Lure fishing has proved challenging over recent weeks with rougher seas resulting in lots of suspended weed to snare lures. The abundance of natural food can also reduce the success rate of natural lures.
The best time for catching bass can be after the sun has set.
Braunton Bait Box’s Craig Mcloughlin proves his angling crudential with this fine bass of 8lb 6oz caught using spider crab that is available in store. He also went onto bring a fine porbeagle boat side.
Braunton Baits Sponsor Combe Martin SACs Fish of the month competition for the best mixed brace. First prize is a T-Shirt from Ocean Daze
David Brooke won Combe Martin SAC’s Summer Fish Competition with a fine bass of 7lb 14oz. Wayne Thomas was a runner up with a thick lipped grey mullet of 3lb 3oz.
Heavy rain dampened the spirits on the weekend that signals the start of the summer holidays. At the meetu p and committee meeting that followed the competition members discussed the huge shoals of mackerel that are providing some exciting fishing along the coast. These fish are undoubtedly attracting larger predators like tope, shark and bass. Other agenda items included the upcoming Fun Fish a run down recent competitions includng the Putsborough Open and Open Lure competition. Fish conservation and protocol regarding shark fishing were also discussed. Summer is always a time of low attendance at club meetings and it is important that anglers get together to plan and air issues.
Below Fish of the Month – This is for the best mixed brace
Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward tempted this fine specimen thin lipped grey mullet of 4lb 14oz whilst using baited spinner tactics.
The Taw and Torridge Estaury offer many miles of accessible angling where light tackle and varied tactics can be employed to tempt a surprisngly wide variety of species. Bass to double figures hunt the estuaries and can be found surprisingly high up on the confluence with freshwater as well as at the estuary mouth.
On the lower estuary school bass can be seen in a feeding frenzy as they smash into whitebait behind this angler lure fishing on a flooding evening tide.
Gilthead bream are a more recent visitor to the Taw estaury with specimens tempted as far up as Fremington Quay. All three species of grey mullet can be found throughout the estuary and can be caught using bait, fly fishing and baited spinners.
Where the estuary meets the sea smoothound to double figures can provide excting tussles as they grab baits often intended for bass or gilthead bream.
( Above) The vast estuary at Fremington Quay offers plenty of scope to explore and use different tactics.
( Above) Mullet will push up into the many creeks along the estuary offering a challenge that few anglers are prepared to accept.
The vast estuary with its many mudbanks, creeks and sandbanks offers a wealth of opportunities for anglers with the chance to glimpse a diverse variety of wildlife. The scene is ever changing as the tides ebb and flow beneath everchanging skies. As autumn approaches flounder enthusiasts will line the banks at popular venues. Codling can often provide a decent meal as the nights pull in during late autumn.
Reece Woolgar has taken a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure league tempting a stunning bass of 71cm. The club members only competition runs until the end of October.
After the weekends Open Lure fishing competition members on the scoreboard have increased injecting welcome numbers to club members taking part. The league runs until the end of October and is sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. Bass from boat and shore count.
Mark Jones is currently leading the lure league with three bass totalling 193.5cm
Combe Martin SAC are hosting an Open Lure Fishing Competition with High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. If the event is well supported it is hoped it will become an annual event that can be built upon each year if the appetite is there to share the wonderful lure fishing for bass that can be enjoyed along Nortb Devons coast line. The coast line offers a wide variety of marks to target bass with a wide range of lure tactics proving successful.
Shallow rocky shorelines –Taw and Torridge Estuary
Bass tempted on a soft plasticOne of North Devons rocky headlands from the sea.
Sandy beaches have great potential for bass on lures
The boundaries for the event are the entire North Devon Coastline from County Gate to Welcombe Mouth.
The entry fee is £10.00 Competitors must book in at High Street Tackle Ilfracombe.
There is a first prize of £100 and £50 for the runner up. Additional prizes may be added if support is good.
The presentation will be held at Ilfracombe Pier, Outside the Aquarium at 6:30pm on Sunday July 2nd.
All those who attend the presentation will be entred into a raffle for a lure donated by High Street Tackle.
The prizes are for the longest bass nose to tip of tail caught using an artificial lure. A photo of bass and tape must be provided in addition to picture with captor if possible.
Fishing is from 00.00 June 29th until 6.00pm July 2nd.
All entries to be sent to CMSAC via their facebook page or to North Devon Angling News via social media or [email protected]
Advice on lure fishing for bass along with a huge sellection of lures are avaialble at High Street tackle.
Mark Jones has enjoyed recent success with lures whilst fishing from his boat with Craig Mcloughlin of Braunton Baits.
“Great day on my boat with Craig Crafty Mcloughlin Sun flat sea & no easterlies for a changeHad 3 shark trips now but doing more lure fishing as well in between sharking Landed this beauty 70cm plus & it went like hell on my slash 28g lure rod what a fight won’t forget that in a hurry!!!! C&R”
