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This was the third time that we had tried to get out wrecking on the Judy B out of Pwllheli. The previous 2 had been cancelled by the skipper, Dave, due to force 5/6 winds in the Irish Sea. Nice to see a skipper concerned with the comfort and enjoyment of his clients and not willing to go out in any conditions just to get the money!
At first it looked as though it might be off and the skipper wanted to get out around Bardsey to assess the open sea conditions as we would be motoring 30 miles into St George's Channel to get to the wrecks. We were going to fish in the bay for tope or rays if the winds were a bit fresh. Luckily the breeze eased off, the sun came out and the conditions became nigh-on perfect!
After a stop over a bank to stock up on mackerel we headed for Dave's wreck marks. On the way we saw some dolphins and were joined by a few fulmars who kept us company all day just sitting in the water at about 5 yards off the boat and watching the antics.
We were primarily going to be lure fishing so out came the booms and jellies and redgills and down went the 1lb leads to around 300ft. One or two small pollack on the first drift and a small personal tragedy as my first-ever wreck pollack came to the side of the boat and I wound the boom clip into the tip ring and it proceeded to unclip itself and pollack, 1lb lead, stainless steel boom and redgill vanished into the deep. Memo to self - throw the f-ing clips in the bin and get ones that don't open if they jam in the tip ring.
Anyways, Dave took us to a number of different wrecks and we caught a good variety of fish including pollack, coalies, pouting (one was huge!), ling, codling, whiting and an octopus! Some of the lads had drop-downs with bait but I stuck to a white redgill all day and caught the most fish on the boat (thirteen) and the heaviest specimen (around 8 - 9lb). Prime example of beginners luck, if ever I saw one!
As someone who is normally a world class upchucker I had taken the precaution of taking Stugeron 15 travel sickness tablets with my breakfast and a further one after 8 hours. I had an absolute ball and never felt sick all day. There were at least 3 groundbaiters on the boat but thankfully none of them were me.
We saw some great wildlife on the trip. As well as the dolphins and fulmars we encountered puffins, razorbills, gannets and great black-backed gulls.
This was my first deep-sea wrecking trip and I absolutely loved it! I was using borrowed gear but will now get my own rod, reel and braid for next time. Any recommendations for tackle will be greatly appreciated.
Anyone wanting to book a wrecking charter for up to 12 anglers, on a first-class, fast boat with a very knowledgeable skipper should consider the Judy B out of Pwllheli.
Few pictures of the trip below including my sweep-winning pollack!
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At first it looked as though it might be off and the skipper wanted to get out around Bardsey to assess the open sea conditions as we would be motoring 30 miles into St George's Channel to get to the wrecks. We were going to fish in the bay for tope or rays if the winds were a bit fresh. Luckily the breeze eased off, the sun came out and the conditions became nigh-on perfect!
After a stop over a bank to stock up on mackerel we headed for Dave's wreck marks. On the way we saw some dolphins and were joined by a few fulmars who kept us company all day just sitting in the water at about 5 yards off the boat and watching the antics.
We were primarily going to be lure fishing so out came the booms and jellies and redgills and down went the 1lb leads to around 300ft. One or two small pollack on the first drift and a small personal tragedy as my first-ever wreck pollack came to the side of the boat and I wound the boom clip into the tip ring and it proceeded to unclip itself and pollack, 1lb lead, stainless steel boom and redgill vanished into the deep. Memo to self - throw the f-ing clips in the bin and get ones that don't open if they jam in the tip ring.
Anyways, Dave took us to a number of different wrecks and we caught a good variety of fish including pollack, coalies, pouting (one was huge!), ling, codling, whiting and an octopus! Some of the lads had drop-downs with bait but I stuck to a white redgill all day and caught the most fish on the boat (thirteen) and the heaviest specimen (around 8 - 9lb). Prime example of beginners luck, if ever I saw one!
As someone who is normally a world class upchucker I had taken the precaution of taking Stugeron 15 travel sickness tablets with my breakfast and a further one after 8 hours. I had an absolute ball and never felt sick all day. There were at least 3 groundbaiters on the boat but thankfully none of them were me.
We saw some great wildlife on the trip. As well as the dolphins and fulmars we encountered puffins, razorbills, gannets and great black-backed gulls.
This was my first deep-sea wrecking trip and I absolutely loved it! I was using borrowed gear but will now get my own rod, reel and braid for next time. Any recommendations for tackle will be greatly appreciated.
Anyone wanting to book a wrecking charter for up to 12 anglers, on a first-class, fast boat with a very knowledgeable skipper should consider the Judy B out of Pwllheli.
Few pictures of the trip below including my sweep-winning pollack!
