I suspected another decent catch might be on the cards so I rang my mate FishyRob at short notice the evening before to see if he could crew because I knew an extra pair of hands would be essential if the fishing was going to be anywhere near as good as the previous trip!

We had a crew of 9 anglers, 4 of whom were new to wreck fishing plus Rob and myself and there was certainly a buzz of hopeful anticipation aboard as we departed on a two and a half steam out of Brighton to the wrecks, giving us 4 hours of fishing time to try and land some Cod and Pollack before the same long steam back!

Upon arrival I lined up the first drift and the fishfinder lit up like I’ve never witnessed before, so it was hardly a surprise when within seconds I heard 7 shouts of “fish on!” from the crew – keeping Rob and myself busy with the landing nets!

Looking Fishy on the Sounder!

This kind of frantic action continued for the next few drifts, with loads of double figure Cod landed but as the tide picked up the bites stopped and so after 3 fishless drifts (despite the sounder still showing stacks of fish) I instructed the crew to wind up as a move to a nearby wreck was in order.

Upon arrival at the next wreck the action started immediately and again the sounder was telling me the wreck was alive with fish, the trouble was these were smaller Cod and Pollack in the sub 8lb class. A slight reposition of the boat to drift over a different section of the wreck soon sorted this out and for the rest of the day it was non-stop action with mostly double figure Cod!

From one of the more hectic drifts!

At 1400 it was time to turn for home after four hours of non-stop action with a very happy and tired crew grinning like Cheshire cats. Everyone aboard (myself included) were fully aware we had been involved in a truly exceptional Red Letter Day – the like of which I’ve never seen before. You’d have to go back to the seventies to recall fishing like this, which is before my time before anyone pipes up with a wise crack! It wasn’t just the quantity of fish, it was the quality too – prime winter Cod at their top weights (as they were full of Roe) plus a good number of Pollack too.

The statistics speak for themselves:

• 60 Cod and 11 Pollack landed (we didn’t count the Pout)
• Conservative total catch weight well in excess of 700lb
• 8 Cod over 20lb
• Best of the day 24.5lb for Mikal (who was sick most of the day)
• Best Individual catch Mark Wilson – over 160lb of Cod!
• Close behind was my mate Nick Coster with 10 Cod totaling 125lb!

A few more pics from the day:

Best of the day went 24.5lb

A couple from this drift

Mid -Double For Shaun Johnson

18lb for Lee Johnson

Another mid-double figure Cod

A brace of 20lb’ers for Mark Wilson

22lb for Nick Coster (one of his 10 Cod)

Some of the best from the day and a happy Crew!

So a record day aboard Grey Viking, the likes of which are sadly very rare in this day and age! If you want to read more FishyRob and Nick Seaw both wrote catch reports on WSF (World Sea Fishing Forum) which you can read HERE and HERE

Thanks to Rob and the crew for being part of such an amazing day!

If you want to book a wreck fishing trip as a group charter or on an individual basis call me on 07850 171722 and I’ll get you out fishing!

Expectations were mixed as on one hand the quantities of Cod caught in recent weeks has been down, but the size of fish has increased compared to the last couple of years across the Brighton charter fleet, with most of the Cod landed being double figures with a fair few 20lb plus specimens reported.

Anyway, on an easing flood tide, as the Whiting and Dogfish attacked our baits, 13 years old Callum landed the first notable fish of the day – a very respectable 2.5lb Whiting, well done Callum:

Not much happened over slack water but as the ebb got away Andrezj had a decent bite and, after a bit of a tangle, landed a pristine winter cod weighing a couple of ounces over 20lb:

The Whiting and Dogfish kept coming until Darius hooked what was obviously a Cod, which went 12lb:

Things went quiet again for a while until just before home time when, out of the blue, 14 year old Tyler Hallett’s rod arched over with a stormer of a bite. I knew instantly it was a decent Cod, and guided Tyler as he expertly played the fish to the surface. It’s not often a Cod strips line off the drag in relatively shallow water, and there were suggestions of conger amongst the crew as the fight played on – but I knew it was a Cod and kept quiet as Tyler continued to play the fish with natural skill and ability.

Eventually the fish surfaced and I admit I was quietly gobsmacked as I netted this obviously monster Cod. Once aboard the scales were dancing about the mid 30lb bracket, so we arranged for Dave Grinham from the Tackle Box to meet us back on the pontoon for a verified weighing…. this Cod went  34lb exactly!!!! Wow, way to go Tyler, your first EVER Cod, using a hire rod too,  and easily a new boat record for Cod on Grey Viking – wow what a day !!!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the monster Cod:

14 year old Tyler Hallet with 34lb of Brighton Cod

Measuring 45 inches long with a 32 inch girth – wow!!

Skipper is just as delighted too!

Thanks to all the crew for a truly memorable and fun day with an incredible fish of a lifetime for young Tyler and further thanks to Dave at the Tackle Box for coming down to authenticate the Cod on calibrated scales!

The Cod were a decent size too with the vast majority going to double figures and plenty of mid to upper double fish caught too. We had 2 at 19.5lb and things look good for the inshore winter season when these fish are full of roe and pack on the pounds! Here are a few pics, there are more on our Facebook Page if you want to have a look:

19.5lb Cod

Firstly,

80lb Conger

On another note, a few of you who have fished with me before have asked where Mick is. She stopped helping out on the boat at the end of July and we separated as a couple at the end of September. It was a pleasure to introduce Mick to the world of boating and fishing and I’m she’ll use the skills I taught her to good effect on her next project.

With music and champange flowing the day was a lot of fun.  There was certainly more celebrating than fishing going on but the birthday boy who lost a couple of nice bass early on in the morning finally got one in the net later in the day.

Happy Birthday!

The following day we were fishing with a stag party and and we between them they landed some smashing Cod of up to 14lb but the hightlight was to come on our short evening trip when we were joined by little Zac.  Zac had told his mum that he really wanted to catch a fish and take it home and eat it, so mum brought him along on a lovely sunny evening and we headed out for a short Mackerel fishing trip. Despite being only 4 he soon got to grips with the fishing rod and was fishing for Mackerel like a professional.

Full of excitement and Zac very quickly caught his first fish.

4 year old Zac with his first fish!

It was non-stop fun throughout the entire trip with Zac filling a bucket with Mackerel and even managing to catch a couple of Gurnards which he released back to the sea.

The time flew by and it was very quickly time to head back home.  There was just enough time to show Zac and his mum how to gut and fillet the fish ready for supper and give the boat a good hose down.

Well done Zac – you were a superstar!

The wreck fishing trips have seen great this week too.  The summer cod are in prime condition and we have seen the bites and catches becoming more consistent.  I have certainly been kept busy gilling, weighing, tagging and gutting fish this week.

Yesterday saw another good day out on the wrecks.  The cod caught today we mostly under 10lb.  Perfect for the table!  Tony played in the biggest cod of the day which weighed in a just over 10lb.

Also caught today was this small John Dory.  It was for many of the crew on board as it was for me too the first time they had ever seen one.

Beautiful little fish.

Like I said its been a busy week but one which we have really enjoyed.  The next few days sees us out on the wrecks fishing for more of those lovely prime summer cod.

Our diary is getting very full for 2010 leading to disappointment for some – especially those looking for weekend dates or good tides. We have some availability on weekdays and a few weekends from September through until the end of the year.

Now is also the time to be thinking about booking for winter Cod. October through until the end of December see’s the best of the winter Cod Fishing, with bigger tides generally the most productive.

We keep our online calendar updated if you want to check available dates. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Edit: I forgot to add that our Individual’s Days on Wednesdays and Fridays are proving to be very popular so if you want to book a space(s) please do get in touch!

Pollack Competition Results

We have also been asked for the Pollack Competition results which are as follows:

Well done to all the prize winners and to all those who took part – see you all next year!!

Winner of the 2010 Brighton Marina

Pollack Competition

The morning of the pollack competition had finally arrived and after twice being cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions today was to be third time lucky.  Eager and full of excitement we were up at 5am in order to get down the marina early.  It took no time at all to gather everything we needed as we had spent the evening before making sure that we had everything ready and all set to go.   The car was loaded with the Viking hats for the crew and all that needed doing was to don the Viking costume grab a quick cup of tea and head off. We arrived on the charter boat pontoon before 6.00am, all was quiet but soon all the skippers and anglers taking part started to arrive and the whole pontoon became alive with the buzz of activity and by 7.00am everyone was enjoying breakfast and sharing some great competitive banter.

With a couple of late cancelations due to illness we had a small crew on board for the day but we were all determined to fish like crazy and bring home the winning fish.

Team Viking Skippered by Ray Burn

James  -  Darren  -  Connor (last years junior champion) -  Frank  -  Mick

With everyone registered to take part and a last minute trip to the tackle box for some extra Sidewinders and Jelly worms we were ready to line up at the Bottle buoy with the other boats ready for the start.

This proved to be really exciting and while waiting for the whistle everyone took the opportunity to take a few photographs of all the other competitors and their boats.

3……..2…….1………Go Go Go

I have never seen so many boats full throttle so close together jostling for position to head out to their chosen mark.  Ray really gave it some wellie and pushed the revs right up to get away and ahead of the other boats, 20 knots plus!  Boats to the left/right/in front and behind were, as Frank said, like a scene from wacky races.

White water everywhere and cheers from all the anglers.  A fantastic start!

Once a couple of miles out and with all the boats heading in different directions we had time to focus our attention on the tactics for a Team Viking Victory.  Yesterday’s wreck fishing trip had seen all the Pollack caught on either a rhubarb and custard sidewinder sand eel or a black and red Jelly worm so this was what we were going to start with.  We arrived at the wreck just in time to pinch the last of the tide but with the water quickly turning slack we were going to have to wait for the tide to get going again before we were to see the first fish netted.

Connor, our teams little superstar, was the first to get a good bite and the first Pollack.

He skilfully played the fish to the surface and claimed ownership of the crown Viking hat.

Only the next person to catch a fish could take it away from him.  This was quickly done by James who had managed to foul hook his Pollack in the back of its neck. This meant the fish put up a really good fight and had James convinced the fish was a lot bigger than it turned out to be.  Frank was next catching his first Pollack from a boat.

James

Frank

You look lovely Frank!

It was about this time that the rain started and although it was not cold it was to stay wet for the next few hours.  Undeterred and still determined to nail a good fish it was heads down and working the lures in anticipation of the next bite.

After all of the rods getting good bites but not seeing another fish landed for about 20 minutes it was time for a move.   We needed to stay on the fish at all times if we were going to catch one of a good size.  The move proved to be a good one.  Darren was next to shout for net and landed this lovely 10 lb’er.  The fish gave him a good fight taking several dives before reaching the surface.

It was at this point I started to think that something was amiss.  Everyone had landed a fish except me.  Well this would have to be changed and quickly.   With all the guys taking the opportunity to wind me up about not yet getting on the fish it was time to do something about it.  While Ray lined up the next drift James and I took a look at the sounder and I jokingly said to James that I had spotted my fish.  At this point the size was not all that important I just needed to catch something.

Ray skilfully guided us up to the wreck and gave us the nod when we hit the right spot for the fish.  Everyone sent their lures down to the bottom and worked up to about 20 turns.  I decided to stop winding at 10 turns I knew the fish were on the bottom and I wanted to stay in the zone until one took a fancy to my rhubarb and custard sidewinder.   That’s when it happened BANG went my rod and I was in!

I started to reel in but this fish was not coming up anytime soon – the more I reeled the stronger the dive and fish was aiming for the bottom and taking line with it.  Keeping a good bend in my rod I waited for the fish to stop and then tried again to reel it in.  Not this time or the next or even the next.  This fish was going to fight all the way.   James was asking if it was a big one and although I knew this was a decent fish I just replied that it probably wasn’t all that big and that it was just a feisty one.

With the fish almost at the surface he took one final last-ditch effort to get back to the safety of the wreck.  It was one of those moments where you just have to hold on and you can’t help but shout wooooooowwww in an effort to slow the fish down.

It seemed to do the trick as the fish had now given up.  Ray was ready and waiting with the net and everyone was watching to get a first glimpse.  Smiles all round – this was a good one.  Ray estimated it at around 15lb so it was straight in the box and fingers crossed it would be big enough to take one of the prizes.

Could this be the winning fish?

Having heard on the radio that nothing bigger had been caught the excitement was building.

We had another short lull in the fishing so made one more move onto a wreck that was heading back towards the marina.  This is where we spent the rest of the day and it produced some more nice fish into double figures.  We had heard of only one other fish at around the 15lb mark and we were hopeful that we were in with a chance of taking top prize or was it a case of all the other boats keeping quite about a big catch???????

Connor ended up with a total of 3 very nice fish.  Frank had 2 fish as did James.  Darren had to be content with his double from earlier in the day but it was worth a chance at the weigh in.  I got my total up to 4.  Time to head home and weigh in.

Heading back after a great day the talk turned to what our chances were.  A possible top fish, another good double and also a chance for young Connor to take the junior prize.

Fingers crossed!

The Weigh In

What a tense half hour this was.  I wish I had left taking my fish up till nearer 4.30pm but as it was I just couldn’t wait so I was one of the first up there.  The fish being weighed came in at 14lb 15oz and then it was my turn.  Into the bag it went and we watched as the scales settled on 15lb 8oz!!!  I was in first place but why didn’t I hold back 15 minutes or so because of course what this meant was that I then had to stand and watch as everyone else came up for with their best catch and it was a case of holding my breathe every time one looked like it might be the one to beat mine.

I could hardly bear it so took a stroll back down to the boat to kill 5 minutes.

More tension as a group of lads arrived with some cracking looking fish.

Onto the scales they went one at a time all weighing in at around the 12/14 lb mark.

By this point we knew that Connor had taken the top prize for the junior competition but could we make it a double whammy?

The last fish on the scales and a huge sigh of relief – a huge smile and a thump of the air and we had done it.  Team Viking had taken 2 top prizes.

The prize giving at 5.00pm allowed us all a chance to really enjoy the moment and its one I won’t ever forget.

Grey Viking II

Winner of the 2010 Brighton Marina

Fox International Pollack Competition

A big thank you to all the crew and to Ray our fantastic skipper who got us on the right wreck at the right time for the best fish of the day.  We all had the most fantastic day.  See you all again next year.

Go Go Team Viking!!!!

Winner of the 2010 Brighton Marina

Pollack Competition

Mick Mahoney with her prize winning Pollack 15lb 8oz

Also on board

Conner who won Top Junior

Having a tide with a 5.2 metre range and very little wind we were able to easily cover all the areas of the marina that we would normally be keeping well away from due to the way it silts up.

Ray put all his boat handle skills to good use to cover every inch of the marina entrance before moving on to fairways.

With all the information being gathered and plenty of tea, biscuits (which were some cheap ones that Paul had bought with him) and chatter the day flew by and before we knew it, it was time to offload all the equipment and get ready for our evening fishing trip.

Thank you guys for another really nice day.

Mackerel Trips – 6.00-8.00pm – £20 per person

Ground Fishing Trips – 5.00-9.00pm – £30 per person

Call us now to book your space 07850 171925/01273 303962