Late October but summer species are still about. Kevin Kirby sent me this report of smoothound caught from a North Devon shore mark. The hounds scaling 10lb 6oz and 8lb 9oz were tempted using whole squid baits. I have noticed that each autumn the hounds are staying later with some specimens showing light up until Christmas they also seem more inclined to take squid baits at this time of year.
Combe Martin SAC member Ali Laird has been enjoying success on the coast and in the estuary catching this 10lb 10oz smoothound form the coast.
And this 3lb 11oz thin lipped mullet from the estuary.
Wild Frontier had a couple of 8 hour trips earlier this week that have been challenging at times. Managed to pluck out a few different species such as dogfish, bass, pollock, conger, huss, spotted ray, small eyed ray and this beauty of a smoothie at the end of today, just shy of 18lb on the scales.
Back out on the hunt for tope tomorrow evening and Thursday.
For bookings please call 07447060036 or see the website.
Combe Martin SAC member Chay Boggis caught a fine specimen smoothound 0f 15lb 11oz whilst fishing a local rock mark.
(Below)Andrew McKenna followed up success with a gilt head bream with this lure caught bass of 6lb 2oz.
Dan Carder has been enjoying success from North Devon’s shoreline catching a spotted ray and a good smoothound during his latest excursions.
May 24 hour results
1st Andrew Clements thick lipped mullet 3lb 13 1/4oz 95.705%
2nd Julien Stainer smooth hound 9lb 3oz 91.875%
Appledore Shipbuilders member Kevin Pike boated a new personal best smoothound of 17lb 6oz during his latest offshore excursion.
Summer fishing has starting to take off with smoothound showing in good numbers from many North Devon marks. Whilst peeler crab is undoubtedly the top bait hardbacks can work just as well and have the advantage that they discourage the dogfish that seem to be about in plague proportions.
(Below) Kyle Blackmore has been enjoying some top rate sport from the North Devon Coast landing numerous smoothound to just under 10lb, a stunning bull huss and several codling and bass.
(Above) Ian Hooper and Nick Job have also been getting amongst the hounds!
There are encouraging signs along the coast with smoothound showing from regular marks a couple of weeks earlier than expected. Ian Hooper and Nick Job fished a popular local shore mark and landed several hounds to almost 7lb and Cameron Atkinson landed a good hound in Appledore Shipbuilders Competition. ( See Results Below).
Combe Martin SAC Member Mark Jones ventured out with his lure rod and was pleased to Catch and release a pleasing bass of over 4lb.
Reel Deal Skipper Dan Hawkins took a party of anglers in search of an early shark and succeeded with Ross Needs from Bristol bringing a huge porbeagle estimated at 500lb to the side of the boat after a battle lasting 2hours and 10 minutes. The fine fish was carefully unhooked and released and swam away strongly. (Below) See video on Facebook Page).
(Above) Cameron Atkinson took the top three places in Appledore Shipbuilders Monthly Rover landing a dogfish of 2lb 71/8oz for first a smoothound of 7lb 81/4oz for runner up and a dog of 2lb 6oz for third. 19 fished the competition.
1st Paul Downing thornback Ray 10lb 6 115.277%
2nd Dick Talbot bull Huss 9lb 101/2oz 96.562%
3rd dick Talbot dog fish 2lb 9oz 85.416%
4th Paul Downing thornback Ray 6lb 5oz 70.138%
5th Jon Stevens dog fish 2lb 0 1/2oz 67.708%
6th Andrew Clements thornback Ray 5lb 11 1/4oz 63.367%
