Moments of reflection and lost spirits carried upon a flooding tide.
There is something reassuring about the perpetual ebbing and flowing of the tide. Watching the cool swirling waters as the light faded memories flooded in with the tide . I had started fishing in saltwater over fifty years ago whilst on holiday with my parents in this Cornish seaside town of Looe.
Over the years we have been drawn back many times. We had walked out onto the Banjo pier and It was pleasing to have glimpsed the flashing flanks of grey mullet in the clear water.
I looked out at the horizon where I imagined the tuna shoals that have recently migrated into the waters off Cornwall potentially opening the dawning of a new age of recreational catch and release fishing.
I had looked out from this pier as a teenager and caught the flickering light of the Eddystone Light far out in the channel. I had since fished the Eddystone reef for pollock and caught blue shark many miles offshore.
Fifty years ago, I started on an angling journey that has taken me to many locations yet those childhood memories linger. An orange tipped float beneath harbour lights disappearing pleasingly as small pollack seized the strips of mackerel. Sharing the joys of catching crabs with our son James sat on the harbours edge as Pauline grabbed at his coat tails fearful that he would slip into the water.
Moments of reflection and lost spirits carried upon a flooding tide.
Specimen bull huss
Jamie Steward caught this stunning bull huss scaling 11lb 7oz on his latest trip to the North Devon shoreline.
Flounder – Catch
Flattie fanatic David Jenkins has registered the first fish into Combe Martin SAC’s new club year a fine flounder of 1lb 14oz.
BASS REMINDER – CATCH & RELEASE ONLY UNTIL MARCH
TOOGOOD SETS NEW BRITISH RECORD with rare bream
Michael Toogood caught a rare two banded bream weighing 1lb 8oz that has been officially ratified as a new UK record. The fish is believed to be the of the species caught on rod line in UK waters. Michael was fishing from Lee Wicks boat Emma Kate out of Padstow during a North Cornwall Species League Trip.
Shore Sport
Kody Chugg tempted this fine tope of 37lb whilst fishing a North Devon Shore Mark. The next few months of winter should see some of the years best specimens landed from our shoreline. Take care out there and don’t take risks. Good fishing often follows a big storm with the inshore waters stirred and food in abundance.
Hounds and ray from North Devon Shoreline
Combe Martin SAC Member Claudio Pinto enjoyed success on a recent visit to a North Devon rock mark catching a small eyed ray of 8lb 6oz and specimen smoothound scaling 11lb 13oz.
Bideford Angling Club November 24 hour results
Bideford Angling Club Novembers 24 hour results
1st Stephen Found whiting 2lb 2 1/2oz 143.749%
2nd Andrew Clements whiting 1lb 14 3/4oz 128.125%
3rd Andrew Clements whiting 1lb 6 3/4oz 94.791%
Flounder Competition – Round Up
It was an incredibly mild day for mid November and a perfect tide for the estuary. Several clubs held flounder competitions and a large number of anglers were spread out throughout the estuary at all of the tried and trusted venues. I was fortunate to tag along with my good friend and fellow club member Dan Welch and his young son Solly. Dan certainly found a good spot with Dan and Solly catching close to fifty flounder between them to 1lb 10oz. I also enjoyed some good sport catching over a dozen flounder and a pleasing 4lb bass. One of the joys of flounder fishing is that it is perfect for dads and lads and families with big flounder likely to take anyones bait. No specialist tackle is required and no need to cast long distances. Just flick out a trace of ragworm and wait for that tell tale rattle on the rod tip. The estuary with its many wading birds, ever changing lights and shades is beguiling. I have added a few pics of the day after the results section.
Thank you to Nathan Clements for the Bideford results.
Cyril Petherick Memorial Competition results
1st Nick Braunton Flounder 1lb 12 1/2oz
2nd Andrew Clements Flounder 1lb 11 3/4oz
3rd Dick Talbot Flounder 1lb 11 1/4oz
Congratulations all its been a lovely day for it!!!!
47 angler’s fished a brilliant turn out with some reasonable fish caught 🎣
BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS COMPETITION ON THE 12TH OF DECEMBER
We have an absolutely massive prize fund for this one so don’t miss it.
More details to follow this week.
All the best and tight lines 🎣
Braunton Small Boats – Annual Flounder Match
1st – Andy Henderson – flounder 1lb 6oz
2nd – Jeremy Long – flounder 1lb 1oz
3rd – Jack Philips – flounder 12oz
Combe Martin SAC – Flounder Competition
1st – Daniel Welch flounder 1lb 10oz
1st = Damiel Welch flounder 1lb 10oz
2nd – Daniel Welch & Solly Welch – flounder 1lb 9oz
4lb bass that gave a great account on light flounder gear.
