Memorable day afloat today with Halton SAC and members of the Mersey Hounds fishing group partaking in our 2nd day of the July species points competition sponsored by Pure Fishing U.K.
The forecast wasn’t the best, light breeze in the morning increasing to a strong breeze with a strong wind warning for the afternoon, exactly when we were due to fish a few miles offshore. Our plans for Holyhead Deep were all but shelved.
With the quality hire gear supplied by us, the guys opted for using tackle from My Ways armoury. We set sail at 8.30am equipped with a selection of Pure Fishing marque tackle – Shakespeare Agility 12/20’s, Shakespeare Ugly Stix Gx2’s and the awesome new Greys rods GS75 12/20’s and the GS100s 20lb. The rods matched with either Penn Squall 20’s or Abu 7000’s.
The morning started at anchor with dogs, small huss and a rogue smoothie keeping the rods in use. After an hour and a decreasing breeze we set off around the coast, couple of the crew had ordered cuckoo wrasse, lol. Job done, along with pollack, ballans and a good number of mackerel.
The sea was flat and the wind non existent, but still cautious of the forecast we decided to have a run out to Holyhead Deep, but a different mark than the last few days, one that would allow for a shorter run back if the winds picked up. After dropping anchor the rods were silent for a good half hour other than a few dogs as the tide continued to run hard.
Soon as the tide eased the first tope came to the boat, followed by another, then another and more mixed in with a some huss. No monsters, but pack tope to 20lb in a feeding frenzy. We boated over 20 tope and another dozen huss in a mad 90mins, great fun from 180ft of water.
Here our day ended, exhausted but smiling. The lads led by Tom, who even scrubbed the outside cabin and step, cheers pal, gave My Way a much needed clean down as I tallied up the scores and set sail for the marina.
It was a close run thing, with scores averaging 95points but with Rich and Ron both tying on 109 each. A quick count back found Ron had 9 species to Rich who had 8 thus winning a brand new Greys GR100S 20lb rod and Abu 7000 reel for himself … just by coming out for a days fishing.
A fantastic day afloat, with a brilliant gang of lads. My thanks go to them and also Pure Fishing UK who generously support My Way and her crews with some tremendous hire gear and competition prizes through the year.
We still have spaces available for Aug, Sept and Oct competitions, please get in touch for your chance to win big too. Competition dates here
More photos in Gallery 215
