29 Mar 2019

Holsworthy Sea Anglers take a trip on Bluefin!

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Report from Steve Dawe :-

Holsworthy Sea Anglers trip aboard Bluefin was as usual full of banter and despite there only being 3 of us members attending plenty of fish were caught. Around 35 Spurdog boated today, several Huss and sadly not a single Dogfish. Paul Cozens proved he can still fish with bait but lacked the ability to keep his lead, rig and bait in his own part of the sea. He did have a nice Huss and plenty of Spurs, Chris Hodgson started late due to spending a lot of time untangling Paul from his line, but managed spurs to 16lb and Huss. I managed to sneak the biggest Spurdog out at 16lb 8oz, I have one hand on the Trophy now till Paul books more trips to knock me off!. As usual John Barbeary delivered a cracking days fishing sacrificing yet another T bar to Davey Jones Locker.

 

 

29 Mar 2019

Calm Waters for boat anglers – Bluefin

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John Barbeary has taken Bluefin to deepwater marks off Ilfracombe where anglers have boated spurdog to 18lb and conger to 20lb. Keith Armishaw boated a 12lb thornback. The spurdog packs are now starting to disperse and summer species will soon start to show. The calm seas and blues skies have certainly boosted spirits with spring on the way and hoped for mackerel and tope.

 

21 Mar 2019

Coalfish on Reel Deal

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Daniel Hawkins landed this fine coalfish of 5lb 10oz whilst fishing over a reef off the North Devon Coast. Not often you see these caught off North Devon and when I first saw it I thought it was a post from Norway! The biggest coalfish I know of from the North Devon coast was landed by Barry Hill from a shore mark near Ilfracombe and weighed 18lb! It held the British Record for several years.

20 Mar 2019

Spurdog and smoothound for Springtime boat anglers

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Steve Dawe enjoyed a trip out of Ilfracombe aboard John Barbeary’s Bluefin:- see his report and pictures below…

“So nice to get out again with so many cancelled trips this year, today was aboard Bluefin chasing Spurdogs. Not as prolific as they can be but we still managed several double figure fish. The Eels were a bit scarce and a few Huss turned up but my fish of the trip was a lovely Starry Smoothound right at the death. Great company Chris Hodgson, Steven McDonald and as usual John delivered some great skippering. Next week we are back out from Ilfracombe on Bluefin with Holsworthy Sea Anglers.

18 Feb 2019

Wild Frontier gives stable deck in search of spurdog off North Devons dramatic coast

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I joined seven fellow members of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club aboard Ilfracombe Charter Boat Wild Frontier Two skippered by Mark Hutchings. With a brisk South West Wind forecast and a substantial swell surging onto the coast I was a little apprehensive regarding the day ahead as we climbed aboard. Any fears soon evaporated however as we steamed out of the harbour appreciating the stability of the broad decks of the catamaran that gave plenty of room for all anglers on board.

Heading up channel we all gazed at the towering cliffs East of Combe Martin that are I believe amongst the highest sea cliffs in the UK. It was apparent that the recent weather has impacted on these wild and rugged cliffs with plenty of scars indicating recent rockfalls.

Our first stop in the lee of these cliffs brought only limited action with just a few dogfish grabbing our baits. A strong wind made fishing difficult at times causing the boat to swing on its anchor as it swirled with gusts riffling the sea as they sped towards us. The sound of the mighty swell pounding the foot of the cliffs provided a dramatic soundtrack as we savoured a hot drink whilst watching nature acting out its daily drama.

The easing tide signalled time to head out deep to target the spurdog packs. We lowered our baits into deep-waters and soon started to get savage indications as hungry spurdog seized our offerings. The sun broke through, rods bent and life felt pretty good out there on the water.

Hectic sport continued until once again the increasing tide pull forced a move to more tranquil waters. Closer inshore sheltered once again by the towering cliffs we targeted ray on sandy banks. Club secretary Nick Phillips was first into action boating a pleasing small eyed ray that was followed a short while later with a tackle testing blonde ray of 14lb 2oz.

A few conger and the inevitable dogfish followed before we once again headed out to deeper water for a second time rounding off the day with more action landing spurdog to 14lb 8oz.

The next couple of months should see spurdog sport continue with every chance of some bigger specimens close to twenty pounds. Ilfracombe Charter Boats Wild Frontier 2 ( www.bristolchannelcharters.co.uk) and Bluefin will soon be joined  by Reel Deal moving down after the winter season out of Watchet.

9 Feb 2019

Great off-shore sport on Bluefin

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Many thanks to Pete Gregory and Toby Bassett for allowing me to use their pictures and words following a successful trip on Bluefin out of Ilfracombe.

Fishing Ilfracombe aboard John Barbearys boat ” Bluefin ” and what a fish packed day it was . Lots of Dogfish as you would expect but in the morning when your hooking and landing more Bull Huss than dogs , you know its going to be a good day . Its always good to fish with Troy and Toby and as well as loads off fish between us , great laughs and banter all day long . We moved out to deep water to get amongst the Spurdogs and conger and ended up with forty to fifty spurs and a couple of half decent conger . Unfortunately with a spring tide and a little swell we had to head back in , but thanks john and the lads for a good day!