Latest Fishing Reports: Sea Urchin IIl
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27/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
27 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
Catch report aboard Sea Urchin for Wednesday and Thursday……
Wednesday was our first day out this week, there was still 3-4ft of lazy swell hanging around and Westerly winds for us on the 4.9m tide. A great group of mixed experience anglers, came for the day out. After catching Mackerel for bait on the three mile ground, we saw a drift speed approaching 1.5 knots, which was a bit quick for the wrecks, so we covered some rough ground for an hour or so. We got a few fish each run through, but no great shakes.
Once the tide eased, we spent the remainder of the day wreck hopping. Despite the best efforts of the lads, we just picked up odd fish here and there. I believe the water wasn’t quite clear enough on the closer inshore wrecks we tried, as we moved out to the six mile stream for the last hour and picked a few more fish up. I was disappointed that we didn’t do better, but thanks to the lads for their perseverance.
Armed with yesterdays experience, we did almost a repeat, but pushed out a bit further where I was confident the water would be clearer.
Thankfully the wrecks we visited yielded much better results. One in particular kept us entertained for over two hours with 3-5 fish every drift. Everyone caught a few today, but long time Sea Urchin angler, Carl Madin, played an absolute blinder. He was top rod by a long way, filling his fish box with some great fish. Lots of Ling and a smattering of Codling, with his biggest going 15lb 12oz.
It was nice to get amongst a few fish today, but as I always say; irrespective of the fishing, I will only stop trying when the anglers do. Thanks to all the anglers for joining us the last two days. -
20/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
20 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
Today was almost a day of two halves……at one point this morning I thought we were really going to struggle, but then things turned out ok after all.
Another friendly mixed group of lads; some I had met many times before, but the first time for others. We also had very mixed angling experiences, from complete novice to very experienced. It was my kind of day….I love getting the less experienced anglers fishing well. We had a look at the Bell Buoy first for some Mackerel, but there were scant pickings. Thankfully a run out to the three mile ground got us plenty for the day.
I had hoped to drop on a few wrecks close by at the first slack, but the wind and tide together made the drift too fast, even at slack!! As the Ebb Tide came through, sea conditions deteriorated and I thought that we were really going to struggle. However, a run out to the seven mile ground proved to be a decent move. As the wind and tide were against each other, the drift was very slow, but ran in the perfect direction to cover some cracking ground marks.
All of a sudden, the Codling started coming up with some regularity on the bait traces and Hokkai’s. Nothing enormous, but everyone got a few. Once the drift changed, we pushed out to the nine mile ground and the bites continued for another hour or so. Dave Worsfold and Brendan Swain both taking a nice Ling apiece, amongst the Codling.
Just as the tide began to ease , we ran back in for a couple more drifts on the seven mile ground, with a view to finishing on a couple of wrecks at the end of the day. We overran on one particular drift whilst I untangled some lines and Andy Mason went and rattled up a nice 9lb 12oz Cod!! Well done Andy.
We finished on a couple of wrecks for a few more Codling, then ran back in. All the anglers were fantastic company and it’s nice when everyone on the boat gets on well. Thanks for coming today boys, I really appreciate the support. -
13/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
13 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
With a group of very experienced anglers aboard, some decent weather and with a good tide for wrecking, we had all the ingredients for a cracking day out today……
To start the day we managed to get all the fresh Mackerel we needed from the Bell Buoy, which was pleasing. After that we spent the rest of the day on the wrecks. The last of the Ebb Tide and Slack water weren’t particularly productive on the three wrecks we fished in that period. Although Ian Steadman literally caught on every drift, having a great start to the day. Taking Ling and Codling to 6lb.
Once the flood tide came through, we ran further south and fished a few wrecks which don’t see as much attention, in the hope of finding a better sized fish. Muppet bait traces with either a whole fresh Mackerel fillet or Squid and Mackerel cocktail took the majority of the fish, although Hokkai’s still produced a fair few.
The four wrecks we fished for the rest of the day weren’t too bad at all. Most drifts saw 2-4 fish come up. Proportionately, it was a 50/50 split between Ling and Codling. The average size of the fish wasn’t amazing, but we had a fair few in the 4-6lb class. Ian Kellock took the biggest Ling of the day at 8lb 4 oz and Neil Pickard the biggest Codling at 10lb 10oz. There were also a couple of Codling double shots, which are always good to see.
Such was the banter and excellent company, all too soon it was time to head back in. Everyone had a few to take home today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plenty of laughs and mickey taking. Thanks to all the lads for a fantastic day out. -
10/07/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
10 Jul 2023 by Andy Savage
We’ve had completely contrasting days out for the last two days. Sunday saw a group of mixed experience anglers aboard and with it being a 5.4m tide, we spent most of the day fishing the rough ground at seven and nine miles.
The lads tried hard all day but the fishing wasn’t particularly great. Some struggled to keep the gear on the deck which makes a massive difference to the number of bites. Baited Hokkai’s picked up plenty of small Ling, Haddock, Whiting and Pouting, the biggest fish landed was a 7lb 12oz Ling to Neil Fell-Edwards.
A different group of more experienced anglers aboard today. Gary Grantham had the boat booked for him and four friends. The day started slow, and frustratingly we failed to find any Mackerel. Half an hour on the bait traces on the five mile ground yielded nothing at all either; so we moved out another couple of miles.
Thankfully, we fared much better taking a few fish each drift. The bites came in flurries as we covered the ground. Some quality Codling and Ling were caught. Gordon Blyth taking the biggest Ling at 10lb 13oz.
Shads and Hokkai’s were tried, but in the end, the lads all went for muppet bait traces with either a whole squid or Mackerel fillet. The bigger baits definitely produced a better stamp of fish today. As we caught hardly any small Haddock, Cod and Pouting etc.
We ran out to a wreck at slack water and picked up some belting Codling. Gary Grantham taking the biggest at 8lb 12oz. Overall it turned out to be a lovely day spent in brilliant company.
Thanks to everyone for coming for a day out. I really appreciate your support. -
30/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
30 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
What a cracking day out…..with a cracking group of lads. Although it was a good wrecking tide, we had a brisk South Westerly forecast, so I felt there would be limited time on the wrecks (if any).
I gave the anglers booked on, the option of coming through or not, as some anglers don’t seem to like fishing close in, under the cliffs; which is where we head to when the wind is off land. This affords us some protection from the elements and allow us to fish, when otherwise we would have to cancel a trip. Three lads decided to drop out, so we sailed with seven this morning.
After getting a few Mackerel from the Bell Buoy, we ran south and had a stop on a nice piece of rough ground off Robin Hoods Bay. Baited Hokkai’s were dispatched and we had a couple of Codling each drift, nothing fantastic.
We set off, heading further south, when I noticed the wind had backed off a little. It was an opportunity to have a look on a wreck, so we adjusted course and dropped on one nearby.
The wreck gave us a good few Codling to 5lb on the run into slack water, 2-3 each drift kept things interesting. Muppet traces baited with squid or Mackerel landed them all. After the Flood tide came through, the wind lifted, so we ran back inside to finish the remainder of the day under the cliffs.
It turned out to be a good move, with the area we settled on being very productive for the last three hours. Everyone caught well, with a good stamp of lovely clean 4-6lb Codling. Baited Hokkai’s did plenty of Codling, but Jason Sheilds was the star of the show today, clumping them on Shads. He put together a lovely box of quality Codling and threw back a good few as well.
All in all, it was a brilliant day out and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks lads. -
27/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
27 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
We had a brilliant day out at sea today. I’d booked the boat and had six friends on, who are all seasoned anglers.
With it being a small neap tide, it was always going to be a day wreck hopping. We started with a fruitless Mackerel hunt for half an hour, then got stuck into a few inshore wrecks. With the Flood tide running into slack water, the first wreck produced a good number of fish to the anglers fishing muppet bait traces with a whole Squid on.
It wasn’t until the Ebb tide came through that the Shads really kicked in. Ian Kellock and Ian Steadman both picked up a decent stamp of Codling averaging over 4lb, with the biggest one going 8lb.
Today we got what we had been lacking of late……consistency. We never had a quiet period at all today, but that is largely down to the ability of the lads, who certainly know how to catch them.
By mid afternoon, the fish were being thrown back as everyone had enough to take home. It was one of those days I really enjoy….. great company, great banter and great fishing.
Thanks lads, it was a blast. -
14/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
14 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
The great run of good weather continues for us. Today we had a 12hr trip with a group of experienced anglers on board.
With it being a 4.8m tide we committed to wreck fishing all day, knowing the lads would be ok, even if the lines did stream a bit. We ran south and with having an extra couple of hours, we targeted some wrecks we don’t get to fish too often. First stop was on a piece of rough ground to see if we could get a bit of fresh bait. After 20 minutes we had a couple of dozen mackerel aboard, but chose not to waste any more time.
The first two wrecks we fished were 12 miles from Whitby and were spectacularly unproductive. We never even took a fish. The third wreck we tried was another 5-6 miles further on and the first three drift’s produced one Codling. I was getting ready to move us on, when the drift line changed as the tide began to ease. It was like someone had flicked on the feeding switch. That drift we took five fish including a 9lb & 8lb Ling, plus a 9lb Cod. The average size was quite impressive.
We got a good hour in, before the tide got away and it then went quiet again. We wreck hopped for the next few hours for only a handful of fish. It wasn’t until the Flood Tide eased off again, that the bites kicked off. We ended the day taking a few decent Codling around 4-5lb.
It was clear that today the tide change really dominated the fish feeding times. I’m sure that most, if not all the wrecks we visited had fish on, but they just weren’t feeding. The majority of the Codling we caught were absolutely stuffed full of Sandeels. Solid as a rock to feel.
It was a really good day out for me. I find it easy to judge the fishing when I have experienced anglers on board. If their are feeding fish about, these boys caught them. A big thank you to everyone today for a great display of angling. -
12/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
12 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
Without a shadow of a doubt; the warmest, flattest day of the year so far. A beautiful day spent at sea….
Today’s group were all experienced anglers, so I was looking forward to a days wreck hopping on the inshore wrecks. We initially tried a couple of spots for Mackerel, but after just 3 single fish, we sacked that off and dropped on our first wreck.
The first one gave us a few Codling and small Ling, but the drift line meant we were crossing the wreck, instead of running along it. We opted to move on and pleasingly, the second wreck seemed to have quite a few feeding fish on it. The next two hours provided some consistent sport, right through slack water. A nice stamp of Codling with quite a few in the 3-5lb bracket.
Joe was really on form fishing with a blue Mackerel imitation Shad, taking a Codling or two every drift. The best drift gave six fish, but 2 or 3 fish a time most others. Shads and muppet bait traces both caught well.
Just after slack water, as the Flood tide came through, Alan hooked a much better fish. It took a bit of keeping out of the wreck, but he got it moving. After a slow and steady fight with some heavy thumps, a lovely Cod came up through the now clear water. The fish weighed in at 13lb 4oz and was a brilliant reward for Alan, who has kept me supplied with his fantastic Thai Green Curry for the last couple of years.
We fished another 5 wrecks throughout the day, picking off fish here and there; but nothing came close to matching the second one. It seems that an odd wreck is well stacked at the moment, but it’s a bit of a numbers game.
We got lucky today, finding the productive one.
The lads were all brilliant company and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out for me. Thanks everyone. -
11/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
11 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
The last couple of trips have seen two completely different approaches.
I had three friends join me last week for a days Lure Fishing tight inside, under the cliffs. We didn’t know if the water would be clear enough yet, but we certainly got some fish on the flood tide. Pollack and Codling took a selection of metal lures, shads and Jellyworms for a few hours, which was great sport. I also saw my first Minky Whale of the year, so the Herring must be on their way.
Today we had a great bunch of lads on and with a tide just below 5m, we headed off early so we could get in two slack waters to maximise time on the wrecks, where there has been a better stamp of fish recently.
It was worth going out early, as we got a few Codling to 4lb in the boxes by the time the Ebb finished.
We then ran out to the seven mile rough ground for a few hours drift fishing. We didn’t take anything enormous, but there were plenty of bites each drift from Codling, Haddock, Ling, Whiting, Pouting and a solo Scorpion Fish.
We ran back inside for the second slack, but the wrecks we picked didn’t produce much at all. I took us to the three mile ground to finish off and pleasingly, we found a few pockets of fish. Biggest fish of the day was a Ling of 9lb 4oz, but after that we were down to 4lb Codling.
Nothing much to write home about, but everyone got a few to take home and I really enjoyed the company. With falling tides the next few days, and some settled weather, hopefully we’ll manage to find a few. -
05/06/2023
Fishing Report by Andy Savage
5 Jun 2023 by Andy Savage
A day out on the Spring Tides today with a fantastic group of lads.
As reported previously, we’ve struggled to find any bigger fish on the areas of rough ground around Whitby in recent trips. To be fair, today was no different…..The bigger Spring Tides find us fishing the rough ground for the majority of the day because the boat drifts too fast to catch off the wrecks.
Today we ran out and dropped straight on an inshore wreck as the tide was fairly slack. We got 2-3 Codling for a few drifts, but then the Ebb Tide pushed through and made the drift too fast to continue. Muppet bait traces, baited with a whole Squid accounted for all the fish, and pleasingly, the lads using my hire tackle, got to grips with things quickly and got off the mark.
Once the tide was away, we ran out to the seven mile ground first, for a handful of small Codling and Haddock; then went out another couple of miles to lose as much tide as possible. The sport was patchy, but we did find one consistent area that fished ok for an hour. Plenty of bites from small Codling and Haddock kept things ticking over.
Just after dinner we committed and ran back inside to catch the second slack water. We fished four wrecks during the last two hours. Three of them were pretty rubbish, but the last one saved the day, giving a few fish a drift. Some nice Codling, with the biggest of 7lb falling to Peter Koska.
A big thank you to everyone for coming today. Everyone got a few to take home, with the exception of Gordon Carter, who was on his first trip on Sea Urchin. Seasoned angler Gordon explained that he has had “new boat” bad luck before…..unfortunately he drew a blank today, but was excellent company nonetheless. Revenge is sweet Gordon..unfinished business.
