Category: Species Specific Articles

Fishing for species

Conger Eel

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Conger fishing, especially for the bigger specimens is often associated with the south coast of the UK, fishing into some of the big sunken wrecks in the English Channel. Many eels however are caught from around the north west Wales coast and from the wrecks in the Irish Sea and Liverpool bay. The current British boat record for a conger eel stands at 133lb taken from Devon in 1995. Whilst the Welsh boat record pales slightly at only 62lb taken from Milford Haven in 1996. The welsh record though is there for the taking, and with eels to 50lb coming […]

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Spurdog Fishing

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Spurdogs have seen something of a revival in recent years. Sadly the spurdog was long lined to near extinction not so long ago, with pleasure anglers suffering the loss of a good fighting fish. I was talking recently to acclaimed angling journalist Mike Thrussell, from World Sea Fishing , he was telling me of a drift way back in the late eighties whilst out sharking some 30 miles off the west Wales coast. The drift, over 13 miles long saw them catching and returning spurdogs throughout the drifts length, since then though Mike has failed to catch a spur off […]

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Ray of Sunshine

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Ray Fishing Around the world there are over 500 species of rays. Related to the shark family these cartilaginous fish are of extreme value to the recreational angler, from both boat and shore. Sadly though, the numbers of rays being landed either commercially or for sport has dwindled vastly over recent years. It is a fact that the common skate one time abundant in most UK waters is now listed as an endangered species. According to the Shark Trust there have been 15 species of ray recorded in UK waters, of these only 5 of them are relatively common around […]

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Fish Identification – Poor Cod & Pouting

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Poor Cod & Pouting In most fishing matches, the poor cod and pouting are classed as the same to ease identification, for example both may be worth only 1 point. However for a species hunting competition, it is important that correct identifcaiton takes place. Poor cod and immature pouting often create heated debate on online forums and social media. Above, the poor cod is at the top & pouting the bottom. Both fish are fairly easy to tell apart with the pelvic fins being a great identifier The pelvic fin of the Poor Cod, above, reaches to the anal vent […]

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Mini Species

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There are some anglers around the UK who consider it pointless going fishing unless you get to take your catch home and feed the family, then there are those who want only fish for species that push the scales over the magical 10lb mark. It is agreed though that the fishing is sadly, in general, a lot poorer than what it was 20 years ago. I’m not talking one particular species neither, but all round fishing whether you consider it to be climate influenced or due to the intervention of man, once popular marks are now void of fish and […]

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TronixPro Smoothhound Challenge 2016

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Marking the start to our hounding season, last week saw the annual Smoothhound Challenge aboard My Way return, this year sponsored by tackle innovators Tronixpro. Conditions were great all week with calm seas greeting all that fished with us. The fishing wasn’t hectic, with packs of smoothhies failing to show. Instead a steady stream came to the boat, mainly lone hounds with the odd double or triple hook up through the week staring on the 30th May. Up for grabs each day during our Smoothhound challenge a Tronixpro rod and reel combo, Envoy Multiplier reel and a three piece multitip, […]

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Starry Smoothhound

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Smoothhound have a grey upper body and white underside. Mustelus asterias takes it name from the many white spots that are found on the upper part of its body, and the common smoothhound, Mustelus mustelus having none. The starry smoothhound is ovoviviparous (Method of animal reproduction in which fertilized eggs develop within the female and the embryo gains no nutritional substances from the female) with a gestation period of up to12 months. Recorded litters for starry smoothhound have ranged between 10 and 35pups. Smoothhound are found in mainly shallow waters however they have been recorded at depths of up to […]

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Pollack

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Pollack is another member of the cod family and is a much sought after fish by anglers fishing for the family food table. Pollack tend to be a dark brown/green colour with a white belly. Their colour though does vary slightly with local habitat. The pollack has no barbel on its chin, and its lower jaw protrudes a lot further than the upper jaw. Pollack prefer rock and weed covered ground. The bigger specimens frequenting the many sunken wrecks in deep seas. There are man y different methods for fishing for Pollack. Methods vary depending on port and also on […]

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Ray Blonde

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Blonde rays are light brown in colour. They are covered in small dark spots that extend all the way to the edge of the body. Often has larger lighter spots/rings on the wings. The blonde has a small snout, with rounded wing tips. The adults are covered in small spines, however the juvenile ray tends to be a lot smoother. Starting at the middle of its back., the ray has spines that run down its tail. They can be found in depths up to 100m. Blonde rays are located over a variety of grounds from sand to rock. Often the […]

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Whiting

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Whiting is another member of the cod family. The upper part of the whiting’s slender body is a dark greenish colour, turning lighter and finishing in a white belly.   A dark lateral line divides the top and bottom half of the body and is usually a darkish brown colour. Whiting tend to feed from the mid to bottom areas in depths varying from 40 to 400ft. Whiting can be caught on a variety of baits with mackerel and squid amongst firm favourites.  

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