Effie Welch fished Ilfracombe Pier with her father Dan Welch and they enjoyed some great sport landing some un-seasonal wrasse up to 2lb 8oz.
It is surprising what can be caught during the winter months if tactics are changed from the normal big fish baits employed during this season.
Appledore Shipbuilders 24 Hour Rover
1st – Tony Slade – blonde ray 13lb 5oz
2nd & 3rd Andrew Atkinson – flounder 1lb 135/8oz and 1lb 81/8oz
Many thanks to Paul Lorrimore for permission to use his account of recent foray to the dark waters off Ilfracombe aboard ‘Bluefin’
Paul Lorrimore reports on a recent the 6 hour night trip on Board. John Barbeary’s ‘Blue-Fin’ off Ilfracombe with Troy, Pete and Rob.
We steamed a mile down towards Lee bay intending to pass 45 minutes until we could push out to mid channel as the tide slackened off.
From the first drop it was clear the fish were moving in close under the cover of darkness as a smooth hound of around 6-7lb nailed my baited cod feathers.
Pete soon hooked into a good huss sadly lost at the side but would have been a good double.
More huss and smooth hounds came to the rail in short order along with a double figure eel to Pete.
A small pack of spurdog hit the baits next with Troy and Rob picking up a couple along with a further smooth hound to Pete.
John gave us the decision to stay or move out, but as hard as it was to leave the grounds which by any normal standards would have been all you could ask for (John said its rare the fishing would be that frantic in daylight hours so close in) , we bit the bullet and pulled anchor with fingers crossed it was the right thing to do.
After 30 minutes steam we were deep in the channel and setting out our baits again with anticipation.
After 10 minutes with no action apart from a dogfish or two (happy to say we there were very few tonight) the spurs came on and several were boated along with huss and eels.
The next hour and a half had flurries of fish and i managed to pick up a nice but very angry eel of around 33lb which John was ecstatic(not) about me wanting on deck for a photo
The tide pushed in and the wind picked up making us drag anchor a bit to much to stay, so our sleepy crew headed home for a well earned rest
One things for sure, it wont be the last night trip on the Fin if this was anything to go by.
Thirty-six anglers fished in Appledore Shipbuilders Christmas Competition on the Taw estuary and caught sixty-seven flounder most of which were returned alive to the water. Steven Kitto landed the winning fish scaling 1lb 135/8oz. In runner up spot was Liam Sumenar with a flattie of 1lb 121/2oz and in third James Atkinson with a flounder of 1lb 111/4oz.
In Triple Hook Clubs Ladies and Junior Open seventeen took part with Marilyn Wotton securing first in the ladies section with a fine flounder of 1lb 125/8oz second in the ladies section was Yasmin Beer with a flounder of 1lb 101/4oz. In the junior section it was Lily Gullin who took top spot with a flounder of 1lb 141/2oz. Yasmin Beer took second with her flounder of1lb 101/4oz and Levi Beer third with a flounder of 1lb 2oz.
There was an impressive entry in this Bideford and District Angling Clubs Christmas Match on the Torridge Estuary with 69 entrants casting their lines in search of flounder. Bideford give many thanks to their generous sponsors :-D+S Electric,Anglers Heaven,Summerlands Tackle,Honeys Butchers,The Bell Parkham,M.Watts and Sons,Ray Toms David Grigg+sons,Bideford Angling club,Kyile Blackmore and Ian Hooper.
Paul Downing+Lisa Downing worked extremely hard getting all the prizes together and thanks to Phil Vanstone for gathering the draw prizes and lovely food
Seniors
1st Lee Newcombe – Flounder 1lb 31/4oz
2nd Martin Johns – Flounder 1lb 23/4oz
3rd Howard Lewis – Bass 3lb 13oz
Juniors
1st Sam ray – Flounder 1lb 1/4oz
2nd Alyssa Williams – Flounder 141/4oz
3rd Tommy Taylor – 13oz
Daniel Welch fished a local rock mark to land a specimen conger eel scaling 20lb 12oz. The eel was one of several and was significant in that it had a bite mark that had partially severed its tail. Likely candidates are seals, tope or shark?
While most sea anglers are targetting big fish from the coast with baits Jeremy Johnson and Antony Jestin followed a hunch and set out with their lure rods and enjoyed some fine sport landing nine bass between 2lb and 2lb 8oz. Nothing big but a great catch at this time of the year when most anglers have put such tackle away. In these times of changing climate it is vital that anglers experiment and try to think outside of the conventional. Fish according to the prevailing conditions, challenge normality and experiment.
How time flies I thought when Danny Watson at Ilfracombe’s High Street Tackle told me that he and his partner Pauline Chard had been running the shop for three years. In that time they have built up an impressive range of stock covering all disciplines of angling. Danny has a particular passion for lures which is reflected in the range of lures carried in the shop with top brands represented including Fiiish Black minnow, Delande, IMO, HTO and several GT Ice cream surface lures. I was discussing lure fishing in depth with Danny and the application of lures outside of the traditionally accepted season. Strangely this was highlighted when I received reports of a good catch of bass from a North Devon mark using lures.
In addition to lures the shop also has an impressive selection of rods and reels by top brands including Penn and Tronix. Looking along the rod racks it is amazing what is available these days at a very modest cost with plenty of rods retailing for less than £50.
They also have a good stock of frozen bait including AMMO. Next Summer High Street Tackle are proud to be supporting Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Fun Fishing Event in conjunction with the SEA-ILFRACOMBE FESTIVAL.
In the run up to Christmas High Street Tackle certainly has plenty to offer with a wealth of stocking fillers to please any angler.
Andrew Atkinson secured victory in Appledore Shipbuilders Rover with a fine flounder of 2lb 21/4oz. In second and third place was Graham Snow with a flounder of 1lb105/8oz and 1lb 87/8oz. The Junior section was taken by Cleo Babb with a flounder of 1lb 1oz. Twenty seven keen members fished the event in a bitter East wind with temperatures barely above zero.
Appledore hold their Christmas Competition at Heanton Court on the Taw Estuary next week fishing 9.00am until 1:30pm.
TRIPLE HOOK CLUB FLOUNDER OPEN
There are rewards for those who are prepared to brave the cold and venture out onto the rocks and beaches along North Devon’s coast.
Whiting,dogfish, conger and huss are dominating catches with a few spurdog beginning to show and don’t write off the chance of a big bass.
Kyle Bishop landed this 28lb tope back in October after numerous blank outing in search of these hard fighting shark. (Above) Still every chance of one of these before the end of the year!
Several bull huss have been tempted over recent days including this fine specimen to the rod of Ollie Passmore that weighed 9lb 1oz. ( Below)
(Above) Young Archie Porter with a fine 7lb bull huss caught from a local beach.
There is no place better for buying tackle than your local tackle shop and before Christmas I intend to visit the local shops that have supported North Devon Angling News in its first six months. I started today at Summerlands Tackle at Westward Ho! This well established family run tackle shop has been trading for as long as I can remember and has a fantastic range of products for all angling disciplines. In my view its far better to walk into a shop and see the products. Tackle shops are also at the heart of the angling social scene a place where anglers often bump into old friends and swap tales from the waters edge.
Among the many offers in the store on the run up to Christmas are :-
PENN 525 Mag Reel RRP £169.99 on offer for £89.99 with free Rovex line
Preston Innovation Thermal Suit RRP £139.99 on offer for £119.99
Chub RS Flat bed+ Bed-chair RRP £109.99 On offer for £54.00 “Limited Stock”
All Subject to availability.
