Its half way through the year; a good time to put out an update on club events. What’s happened and what is planned for the rest of the year.

I think its fair to say that many sea angling clubs are going through a difficult time. Times are changing and it seems that COVID had a lasting impact on the angling scene and perhaps society as a whole.

Combe Martin SAC are one of the longest standing sea angling clubs in North Devon established back in 1962. At the end of last year our membership was around forty, Nick will give details in his update.

At the start of the year in February the club launched a species league to encourage participation in the Ilfracombe area and a sector of the club that offers a bit of fun and community. The club has a serious side with a dedicated band of  successful anglers chasing the big specimens. Whilst we need to cater for the hardcore angler we also need to encourage new blood and perhaps cater for the older generation who can no longer hop around on the rocks like mountain goats.

Thanks must go to Toby Bassett whose energy and passion has invigorated a new section of the club. Amazingly club members have caught 32 species from the pier since February 1^st. At present Toby Bassett is leading the league with 29 species. Runners up are Ross Stanway and Dan Welch with  23 species each. Solly Welch is third with 14 species and Lenny Lake forth with 13 species. Paul Lorrimore and Gary Prout fifth on 12 species and Ted Childs sixth on 10.

         Apologies if I have made any errors I would ask all members of the group to list their species with their images.

         The league is sponsored by several local business including High Street Tackle, Turton’s Butchers, Ilfracombe Aquarium and numerous others. I will organise a get together with Toby to formulate things a bit more. We try and have a pop up fishing event each month alternating between Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. The first few have attracted a good number of members. The last one clashed with a strong wind and summer business. I did manage a mackerel and a few blennies. The Autumn months should see a surge in species and it would be good if club members can get past fifty species.  The tally so far below! This is quite an achievement and it is fascinating what can be caught with some anglers dropping down to size 20 hooks to tempt the mini species.

The clubs specimen fishing has been good with  the clubs dedicated anglers catching some superb fish. Kyle Bishop seems to be in a league of his own recording 15 specimens so far this year. Including spurdog to 15lb 3oz, cod of 18lb 5oz, tope of 36lb 15oz, bull huss 10lb 5oz, smoothound 13lb 4oz and blonde ray 10lb 3oz.  Fish of the winter was Kyles cod of 18lb 5oz a specimen rating of 152.6%. Fish of the Spring was Kevin Legge’s conger of 26lb 9oz. Leading the summer so far is Ollie Passmore with a stunning gilt head bream of 6lb 10oz.

         The clubs competitions were well attended early in the year but have dropped off as the summer approaches. The Putsborough Open attracted thirty anglers from across the West Country and the meet up at the end revealed that it had been an excellent night with most competitors registering fish including smoothound, small eyed ray, blonde ray, bull huss and the inevitable dogfish. Winner was Simon Springell with smoothound of 12lb 2oz. The club would like to thank sponsors of the event Sakuma and Quay Sports. Full results of this competition and all other competitions can be found on North Devon Angling News. https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/2024/05/19/combe-martin-sac-putsborough-open-2024-3/

         Peter Robinson has done a sterling job in trying to organise club boat trips. Sadly the weather has conspired to cancel a couple. We  did get out in early May with Steve Webber and enjoyed a great day with good numbers of ray brought to the boat.

https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/2024/05/16/out-of-minehead-ray-and-hounds-with-cmsac/

         The clubs boat fishing activitys should receive a boost with club member Daniel Welch now operating out of Ilfracombe with is charter boat Predator 2.

We have several events to come throughout the rest of the year. The Ilfracombe Fun and Harbour Species league continues with pop up fishing competitions in July and August along with the Fun Fishing Event on September 1^st.

         The clubs bass lure fishing league competition sponsored by High Street Tackle is well underway after a slow start with bass hard to find. The competition is for the best five bass by length. Current leader is Reece Woolgar with three bass for 175.5 cm. Runner up at present is Mark Drewer with two bass for 130.5 cm.

         An Open shore lure fishing competition is being held on July 5^th, 6^th, 7^th. Fishing commences at Midnight. Entry is £10 winner takes all for the longest bass. Book in via club pages and contacts or at High Street Tackle.  Meet up for prize giving at Ilfracombe Pier 6.00pm

         July and August – Summer League best three specimens mixed species. Prize to be announced from local sponsors.

August 10th – Summer Evening Fish
Fishing 6.00pm to 11:30pm £10.00 Entry
– Meet up Ilfracombe Pier Midnight

Very Best wishes to all Club members from myself (Wayne Thomas – Club Chairman) and Nick Phillips Club Secretary)

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