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%.
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%.
Nathan Clements was delighted to catch a huge gilthead bream scaling 8lb 2.25oz to win Bideford Angling Clubs 48hour roving sea match. This is one of the biggest gilthead bream recorded so far this summer from the South West coast and sets a new club record for BIdeford Angling Club. The weekends competition also saw numerous specimen smoothound caught and specimen small eyed ray.
Combe Martin SAC Member Jamie Steward fished a North Devon mark to land several gilthead bream topped by a specimen of 4lb 4oz. He also had brace of 3lb 6oz and 3lb 4oz. These hard fighting fish have become established across the South West and it is perhaps helped by the estaury netting ban that has been in place for several years. To ensure this ban continues it might be a an idea to let DSIFCA know your thoughts.
1st Stephen Found thick-lipped mullet 4lb 2oz 103 125%
2nd Andrew Clements thick-lipped mullet 3lb 10 1/2oz 91.406%
3rd Stephen Found thick-lipped mullet 3lb 4oz 81.250%
As the waters start to warm a few species associated with summer are starting show. Smoothound are already being caught on the open coast along with a few bass.
Combe Martin SAC member David Jenkins tempted this specimen gilt head bream weighing 3lb 9oz from the lower estuary using peeler crab bait.
Robin Bonds caught this specimen 4lb 14oz gilthead bream from the Taw & Torridge Estuary. The fish was tempted on peeler crab and is one of several caught in recent weeks. These are one of the hardest fighting fish in British waters and their numbers would appear to be increasing though many hours are often invested before getting a reward. Peeler crab, razor fish and lugworm are the best baits.
Cameron Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Rover with a specimen smoothound of 12lb 111/4oz. In runner up spot was David Langbridge with a fine gilthead bream of 4lb 2oz and in third was James Mayhew with a smoothound of 9lb 71/2oz.
The warm weather has seen sea anglers enjoying some fine sport from both beach and estuary with numerous specimen small eyed ray landed from marks in Somerset during daylight hours. In North Devon most ray are caught after dark as a result of water clarity. The waters East of Foreland Point are generally far more turbid encouraging fish to feed more readily in daylight.
The estuary is providing sport with bass and grey mullet. Recent years have seen gilthead bream caught on a regular basis a species that gives an awesome scrap when hooked on light tackle. Small crab and worm baits are favoured.
Dan Miles Redmore fished a Somerset beach to land four small eyed ray weighing 8lb,9lb 2oz,9lb 5oz 10lb 11oz( Pictured).
Cameron Atkinson landed a fine 4lb 5oz gilthead bream when he fished from a boat in the Taw and Torridge estuary.