18 Feb 2019

Wild Frontier gives stable deck in search of spurdog off North Devons dramatic coast

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

I joined seven fellow members of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club aboard Ilfracombe Charter Boat Wild Frontier Two skippered by Mark Hutchings. With a brisk South West Wind forecast and a substantial swell surging onto the coast I was a little apprehensive regarding the day ahead as we climbed aboard. Any fears soon evaporated however as we steamed out of the harbour appreciating the stability of the broad decks of the catamaran that gave plenty of room for all anglers on board.

Heading up channel we all gazed at the towering cliffs East of Combe Martin that are I believe amongst the highest sea cliffs in the UK. It was apparent that the recent weather has impacted on these wild and rugged cliffs with plenty of scars indicating recent rockfalls.

Our first stop in the lee of these cliffs brought only limited action with just a few dogfish grabbing our baits. A strong wind made fishing difficult at times causing the boat to swing on its anchor as it swirled with gusts riffling the sea as they sped towards us. The sound of the mighty swell pounding the foot of the cliffs provided a dramatic soundtrack as we savoured a hot drink whilst watching nature acting out its daily drama.

The easing tide signalled time to head out deep to target the spurdog packs. We lowered our baits into deep-waters and soon started to get savage indications as hungry spurdog seized our offerings. The sun broke through, rods bent and life felt pretty good out there on the water.

Hectic sport continued until once again the increasing tide pull forced a move to more tranquil waters. Closer inshore sheltered once again by the towering cliffs we targeted ray on sandy banks. Club secretary Nick Phillips was first into action boating a pleasing small eyed ray that was followed a short while later with a tackle testing blonde ray of 14lb 2oz.

A few conger and the inevitable dogfish followed before we once again headed out to deeper water for a second time rounding off the day with more action landing spurdog to 14lb 8oz.

The next couple of months should see spurdog sport continue with every chance of some bigger specimens close to twenty pounds. Ilfracombe Charter Boats Wild Frontier 2 ( www.bristolchannelcharters.co.uk) and Bluefin will soon be joined  by Reel Deal moving down after the winter season out of Watchet.

18 Feb 2019

Litter an ongoing issue

by | posted in: Article, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

Last year I reported on a local angling clubs efforts to clean up their local sea angling venue following threats to close it off following unacceptable litter left by careless and uncaring anglers.

Litter a sad reflection!

Anglers embark on Beach Clean to show they care

Sadly a year later I still get reports of issues relating to angling litter and whilst anglers are not exclusive in leaving litter they should be appreciative of the environment that is surely an integral part of what angling is about? I recently received this sad image of a popular North Devon Rock Mark the angler who sent this is to be commended for picking up the rubbish and removing it from the venue. We must all make every effort reduce litter and leave nothing at the waters edge accept memories.

Line is one of the major angling related litter issues and a new scheme is being launched to encourage responsible disposal. I will be speaking with local tackle shops and perhaps clubs to see if we can get access to the scheme here in North Devon.

Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme see link below :-

https://www.anglers-nlrs.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1lhCN-VIzOq5YTBezeiWD5i_V7CCzMeJAoOrrddA6fx-cpFXfE46nsw20

 

 

 

18 Feb 2019

Mild Weather brings carp on the feed at Stafford Moor

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The milder conditions certainly seem to have encouraged Stafford Moor’s carp to go on the feed with some tremendous catches during the past week.

Jack Griffiths and Emily enjoyed a great session at Stafford Moor where they caught six fish  from the summer hut swim on Beatties lake up to 26lb. Emily had a 22lb mirror out and Jack had 2 x 26lb out all caught on OCD baits.

(Below)Jack Gattiker  fished for the first time  on swim 1 on lodge lake. Jack had 2 fish out up to 25lb caught on Sticky Baits 20mm Manilla boilies.

 

(Below) Mark Lamude banked three fish out from the beach swim on Beatties lake all caught on Mainline cell boilies topped with corn over a large bed of 15mm cell.

(Below)Debbie Stephens caught ten carp out up to 26lb from swim 2 on lodge lake in a 48 hour session ! All caught on Sticky Baits Manilla boilies.

 

18 Feb 2019

Bideford Angling Club – Latest results

by | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Bideford and District Angling Club 24 hour sea results

1st Kyle Blackmore spur 11lb 110%

2nd Rick eavis rockling 1lb 8 100%

3rd Rob Harris bull Huss 8lb 14 1/2 89.062%

I was privileged to attend Bideford Angling Clubs recent presentation night where it was good to catch up with members of Bideford Club. The club has a long history and continues to thrive in todays ever changing world and has even managed to attract some valuable young anglers. The youth of today are an essential ingredient for the future of angling clubs and angling as a pastime that can enrich a lifetime bringing valuable engagement with the environment.

17 Feb 2019

North Devon Match Group Championship No.2 @ Jennetts Reservoir

by | posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

North Devon Match Group Championship No.2 @ Jennetts Reservoir :

Results

1st Neilsen Jeffery 26lb

2nd Mark Richards  22lb 14oz

3rd Kevin Shears 13lb 12oz

4th Graham Currington  13lb 5oz

5th Peter Slade 12lb 6oz

6th Andrew Gratton  10lb 12oz

The miild ,damp conditions locked perfect on the SWLakes Trust Reservoir in Bideford, but the shoals of roach and bream proved quite tricky to catch. The walk around the far side was worthwhile as the top 4 weights came off the higher numbered pegs.Neilsen Jeffery managed to sort them out on peg 10 on the point . He landed some nice bream on the groundbait feeder on red maggots, Mark Richards drew the end peg on the far side and had a great net, of mainly roach, on the pole on white maggot for 2nd . Kevin Shears was best of the rest with another feeder catch. The section A, near bank, winner was Peter Slade with a nice net of small roach, section B winner was Graham Currington  with a feeder and slider net on peg 9.

 

13 Feb 2019

Seven miles off Ilfracombe -spurdog

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

 

Its always far easier to get out of bed on a fishing morning than a work day morning especially on a February day with light Southerly winds forecast and a few sunny spells. Once again I was heading out of Ilfracombe aboard John Barbeary’s Bluefin this time  on a trip organised by Keith Armishaw of River Reads bookshop.  We had a mixed group of anglers on board most of whom I had met on previous occasions.

A large ground swell was running despite the light winds which was to bring on a touch of sea sickness for one or two anglers on board throughout the day. The steam out to the spurdog grounds around seven mile offshore was an enjoyable journey full of optimism for the day ahead and a chance to chat and catch up.

With the North Devon Coast line fading into the distance the engine note changed as we reached our destination.

This was deep water and with the tide still flooding close to 2lb of lead was required  to take the baits to the sea bed.

It wasn’t long before the rod tops started to rattle as spurdog attacked our baits giving a good account as they were persuaded to the boat.

 

 

 

 

The tally grew steadily as the day passed and as the tide eased the catch rate increased with several spurdog on the deck at times keeping John and his assistant busy with the T-bar.

Whilst spurdog dominated there was the occasional bull huss with their vivid leopard spotted flanks.

By the time John suggested a move inshore out of a raging tide for the last hour we had boated in excess of fifty spurdog to 13lb, a few bull huss and a couple of small conger.

http://www.bluefincharters.co.uk

 

12 Feb 2019

Carp on the feed at Stafford Moor

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Sidebar | 0

(Above) Bob Seabourne caught this 24lb 11oz beauty Beatties lake on a single white pop up.

(Above) Adam Atkins and dad John Atkins fished up on lodge lake on swims 2 and 3. They had 10 fish out between them with a new pb each too ! Adam now has a new pb of 28lb 7oz and dads is 28lb on the nose all caught on Sticky Baits Manilla boilies and buchenberry pop ups.

(Above) Ryan Labdon who was fishing with squid boilies and had this beauty from the dam wall on Lodge lake.