
3 Jul 2011 by Luke Rees
Report on-board Celtic Wildcat
The forecast was exactly as it was predicted for the last few days. Part of a weekend of fine fine weather, and breathless winds made for a very nice day out on board Celtic Wildcat with skipper Nick.
The 18 mile journey to our destination, which for today was the Shoals sandbank off St. Govans were we would target Bass, but probably pick up a few other species as well. Now given that the trips for Bass are done in very fast tides, to give every different type of bait or lure the best action to attract fish, Nick had to work hard to ensure there were no tangles on the boat. He did this by managing which side of the boat dropped first, second and when to wind in. This worked well all day and there were very few tangles considering the tide rip...
The fishing, well the Bass fishing started slow. The first fish in the boat was a Turbot, not just any Turbot... a Turbot caught on a small white Redgill. This raised eyebrows around the boat as Turbot normally feed on sight as well as scent. It was a very welcome sight for Dangler Barry.
The drifts were fast, again because of the tide and the best part of the drift is short we were back and for over the bank a lot. Being new to using braid, I was amazed at how bumpy the sand bank is, I was told that the ripples in the sand were much bigger out here than conventional beach sand ripples. This paired with the sensitivity given by the braid and light rod made it difficult to distinguish bites.
Paul didn't have to much trouble spotting the first Bass of the day engulf his Sidewinder Lure and go like stink... up it came, a healthy looking Bass and the first of the day for the boat.
The next Bass to come on board fell to Ian, who was fishing a rubber sand eel on a flowing trace. Another perfect plate size Bass.
Shortly after Ian had landed his Bass, I hooked into a Bass using my new 440 Sakuma Circle hooks which I were very impressed with as per the hook up in the picture below. The lure I used was a Kiddy Holographic Sandeel. It was a perfect size Bass for the pot, which I filleted and skinned shortly after boating it.
Meanwhile, as I was playing my fish Janice had hooked into one much bigger than mine. It was caught on the same setup Ian was using, again a lure similar to the one I had mine. Janice sure showed the guys how to fish today, bagging the biggest Bass of the day at 4lb 4oz.
The action on the sand bank had appeared to dropped off. I had a Gurnard, and there were a few Weevers caught around the boat as well as some Codling on the bank. We moved off to some rougher ground, and on went the hokkais and jelly worms in an attempt to pick up some Pollack and Cod. There was plenty of action on the water with Dolphins and Gannets going after fish that weren't to far below the surface. The action wasn't too bad on the boat either. A few Pollack came on board, as well as a few undersize Codling but they were welcome for sport.
I missed a cracking take on my Blue Silver Dream hokkai's. But had a few small Pollack of my own to keep the fishing ticking over. Also on the rough ground we managed too hook into some fairly sizeable Launce. These were kept alive until we went back over the sand bank where we could try for more Bass.
I think we managed maybe one or two more Bass, all keepers that I didn't manage to get pictures off. But we did however boat a few more Turbot. Barry had another one, again a keeper this time caught on squid strip.
Yorkie also managed one, as did I on fresh Launce fillet. I fished mine on a long flowing trace made of 20lb Fluro Carbon with a 440 Circle Hook. Its a new species for me and boy did it taste great!!!
Shortly after our return to the sand bank we made for home, reflecting on a day that could have been better on the Bass front but with spectacular weather, a few Turbot, good tea and coffee (Ma's Drizzle Cake again) and hard work from skipper Nick we had a cracking day. A total of 8 species too... Bass, Launce, Turbot, Pollack, Codling, Coalfish, Gurnard and Weever.
Luke@westwalesfishing
For all pictures from the day see... http://westwalesfishing.blogspot.com/2011/07/danglers-go-for-bass-3711.html View Boats Page
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07/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Jul 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
Offshore wrecking is Hot Hot Hot !
100+ Cod a day upto 15lb . Long days, hard work but rewarding !
A lot closer to shore the Tope fishing continues to be some of the best sportfishing in the country.
No B *#^shit see the pictures.
For a more leisurely day the Bass fishing is still amazing. Catches are up on last year with some proper biggies showing.
Keep it tight,
Dave. View Boats Page
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09/07/2011
Fishing Report by Keith Jones
on Atlantic Blue (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
9 Jul 2011 by Keith Jones
Report on-board Atlantic Blue
Out again while on holiday in the area with the expert skipper Andy Truelove ., this time drift fishing near bishops and clerks .It was an outstanding day for all of us onboard , especially myself, being from the midlands and a hundred miles from the nearest sea it is always a treat to get out on a boat ..
i enjoyed tremendously the company of the local lads fishing that day ..Andy .The Skipper was superb again with help and advice to myself and others aboard Volsung. Pollack in vast numbers were caught by all along with wrasse..cod ,codling ..we ended the session trying for mackerel for later bait / tea ..but the shoals were ellusive ..and only a few caught .
All in all a superb day out for the anglers ..thanks very much Andy ..see you soon ..before i go home .
Keith (casey) Jones View Boats Page
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07/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Jul 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
Evening bass trips are proving a rip roaring success with good numbers of bass being landed including a couple of low doubles so far.
During our normal daytime trips we are seeing good numbers of cracking Cod upto 15lb on the wrecks. A few pollock are showing but these are tending to be smaller, 4 to 8 lb.
Tope are still here and will be untill the autumn if you want to do battle with leviathans from the deep !
A party from Essex had 16 upto 55 lb to the boat. They now know where to come for the best sportfishing in the SouthEast !
Inshore we're still getting the big hounds, upto 20lb !
Bass and skate are showing in good numbers to fresh mackeral bait. Quite satisfying at the moment to go out, catch your own bait , then catch a good fish supper !
Keep it tight,
Dave. View Boats Page
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06/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Jun 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
All systems Go !
It's Basstastic sport at the moment.
Large shoals showing close inshore,
get on down for a load up !
Dave. View Boats Page
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30/05/2011
Fishing Report by David Hancock
on Excel 2 (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
30 May 2011 by David Hancock
Report on-board Excel 2
14 runs and 8 tope upto 45lb landed on Bank Holiday Monday, kentcharterfishing.com Rocks !
Get on down to Ramsgate for some of the UK's finest sport fishing on board Excel 2.
More pics on Facebook at David Hancock.
Keep it tight,
Dave. View Boats Page
