Bideford Anglers Brave the storm in Festive Competition
Thirty five anglers braved hostile conditions to compete for an array of fine prizes in Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Open.
Eighteen flounder were brought to the scales.
Winner of the competition was Ian Hooper with a fine Torridge Estuary flounder scaling 1lb 73/4oz. In runner up spot Terry Dymond with a flounder of 1lb 13/4oz and third J. Andrew with a flounder of 1lb 11/2oz. In fourth was Paul Burslem with a flounder of 1lb 1/8oz and fifth P. Allin with a flounder of 1lb 3/4oz.
Tommy Taylor took the top two places in the Junior section with two flounder of just under 1lb.
Shore Spurdog
The first spurdog of the winter season have been caught from rock marks along the coast. These toothy predators should be around for the next couple of months at least and have become the go to species since the decline of cod in North Devon waters. Chay Boggis landed this 5lb fish during a twelve hour session at a deep water rock mark.
Sea Angling Prospects
Looks like we could be getting some stormy conditions early tomorrow which will hopefully stir up the coastal waters and ensure some good fishing during the coming week. I would expect to see a few decent conger, huss and spurdog caught along with the chance of a big blonde or small eyed ray. Probably wise to use a wire trace to present that big chunk of fish or squid always the chance of a tope plus those spurdog have some sharp teeth.
Weather Warning from Met office (Below)
Between 04:00 Sun 10th and 15:00 Sun 10th
A spell of strong winds is expected affect the far south of England and Wales on Sunday morning and early afternoon with the highest winds expected in Bristol Channel coastal areas. Some short term loss of power and other services is possible, as well as some delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges. It is likely that some coastal routes, sea front and coastal communities affected by spray and/or large waves.
Bidefords Christmas Competition – Plenty of prizes to win!
Just some of the prizes up for grabs in the Bideford Angling Club Christmas Fishing competition. Many thanks to Summerlands, Anglers Haven, Ian Hooper, Mark Watts & Sons, Griggs of Eastleigh and DS Electrical for their generous donations. There will also be some meat dinners up for grabs too. Sign in at the Reds Rowing Club from 7 til 8 fishing 8 til 3 and weigh-in at the reds at 4.30. All entries £5 with optional pool of £1.
WYVERN OPEN
Globe Trotting North Devon Anglers – Part 2
Jon Patten fished in Tanzania with North Devon angler Colin Joy who I reported on earlier this week. Jon landed this fine giant trevally weighing 61.8KG ( 136LB)
Weight via formula 61.8 kg Caught in Tanzania on a live Yellow fin Tuna
Globe Trotting North Devon Anglers
Globe Trotting North Devon anglers Colin Joy and Jon Patten travelled to Tanzania in search of some exotic foreign specimens to test their tackle. They had an unforgettable adventure boating some magnificent fish. Colin sent me these stunning images that shine a little warmth into these dark cold winter months.
(Above) dorado 40lb +
(Above) 30lb ruby snapper
(Above) 85lb swordfish
Sea Angling Round Up
Steve Baker landed the best flounder of the day at 1lb 12oz to win Triple Hook Clubs latest Open Flounder match. Runner up was John Passmore with a flounder of 1lb 71/2oz and Denis Toleman third with a flounder of 1lb 51/4oz.
Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly Rover with a grey mullet of 3lb 14oz. Tarrant Wotton was second with a whiting of 1lb 3oz. Graham turned to the estuary to land flounders of 1lb 65/8oz and 1lb 41/4oz and secure third and forth place.
(Above) Graham Snow with his flounder
Jack Sharock won Appledore Shipbuilders Monthly Rover with a fine specimen whiting of 1lb 151/8oz. In second and third was Graham Snow with his grey mullet of 3lb 14oz and flounder of 1lb 65/8oz.
Jack Sharrock – Specimen whiting
Kody Chugg scaled down his hook sizes and bait to be rewarded with a mixed bag of pollock, bass, whiting and codling. It is often worthwhile fishing with smaller hooks on one rod as this not only produces a variety of species but can also provide useful baits for larger predatory species.
There are a some fine bull huss coming to shore anglers along the coast with rocky snaggy venues often proving most productive.
(Above ) Kevin Legge with a double figure bull huss.
Appledore Shipbuilders Presentation NIght
Many thanks to James Atkinson for his report on their successful presentation night. Congratulations to all the winners.
A.S.A.C enjoyed their 2016/2017 presentation evening at the Appledore Social Club and were delighted with the amount of members that turned up to support the event. The cups and shields were well spread out this year and it was nice to see the junior anglers amongst the prizes; Jack Pike collected 6 cups including heaviest fish with his new club record Tope of 52lb, the annual Bass comp winner, best Bass from the shore and Junior Champion. Nalani Knox won best specimen by a lady with her 2lb 4oz Flounder and also Junior Runner up. The specimen trophy went to Paul Downing for best fish in a monthly rover. James Atkinson took the best specimen from a boat along with the best of 3 cup. Andrew Atkinson managed the best specimen from the shore and Cameron Atkinson had best specimen in a club organised event. An amazing year on the Mullet helped Graham Snow secure the shore championship and the Mullet shield. Michael Toogood became the first winner of the new Winter League Cup and that will be a fixture in the A.S.A.C yearly calendar from now on. The small boat championship was not helped by the weather this year but it was still fished with Cameron Atkinson as Victor and Owen Atkinson a close second. Best skipper went to David Atkinson on Hooker. All of the fixed venue competitions were won this year. The Gordy Harrower away day was fished on the Plymouth Breakwater and was won by James Atkinson. Andrew Atkinson took the Easter Comp fish on Appledore rocks and Jack Pike won the Bass Comp from Westward Ho! Beach. All in all it’s been a fantastic year for the club with good entries to the monthly and fixed venue competitions. The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Summerlands Tackle for their support with the draw prize and also to everyone that turned up with a prize for the table. We would also like to say a big thank you to the kids that went around selling the raffle tickets. Let’s hope this season is just as good – if not better! A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all!
