Kevin Legge closed 2017 with a specimen spurdog of 11lb 15oz that was tempted just ten minutes before midnight on New Years Eve with celebratory fireworks lighting the night sky as his angling companion Dave Brooke took the pictures. Four hours later Kevin started the New Year with a spurdog of 9lb 9oz.
Steve Pinn celebrated the close of 2017 with this fine mirror carp of 19lb 2oz from the Albert Square swim on Lodge Lake.
Stormy seas are bringing some variety along the coast with several big rockling amongst the catches. This one above was caught by Combe Martn SAC member Dan Welch and weighed 1lb 6oz. Ian laird also landed a nice rockling from a rock mark along with a bull huss.
There is every chance that a lucky angler will hook into a big cod as these conditions are ideal for bringing these fish within casting range. Dogfish and small conger are however dominating catches and tend to get to the bait before other more worth while species. It is possible to reduce the capture of dogfish by using large worm baits or by using whole live-baits like pouting or whiting.
Chay Boggis fished at Lower Slade Reservoir to tempt this stunning personal best perch of 2lb 8oz.
Dan Welch joined fellow Combe Martin SAC member Ross Stanway in search of a specimen ray. Whilst not reaching specimen size this 7lb 4oz small eyed ray made it well worth getting the rods out on a wet and windy evening.
(Above)Harry Collins aka ‘Haribo’ fished on Swim 2 on dam wall of Lodge lake and had 10 fish in a 24 hour session. All caught on Sticky Baits Manilla 16mm Boilies fabulous fishing for this time of year.
(Above)Bethany Mann landed a new personal carp on Christmas Eve scaling 18lb 2oz catch from the dam wall on Lodge lake on a pink pop up using a new rod & reel.
There have a been a good number of anglers out on North Devon’s rocky shoreline during breaks in the weather and I am pleased to say that there has been some success with a variety of species. I joined fellow CMSAC members Kevin Legge and Dave Brooke to fish a rock mark where Kevin hooked a fine conger of 23lb 4oz. The fish was tempted on the last cast of the session. Kevin revealed that the fish was secured using Varivas catfish hooks available from Veal’s Mail order. These extremely strong and sharp hooks should handle anything we are likely to hook in British Waters! Kevin is always on the lookout for tackle that will give him the edge and pays particular attention to terminal tackle.
Kody Chugg also fished the open coast and was rewarded with a personal best pollock of 5lb 1oz.
Ross Stanway fished with his son Charlie who enjoyed success with pouting and codling. (Below)
I have also heard of a few spurdog, huss and whiting amongst the dogfish and small conger. As I write this a heavy sea is pounding the coast and the resulting colour in the water should encourage a few bigger fish close to the shoreline.
Rob Scoines sent me this image of an octopus dwelling a rock pool. The sights of such creatures always enlivens a fishing session.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Club member Kody Chugg was devastated when thieves broke into his car and stole over £500 worth of sea angling equipment including 3 reels that included 1 penn 525 mag, 2 slh 30, lots and lots of tackle! Shakespeare’ seat box, small green and yellow tackle box. If any one has any information please pass it on to Kody or send a message to NDAN and I will contact Kody.
Pike are the traditional target of winter coarse anglers and Ian Grimes (Above) enjoyed success with the species landing a personal best of 25lb 8oz at Simpson Valley Fishery near Holsworthy. Colin Howis (Below) also enjoyed success at the fishery tempting a fine 26lb pike on float-fished mackerel.
Bruce Julian banked 11 fish up to 23lb 10oz in a 48hours session from the dam wall on Lodge lake using Mainline milky toffee pop ups and almond goo this was in a 48 hour session.