Tope and huss on Bluefin
Combe Martin SAC member Toby Bassett enjoyed great sport fishing on Bluefin out of Ilfracombe baoting tope and bull huss.
BASS ON LURES – SETH TUSON SHARES HIS THOUGHTS
After getting lucky enough to catch a salmon in April from the Torridge this year, many further fruitless sessions followed, leading me to switch my attention to bass fishing earlier in the season than I normally would. It was obviously a lucky April for me, as somehow on my second session of the year I managed a 67cm fish, and I am yet to catch a bigger one this season in the pursuit of a 70cm+ fish on a lure. However, because of all the time and effort I have been putting in, I have managed some nice fish, albeit not monsters for some, which can be seen in the pictures shown. The excitement never wears out for me with these fish, particularly when caught on surface lures.
As I’m sure is the case with many others in the North Devon area, bass are probably my favourite fish to target throughout the season and I feel we are blessed as anglers to have so much different ground to fish from the estuaries to the open coast. I’ve been a member of the North Devon Bass Lure fishing page on Facebook for a couple of years now, but last year I started to post fish I caught on the page. This resulted in me getting chatting to a couple of good lads who I’ve subsequently done some sessions with, sharing marks and as always learning new things about people’s preferred tactics and lures etc. As much as I love the solitude of fishing, going out with others has been thoroughly enjoyable and I believe social media pages such as this are going to be crucial in getting the younger generations into fishing going forward.
In addition to the local page, I would also give mention to UKBLF where people from all over the UK chat all things bass lure fishing and share their catches. Through this Facebook page, I discovered we are lucky enough to have one of the leading stockists of bass lures in the UK in Ilfracombe at Highstreet tackle. A lot of the fish I have caught so far this year have been on Savage Gear gravity stick paddle tails or the IMA Chappy, both of which I purchased there. It really is like a sweetshop in there however and easy to get carried away as a prewarning.
As is usually the case, I anticipate the bass fishing to only get better as the season progresses and hopefully, I’ll surpass the 70cm mark as it gets towards September/ October. Whilst Bass fishing can be hard graft at times, it is all made worth it when you put the leg work in and it pays off in the end.
Big Gilthead from North Devon Shoreline
Combe Martin SAC member Ollie Passmore has been targetting gilthead bream and enjoyed success with this awesome specimen of 6lb 10oz. The fish has a local specimen rating of 220%.
Ollie commented on his facebook page.
“Still absolutely buzzing with this unit of a gilt head bream from a few weeks back. Fallen in love with catching these fish!! Still lots to learn and lots of blanks involved, trying to work out there feeding patterns and locations. Such an amazing fish in the flesh and feel blessed to have caught such a big local one 6lb 10oz
@sakuma_fishing Top bits from sakuma using 25lb fluro for hooklenth and mini manta extra size 2s nailing them every time.”
Good Sport on Reel Deal
Anglers are enjoying great sport oiffshore on Reel Deal with huss and tope. Dan has awell deserved reputation for taking anglers to the sharking grounds off the North Devon Cornish border. Check out his socail media pages for the latest availabiity.
NEW CHARTER BOAT – ILFRACOMBE
Hi I’m Dan Welch I’m 42 and the new skipper and owner of Predator 2 Charters in Ilfracombe.
Predator 2 is an Evolution 38, powered by a new 450hp engine. She is coded for 10 passengers, up to 60 miles offshore.
I might be new to the Charter boat scene but I’m not new to fishing or boats. I’ve spent my whole life over 40 years on, next to, or in the water off this coast and the south coast and have owned my own boats for the past 20 years.
Many of you reading this will know me and know that fishing is my passion and in my blood. I love specimen hunting both boat and shore and I’m an active member of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club. I have a real passion for lure fishing and have spent much of the past 10 years off North Devon on my previous boat Seahorse hunting down the Bass, Pollack and Wrasse on light lure gear.
I now have the opportunity to continue to do what I love doing and to share this with others.
My main aim is to give people some great days out and hopefully make some new friends and encourage some youngsters into the sport. The 2024 season will be spent setting the boat up how I want it and doing some short range charter trips over slack water for the Tope and Huss (Keep an eye out for evening/after work trips). I will also be doing some prospecting trips further afield with friends and family.
2025 will be the year that I will be offering a full range of bespoke fishing trips. Trips will be tailored to suit your needs or ideas. We can do specialist lure only days, specimen hunting trips for the larger species, including tope and sharks, general species days or days aimed at targeting specific species or fishing in a specific way.
You can find me, and some of my photos on Facebook and Instagram, just search for Predator 2 Charters, give my page a like and follow, to be kept up to date.
I’ve already had a few requests for dates next year but won’t be taking bookings for the 2025 season until later this year.
Bideford Angling Sea Rover Results
Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs forty eight hour rover with a specimen smoothound of 12lb 5.25oz. Andrew Clements was runner up with smoothound of 9lb 14.75oz. Stephen Found was third with a smoothound of 9lb 1.5oz.
A new chapter for North Devon’s anglers.
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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Quay Sports closed on June 14th after trading for close to three years it has been a valuable stop off point for North Devon’s Anglers providing a wide range of tackle for all disciplines. Fortunately the shop manager Chris Connougton is opening a new tackle shop that will ensure that Barnstaple still has that vital ingredient to enable a social hub and source of those essential items of tackle and bait. It is essential that local anglers support this new venture and all other local tackle shops. We are very fortunate to have a range of tackle shops across North Devon a fact that I will promote in the coming weeks.
Last day of the shop today. Come and grab yourself some last min bargains. We would also like to say a huge thank you to you all for your support over the last 3 years, we have made some great relationships and friends. We wish Chris all the best for the future with Barnstaple Bait & Tackle and sure will see some of you on the bank.
Quay Sports
( Above) Mark Potter and Chris Connaughton on their last day at Quay Sports
CHRIS CONNAUGHTON Comments“I am proud to announce that I will be opening a fresh new bait and tackle store at 6 Queens House, Barnstaple, EX32 8HJ. I am hoping to be open by the 1st of July but more will follow on this.
There will be all the usual sea and freshwater baits available along with a vast range of tackle from leading brands.
My aim is to create a local social hub where like-minded people of all ages can meet, shop and chat about all things fishing!
It hasn’t been easy so come show some support when open and keep a tackle shop in Barnstaple for many years to come.
Watch this space for further details, a new facebook page, deals and events.
I look forward to welcoming you through the door
Chris
(I would also like to say a massive thank you to Mr Pinn of Pinndart for all his help with the logo etc).”
BARNSTAPLE BAIT AND TACKLE – Opening July 2024
posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar |
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Chris Connaughton is well known and respected across North Devon as the manager at Quay Sports. Quay Sports has been the hub for anglers across the region since it opened a few years ago. Many were very saddened to hear of its closure as tackle shops are vital for angling to flourish. It is great news for the North Devon Angling community that Chris is opening a new store in Queen Street, Barnstaple. It is essential that local anglers support the shop as there is no substitute for having a shop where you actually pop in and buy bait and tackle.
Quay sports retail shop will now be closed from this coming Friday 14.6.24. The reasoning behind this is Chris (Shop Manager) is actually starting his own new venture (Completly seperate from Quay Sports) in Barnstaple called Barnstaple Bait & Tackle and an agreement has been made for our stock. We wish Chris all the best for the future, he is looking to be open around the 1st July so show him as much support as possible to keep a shop in Barnstaple.
One week left of our sale and we are now offering 20% discount.
(ALL GIFTCARDS WILL NEED TO BE REDEEMED BY 5PM THIS COMING FRIDAY 14.6.24).
UK Shark tagging in 2024 and beyond with NOAA and the Pat Smith Database
UK Shark tagging in 2024 and beyond with
NOAA and the Pat Smith Database
Meet Kate Zewinski and the NOAA tagging team on Wednesday 10th July at Looe Heritage Centre. Doors open at 6pm – get there early and get a pastie
Wednesday evening 10th July where she will deliver a brief presentation on:
Why we tag and what recaptures tell us.
How can we better achieve consistency in measuring and collecting the other data elements on the tag record card.
How you can join the programme.
Two other members of the NOAA team, Michelle Passerotti and John Carlson will also be available along with Kate to answer any questions you may have.
All are welcome but to help track numbers please let John McMaster at [email protected] know if you are coming along.