sharks – GO Angling

Tagged Smoothhound Recapture

Posted on 13th October 2016 by David

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 […]

Springtime Rays

Posted on 13th October 2016 by David

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 during recreational angling has dwindled vastly over the last couple decades. 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 the north Wales coast. These are the blonde ray, cuckoo ray, spotted ray, small eyed ray and thornback ray; I have […]

Tope from Holyhead Deeps

Posted on 13th October 2016 by David

Most of the charter fleet off the north Wales coast benefit from a fairly consistent run of big tope. Holyhead is no exception, with the current Welsh record for a boat caught tope, 79lb, being caught and then released aboard My Way in August 2005 by Nottingham angler Anthony Meli. These big fish tend to move inshore late July through to October. Above, Antony Meli and his Welsh Record C&R tope It is though firmly believed though that there have been even bigger fish hooked over the years that have proved far too powerful for the anglers to keep hold […]

Ray of Sunshine

Posted on 12th October 2016 by David

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 […]

Porbeagle Shark for My Way

Posted on 7th September 2016 by David

For years we’ve encountered the odd shark during our fishing exploits off Holyhead, bitten fish, snapped lines etc. This year we decided to bite the bullet and invest in new gear, fact finding trips, so much reading and then finally set out to target sharks. This week has been planned for a long time & foul weather was all set to scupper our chances, but a break in the winds saw us set sail early doors today, 50lb class gear, custom made wire shark traces and enough rubby dubby to sink a smaller boat! Baits in the water and floats […]

Busmans Holiday – Milford Shark Fishing

Posted on 15th July 2016 by Gethyn Owen

With bad weather keeping My Way tied up and noticing a few last minute spaces aboard Phatcat Charters in Milford Haven late one Monday evening, a quick call to Craig and then good friend Mark Dolben and myself were heading down to Milford for a days sharking the following day. Arrived around 1am it was then trying to grab a few hours sleep in the car, lol, ready for a 7am sail. Little sleep, but that was all soon forgotten with gorgeous weather, a great crowd of individuals to be fishing with and more importantly some cracking shark action. Big […]

Pure Fishing Smoothhound Challenge 2015

Posted on 30th May 2015 by David

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. […]

Fladen Smoothhound Challenge 2014

Posted on 13th July 2014 by David

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 […]

Fladen Smoothhound Challenge 2013

Posted on 13th July 2013 by David

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 […]