Latest Fishing Reports: Sea Urchin IIl
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02/05/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
2 May 2023 by Andy Savage
Nick Massingham and the boys had the boat booked for the day today. It was a decent wrecking tide and they all love fishing the wrecks, so that was how we spent the day.
With the water still not clear on the inshore wrecks, we had to run off to get to the clear water. The first thing I noticed was that it was much clearer than I’d seen it all year, when we got out there. The first wreck we stopped at, gave us a couple of hours of steady fishing. We took 2-4 fish every drift and most were in the 3-5lb bracket. Everyone got themselves a few in the box, with the exception of trip organiser Nick! For some reason, he had a very slow start, but little did we know what the “Cod Gods” had in store for him!!
We decided to move on a few miles and arrived at our next wreck about 90 minutes before slack water. A pod of dolphins greeted us and kept swimming round the boat as we set up the first drift. It was brilliant to see them swimming close around us. First drift and nobody had a bite, so I thought it might have been a wrong move. After setting up the second drift, it all went a bit mental. There were fish coming up left right and centre. Almost all were good sized quality Codling. Most were 4lb+ and we had half a dozen most runs through.
It was wind against tide so we tiptoed very slowly through the wreck, which was a massive help. Nick Massingham had by now joined the party and was clumping them every run through. Then I saw him lift into what looked like the wreck, but it bounced back……fish on! Fishing with a two muppet bait trace, Nick thought he might have a double shot as he really struggled to winch up his prize. As it turned out, he was wrong, as I slipped the net under a new PB Cod of 15lb 8oz! Credit to Nick, a fish of that size isn’t going to be the best to eat, so after the pictures, it was slipped back for another angler to catch another day.
Squid baited, muppet bait traces, did the damage today. No shock there!
We fished away for the remainder of the day and by the end, the lads were throwing them all back as they were more than happy with what was already in the boxes.
Thanks for a brilliant day out lads, you were all excellent company. -
29/04/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
29 Apr 2023 by Andy Savage
Today was the first day out on Sea Urchin for almost a fortnight, after yet another spell of pants weather….
Today saw a mixed group of anglers ready to have a go. With it being a weekend, we de-conflicted with the other boats, as to where we were all going and we ran out to a wreck at 12 miles to start the day. First drift through saw Stan Matthews’ rod go over and he winched up a nice double shot of Codling. We wrongly (as it turned out) thought we might fill up with a few fish, considering the early positive signs.
We persevered with the wreck through slack and waited for the flood to come. We picked off another few fish, but reluctantly called it a day and moved on as the bites never increased on the change of tide.
We tried another two wrecks for one small Haddock and a couple of Pouting. After that, we ran into the nine mile ground and spent the remainder of the day drifting the rough ground. We caught a few fish each drift for the remainder of the flood tide (Codling, Ling, Haddock, Whiting, Pouting), nothing to set the world on fire, but the action stopped once we lost the Flood tide.
We ended what was for me, yet another disappointing day, on a wreck; but pleasingly, Gaz Townend managed to pull up a couple of Codling to end the day.
I won’t try and and “dress up” another well below par day on Sea Urchin. I’m very grateful to the anglers who keep me going out to sea. I really hope the fishing improves soon and I can get on some fish. -
14/04/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
14 Apr 2023 by Andy Savage
It was great to get a day out with some of my regular anglers after a week off with poor weather.
The inshore grounds and wrecks were pretty quiet for us last week, so today the weather conditions allowed us to get out to some wrecks in the 20 mile stream. I say wrecks…..but in the end we actually stayed on the same one all day!
Having experienced anglers on board was a great help, as it allows me to make better decisions on whether to move on or not. With the group on board today, if there were fish to be had, they would get them.
We arrived just as the Flood tide got away and with the wind holding us up on the drift, we tiptoed across, which was perfect for this “chewy” wreck.
Four Codling on the first run was a great relief and we then proceeded to take 4-6 fish a drift for the remainder of the tide. Tony Barrett could do no wrong today and at dinnertime he’d had only one drift when he didn’t pick up a fish or two. The stamp of fish was pretty decent with Tony having three over 6lb, the biggest being 6lb 15oz.
Everyone got fish today; the dominant tactic was muppet bait traces, but Dave Makin took Codling to 6lb 4oz on Shads, which was good to see. As the tide eased into slack a few Pouting and Ling came up and unfortunately Dave Sharp and Ian Steadman both had good fish make it back into the scrap which was a shame. The ones that got away…….
The day flew by for me with loads of chat and mickey taking going on amongst the lads. We headed back to Whitby just before the Ebb tide got going.
Thanks for a brilliant day out lads. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. -
20/03/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
20 Mar 2023 by Andy Savage
Today we had an Ian Purdom “Uptiding Masterclass” aboard Sea Urchin.
With a rising tide back over five meters and light winds, we had almost perfect conditions. Using the Ebb tide we headed a couple of miles north to start off. With the anchor down we spent an hour or so picking away some Codling. Nothing much of any size, but almost everyone got off the mark. Ian Purdom took the biggest Codling nudging 5lb.
Once it quietened off we headed further north and tried up near Kettleness. We got a few fish, but then started to lose the tide. We took the opportunity to run up past Port Mulgrave to get the first of the flood as it came through. During slack water, it appeared we had gone to “Dogs Trust” as we had a raft of the kritters pestering us. As the Flood tide kicked in a few Codling made an appearance. For the rest of the day we worked our way, picking away, back down towards Whitby.
We often say that bait is the key to get the very best from Uptiding. Today it certainly proved to be the case. We always recommend Squid & Black Lugworm to our anglers. There is currently a shortage of frozen Black Lugworm in Whitby, so six of the eight anglers didn’t have any to use.
By contrast Ian Purdom brings his bait with him from Lowestoft. He’s an incredibly experienced angler so knows exactly what he’s doing, but his Fresh Worm and Squid baits saw him catch almost as much as the rest of the boat put together! He had twenty Codling in size plus another half a dozen to chuck back, plus Doggies and a couple of Pouting. He caught everywhere we stopped.
On every trip this winter Ian’s been on, he’s been “Top Rod”. He spends the money on fresh bait, because he knows it’s worth it. Well done Ian….fantastic angling.
Credit to the other lads, they stuck at it and everyone had fish to take home. I’d have liked to see a few better fish, but it was a day spent in great company and literally flew by. Thanks lads. -
18/03/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
18 Mar 2023 by Andy Savage
After a month lay off with poor weather, we’ve finally had a bit of respite. With nothing to go on (in terms of productive areas), yesterday we had a mixed day.
With it being a small 4.4m tide, we started off on a wreck and then rough ground at nine miles. We picked up a few small Codling, but nothing like we had a few weeks before. We then ran back in to put the anchor down. Again, a handful of small Codling, then it just tailed right off. We optimistically tried an inshore wreck in the afternoon for absolutely nothing, which to be fair I expected at this time of year with the coloured water. The day was really hard work, but was spent in great company which always makes a difference.
Today, with a building tide, and the exploits of the day before firmly in my mind, I opted to Uptide all day. We fished the last hour of the Ebb just off the Whitby Rock Top, and thankfully there were a few Codling moving through. Everyone got off the mark, and Steve Martin nicked a nice 4lb Codling before I’d even made the tea!
Once we lost the tide we ran south to an area which had been productive in February. The flood came through and the fish started feeding. We moved once during the whole of the flood tide and picked away steadily. Nothing massive, but lovely clean fish, with the best Codling going 5lb.
Most fish fell to Squid and Black Lug, but a couple surprisingly came to jelly-worms!! It quietened off as we lost the flood tide, so we ran back up to where we started and finished with some more nice Codling on the first flushes of the Ebb.
Andras Pinti was Top Rod today, taking 14 nice Codling plus some throwbacks. Everyone got a few and the banter was fantastic. A really enjoyable day.
Thanks for your excellent company boys. -
02/03/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
2 Mar 2023 by Andy Savage
After a long wait with both bad weather and having plenty of bookings (thankfully), I finally got chance to run out for a couple of hours Uptiding with the video camera.
The aim of the video is to revisit the one I shot a year ago, but now with much improved sound equipment.Also, it is to give those who haven't fished much at Whitby in the winter before an idea of what to expect. Uptiding/Downtiding is different to the usual drifting tactics we use during the summer.
Preparation is key when it comes to fishing. Hopefully this video may help one or two anglers get prepared and catch a few more fish. The video can be viewed on YouTube (Whitby Wreck & Reef Fishing Channel) or paste the following link into your Internet Browser https://youtu.be/utS2dQRW_VE
Be Lucky.....
Andy -
16/02/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
16 Feb 2023 by Andy Savage
All the lads got completely “Wrecked” today……….With it being a really small tide with light SW winds, we took the opportunity to go out and have a look on a few wrecks.
We haven’t been out wrecking for a couple of months, as the conditions haven’t been right to do it. Today was different; so all the lads on board were keen to get going. We started off at a wreck in the 10 mile stream, and as I set up the first drift, I had my fingers crossed, hoping we weren’t wasting our time. Although the drift line wasn’t quite what I expected, we still managed three Codling. It looked like there were a few fish at home!
We fished away for the next couple of hours, taking 3-5 fish a drift. Jimmy Yeung took the biggest Codling just over 8lb and Mark Ward took a cracking 9lb Ling amongst the other decent fish landed. A seal turned up and it went a bit quiet, so we moved on.
Next wreck and we were straight back in action. The wind and tide were against each other and the drift speed was very slow. We literally tiptoed across the wreck. It was perfect conditions…..This wreck was a little larger and appeared to have plenty of fish on it. Each drift saw a good stamp of 5-7 Codling coming up. Highlights were Mirek Marczyk helping himself to a 9lb Codling and an 8lb Ling, before snapping his rod on a Pouting!!!
The boys were catching on muppet bait traces and Hokkai’s baited with combinations of Squid, Mackerel, Mussel, Lug and with the water pretty clear, the Shads were also working well.
We opted to have one last move and we had a similar result. Plenty of quality Codling……. We only had one throwback all day! Mario Marczyk took a lovely double shot, with an 8lb Codling and a 5lb Codling. It took a bit of dragging up!
All in all it was a brilliant day out. The lads fished well, caught well and made it one to remember for me.
Thanks lads, see you back on board again soon. -
14/02/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
14 Feb 2023 by Andy Savage
We had a lovely day out Uptiding yesterday with a great group of anglers.
In terms of angling ability; we went from first time to massively experienced. The tide was a fairly small 4.4m, which would ordinarily have the wrecking anglers wetting their pants! For Uptiding it’s a bit on the small side. The fish usually prefer a bit of tide to get the feed moving. We ran out a bit earlier than usual to maximise the flood tide, and within fifteen minutes of leaving the berth, we had the rods in.
I went below to make everyone a brew and came up to see the landing net being passed around. Keith Lockwood had a 4lb 8oz Codling and Tony Diamond a 5lb 4oz Codling. A great start for sure. Everyone was keyed up after such a good start, but unfortunately it didn’t last. We spent the last couple of hours of the flood taking a Codling here and there. There was a distinct lack of “other” fish. No Pouting, Whiting, Doghies etc. We moved further south to get the first flush of the Ebb Tide, but this coincided with a freshening wind coming out of Robin Hoods Bay. After half an hour we are on the move again.
Once the Ebb Tide got going, a few more fish started to feed. Ian Purdom has fished up here for a long time and is a bit of a “Machine”. His “fresh” Black Lug and Squid baits worked well and after a quiet morning, he put fourteen nice Codling to just over 5lb into his box in a couple of hours. Technique and bait goes a long way in Uptiding. Credit to Ian for showing the way. The “bants” was brilliant as usual. Kevin Totterdell landing a PB Crab Pot certainly made us chuckle!
The tides are now beginning to lift again, which will give better conditions for Uptiding. If you fancy a day out, just drop me a line. A big thanks from me to all the boys. It had been over 12 months since I’d had Kevin and his mates on board (having cancelled their trips seven times on the trot with bad weather). You were brilliant company as always. -
11/02/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
11 Feb 2023 by Andy Savage
Today we went out and got absolutely “anchored”……
A lovely bunch of lads and lady on board. Using the tide we ran down to Robin Hoods Bay for the last remnants of the flood. After half an hour and only a couple of small fish to show for our efforts, the tide began to fall away.
As planned, we took the opportunity to run across the bay and onto the next section of really rough ground. We hadn’t fished here for a few weeks, so we didn’t know what to expect. It took another half an hour before the Ebb tide was strong enough to beat the freshening WNW wind and get the boat steady. At this point the bites started to come properly and the average stamp of Codling was much better in this area than the last few trips, when we’ve run north. Jeff Turner took a nice Codling just over 6lb and Dave Fowls started filling his box rapidly with fish to 5lb. Everyone got off the mark with a fish or two in the box.
Once it went a bit quiet, we took the chance to have a short move and that’s when it went a bit “pear-shaped”. The chain on the anchor had become trapped and despite a lot of cursing and trying all the angles, I simply couldn’t free it. While I worked on a Plan B, I let the boat out on a long anchor line to cover a different area. This went well and the rods were once again nodding. Fish were falling regularly to the ever faithful Squid and Black Lug.
We stuck at it for the remainder of the Ebb picking a few fish away as the flushes of Codling moved through. Once the wind and tide dropped, we had to bite the bullet and break out the anchor. Shaun who skippers “Alliance” was nearby and kindly tied it off his very sturdy boat and in the end the shackle thankfully broke off. We lost the anchor and chain, so had to deploy the reserve.
With a great display of angling, Dave Fowls was top rod today taking a 16 fish bag, plus throwbacks. It was a tough day at the office for me, and not one I hope repeat any time soon. A massive thanks Shaun on Alliance for helping to break the anchor rode and to a very patient group of anglers while we did it. Onwards and upwards -
08/02/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
8 Feb 2023 by Andy Savage
As "The Clash" once sang......."Should I stay or should I go now".......that was the dilemma we were faced with last night looking at the weather forecast.
I gave the lads (all very experienced anglers) the option and they were all keen to get out; even if the forecasted, building winds meant we had to cut the day a bit short. We followed a similar pattern as yesterday, running North whilst watching a stunning sunrise in flat clam conditions.
First stop, we waited for the Ebb tide to get going. Pleasingly, a few Codling were knocking around and the four lads on board all got themselves off the mark in fairly short order. Chris "Office Waller" Wells picked up a nice Codling of 5lb, but the average size were more in the 2-3lb range. A couple of Lobsters also decided to jump on the Squid hookbaits!
The wind started to freshen after a couple of hours, but bites kept coming from the Codling and the boat held steady in the tide. Dave Sharp had a couple of surprises in store. Firstly, he managed to catch himself a Sea Urchin.......fishing on Sea Urchin! Secondly he caught a Codling which when he gutted it, had a chicken bone in its stomach. It was from the same area we fished yesterday when Tony Barret had dropped two chicken bones in the water after he'd eaten his dinner. Cod are voracious feeders when they're hungry!!
The rest of the day pased by quickly with a couple of better Codling falling to Dave Sharp and Jim Bailey amongst the smaller stamp for the rest of us. The wind fell away on the turn of tide (in complete contrast to the weather forecast) so the afternoon was spent in glorious weather.
Not for lack of trying....but there doesn't seem to be many better sized fish around at the moment. The last three days we've topped out at 5lb, but hopefully some bigger fish will push through soon enough. We'll certainly keep on trying. Thanks again lads for an enjoyable day out.
