In 2008 and following years we were heavily involved with the University College Dublin (UCD) Ph.D researcher Edward Farrell in his study of Starry Smoothhounds. Eds research was studying the seasonal migration of smoothhounds but also to show that Starry Smoothounds only and not the Common Smoothhound visited the UK and surrounding waters. Ed had an article published in the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) Journal of Marine Science in January 2009 showing his findings on Starry & Common hounds. Thanks to Jim Midgley for the above photos In a nutshell, not one Common Smoothhound was […]
Read moreTag: peeler crab
Smoothhound Fishing
North Wales has long been associated with some very good catches of smoothound. The fish have been targeted by both boat and shore anglers with some good results. Smuts as they have become more affectionately known to many anglers can be found around many boat marks off Holyhead, Trearddur Bay, Llanddwyn and Whitebeach. All these marks have given anglers some quality specimen fish over many year, the very same areas also offering shore anglers the opportunity to hook into this hard fighting species. Fishing for smoothies in waters relatively shallow at only 45’ can be a very exhilarating experience. Wigan […]
Read moreTronixPro Smoothhound Challenge 2016
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, […]
Read morePure Fishing Smoothhound Challenge 2015
In its 5th year, the My Way Smoothhound Challenge has become a hugely successful event. Having been generously supported in recent years by Fladen UK, the 5 day event in 2015 changed sponsors. Worldwide tackle giants Pure Fishing My Ways official sponsors came on board with GO Angling offering entrants a chance to win a Penn Squall 15 sized reel with Shakespeare Agility 12lb boat rod by catching the heaviest smoothhound during their day afloat. Unlike last year when all 5 days of the even including evening trips ran unhindered, the 2015 event was to be blighted by poor weather. […]
Read moreFladen Smoothhound Challenge 2014
The Fladen smoothhound challenge, held aboard My Way has grown in size recently. From humble beginnings, the inaugural event 3 years ago was held during the last bank holiday in May 2011. Such is the popularity, the fourth Fladen smoothhound challenge held the last week in May 2014 ran for 5 full days and 4 evening trips; fished by a succession of anglers, all keen to bag a 20lb monster aboard My Way. There is no doubting that Holyhead is a popular venue for for these hard fighting small sharks, with My Way being up there amongst the elite, having […]
Read moreFladen Smoothhound Challenge 2013
Even the 2013 Fladen Fishing UK Smoothhound Challenge aboard My Way couldn’t avoid the appalling weather that we have been suffering over recent months. Due to be fished over 3 days – Bank Holiday Monday 27th, Tues 28th and Weds 29th May, we only managed to fish the Tuesday, with the Tuesday evening trip being called short as high winds and driving rain made an early appearance. With smoothhounds starting to show, albeit a few weeks late, we set sail early Tuesday 28th May with a hefty slice of confidence. Aboard My Way we had good anglers, perfect crab and […]
Read more