Combe Martin SAC – AGM & Presentation Night
Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and presentation night at the Mariner’s Arms in Braunton. Members reflected upon the past years successes and failures as the club strives to remain relevant and positive in this ever changing world.
There were some excellent fish caught throughout the year as is apparent from the list of award winners. How to acknowledge success in angling is increasingly debated. It seems that the appetite for trophies has waned partially due to the cost of prohibitive engraving. At around £10 to engrave a trophy a club with twenty or thirty trophies faces a bill of between £200 and £300 which equates to the total raised via subscriptions. Certificates of merit are the preferred option and sit nicely into a folder but in truth these days a grip and grin photo on Facebook seems to be many anglers preferred option. Those of a cynical nature frown upon this supposed fishing for clicks but I personally accept that most anglers like to share their joy in success.
The clubs annual Puttsborough Open was once again a resounding success with good attendance, plenty of fish and welcome funds for the club. The ongoing support from Sakuma Tackle is very much appreciated.
The clubs lure fishing league proved popular with a dedicated band of club members keen to explore the possibilities of this growing sector of sea angling. Many thanks go to Danny Watson of High Street Tackle for his ongoing sponsorship.
The clubs mullet anglers are very active chasing the species throughout the seasons catching a fish that was once considered a fish of summer throughout the coldest of winter days.
There are also a hard core of club members who seek those big specimen huss, conger and tope from the rugged rocky shoreline.
Daniel Welch has invigorated interest in boat fishing with his Charter boat Predator 2 taking club members to investigate new marks using the latest techniques with considerable success.
The clubs longstanding committee remains unchanged this year. The club has a full and varied diary of events planned for 2026. Details of the club can be found at their website
www.cmsac.co.uk or on their Facebook Page. New members are welcome.
Awards for 2025 Season are as follows:
Trophy winners 2025
Bass Cup – Length – Mark Drewer – 77cm Weight Shane Pavis Hookway 4lb 2oz
Grey Mullet Cup – John Shapland – Thick Lipped grey mullet – 5lb 7oz
Conger Cup – Jonathon Stanway – 18lb 10oz
Predator Award – Shane Hookway – Shore Caught tope 43lb 6oz
Flatfish Cup – Wayne Thomas – Flounder 1lb 6.25oz
Shore Shield – Olli Passmore – Gilthead Bream – 5lb 10oz – 187.5%
Medway – Boat – Specimen – David Brooke – gilthead bream- 6lb 4oz – 208.333%
Wrasse Trophy – Ollie Passmore – ballan wrasse – 5lb 2oz
Ray Shield – Craig Mc Cloughlin – Small eyed ray 9lb 8oz
Specimen League – Top Five – Shane Pavio HookWay Five fish total 518.349 %
Donald Kyte Award – 6 mullet – John Shapland – 689.463%
Scouse Trophy – Ross Stanway 1lb 1.25oz
Lure Fishing League –
1st Jamie Steward – Five – 354cm
2nd Mark Drewer – Five – 351cm
Biggest bass in lure league – Mark Drewer 77cm
Merit Trophy was awarded to Daniel Welch for his outstanding contribution and support of the club via his Charter Boat enterprise Predator 2 that has invigorated the clubs boat fishing sector.
Club Records
David Brooke – Gilthead Bream – 6lb 4oz
Fish of the Season awards – £25 Voucher for High Street Tackle
January February March – Shane Pavio Hookway – Tope Shore 43lb 6oz
April May June – Ollie Passmore – Gilthead bream – 5lb 10oz
July August September – David Brooke – Gilthead bream 6lb 4oz
October November December – John Shapland – Thick lipped grey mullet 5lb 7oz
Combe Martin Sea Angling Club
Calendar Of Events 2026
February 6th to February 8th Winter Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm
March 6th to March 8th Spring Rover & Mullet Meet
Mullet Fish & Meet Breakfast at Lynmouth Sunday 10.00am
Rover Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm
March Saturday 21st Portishead
Lure League April 1st to October 31st
Best Five Bass sponsored by High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe
April Sunday 5th Minehead Boat Trip
May 1st to May 3rd Late Spring Rover
Meet up The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm and Committee Meeting
May Sunday 17th Boat Trip Predator 2
May Sunday 24th Greysands Social Fish 9.00am to 3.00pm
June Saturday 13th Putsborough Open 9.30pm to 1.30am
June Sunday 28th Boat Trip Predator 2
July Sunday 19th Boat Trip Predator 2
July 24th to July 26th Lure Fishing Weekend
Meet up Ilfracombe Pier 6.00pm
August Sunday 30th Boat Trip Predator 2
September 1st to December 13th Autumn / Winter League
Best of Four Specimen fish of different species ( Boat & Shore )
September Sunday 6th Fun Fish Ilfracombe Pier
Committee Meeting The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30pm
September Sunday 27th Boat Trip Predator 2
October Saturday 17th Portishead
October 30th to November 1st Mullet Weekend
Meet up for breakfast Lynmouth Sunday 10.30am
December 11th to December 13th Christmas Rover
Meet The Mariners Arms, Braunton 6.30 Committee Meeting ( Calendar 2027 )
December 26th to January 3rd 2027 Festive & New Year Fish
Meet up The Mariners, Braunton 6.30pm
January Friday 29th 2027 AGM & Presentation Night
All three day competitions run from Friday 6.00am to Sunday 6.00pm. Entry £10
In addition to the calendar we may hold pop up events throughout the year.
Members can suggest venues, etc at short notice. Then advertised on Whats App or
Facebook
SNOWBEE OPEN DAY – 14th March 2026
www.snowbee.co.uk
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Join us for a great day featuring: |
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You’ll also get an exclusive first look at our exciting new products for 2026. |
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More information coming soon!
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ANGLING REPORT – December 4th – 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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ANGLERS RAISE OVER £1200 FOR
CHILDRENS HOSPICE SOUTH WEST
The flounder fishing season is in full swing with last weekend’s BBT Dan Miles Redmore Open attracting over one hundred competitors who raised over £1200 for Children’s Hospice South West. The competition was won by Mario Manley with a fine flounder of 1lb 15oz. David Atkinson was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 14oz and David Jenkins third with a flounder of 1lb 10.5oz. The best brace was caught by David Atkinson with two for 3lb. olive Atkinson was top junior with a flounder of 1lb 5oz with AJ Woodger runner up with a flounder of 1lb 4.5oz.
Bulldog Fisheries November Trout Fishing Competition was won by Ian Conabear with six rainbow trout for a total bag weight of 15lb. Aiden Revie was runner up with six for 14lb 15oz and Nick Tamlin fourth with six for 14lb. The biggest fish of the day was a fine tiger trout of 6lb 14oz to Aiden Revie.
Bulldogs monthly trout competitions are very much a social occasion with plenty of coffee, biscuits, bacon rolls to start the day with burgers and chips for midday lunch. The events are limited to twelve anglers and generally sell out quickly. Novembers competition was blessed with sunshine and light winds which may not have been ideal for the trout but were certainly perfect for the competitors.
Bideford Angling Clubs latest Rod and Reel Match on their home water Tarka swims was won by Colin O Hagan with 39lb 2oz. Runner up was Ian Sedgewick with 24lb 9oz and third Keith Copland with 23lb 15oz.
Anglers Paradises Lure Fishing weekend was hotly contested with a wide range of species tempted from the complex. Sixteen year old Harrison Woodham was the weekends champion landing seven different species including pike, rudd, common carp, mirror carp, perch, brown trout and rainbow trout. Runner up was Scott Way with five species. The biggest pike of the weekend was caught by Nikki Williams and measured 89cm. The biggest perch of 35cm was caught by Matthew Colegate. Nat Worsfold banked the biggest catfish at 78cm. Thomas Wilson caught the first chub to be tempted during the lure fishing competition. Fox Rage were the winning team with nine species. The event was generously sponsored by Capital Angling, Rapala, Fortis Eyewear, Fox Rage, Okuma Europe, Devon Baits and Okuma Freshwater UK.
Anglers Paradise 2025 – Lure Weekend Results
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised |
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The 2025 Anglers Paradise Lure Fishing Weekend once again proved to be an enjoyable and productive event that proved that awide range of species can be tempted using artificial lures. Lure Fishing is perhaps the fastest growing aspect of UK angling. Congratulations to all the winners below and credit to Anglers Paradise for being creative in running the event across their many lakes.
The event was generously sponsored by Capital Angling, Rapala, Fortis Eyewear, Fox Rage, Okuma Europe, Devon Baits and Okuma Freshwater UK.
THE WINNER OF THE 2025 LURE WEEKEND
The Champion catching 7 different species was HARRISON WOODHAM! Not only was this Harrison’s first ever Lure Weekend with his Dad, but he’s the youngest to have ever won it at 16 years of age!!
Harrison caught – Pike, Rudd, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Perch, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.
Absolutely amazing angling Harrison, massive congratulations from us all!! What an achievement beating 35 other anglers!!
Harrison has won a week’s holiday for two to Anglers Paradise, 3 rods (from Okuma and Fox Rage), a £200 voucher from Capital Angling, a pair of Fortis Finseeker sunglasses, a reel from Fox Rage, LOTS of Lures from Rapala, and LOTS of other goodies from our other amazing sponsors!!
WELL DONE HARRISON – OUR YOUNGEST EVER WINNER
THE 2025 LURE WEEKEND WINNING TEAM & CHAMPION OF THE CAPTAINS Was…Team FOX RAGE and the Champion of the Captains was BEN HUMBER!
The Team won with 9 species caught between them which consisted of – Pike, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Rudd, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Catfish and Chub!
That is some amazing angling, massive congratulations and well done to you all, very well deserved.
Teamwork makes the dream work and you guys all fished your socks off and certainly worked as a Team!
Massive thank you to our sponsors for the amazing prizes!
BIGGEST CATFISH
The Winner was…NAT WORSFOLD! Nat caught a 78cm Wels Catfish from the Easy Cat Lake after losing one.
Congratulations Nat and WELL DONE! Great angling!
This was a close one with just 1cm between the 2 Catfish that were caught by participants, shortly after Nat caught hers, fellow team member Tom Wass also landed a Cat but his was 77cms!!
Certainly an action packed Lure Weekend that’s for sure!
BIGGEST PIKE
The Winner was…NIKKI WILLIAMS, who caught a 89cm Pike from Valhalla!
Congratulations and well done Nikki! There were plenty of Pike caught and you caught the biggest!! Great angling!
BIGGEST PERCH
The Winner was…MATTHEW COLEGATE who caught the biggest Perch measuring 35cms from the Specimen Tench & Orfe Lake!
This was the 1st Fish caught in the competition too, Matthew had all the anglers trying to beat it but they just couldn’t quite beat 35cms!!
Congratulations and well done Matthew!! Amazing angling and an awesome Perch to win this category!!
FISH OF THE WEEKEND
The Winner was…THOMAS WILSON who caught a CHUB from the Mystery Lake!
This is the first ever time that a Chub has been caught during the Lure Weekend and was without a doubt the Winner for the Fish of the Weekend Category!
Congratulations and well done Tom!! Amazing angling and you have now made Lure Weekend history in being the first angler to catch a Chub
ANGLING REPORT – November 6th, 2025
posted in: Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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ANGLING REPORT
Flounder Season in full swing
The flounder season is in full swing with regular competitions being held in the estuary. Triple Hook Clubs South West Water Open was won by Robbie Hancock with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz. Runner up was Steve Baker with a flounder of 1lb 67/8oz and Garry Vaughan third with a flounder of 1lb 61/4oz. Triple Hook Clubs Open last Sunday was won by Paul Ackland with a fine flounder of 1lb 111/4oz. Runner up was Mario Manley with a flounder of 1lb 63/8oz, third Mark Hancock was third with a flounder of 1lb 51/2oz and Kevin Hancock forth with a flounder of 1lb 41/2oz.
( Above) Paul Ackland won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with a flounder scaling 1lb 121/2oz.
The estuary is also producing good numbers of bass with many being tempted with baits intended for flounder. Increased rainfall and colder weather is perhaps needed to result in increased catches of the humble flounder that provide easy fishing close to the town. One of the beauties of flounder fishing is that it can be enjoyed by anglers of all ages and abilities.
BASS FISHING
Jamie Steward has secured victory in Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League sponsored by High Street Tackle. The event ran from April 1st until October 31st with club members registering their top five lure caught bass. Jamie registered five bass for 354cm with Mark Drewer runner up with five bass for 351cm. The longest bass of 77cm was caught by Mark Drewer.
MATCH FISHING
Gary McClair won this year’s Stafford Moor November Silvers Festival with 31lb from Woodpecker Lake.
Bideford and District Angling Clubs team of fifteen travelled to Bude Canal for the second leg of their interclub match with Bude Angling Club. The match was a close run affair with Bude winning with 234 points to Bideford’s 230 points. Bideford secured overall victory carrying a thirty point advantage from the first heat held on their home water.
North Devon Match Group fished their latest Match at Oaktree Fishery where Paul Morris took top spot on the bottom lake with 62lb 10oz. Andy Preston was runner up with 38lb 2oz. On the top lake Nathan Underwood took top spot with 110lb 10oz. Daniel Underwood was runner up with 74lb 2oz.
Big trout continue to provide sport at Bulldog Trout Fishery with brown trout close to double figures featuring in recent catches. Mike Latham won the fisheries latest competition with six trout for 26lb 13oz. Nick Tamlin was runner up with six trout for 21lb 11oz and Ian Connabeer third with six trout for 13lb 10oz. Biggest fish of the day was a 9lb 10oz brown trout caught by Mike Latham.
Weekly Angling Report, October 30th, 2025
BIG WEIGHTS AT STAFFORD MOOR
North Devon Match Groups latest Match at Stafford Moor was won by Nathan Underwood with 132lb 8oz. Tom Downing was runner up with 123lb 4oz.
The latest Open Match at the Moor was won by Mark Wyne with 108lb10oz.
The October Fisho 2025 Final was fished at Stafford Moor’s Woodpecker lake last Sunday. The winner of section one was Mark Layzell with 157lb 1oz and the winner of section 2 Martin Preston with 139lb8oz.
BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB
Bideford Angling Clubs Rod N Reel Match on their home water was won by Richard Jefferies with 31lb 1oz. Runner up was Reg Sutton with 29lb 1oz and third Keith Copland with 23lb 14oz.
LURE FISHING SUCCESS
Lure anglers have been enjoying some late season bass sport with several fine specimens taken from estuary marks. Jason Hayes and his friend banked a fine brace of bass each measuring 72cm.
SEA ANGLING
Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour sea rover was won by Paul Ackland with a dogfish scaling 2lb 2oz.
Kevin Legge took first and second place in Combe Martin SAC’s October Rover with small eyed ray weighing 8lb 12oz and 6lb 13oz. Third place was taken by Nick Phillips with a bull huss of 6lb 4oz.
Strong North West winds have curtailed the end of season boat fishing season out of Ilfracombe with many trips cancelled throughout October. This late Autumn period is historically a time of plenty for shore angling enthusiasts with a vast range of species worth targeting. If species fishing is your thing then Ilfracombe Pier and many local beaches can provide red mullet and perhaps sole. Big bass, ray, smoothound and even tope can be tempted from the surf beaches if conditions permit. Grey mullet sport is at its peak in harbours with five pound plus fish a real possibility. The flounder season is also in full swing with these obliging flatfish a popular target in both the Taw and Torridge estuaries.
TROUT FISHING
Wimbleball Reservoir is producing great sport from both bank and boat as Autumn brings cooler conditions with fish feasting on fry in the margins.
At Bulldog Fishery quality brown trout have been the reward for anglers visiting the lake with good numbers banked along with rainbow trout and spartic’s. Several big brown trout have been stocked recently and are proving surprisingly elusive with anglers glimpsing the fish in the clear water and occasionally hooking big fish that break free or slip the hook after stripping yards of line from the reel. It is always fascinating how big fish can remain uncaught for months even in relatively small waters.
Jamie Steward Wins Combe Martin SAC – Lure League
Jamie Steward has secured top spot in Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing League sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. Jamie will be presented with his prize at a date to be arranged with Danny Watson at High Street Tackle.
Jamies five bass were : – 72cm ,71cm , 71cm, 70cm, 70cm
1st Jamie Steward – Five bass – 354cm
2nd – Mark Drewer – Five bass – 351cm
3rd – Seth Tuson – Five Bass – 347.5cm
4th – Wayne Thomas – Five bass – 318cm
5th – Daniel Welch – Five bass – 302cm
Biggest Bass registered – Mark Drewer 77cm
BASS LURE LEAGUE UPDATE
Jamie Steward has reinforced his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing bass league with a fine bass of 71cm his sixth bass over 70cm this season. Jamie has focussed on lure fishing this season and his efforts reveal the potential of local marks even this late in the season. It is likely that bass can be taken on lures all year round.
1st Jamie Steward – Five bass – 354cm
2nd – Mark Drewer – Five bass – 351cm
3rd – Seth Tuson – Five Bass – 347.5cm
4th Wayne Thomas – Five bass – 318cm
5th – Daniel Welch – Five bass – 302cm
Biggest Bass registered – Mark Drewer 77cm
The lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle ends on Friday 31st October
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.
