TENRYU DEMO DAY – High Street Tackle
Reece Woolgar – Winner of CMSAC 2023 – Bass lure League
Reece Woolgar was the worthy winner of Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs Lure Fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe, Reece recieved a Gift voucher to spend in store to the value of £150. Reeces best three bass totalled 200cm just 1 cm ahead of runner up Mark Jones.
Combe Martin SAC will be running the competition next year and give thanks to Danny Watson for agreeing to sponsor the event again. The league is free to all CMSAC paid up members and is awarded to the member who catches the best three bass throughout the league on a lure boat or shore. Next years league will run from April 1st until October 31st. The presentation will be arranged to be at High Street Tackle at a convenient weekend.
The club plan to hold a couple of lure fishing sessions in the summer of 2024 with the intention of sharing knowledge and social interaction.
(Below) Reece Woolgar with some of the bass caught during his lure fishing season.
(Below) Mark Jones runner up with three bass total of 199cm
Anglers Paradise 2023 Lure Fishing Weekend
Bass and thunder on the Jurassic Coast
The tide was flooding rapidly into the River Axe estuary when I arrived to park up and I took note of what looked like a potential mullet fishing venue. This was confirmed later as I chatted with the skipper John Wallington.
The cliffs were shrouded in grey mist giving a truly Jurassic atmosphere to an early October day as we motored out of Axemouth aboard https://www.devonbassprocharters.uk/
There is always something particularly exciting about visiting a new fishing destination. I had been invited by Snowbee ambassador Jeff Pearce who had brought along a few Snowbee Deep Blue Rods to test out. https://www.snowbee.co.uk/sea-fishing.html
There were six of us fishing on the boat Jeff and I knew none of them but as always anglers are a little like super glue gelling quickly to become friends sharing an adventure within a short time. Names are banded about at the start of the day, Mark, Martin, Mick and Zee but in truth I am terrible with names and by the time we left the harbour they could have been Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
Those grey mist shrouded cliffs of the Jurassic coast soon faded into the distance as we headed out to wrecks deep beneath the grey waters of the English Channel. Bass were our target with the chance of pollock. I always find it fascinating how many Skippers have their own approach and special tricks. John is very keen on safety and had given a very thorough briefing before leaving the port. Focussing on how to use the ship to shore radio if he was to become incapacitated a factor that I have often thought of but never actually asked any skipper about.
John explained how we would be drifting the wrecks using lures on long traces of up to 6 metres. The ball weights used must be inserted into their holders when the fish is retrieved and the fish is then handlined carefully to the waiting net. Flailing weights can be dangerous. When lowering the tackle into the water the weight is lowered first the lure held carefully until the weight has taken up the slack in the trace.
( take care not to get hooked by the inertia of the sinking weight- It hurts! ) The set up incorporates a simple anti tangle tube with the weight attached to a weak link. ( Well, mine was as I was using 50lb b.s braid mainline!) The other technique/protocol that was different to many charter boats was that we were all to fish on the same side of the boat with the lines all trailing away, ensuring none of the tangles associated with lines coming under the boat.
It was a very grey murky day but fortunately the sea was calm with just a gentle breeze. John spotted a few tuna leaping from the water. Gannets soared gracefully in the dark sky.
After forty minutes or so we reached our first wreck with the shoreline now hidden by mist. We sent our lures to the sea bed and followed the drill. On reaching the sea bed wind up slowly for thirty or so turns then send it back down and repeat. If a fish started to attack the lure keep retrieving until all locks up and then thump the hook home by lifting the rod positively.
The morning started slowly with a few bass and pollock from the first two or three wrecks. I was pleased to get off the mark with a decent pollock and bass.
The fishing was steady then as we covered a couple more wrecks. As the tide eased the breeze dropped away and we were entranced when pods of dolphins appeared to play around the boat passing within a few feet clearly visible in the clear water.
Several martins flew overhead as they headed South on their migration to Africa. A warbler of some type circled the boat another tiny migrant heading south its survival surely against the odds.
Sport began to pick during the afternoon as the tide picked up with each drift bringing multiple hook ups keeping a smiling John busy with the net.
Despite dark skies and intermittent rain, we were all surprised when a flash of lightning was followed by an impressive rumble of thunder. The storm persisted for around fifteen minutes with huge thunderclaps and some spectacular flashes of lightning. We fished on in shock and awe. This failed to deter the fish that were hitting our lures with gusto.
Not sure how many bass and pollock we eventually caught but I ended with seven bass and three pollock. I did lose a very good fish that hit my lure hard putting an impressive bend in the Snowbee Rod, the reel screaming before the hook pulled free.
We headed back to Seaton bouncing across a dark grey seascape as gannets plunged into the water. We all climbed from the boat a little weary and said fond farewells thanking John for a great day.s sport.
Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing Update
Reece Woolgar registered this fine bass of 65cm to take a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s Club members lure fishing competition that runs until the end of October.
Present positions are : –
Reece Woolgar three bass – 200cm
Mark Jones three bass – 199cm
Shaun Quartly three bass – 188.5cm
Wayne Thomas thee bass – 182.5
Bass Lurę – Competition Update
Mark Jones tempted this fine 65cm bass to extend his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s members only Lure Fushing competition sponsored by High Street Tackle.
1st Mark Jones – Bass – 71cm, 65cm, 63cm Total 199
2nd – Reece Woolgar = Bass – 71cm 64cm 59cm Total 194
3rd – Shuan Quartly – Bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm Total 188.5
4th – Wayne Thomas – Bass – 67cm, 61cm, 54.5cm Total 182.5
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Competition League
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Competition League
Wayne Thomas has moved up to third place in Combe Martin SACs Lure fishing league adding a bass of 61cm to his three fish qualifying tally.
Mark Jones bass – 63cm, 63cm, 71cm – Total – 197cm
Shaun Quartly bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm – Total – 188.5cm
Wayne Thomas – bass 67cm, 61cm 54.5cm – Total – 182.5cm
Reece Woolgar bass – 57cm, 59cm, 64cm – Total – 180cm
Lure fishing has proved challenging over recent weeks with rougher seas resulting in lots of suspended weed to snare lures. The abundance of natural food can also reduce the success rate of natural lures.
The best time for catching bass can be after the sun has set.
CMSAC – Bass Competition Update
Mark Jones has extended his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s members bass lure competition catching an open coast bass of 63cm.
Present standings are :-
Mark Jones bass – 63cm, 63cm, 71cm – Total – 197cm
Shaun Quartly bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm – Total – 188.5cm
Reece Woolgar bass – 57cm, 59cm, 64cm – Total – 180cm
New Leader in CMSAC lure league
Reece Woolgar has taken a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure league tempting a stunning bass of 71cm. The club members only competition runs until the end of October.