Charter Boats UK

Latest Fishing Reports

• 08/2010 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

  Aug 2010 by Gethyn Owen

  

  Part way through August and with westerly winds of 25mph approaching, I thought I’d write a report on the fishing so far this month. The first day of August saw the conclusion of The WFSA Boat Team qualifiers, fished from Holyhead. Weather tried to scupper the matches during both weekends; however the anglers taking part slugged it out, often in difficult windy conditions to record an array of species and a fair number of fish. Congratulations go to Jon Law, who topped the table, along with the title of Wales’ number one boat angler, well done!
  
  Early August and the weather once again became fairly unpredictable. One day we would have no wind, sunshine and some excellent fishing around the coast, then the following day we would be restricted to inshore marks, scratching for a variety of species and crossing fingers for a double figure something to put a bend in the rod.
  
  August 02nd and 3rd were prime examples...an individual’s day on the 2nd was greeted by flat calm seas and the chance to run out to Holyhead Deep, for some possible tope and spur action. Here we managed to land a fair number of tope to 36lb and spurdogs to 16lb, along with numerous huss. However the NW 2 forecasted turned into a NW 4, which left a rather lumpy ride back in. On the morning of the 3rd, with slightly higher winds, I took the decision not to venture to the deeps, caught out in a NW for the previous day; we couldn’t take the risk of stronger winds that afternoon.
  It was a good call, the wind certainly picked up, though we we’re able to fish in the relative safety and calmer waters around Holyhead Bay. Fishing wasn’t as prolific; certainly a variety of species but the guys struggled for anything of note. I say guys, as Gina, the only lady on the trip showed them all up, quite possibly in fish count but also with the addition of 2 firsts, a spotted ray and a thornback ray!
  On 06th August, the weather was blowing a force 6 southerly and the rain was, well, very wet!!! We could’ve sheltered quite happily behind the breakwater in calm water for a variety of species, however getting soaked wet through. Chatting with the lads we decided to knock the day on the head, there will always be another time.
  
  With strong winds still forecasted for the 07th, I had a chat with the crew from St Helens informing them that the deeps looked a no go, however if they we’re happy to come down early – we could get to the mussel beds and try for rays and huss.
  
  Everyone was happy with this call and our day was planned. In the morning though, the winds had eased and the forecast looked promising (another I don’t know what’s happening forecast from the Met Office). So after a brief chat to see if anyone had a rush to get home, our day was lengthened from 8hrs to 11 and a half in the end to get the LW slack in the deeps. So after a variety of species inshore including, wrasse and pollock on the drift, dogs, gurnards, whiting etc at anchor we ventured out to the deeps – where tope, spurs and big huss saw a brilliant end to a good days fishing.
  
  There’s an old saying regarding our sport being called ‘Fishing and not Catching’. More anglers need to realise this and not expect the world every time they set sail. I’ve had the good fortune to fish with the St Helens guys for a fair few years now, this year in particular they have had 2 pretty duff trips with me with the weather scuppering our planned days afloat, then bingo, things seem to go our way.
  Oh for 12 months a year of flat calm sunny days!
  
  The last tide of the early August neaps saw us set sail once again with only 2 things on our minds …. Wrasse and Deeps! Well actually 3 things, food as well. When the RAFA lads come out to play, we eat, eat, eat and also land a few decent fish as well. During this day, we we’re also joined by Phill Williams from Boat Fishing Monthly and Fishing Film and Facts fame.
  
  Before we had even set sail, I threw the sausages and bacon one of the lads had brought into the oven, these would provide breakfast for us an hr later. We started the day drifting for wrasse and pollack. Eventually making our way over to another area of rough ground that we knew held quality wrasse, with the odd pollack and codling. No one was disappointed; with single and double shots of wrasse over 3lb coming over the gunwales.
  After a few hrs of hectic drifting we had to move off the mark as the tide had changed and anchored up in Trearddur Bay for just over an hr, simply to while away some time before the tide had dropped sufficiently for us to anchor and fish the deeps with success.
  At 250foot depth and a very strong tide, a minimum of 2lb is required even during the last hr of the tide (thought we do get an hr at 8oz as well).
  
  I’d love to tell you about all the species we caught here, but we never really fished, most of the time was spent talking in the sunshine, football, jokes and anticipation of the deeps and the chilli and curry we had on the menu for later.
  
  Well the deeps didn’t disappoint – plenty of tope and spurs, however the size had fallen. Whereas most of 2010 has seen spurs over the 10lb bracket, this time around we we’re plagued by spurdogs around the 5lb mark. That said, many on the trip caught their first ever, that’s always a big plus, with a couple lads also catching a tope for the first time, with Jay catching his first 10lb+ bull huss from a great depth of water! I won’t though go into detail of someone calling net for a ray that turned out to be a plastic bag!
  
  The food, well, Martin’s chilli was awesome, Jon’s curry was fiery and Trish’s fairy cakes where out of this world. Fishing is good fun, but made all the more enjoyable with some great food as well.
  
  Phill Williams hopped onboard to tie up some loose ends from earlier this year surrounding spurdogs - an article for the UK’s only Boat Fishing Magazine - Boat Fishing Monthly, a spurdog video and also a podcast for his website Fishing Film and Facts. The podcast has recently been upload and can be listened to by clicking http://fishingfilmsandfacts.co.uk/. The video s due for release soon
  
  With bigger tides and some breezy conditions, the following week saw most of our fishing restricted to Holyhead Bay. That said, with species including, dogs, dabs, whiting, codling, pollack, wrasse, red, grey and tub gurnards, smoothhound, thornbacks, spotties, blondes amongst the catches, a good time afloat was had by all (well most, lol).
  
  For more info Call Freephone 08000 934418
  
  

• 07/2010 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

  Jul 2010 by Gethyn Owen

  

  Following the glorious weather of April, May and June that saw My Way set sail on most days with settled seas and sunshine, July in contrast has been windy, dull and with every cloud more and more rain fell on our anglers.
  
  Never the less, we have managed to get afloat and find solace somewhere, with the fish usually helping us enjoy another day afloat. Early July, it was simply scratching around for a variety of species. Our few Black Bream of the year started making an appearance early on, nothing of any great size, but still a little bit of sport on light gear.
  
  Wrasse and inshore pollack, a firm favourite, have also proved to be a great hit once again. Slow to appear this year, the wrasse have started to become plentiful with ballan, corkwing, cuckoo and goldsinney wrasse all making an appearance, the rock cook tho still eluding My Way in 2010. Towards the end of July, the ballan sizes started increasing and reaching the 4lb mark
  
  Sadly, the weather has often curtailed our trips to the deeps this month.
  But when there the sport has been prolific with spurdog, huss and tope making an appearance on all of our trips to the deeper water. Reeling in a double figure shark, often over 40lb from 200foot of water really is an accomplishment, even the fittest and strongest among us require a rest after such an exhilarating fight.
  
  Rays have been plentiful through July, nothing exceptional in ray size, but certainly plenty for the anglers to catch; with spotted and small blonde rays making up the majority, with the odd small blonde and a few bigger ones thrown in for good measure. Tope have also moved inshore, but these are often hit and miss and never really as predictable as in the deeper waters.
  
  We have now finally got our tide files sorted for 2011 and bookings are already flowing in for a variety of species and tides. Please feel free to check out our availability for the remainder of 2010 and also 2011 and mail or call us to discuss your next trip.
  
  Short and sweet today, Happy Fishing for August

• 21/06/2010 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

  21 Jun 2010 by Gethyn Owen

  

  Our previous report dated 20th June relayed the woes of having to change tact with or plans for the day. With boat fishing being at the mercy of the weather gods, sometimes we have to accept a change and try out best. This report shows the difference a day can make.
  
  Following the inshore restrictions of 20th June, the win had decreased to no more than a gentle breeze; best of all, the sea had barely a ripple disturbing the reflection of the bright sunshine – the deeps was certainly on the cards for today.
  
  As with most of our trips off to the deeper water, the day started off making away around Holy Island to the South Stack area for some mackerel, pollack, wrasse and coalies. Similar to the previous day plenty of wrasse and good pollack came to the boat along with some codling, sadly though when trying for mackerel … nothing.
  We always take frozen mackerel with us and invariably the mackerel is never aound when you need it and with Holyhead Deep being an extremely tidal mark, you are under pressure to get on your mark to take in the slack water.
  
  Whilst making the 8mile journey SW of the Lighthouse, all the crew readied their tackle and baits n preparation for some big fish action. Order for the day was to be huss, spurdog and tope. April and May had fished extremely well for us with numerous tope up to 30lb being boated, so thoughts in anticipation of bigger sharks were rife. Sadly on this occasion the tope proved elusive, thought the deeps proved yet again why it is a very popular venue with our anglers by offering numerous double figure huss and just short of 3dozen double figure spurs for the 6lads on board, with the best spur reaching little over 16lb.
  
  What a difference a day makes, let’s hope the weather allows everyone some fantastic sport in months to come!
  

• 20/06/2010 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

  20 Jun 2010 by Gethyn Owen

  

  With neap tides upon us, lessoning the tidal pull in 200ft of water, a trip to Holyhead deeps was the plan for today. Sadly the weather gods conspired against us and blew a very strong northerly wind most of the night. Despite the decreasing wind on getting to the boat in the morning, the sea state was lumpy and cancelled any thoughts of big spurs and tope.
  
  A change to the day was required and after a chat with the crew, some inshore work drifting for pollack and wrasse with the chance of big huss to pull the strings was the order of the day.
  
  We started our drifting for the day around South Stack Lighthouse and Abrahams Bosom, these rocky areas never fail to produce some excellent sport on light tackle. The crew was made up of regulars and novice anglers and fortunately before too long all were soon into some nice ballan wrasse, reaching up to 3lb and both female and male cuckoo wrasse just shy of the 1lb mark. Some of the crew were using light spinning gear and getting some amazing action from these feisty fish. Fortunately some of the pollack and codling that came onboard were in the tasty 3 to 4lb bracket, and were promptly despatched to end up on a few plates with chips that evening.
  
  Moving over to anchor for a few hrs, it was inevitable that the dogfish were going to hone in on the big fish and squid baits lowered to the sea bed in search of huss and maybe a ray. From a variety of small fish including gurnards, codling, whiting and dabs etc the crew also managed to snare a good number of huss, the vast majority of which went double figures.
  
  Our sail back to Holyhead Marina was again going to include a drift around the coastline – resulting yet again in more wrasse, pollack, codling and this time a few small coalies.
  

• 05/2010 Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen on My Way (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)

  May 2010 by Gethyn Owen

  

  The last 5 weeks have been very busy aboard My Way, some great settled weather has seen us sail daily in search of a variety of species, all this together with the return of the Anglesey Boat Angling festival sandwiched in the centre of a hectic time afloat.
  
  The fishing, well, on most days has been outstanding and on others has been extremely hard work. When the fish are in abundance and offering great sport, a mere 12hrs later everything switches off for a day or 2. You never stop learning as a skipper or angler – keep at it, record your results and you’ll soon have a great log of data and theories to work to. Then the odd curve ball comes and throws all your thoughts and ideas out of the window. So how has it fished?
  
  Mid May is when we start to turn our attentions to the great welsh smoothhound packs. Most familiar with our website and fishing aboard My Way, will know only too well how fond I am of catching these hard fighting small sharks. In shallow waters, and with bodies built for electrifying speed, smoothhound fight like hell!
  
  Normally by the middle of May our hound fest is in full swing, however this year things have been slow to get off the mark the smoothies being no exception.
  
  
  On May 18th we had Dave Barham and Jim Midgley from the UK’s Boat Fishing Monthly magazine on board to film a new series of programs ‘Barham on Boat Fishing’ for the Web based Online Fishing TV . Typical, the smoothhound were in short supply, however we managed to scratch out a couple and by all accounts a very informative program is due to released soon. You can catch it via subscription or a pay per view in a few weeks time.
  Still struggling the following day, a change was on the cards to offer the anglers some good sport. With neap tides and settled weather upon us the next few days where going to be spent chasing big fish in Holyhead Deep. Our chosen mark was approximately 8miles SW of Holyheads famous South Stack lighthouse in waters of 250ft deep.
  Disappointment at the lack of smoothhounds was soon forgotten about as over the next few days the anglers aboard My Way hooked into countless double figure fish – huss, tope and some quality spurdogs making many a happy smile. During 2009 we had tried to get a few days filming ‘in the can’ on spurdogs for Phill Williams website – Fishing, Film and Facts, sadly weather and spurdogs conspired against us. This year though with glorious weather rand a fair number of spurs around, a quick phone call saw Phill hoping aboard My Way a mere 10hrs later. Phil wasn’t disappointed and managed some great footage with spurs to 16lb, big huss and some pack tope making special appearances. You can view the film in coming weeks on Phill’s website.
  
  During the last week of May, I was joined aboard My Way by Ian and Matthew Burrett, father & son team from the famous Luce Bay charters ‘On Yer Marks’. Along with Family Burrett, came skippers and small boat owners from north of the border – all in search of big welsh smoothhound. The pressure was now certainly on, I have a lot of respect for Ian, not only is he a highly respected skipper, but also a keen conservationist who works tirelessly for all anglers. Spurdogs, Skate and many other sharks and fish specie all owe a little bit of gratitude to Ian and his drive and enthusiasm within Scottish angling.
  Yet again the fishing was patchy, everyone managed to land one or 2 hounds with the biggest topping the scales at a very respectable 18lb 3oz; with Ian himself landing 4 great double figure smoothhounds. A special mention though to John, who left it until the last hour to get a run, whilst holding his other rod! Great smoothhound in the end! Sadly on occasions some anglers take little care when using 2 rods, or when lowering the one bait they are fishing, during this visit, along with rods off port and starboard, I counted 9 rods waiting off the stern – it works if everyone is careful and respectable to other lines … simples!
  
  So not hand over fish action, but a great laugh with a good bunch of anglers, to be repeated next year – along with the challenge to Ian & Matty of finding a ton up skate for my son Harry and a Black Mouthed Dogfish for myself!
  
  Following the Scottish invasion, I was joined for a couple days by a group of four anglers, including Dave and Norma Park. A very keen angler and now into his eighties Dave has fished all over the world and now has a personal species list containing 438 entries from sea and fresh waters – and our smoothies were still playing hard to get. Well, we managed a fair few thankfully, best going 17lb 3oz, played and landed by Norma, smashing her personal best – however she was reluctant to claim it as I had hooked it up on my rod. Not to be outsmarted by the hounds, Norma managed to acquire a new PB of just under 9lb before her visit was over.
  
  Dave though was finding the smoothhound hard to find, watching a few come over the gunwales for the rest of the crew must have been disappointing even for the most hardened of anglers. Entering the last couple hours of the 2 day jolly, Dave was sat in his deck chair, happily enjoying a cup of tea and chocolate mini roll, when the ratchet screamed off with the best run of the day. Putting his tea and cake down carefully, Dave stood up, raised the rod carefully into the fish ensuring a good hook up. With drag set, he then sat down and finished his chocolate roll ( Norma won’t let him have too many, so this smoothhound was not going to interfere with that), after which Dave landed a PB hound at 9lb 10oz – fantastic to watch, thanks guys for a great couple days.
  
  The end of May saw out attentions turn to match fishing and the 6th Anglesey Boat Angling Festival
  
  Following the festival we turned our attentions back to the smoothhound, this time, they were back on form for us, with 3 20lb+ fish coming to My Way in as many days, with plenty of other double figure fish giving our 3 day run an average smoothhound size of 16lb. My PB on the hounds was a cool 19lb 8oz, caught during a great day afloat in May 2008. I t was always going to be a long haul to break that one, whoever I even managed to snare myself a 20lber early June – with a beautiful smoothie of 21lb 12oz.
  
  
  More trips on the smoothies followed; however as if someone had turned the switch off, from 10 with the smallest 13lb one evening, the next day we landed a big fat 0. Poor old Jim Midgley, desperate to break the 20lb barrier and maybe bag a new WFSA record at the same time received a text from me during this trip, it went along the lines ‘Get your sorry ars* up here – it’s electric’. Well the 5hr drive from Peterborough the following morning and no smoothhounds was uhm, a little bit of a low point for the Sunday for both Jim, myself and the crew aboard My Way. But that’s fishing; Jim did manage to bag one in the end – 15lb’s and nearly 36hrs after arriving. That said a great couples days once again, big fish in the deeps day 2 and with some good anglers and copious amounts of banter I’m sure the pain was eased a little.
  
  Drifting inshore, the wrasse are coming on nicely with ballans reaching 3lb and both male and females cuckoos making a regular appearance. Mackerel are joining in the fun but still not in large numbers. During the drifts we are also seeing some good numbers and sizes of Pollack with plenty of coalfish and codling, with the odd fish going home at around 4lb in size. General anchor work has seen a fair number of blonde rays, the bigger few going 15lb, some of them caught during the Anglesey Festival, at only 3 points reward, it’s funny to see a 15lb blonde ray cursed! Plenty of small blondes taking mackerel strips. Thornbacks to 12lb and 3lb spotted rays are making for some good sport at anchor along with our usual suspects of dogfish, whiting, dabs, gurnards and huss along with many other species.
  
  Hopefully my next report will not take so long, if it does – we must be busy and enjoying the continuos calm weather and exciting sport, so please bear with us. Our availability has recently been updated for both boat and individuals, hopefully we’ll see you soon aboard My Way – either way, enjoy your fishing in the weeks to come