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Nelson Quay, Milford Haven, West Wales, SA73 3AZ
ODYSSEY BLOG
GEARING UP!
Luke Evans, Jan 2026
One of the most asked commonly asked questions I get asked as skipper is ‘what gear do I need’. It’s actually quite a tricky question to answer as we all have our own preferences. There is full gear on the boat which our anglers are welcome to use however it’s perfectly understandable that anglers want to use their own. As there is not a right or wrong answer, I thought that I would describe what I enjoy myself in the hopes that it helps you all when you are planning your trips out! (Besides, as anglers we don’t need much of an excuse to expand the gear collection 😉)
Reef Fishing:
12-20lb gear is perfectly suited to this kind of fishing. Either fishing a set of feathers or a single soft plastic lure to give the best chance of the bigger pollack and cod. That said, I am an avid fan of going as light as possible. My favourite way of tackling this kind of fishing is either with a Slow Pitch Jig (SPJ) set up, or a light spinning rod. A rod about 7-8ft with a 30g casting weight is perfect. There is no casting involved, instead I fish a single plastic lure such as a Sidewinder on a 6ft 20lb fluorocarbon trace with about 4-5oz of lead. This allows me to get to the bottom in all but the fastest tides. However, if you hook into a double figure pollack or coalfish, you will be in for some crash-diving runs and bent rods! (set those drags!) It’s also a fantastic way to target the wrasse and is guaranteed to get a smile on your face. For the SPJ (which is a bit more specialised) I typically use lures in the 150g region. These jigs can be fished on standard spinning rods which again allows maximum sport and maximum smiles. Both are extremely effective at avoiding the smaller fish and picking up the bigger specimens.
The major advantage of the lighter gear is that it takes longer to play the fish. This can significantly reduce the effects of barotrauma and gives them a far better chance of returning safely.
Shark Gear:
The same approach can be applied when fishing for sharks. Going lighter can mean maximum fun! As sharking is a bit more specialised its more usual for our anglers to use the supplied gear but they are welcome to bring their own. The gear we use has been used to land blues to 200lb, porbeagles to 350-400lb. We have even had tuna to 350lb on this gear. We have striven to for a balance of maximum sport but also reducing fight times so that the fish is not completely exhausted when it comes to back (this boosts its chances of a swift recovery).
Gone are the days of 50lb-80lb rods and huge reels for the sharks. A modern lever drag multiplier coupled to a 30lb-50lb or 20lb IGFA rod is perfect. We also use popping rods fitted with large, fixed spools. These are great fun for those who prefer fixed spools and are becoming increasingly popular. These are perfect to slowly twitch a bait in front of a blue lurking next to the chum bucket, then see it inhale the bait before heading off on a screaming run! When this happens, you will sure get the adrenaline running!
In 2025 we had our first anglers using fly rods. These are unlike ones used for trout in freshwater fishery, instead they are saltwater rods designed for this kind of fishing. With the right angler, it’s possible to land sharks well over 100lb.
Tuna Gear:
When targeting tuna, we typically stipulate using our own gear. If you want to use your own gear, please give us a call so that we can discuss to ensure that it’s going to be capable for the job. Do not underestimate these fish, these fish will find any weakness in the gear and the angler. Every set up is carefully rigged to ensure minimum chance of a lost fish due to gear failure. From the servicing of the reels, the spooling of the braid under high tension, the splicing of the top shots all the way to the precision setting of the drag, a lot of work goes into making sure the gear is up for the job. There are 1000lb+ tuna out there, if we hook one, we want to give ourselves the best chance of getting it to the boat for a safe release!
In summary, as anglers we are passionate about the sporting aspect. This is why with our gear choices we have striven to make available the same gear that we would use. All in the hopes that you will have as big a smile as we do whenever we get a chance to get on the fish!
Lastly, there is no such a thing as stupid question. Please feel to ask anything about what you need for day on the water, Luke will be likely be happy to chat for hours about the different techniques, options and ways of fishing if you let him! Here is to 2026 being a year of bent rods, screaming reels and big smiles!
FIRST SOLO SHARK TRIP
Emma Evans, Dec 2025
How things evolve! When we started our business only one month after we got married in 2022, I didn't envisage that I would be running one of our charter boats alongside Luke. However, since then I've learned the ropes crewing alongside him- It's like your husband teaching you how to drive! It built my confidence, resilience and determination, as we know, boating isn't for the faint hearted, and this has helped in other aspects of life.
Earlier this year, I took the plunge and did my Yachmaster Offshore exam in Southampton. It was several long days and nights preparing for the intense exam, which challenges you physically and mentally, putting your previous experience to the test but it was worth it.
It was quite a special day, heading out of the haven for the first time, running alongside each other to the shark grounds. It was one of those moments that will stick for a long time. I felt chuffed to be running alongside Luke and some of the most experienced shark skippers in the UK, in the most beautiful location. I'm grateful for them giving me encouragement, guidance and reassurance along the way.
West Wales has a well establish recreational shark fleet and has been running since the 80s. It's seen amazing rare catches from Makos, to Threshers to the recent significant increase in large Blue Fin Tuna. There's always a chance of these, however we're lucky to have good numbers of Blue from late June until October and Porbeagles in June.
Blues are stunning, mesmerising, the most graceful of sharks in the Celtic Deeps, yet don't be fooled, they will test you! You think they're ready to come in, ahh - nope! Some come in quickly, others will put you through your paces.
The first trip saw 17 fish safely brought the boat with experienced returning anglers, which made for a good day's fishing and a taste of what was to come. (Check out our Facebook page for trip reports throughout the season.)
I see things differently now compared to when crewing, you're fully aware of your responsibilities, keeping a good look out, managing the boat and more, whilst also being focused on ensuring a fun day to remember for your crew. This is what the years of preparation, and exam put to the test. Skippering is physically and mentally challenging, meeting amazing people, spending our days as a drop in the ocean with a lot of preparation behind the scenes and fishing! - it's a vocation and that's why we love it!
Several trips in, many sharks brought to the boat, and the end of my first shark season, I can't wait for the next...