Weekly Angling Report -October 23rd 2025
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Casting around North Devon, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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UNDERWOOD SECURES WIN AT BIDEFORD CLUB WATER
Bideford Angling Clubs monthly Coarse Match on their home water was won by Nathan Underwood with 84lb 2oz. Runner up was Darren Polden with 52lb 12oz and third Keith Mountjoy with 39lb 14oz.
Jamie Steward caught a stunning lure caught bass of 71cm to give him a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe with five bass for 353cm. The league ends on October 31st with several members in contention. Runner up spot is currently held by Mark Drewer with five bass for 351cm and Seth Tuson third with five bass for. 347.5cm.
Combe Martin SAC members have been catching specimen mullet from the North Devon Coastline with Daniel Welch catching a 4lb 2oz specimen and Graham Snow a specimen of 4lb 1.5oz.
The Fluff Chucker’s Fly Fishing Group followed up on a successful Brown Trout Masters series with a West Country Grayling Cup hosted by the Arundell on the Devon and Cornwall border. Roger Truscott once again demonstrated his skill with the Fly Rod winning the event with a fine grayling of 45cm. Runner up was Rodney Wevill. Winner of the morning session was Gary Brazier and Ozzie Gough winner of the afternoon session.
Grayling offer winter sport on a limited number of rivers across Devon with the Arundell waters offering fishing on the Tamar and its tributaries. The Upper Exe waters controlled by the Dulverton Anglers Association offer several miles of fishing for these ladies of the stream.
Bulldog Fishery is in fine form with big brown trout, spartic’s and rainbows being caught. The venue is launching its winter competition program of events with the first competition this Sunday.
Several North Devon based anglers have travelled to Cornwall and South Devon ports to sample the exciting tuna fishing that is currently thriving to bring a welcome boost to local economies. I joined four good friends out of Looe to share an awesome angling adventure that saw us bring nine tuna to the boats side all between 200lb and 300lb. The power of these fish is immense and a true test of an anglers stamina. It is truly amazing to witness such an abundance of life as these magnificent fish feast upon a shoal of fish along with dolphins and sea birds. It is to be hoped that this valuable catch and release big game fishery can thrive and focus minds on the long term conservation of our coastal waters.
NORTH DEVON – AUTUMN BASS
Many thanks to Jason Hayes for sending me this exciting report….
🎣 What an afternoon on the North Devon coast!
I headed out for a quick bass session with a mate who’s just getting into fishing, targeting sea bass along our local marks. Not long in, his rod bent over and after an awesome fight, he landed a stunning 72cm bass! The excitement on his face said it all — his first real specimen fish, and what a one to start with!
He had to head off shortly after, absolutely buzzing… I stayed on for another half hour, and unbelievably, my rod went solid too — another beautiful 72cm fish!
Two cracking bass, same mark, within half an hour. Couldn’t have scripted it better.
North Devon doing what it does best. 🌊🐟
Combe Martin SAC Lure Fishing League latest
Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward caught this stunning 71cm bass to take him into pole position in the clubs Lure Fushing league sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe.
Current standings are :-
1st – Jamie Steward – Five bass – 353 cm
2nd – Mark Drewer – Five bass – 351 cm
3rd – Seth Tuson – Five bass – 347.5 cm
4th – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – five bass – 318 cm
5th – Daniel Welch – Five bass -302cm
SEA ANGLING NEWS UPDATE- Latest Competition Results
Storm Amy swept across North Devon last weekend and its effects will undoubtedly be felt as sea anglers seek big bass, tope and huss along the coast. A big Autumn storm such as this generally encourages big fish close in shore to feed and forage on the food dislodged.
Andrew Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover with a bull huss of 7lb 10.25oz. Runner up was Michael Hammett with a huss of 7lb 1.75oz and Josh Atkinson third with a dogfish of 1lb 15oz.
Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs Sea rover with a mackerel of 1lb 2oz.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Lure Fishing league still has two weeks left to run and is currently headed by Mark Drewer with five bass for a total length of 351cm’s. Runner up is Seth Tuson on 347.5cm and Jamie Steward third with five for 344cm.
The flounder season is well underway on the Taw estuary with forty anglers taking part in the Daniel Mackie Flukey’s Flatfish Open. Stefan Jones won the competition with a flounder of 1lb 8.25oz. Runner up was David Jenkins with a flounder of 1lb 7oz and Taz Wotton third with a flounder of 1lb 6.75oz. The event raised £125 for the Children’s Hospice South West. Barnstaple Triple Hook Club have launched their Flounder season schedule with the Junior and Ladies Open competition this weekend.
Combe Martin SAC – Lure League Update
There are just over three weeks left of Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing league that has been hotly contested this year by a dedicated band of enthusiasts. Whilst numbers of bass are likely to be less now is perhaps the time to catch that elusive double figure specimen.
Mark Drewer is the current leader with five bass for 351 cm with Seth Tuson in runner up spot with 347.5cm
Jamie Stewards latest 72cm catch below brings his five fish total to 344cm.
1st – Mark Drewer – 351 cm
2nd – Seth Tuson – 347.5
3rd – Jamie Steward – 344 cm
4th – Wayne Thomas – 318cm
5th – Daniel Welch – 302cm
Seth Tuson takes lead in CMSAC lure league
Seth Tuson is now leading Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League with five bass for 347.5cm after adding a bass of 67cm to his five fish total.
1st – Seth Tuson – Five Bass -347.5cm
2nd -Mark Drewer – Five Bass – 344.5cm
3rd – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – 318cm
4th – Jamie Steward – Four bass – 272cm
5th – Reece Woolgar – Four Bass – 263cm
6th – Daniel Welch – Four Bass – 233cm
BASS & BONITO for ILFRACOMBE BOATS
Lure anglers are enjoying superb sport off Ilfracombe with Reel Deal Charters and Predator 2 finding specimen bass and bonito to 10lb.
Bass Lure League – Update
http://www.highstreettackle.co.uk
This season has been proving a good one for bass with Combe Martin SAC members registering some quality specimens in their lure league that is sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe.
Seth Tuson and Mark Drewer head the leaders board with five bass each for 344.5 cm. The biggest bass so far is a fine fish of 77cm to the rod of Mark Drewer. Top lures are without a doubt soft Plastics. https://www.highstreettackle.co.uk/soft-lures-3-c.asp
1st – Seth Tuson & Mark Drewer – Five bass – 344.5 cm
2nd – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – 313 cm
3rd – Reece Woolgar – four bass – 263 cm
4th – Daniel Welch – four bass – 233cm
5th – Ross Stanway – three bass – 176 cm
6th – Jamie Steward – two bass – 140 cm
7th – Robert Hurst – two bass – 121.5 cm
8th – Toby Craven – one bass – 58cm
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Fishing Competitions
Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing league is shaping up to be a competitive one this year with good numbers of bass being caught from boat and shore. Club member Wayne Thomas enjoyed a good session landing eight bass including fish of 72cm and 65cm to put him into third place in the competition. All fish fell to a Savage Gear- White paddle tail lure. Such hectic sessions are few and far between with several blanks preceding this trip.
1st Mark Brewer – Five bass – 344.5 cm
2nd – Seth Tuson – Five bass – 330.5 cm
3rd – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – 295 cm
4th – Reece Woolgar – Four bass – 263cm
5th – Ross Stanway – Three bass – 176 cm
6th – Robert Hurst – Two bass – 121.5cm
The club are hosting a members only lure fishing competition next weekend so prospects are excellent for this event.
