19 Jan 2017

Spurdog Days

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Times they are a changing! There was a time twenty odd years ago when winter saw anglers flock to the North Devon Coast in search of big cod and in those far off days they were caught by those who put in the hours. With the demise in cod along the North Devon coast it is now spurdog that seem to be flourishing and providing the incentive for anglers to brave the cold nights. Unfortunately it is not just the spurdog that seem to have increased in numbers for their relative the humble Lesser spotted dogfish also seem to have increased in numbers as I found out last night when I hoped for a spurdog and wound in numerous LSD’s!

The last couple of weeks have seen numerous spurdog landed in addition to Michael Toogoods stunning haul of eight reported earlier this week.

Top tips for spurdog – Deep water, whiting shoals and use fish baits with a wire trace hook size 4/0 to 6/0…

16113120_10158101553150284_4802840642039552226_o — *Ross Stanway – 11lb 10oz*

Ollie Passmore 9lb 4oz

Dan Miles Redmore 11lb 1oz

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16 Jan 2017

Appledore Shipbuilders and Bideford 24 hour Rover Results

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Michael Toogood’s terrific haul of eight spurdog that included seven double figure fish took the top three places in Appledore Shipbuilders twenty four hour rover. The three biggest scaled13lb 4oz, 12lb 8oz and 11lb 7oz. Cameron Atkinson landed a fine flounder of 2lb 4oz and returned the fish having heard of Michael’s staggering haul of spurs.

Phil Vanstone won Bideford and District Angling Clubs twenty four hour rover with a specimen whiting of 1lb 81/4oz. Dick Talbot was runner up with a whiting of 1lb 71/2oz and Phil Vanstone third with a bull huss of 8lb 15oz.

15 Jan 2017

CATCHS FROM THE COAST – Topped by spurdog haul

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

A bitterly cold North West Wind battered the North Devon coast last weekend making fishing conditions difficult. Those that ventured out did manage to find a few fish that often move close inshore during rough weather feasting upon food dislodged by the surging waves. Michael Toogood fished a local shore mark in the early hours to make a terrific haul of eight spurdog seven double figure fish the best 13lb 4oz.

16113345_10210402364642844_2009135476206495012_o — *Michael Toogood -13lb 4oz spurdog*

Combe Martin Sea Angling Club postponed their club event at Clovelly as a result of the conditions. A few members did venture out though and fished various marks along the coast that they judged to be safe enough to fish. I enjoyed a short session and was pleased to land a bass on my first cast a change from the more seasonal codling I was hoping for. A reminder, all bass have to be returned alive now with a total ban on retaining fish until July 1^st. Rob Sciones landed a near specimen dogfish of 2lb 11oz.

15965471_10154735940950560_8452996608575171297_n — *(Above) Dan Welch – Winter codling*

3 Jan 2017

Boat Anglers Enjoy Huss and Spurdog Sport

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Lee Holden caught this 14lb bull huss whilst fishing off Ilfracombe on John Barbeary’s Bluefin. Sport with huss and spurdog is likely to continue right through until spring whenever the weather permits.

(Above) Dan Spearman with a spurdog of 14lb 1oz

3 Jan 2017

MORE SHORE NEWS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

January can be a tough month weather wise for the shore angler but if the correct clothing is worn then there is no reason not to get out there and catch a few specimens. I get a steady stream of reports from successful forays to the coast with some anglers traveling long distances to enjoy their sport.

Combe Martin SAC member Dan Spearman enjoyed a succesful shore foray to a local rock mark landing a fine specimen whiting of 1lb 14oz and specimen spurdog of 8lb 11oz.

David Alsop travelled over to the North Devon Coast from wales and was rewarded with fine specimen spurdog weighing 11lb 6oz.( Below)

Many thanks to Robert Young for allowing me to share his picture.

31 Dec 2016

Holsworthy Sea Anglers _ Enjoy fine Ilfracombe boat sport.

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Holsworthy Sea Anglers had a great day out with John Barbeary on Bluefin off Ilfracombe. They started off with the obligatory lesser spotted dogfish with plenty of them showing their faces throughout the day, a quick move and Andrew Braunton and Tom Marshall started to find the spurdog and a lonely smoothound for Paul Cozens. Another move further out and bingo plenty of spurdogs from high singles to mid doubles along with bullhuss for a bit of variety and also a solitary tope which released itself at the surface. Steve did manage a conger at the end for a 6 species total.

Many thanks to Paul Cozens for the write up and images. Great to sea smiling faces out at sea!

23 Dec 2016

Rod bending action off Ilfracombe

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

Anglers fishing aboard John Barbeary’s Bluefin have been catching some quality fish off Ilfracombe in recent weeks with bull huss, spurdog and big conger putting bends in anglers rods. Over the next few months spurdog numbers are likely to increase with every chance that someone will break through the twenty pound barrier. Thirty pound plus conger are frequently landed with a fifty plus on the cards if anglers have strong enough tackle. Whilst cod are elusive it would be no surprise if one or two big fish are tempted.

15722592_1036975473114499_1270173418_n — *(Above) Double figure huss for John Barbeary and Toby Basset*

Dave Clements with a big huss of 15lb

15713154_1036974699781243_1305971167_n — (Above)*Troy Laing with a specimen spurdog*

15683411_1036974413114605_2003825155_n — *(Above)Pete Gregory with a double figure spurdog*

15683264_1036973616448018_630057321_n — John Barbeary shows off a spurdog and huss as the action is thick and fast.

15682624_1036971429781570_1953402937_n — (Above) Dan Spearman 30lb conger

15723965_1036973353114711_895681054_n — ( Above) John Barbeary 15lb bull huss

15683479_1036973909781322_60457018_n — (Above)Nathan Pardoe -34lb conger

15722503_1036974246447955_1117453512_n — (Above) Richard with fine huss of 14lb

1 Dec 2016

Jon gets spurred on in the cold night

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Jon Patten has allowed me to post his latest exploit here on North Devon Angling News. This is the second spurdog I have heard of from the shore so far this year which is a promising sign so early in the winter season.

Decided on a little evening session the other night based on the hunch that there may have been a spur or two about from one of the local beaches,With temperatures failing to minus 5 we hoped that we would be busy thus keeping us warm. Baits were sent out into the murky depths of the Bristol channel where hopefully something would dine on our scrumptious offering, Barely 10 minutes had passed and the first of our bites came, in fact a flurry of bites consisting mainly of dogfish, eels,whiting and huss……Nothing big but enough to keep us occupied which was very pleasing watching the rods continuously nodding amongst an array of shooting stars coming down from the skies
Our session was almost over when i saw a bite that after a couple of pulls the line fell slack almost to the floor,a couple of turns of the handle saw tension regained and a swift movement of the rod top saw weight at the end of my line
After a little bit of a scrap i could see eyes at the waters edge signalling the reflective eyes of our intended quarry the spurdog, it might not have been a big one ………but the account was open and hopefully the first of several this winter as this once rare visitor now visits our shores more frequently than years gone by
Varivas sport 20lb main line, 130lb flouro carbon trace and 8/0 BMX hooks
Bait used ……squid, sandeel, mackerel and bluey

13 Nov 2016

SEA FISHING PROSPECTS

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

Whilst we need a good stir up conditions are favorable for getting out there and trying for a fish or two during what is historically one of the best months of the year for shore fishing. Ilfracombe Pier is producing a bit of variety as Ross Stanway discovered when he enjoyed a short session landing, whiting, codling, gurnard and dab. Several decent pollock have also been tempted from marks along the coast with several over 2lb.

14976842_10154022409478085_431685830006438340_o — *Ollie Passmore with a decent pollock*

Big baits fished off deep rock marks should bring results with conger, huss, ray and possibly tope.

Boat anglers are enjoying sport up channel with the first spurdog of the winter season along with qaulity cod, conger and ray. I am sure anglers will soon be catching these ferocious predators from John Barbearys ‘Bluefin’ off Ilfracombe.