Combe Martin SAC member Kyle Bishop has been rewarded for the effort and time he invests targeting big fish along the rocky North Devon Coast. These are just a few of the tope, huss and ray he has tempted. The best tope scaled 36lb and the best huss 11lb 6oz.
I often comment that one of the joys of sea angling is the unexpected. During late Autumn and winter the coast certainly has a few surprises along with the target species. Kevin Legge tempted this specimen pouting of 1lb 9oz on a recent visit to the shoreline.
The beaches can still produce bass when the conditions are right but its not always bass that find the bait. This small turbot was a welcome surprise on a recent trip.
This conger estimated at 18lb put a good bend in Kevin legges rod on recent session on the rocks.
On the same session I was pleased with this small spotted ray.
December mullet were once rare yet mullet fishing now seems well worth the effort throughout the entire year.
The local tackle shop is an integral part of the angling scene and we are very fortunate in North Devon to have a network of excellent shops offering anglers a wide range of the latest tackle and bait. Recent years have been very difficult for the tackle trade with tackle shops like many other High Street outlets suffering from on-line competition.
Many shops have adapted to this and have successfully combined the at front shop outlet with an online presence combining the best of both worlds.
The tackle shop has always been an important meeting place for anglers where social intercourse leads to more fishing trips as a result of enthusiasm generated from fishy chats. There is nothing to beat face to face conversations even if it is behind a mask in these strange times.
Angling is fortunately booming in many areas as a result of COVID impacting upon many other activities. The joys and benefits of outdoor pursuits have been brought to the fore and it is to be hoped that this has a long lasting impact on angling participation.
I would like to thank the local tackle shops and the wider tackle trade who support North Devon Angling News via sponsoring the site. As Christmas looms ever closer perhaps the ideal gift for a loved one is a gift voucher for your local tackle shop.
Boat anglers are enjoying some great sport off Ilfracombe aboard Predator 2 Skippered by Archie Porter. Spurdog, bull huss and conger are putting some healthy bends in the rods.
Many thanks to Nathan Clements for his report on Bideford Angling Clubs very successful Christmas Open Competition.
I’d like to thank everyone who fished today we had 75 entries a brilliant turn out.
Thank you to all are sponsors we had a fantastic prize table we couldn’t of done it without you.
There were 29 prizes up for grabs including a massive prize draw.
1st C. Andrews .842g
2nd S. Bowden .830g
3rd H. Simmons .800g
4th T. Simmons .782g
5th B. Andrews .710g
6th J. Andrews .688g
7th A. Clements. 680g
8th R. Eavis .678g
9th S. Bowden .672g
10th M. Mudway .660g
11th N Clements .636g
12th A. Clements .634g
13th S. Found .618g
14th M. Horsham .616g
15th T. Simmons .594g
16th D. Pert snr .592g
17th J. Mayhew .586g
18th S. Boneha .573g
19th S. Taylor .570g
20th I. Mcdonald .564g
21st B. Andrews . 558g
22nd D. Talbot .548g
23rd S. Found .548g
24th P. Hosgood .546g
25th D. Barrel .540g
26th G. Parsons .540g
27th D. Butler .536g
28th J. Mayhew .492g
29th S. Luxton .470g
Thanks again hope you all enjoyed the day and we will hopefully see you all again next year.
December Rover results
11 angler’s fished
10 fish registered
1st Andrew Clements Whiting 1lb 12 1/2oz 118.749%
2nd Dick Talbot Small Eyed Ray 9lb 10oz 106.994%
3rd Andrew Clements Whiting 1lb 7 1/4oz 96.874%
4th Julien Stainer Bull Huss 7lb 15oz 79.375%
5th Terry Dymond Flounder 1lb 7 1/2oz 73.437%
6th Terry Dymond Flounder 1lb 7oz 71.875%
####### NEXT COMPETITION #######
Bidefords annual Christmas competition
It’s are biggest one yet.
Around £1000s work or prizes/draw prizes
Optional pool for £1 winner to be drawn out the hat.
Please make sure all Buckets/bags have their tags on.
PLEASE WEAR A MASK AT THE WEIGHING WE ARE EXPECTING IT TO BE BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is something reassuring about the perpetual ebbing and flowing of the tide. Watching the cool swirling waters as the light faded memories flooded in with the tide . I had started fishing in saltwater over fifty years ago whilst on holiday with my parents in this Cornish seaside town of Looe.
Over the years we have been drawn back many times. We had walked out onto the Banjo pier and It was pleasing to have glimpsed the flashing flanks of grey mullet in the clear water.
I looked out at the horizon where I imagined the tuna shoals that have recently migrated into the waters off Cornwall potentially opening the dawning of a new age of recreational catch and release fishing.
I had looked out from this pier as a teenager and caught the flickering light of the Eddystone Light far out in the channel. I had since fished the Eddystone reef for pollock and caught blue shark many miles offshore.
Fifty years ago, I started on an angling journey that has taken me to many locations yet those childhood memories linger. An orange tipped float beneath harbour lights disappearing pleasingly as small pollack seized the strips of mackerel. Sharing the joys of catching crabs with our son James sat on the harbours edge as Pauline grabbed at his coat tails fearful that he would slip into the water.
Moments of reflection and lost spirits carried upon a flooding tide.
Jamie Steward caught this stunning bull huss scaling 11lb 7oz on his latest trip to the North Devon shoreline.
