Latest Fishing Reports: Optimist
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18/05/2016
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
18 May 2016 by Nigel Lihou
May has now well and truly arrived and the fishing is excellent, still no sign of Mackerel in quantity but the there are a few around close to the shore, on the wrecks we have been catching some lovely Pollack and a few Pouting and some silver Whiting and surprisingly the inshore wrecks are fishing very well. On the banks we have had some great trips with some nice Plaice coming aboard, we have also boated Brill and Turbot both nice to see in our part of the world with Launce for bait being caught on the edge of the banks. Bait wise Lures are still working well on the wrecks whilst on the banks we have been experimenting as well as the usual Ragworm and Squid, Mackerel and Launce, Black Lug seems to working well as does Garlic Prawn, even Chilli Prawn has brought Plaice to the boat and as you would expect at this time of year Cuttle works well.
So if you want a great days fishing at a reasonable cost with some like minded people give us a call and look forward to a good day aboard Optimist -
05/04/2016
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
5 Apr 2016 by Nigel Lihou
April 5th, a great days fishing on the Skerries Bank with a variety of species coming aboard and as usual a few surprises. There were Plaice although not plentiful they were still of a reasonable size, Blonde Ray made an appearance with the usual fight to get it aboard. We also had Launce for bait on the banks edge with Herring and Silver Whiting. The biggest surprise of the day was line caught Spider crab of a good size brought aboard by Matt Crisp from the midlands not once, not twice but three times the third one returned as it was a berried hen he now proudly boasts the title of "Spiderman" Once again the Skerries Bank produces a great days fishing with a twist, sadly towards the end of the session the wind gained in strength and made the last hour rather uncomfortable but due to its direction made for a speedy ride home. Why not join us for the day and be the one to boat yet another surprise species that is all in a day's fishing on Optimis
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24/03/2016
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
24 Mar 2016 by Nigel Lihou
What a shame about the Easter weather 180 degree wind change Friday lunchtime, force 6 on Sunday, Force 8 Monday, pity because the Skerries are fishing very well at the moment
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25/01/2016
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
25 Jan 2016 by Nigel Lihou
Optimist has remained afloat during our stormy winter months going out in the small windows in the weather to get out and on the fish, these have generally been midweek as most weekends have seen winds of force 4 - 6 and above making the opportunities to get out very slim. When we have managed to dodge the weather we have found Pollack on the offshore wrecks when we have managed to get through the many Whiting which have been there in large quantities and of reasonable size. The Skerries is still producing good size Rays with a few Plaice and there is some good fishing to be had with a drift on the Skerries. The inshore marks and reefs are catching well with Bull Huss, Conger, the inevitable Dog fish and Whiting which seem to be everywhere at this time of year. Optimist still has a few available spaces for the summer of 2016 and is looking forward to catching some good fish contact us for further information.
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03/10/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
3 Oct 2015 by Nigel Lihou
Well it's early October and the Skerries Bank is still producing some very good fish. As well as the usual Plaice, Gurnards and Rays it's reeling in a few surprises like the 7lb 6oz Spurdog brought aboard by Ian (the crew) on a trip last Saturday. We have bookings throughout Oct and Nov weather permitting and are taking bookings for 2016 for Wreck and Bank fishing just phone for details
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19/09/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
19 Sep 2015 by Nigel Lihou
A good day on the Skerries with our first Turbot from there weighing in @ 5lb some nice plump plaice with the youngsters returned to grow and reproduce and the usual smattering of Gurnards and Dogfish, more outings planned for October
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06/09/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
6 Sep 2015 by Nigel Lihou
06/sept/2015 Some excellent fishing over the last few days on the Skerries Banks we have been Spot on with the rays as evidenced with the photos and also hitting the plaice with a smattering of Gurnards and Dogfish but it's been the rays that have provided the sport all returned to fight another day. Our local tackle shop owner Graham managed a decent Blonde earlier in the week and the Skipper although confessing to not really trying was Spot on with an 11lb Blonde ray followed by another and an Undulate Ray (sorry no photo) and yet another Blonde on the surface before the trace snapped. The Wrecks are still a bit quiet but with some spectacular fishing on the Banks we are certainly bringing the fish aboard and keeping the customers happy and thanks for the text's "Thank you for your boat trip today. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience on your friendly boat. Will definitely book again. Cheers" We have more trips planned, we would love to welcome you aboard to enjoy some 'spot on' fishing with a knowledgeable crew. Photo shows Dominic from Hereford with a 6lb 4oz Blonde.
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15/08/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
15 Aug 2015 by Nigel Lihou
15-08-15 Another fantastic session on the Skerries Bank with more than enough plaice many released to come back another day, also Ray Spotted's up to 4lb 11oz and a Blonde to the boat estimated at between 15-20lb as it bit the trace just as we were lifting it, also Gurnards (Red and Tub), Launce, Mackerel.
Also now Pelagic Bird watching trips see our website www.optimistcharters.co.uk Many Shearwaters, Manx and Balearic, seen as well as Gannets, Terns, Guillemots, Razorbills, Gulls of many types and Common Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. All seen on the last two trips with our experienced guide. -
09/08/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
9 Aug 2015 by Nigel Lihou
Lovely three days on the Skerries Bank with lots of fish, species included Plaice, Dab, Launce, Mackerel, Red Gurnard, Grey Gurnard, Silver Whiting, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Spotted Ray, Small Eyed Ray. The variety of fish and the sport provided some really good fishing with the banks producing the best fish at the moment. More trips planned in the coming weeks with the promise of some good fishing Picture shows Anton with his second spotted ray of the day weighing in at 4lb 14oz
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12/07/2015
Fishing Report by Nigel Lihou
12 Jul 2015 by Nigel Lihou
Sorry folks that I am a bit sporadic with updates on what Optimist has been up to this year but things have been a bit hectic on the home front. Anyhow here's a resume of what's been fishing: - several trips to the Skerries this year have produced some very nice fish with Plaice up to 3lb and the usual mix of Gurnards, Whiting and mackerel even the appearance of the odd Cod over the dips, there has been some very good fishing on the bank this year so far depending on what is being targeted. Half days have mainly been on the inshore wrecks with a large amount of Pouting and a handful of Pollack up to about 6lb and some very good sized Whiting but on the whole not as productive as the Skerries but certainly some good sport. Mackerel as yet have been few and although catches have been reported from the shore we have been struggling from the boat.
Having already apologised for lack of reports I thought as we spent 3 days in Alderney last week I had better write an update. A good trip across to Alderney via the SW Casquets Bank where we had some good sized Turbot and Brill with some Tope reaching the surface only to snap the anglers trace as it was not strong enough the biggest Turbot of the day was sadly lost due to crossed lines and braid severing the trace. Day 2 filled up with bait fish just outside Braye harbour even a small Bass put in an appearance on feathers it was then of to the Banc de la Schole with some good Turbot and Brill and even managing to boat a small Tope there was also a mix of Gurnards and Mackerel, returning to a mark outside the harbour there was some very large Scad and Mackerel. Day 3 brought NW winds of force 4 - 5 some fishing was not good but tucked up in the SSE Casquets bank proved very unproductive with just a handful of Gurnards the sounder showed why as the bottom was very stirred up and the next day we found out a pair of French trawlers had been down the bank the night before cleaning it of Fish. Homeward bound was a bit of a rollercoaster but all safe and sound
Trips are planned and spaces available for Skerries and Wrecks just call for details and as always we are available for charter for what you want to fish for at competitive rates.
