70 Hours (well 94 actually!) on the Chieftain out of Whitby

[Seascape]

To celebrate getting fullish use of my injured arm back at last, I signed up for a Friday 1pm to Monday 11am Chieftain trip. 11 originally booked, 2 cancelled at short notice so set off with 8 others (3 lads from Barrow, 1 local, 3 Geordies & 1 chap from Hull) for the Indy Banks (off north Holland). George (the skipper) had not fished these wrecks for two years but said they had been reliable in the past. They are 17hrs from Whitby.

5 miles out the motor on the boat’s “power-steering” burnt out. As we were still in mobile phone range he located a replacement part and we limped back into Whitby. A council-of-war decided to stay the night in Whitby (visiting the flesh-pots………they are not very fleshy!) and set off the next day (Saturday), sailing all day and fishing at first light (4.30am Sunday), then Monday, returning Tuesday morning. Two of the Geordies had to work Tuesday so left the boat. Thus 7 of us set off again on what was beginning to feel like a luxury cruise! There is a new cook (Bob) and the catering has gone up a notch!

4.30am we hit the first wreck. Lousy…a few small cod. Fortunately the fishing got better and better as the day went on. Not huge fish, but a fish almost every ‘drop’, good condition, about 4 to 8 lbs. My best was 10lbs 8oz, enough by 4oz to win the first days sweep (£90……. never taken money off George before……. or seen him weep!) The day ended with rough seas. A forecast force 3-4 with 1-2 meter waves turned out to be force 7 with 3 meter waves. Very challenging fishing!

5am start the next day. Fishing not as good as yesterday, but lost an estimated 16-18 pounder at the surface. 2 wrecks blighted by seals, but sighted a whale!
Caught about 40-50 fish (lost count) throwing anything under 4lbs back. Mainly cod, the odd pollack & a few maccys.Returned home with 60lbs of cod fillets. Thinking of opening a chippy!

[grumpyppops1]

Great post and photos .lucky sod Ps did the arm hold up?

[Seascape]

A bit stiff, but very happy with it after a good work-out! Who needs a gym when there is fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grumpyppops1]

A bit stiff, but very happy with it after a good work-out! Who needs a gym when there is fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good good

[sharpey]

Full marks for endurance..!! And some good fish too. Too long a trip for me, so we'll done!


Sharpey

[Padsta Tel]

A Good haul where's your chippy

[tatch]

Nice one lovely clean looking fish there

[rob f]

some nice and photos mate

[like fishing]

hello again, was fishing on the trot on charter boat whitby 06/07/2015 monday, dismal is the only way to describe it, spent 2 hours trying for mackeral? why i don't know, all on boat had bait,then spent 3 an half hours going over the same wreck, only bout 3 fish caught, of no conciquence, so once again why i don't know, then moved to rough ground used lures an caught bout 20 codling 5lb max,that was the between the whole boat,then we motored for another half hour or so to a so called wreck, ran over it twice, nothing caught, then back to whitby harbour for 415pm, not the best trip I've ever had, but am not one to moan ha