Ian Laird and his thirteen year old son Ollie have been enjoying some superb gilt head bream sport in local estuaries. Their best so far this stunning gilt head of 4lb 1oz.
Small Boats Championships
Porbeagle 226lb
Mark Jones and Craig McClouglin of Braunton Baits have been targeting shark off the North Devon Coast using Marks Private boat. Mark hooked a fine porbeagle that was brought to the side of the boat where it was carefully measured using refined tactics that allow safe measuring before releasing the sharks. The recognised formula gave a weight of 226lb.
On the way to and from the shark grounds Mark and Craig tried out lures from the Braunton Bait Box to good effect.
LURE FISHING
I joined South Molton Angling Club for an evening at Instow where members tried their luck with both Fly and lure tactics. It was an enjoyable evening but no bass were tempted. Fortunately the Cricket Club gave a chance for members to discuss tactics for next time over a welcome pint.
http://www.highstreettackle.co.uk
The following night I headed out onto the coast where I enjoyed more success. Early into the session I tempted a small bass on a surface lure and went on to tempt four more after dark on a soft plastic. The best of these a nice fish of 64cm that will be enjoyed pan fried with just a sprinkling of pepper.
Combe Martin SAC Lure Competition – fish registered so far.
Daniel Welch. three bass total – 167.5 cm
James Corner two bass – 122 cm
Wayne Thomas two bass – 115 cm
Peter Robinson one bass – 62 cm
Ross Stanway – One bass = 53 cm
ESTUARY MULLET SPORT
Jon Stevens has enjoyed a few decent sessions on the mullet (amongst the blanks!) recently, with several thin lipped mullet in the 2-3lb bracket coming to the net.
Best fish landed – 4lb 6oz.
All fish caught on the usual tactics and returned quickly to the water.
WAY OUT WEST ON REEL DEAL
Extreme Heat warning for large areas of the UK ! Not a problem 50 odd miles West of Ilfracombe where I enjoyed a great day drifting for shark on Reel Deal skippered by Dan Hawkins. Armed with a couple of cameras I attempted to capture the day enjoyed by three Welsh anglers and an Italian. I intend to write a full feature on the trip but thought I would share a few images of the day that speak for themselves.
Many thanks to Dan Burt, Nick Davis,Tom Lardner and Stefano for making me welcome and to Dan Hawkins Skipper of Reel Deal for sharing his thoughts and expertise.
All shark are now realeased boat side.
Dan grabs the rod and sets the hook as a shark grabs a bait fished boat side.
Fulmars often give warning that sharks are about taking off suddenly.
A blue shark appears in the clear water after the fulmars take off in alarm
On the way back we are treated to the wonderful sights of dolphins
Bideford Angling Club July’s 48 hour results
Bideford Angling Club July’s 48 hour results
1st Julien Stainer smoothound 10lb 13oz 108.125%
2nd Andrew Clements thicklipped mullet 3lb 14oz 96.875%
3rd Richard Jefferies bass 5lb 11oz
Great Sport on Bluefin
Troy Laing joined a group of friends for a great days fishing with John Barbeary on the Bluefin..Plenty of fish all day long. Plenty of scads. Bass dogs and huss. Weather was perfect.., and sea was calm..with plenty of bright sunshine..Big thanks to john barbeary.
South Molton Angling Club – Clovelly Boat Trip
A quick report from Edward Rands on South Molton Angling Clubs trip aboard “Independent Charters” from Clovelly.
An early start, left the harbour at 7:20 to catch the tide and set off to our mark.
It wasn’t flat calm, but wasn’t bad. We stayed on 1 mark for most of the day and steadily caught 10 species. They were pollack, pouting, mackerel, conger, huss, dogfish, a 5lb bass, a 25lb tope,black bream and starry smoothound.
Doug and dave walls looked after us well with tea and coffee and useful advice. The weather was kind and the northerly breeze kept us cool.
Thanks to Steve Edmonds,Matt Kingdom, Rob Kingdom, Peter and John Needham for supporting the cause and attending.
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Competition Latest
Daniel Welch has extended his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure competition with a boat caught bass of 58.5cm bringing his three fish total to 167.5cm.