JourneyMEN Anglers

One of our men took a little trip out himself this weekend and caught this impressive cod weighing almost 5lb. Such an amazing catch from the mighty River Mersey.

Christmas day dawned and it could only mean one thing, The JourneyMEN Christmas day fishing event was going ahead for the third year running. Arriving at the chosen mark, Wallasey town hall steps. 

The bait had been picked up on 23rd Dec from Shack Bait and Tackle and as usual it was top quality, Thanks to Ritchie Dobson and the Shack for all the support given over the last years.

It was a big 10m plus tide but the guys who were fishing were prepared for this. The weather was overcast but warm, we could see it was going to be a good day. The chosen mark was a clean beach with no snags, so we were looking at catching dabs, flounder, and whiting, but of course we were hoping for the elusive Mersey unicorns (Cod) to show up, but this was not to be on the day.  

The tide hit the wall at around 0945 and I put my first bait out before the men arrived, this was a day for me to relax without the need for coaching as the men who came were experienced with angling now. 

Ben Dobson, admin for Wirral Sea Fishing Adventures on Facebook was next to arrive as he had brought some gifts for the men attending, this was very much appreciated, Thanks to WSFA for all the support given to us over the years.  

The two anglers who were fishing were next to arrive and set up and got baits into the water. One of our other men also arrived, not to fish, but just for some company on Christmas day.  

Fish began coming over the wall and each cast produced more, Dabs and Whiting as predicted, but as usual if the guys are catching they are happy. Another of our men then turned up, he has fished with us before but chose not to on this day, good company and a chat can make anyone’s day better.  

We were only out for four hours on this session but between three anglers around 40 fish were caught some of a decent size but all went back for another day.  

Thanks to all for their ongoing support of JourneyMEN and the work we do.  

Here is to a great 2023 

Tight lines all  

Des 

An Autumn morning dawned on Saturday 29th October rainy and wet, although the weather forecast said that it would clear up by 1030am. This meant another day out on the river Mersey fishing with our men. 

After picking up bait from Shack Bait and Tackle as usual, I arrived at Wallasey town hall steps to get ready to meet the guys. The rain had stopped, and the skies had cleared a bit with a surprisingly warm south easterly breeze. Things were looking good for our annual Whiting bash! 

With high tide at just after 2pm the men began arriving around 11am keen as ever to get going. With 3 guys with little or no experience also coming it would be a busy day for our Angling Trust L2 coach Des. With the experienced guys waiting for the tide to hit the wall (this didn’t take long) the new guys were talked through some basic safety and observation skills for casting. 

It didn’t take long after the tide hit the wall for the first of many fish that day, to fall to our fresh ragworm baits. Whiting flounders and dabs all making an appearance to very happy and excited men. 

Then one of the new guys tried his first cast, it did go higher in the air than the distance it went into the river, but it was in a good spot as within 2 minutes his rod (Donated by the amazing team at Akios) doubled over and an amazing 42cm Bass came over the rail! The smile on his face was brilliant to see, although when he saw the dorsal fin and gill plates, he decided not to hold it for a photo! 

Another of our new men has poor eyesight and was worried he would not see the bites on his rod tip, however, there was no need to worry as he too was soon swinging fish after fish over the wall. 

Des threw a small mackerel bait out and just left this as usual while coaching the other men. The obligatory Dogfish took that bait but better than nothing. 

As the end of the session approached all our men had caught fish and the smiles and laughter make what we do worthwhile. 

Thanks must go to Ste Moores for coming along and helping with the more experienced guys with unhooking deep hooked flatties, Richie Dobson at Shack bait and Tackle for the top-quality bait as usual. 

We go again on the 12th November Contact Des@journeymencic.com for times and locations.

Tight Lines all and if you are in the Wirral Sea Fishing Adventures Cod cup good luck!

A sunny but windy Saturday dawned and JourneyMEN were out fishing on the Mersey again this week. Guinea Gap was the chosen venue on a small tide of 23ft meant that we could comfortably fish 3 hours up to high tide and 2 down. Baits went into the water at around 1530 with high tide being 1830. The fishing started slow with baits at range coming back untouched. 

One of the men decided to fish short over the rough ground close in and caught a small schoolie Bass, he was made up, as even though it was only small it was his first Bass.  A couple of casts later the same man caught another new species for him the dreaded Weever, unhooked safely and returned with no injury which was a bonus.  The fishing picked up even more an hour before high tide and Plaice started to come in for myself and the men. Next Rob our social media manager caught a Silver Eel, as these are a protected species it was unhooked carefully and returned to swim off. 

Yet more Plaice kept coming with the biggest at 30cm By 8 pm we had exhausted the fresh Ragworm from Shack Bait and Tackle that was kindly sponsored this week with a donation from John Kerr a member of Wirral Sea Fishing Adventures. 

Again, the support from the local angling community means we can continue the work we do to improve the mental wellbeing of our men. 

Thanks for your support and Tight Lines.

Des JourneyMEN

A warm Saturday afternoon meant that JourneyMEN were out fishing the Mersey again. A small group this week due to bus strikes and illness. 

  Fishing the early evening high tide, we were hopeful of a few fish, I had chosen Vale park this week not knowing there was an event in the park and it was rather busy. So, we chose to fish the slipway in front of the war memorial. This trip was also a recce mission for the Shack bait and tackle charity match the following day and I had to peg out for up to 30 anglers. 

  The fishing was very quiet to start but we were enjoying the sun and the live music from Vale Park. 

Just after high tide one of the men cast over my line and within 2 mins his rod top rattled and he had a 29cm Plaice came over the rail. 

  This was a good sign and we kept on fishing. I had done my usual and left big baits in the water so I could concentrate on the men, then my rod had 2 really big pull downs in quick succession but no connection to a fish unfortunately. 

   The day drew to a close at 2000hrs and we left the river to come back another day. 

  As usual without the support of the local angling community we wouldn't be able to continue this work. 

Thanks must go to Shack bait and tackle for the top quality bait as always and to Wirral sea fishing adventures for ongoing support for JourneyMEN.

Tight lines,

Des

 As this morning dawned with fine blue skies and a light westerly breeze. It could only mean JourneyMEN were out fishing again on the banks of the Mighty River Mersey! The day's event was funded by a donation made by the family of a former client who unfortunately passed away earlier this year and some of his family would be joining us for this session in memory of their family member.   Our chosen Mark this session was Maddock Road slipway with the spring tide, an ideal venue for fishing the full flood and ebb.     Arriving before the men as usual, our friend Ste Moores was already at the mark and the men began turning up 40 mins before the arranged time. The passion the guy's show is amazing!     All set up and as soon as the tide was in range baits went out into about 1 foot of water. Baits at all ranges again this session and this seemed to get the guys on the fish. First fish was a small palm sized flounder but a fish is a fish. Next one of my rods began to rattle, I hit the bite and felt a decent sized fish on the end, staying deep in the water and giving a good account of itself a 36cm Plaice came over the rail.     Things went a bit quiet as the flood continued but still fish were coming in next was another small flounder which went back strongly. one of our more experienced guys decided to try fishing short over the rough ground to see what would come out and began pulling small codling out for fun! I went and told the other guys further along the prom to try short range and within 5 mins a small 5 bearded rockling came in. Success! Ste Moores then had a small Plaice just as the ebb started. the first hour after high went quiet again, but as the tidal pull lessened the fish came back on the feed, one of our men getting a lovely Plaice which went back strongly.    We usually fish 5 hour sessions but as the fish were still feeding and the tide was fishable we continued.... just as the rocks at the bottom of the slipway were exposed one of my rods rattled again and a small plaice came in around 20cm, I did see the bite but was talking to a fellow angler who had come down to see how we were doing as he had just finished on Harrison Drive.  once this small fish was dealt with, I began packing down my gear however I left one rod out as the guys were not ready to finish yet!    That rod rattled again and this time a 35cm Plaice came over the sand and up the wall, a cracking final fish to an amazing day.  All baits this day were supplied, as usual, by Shack Bait and Tackle (not bad for a shed in a field!). Top quality Ragworm did the business.    We will be out again soon, Stay safe, Tight lines.  Des, JourneyMEN