11 Aug 2019

SOUTH WEST MARINE PLAN – Have Your Say!

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Steven Guilbert and I am the coordinator of the Devon Maritime Forum (DMF).  The DMF is an independent, not-for-profit partnership, based at County Hall in Exeter, which brings together a broad and diverse range of organisations and individuals who have a stake or interest in marine and coastal issues in Devon and the wider South West peninsula.

Over the last few years the Forum have been working with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and their Marine Planning team, on the development and implementation of Marine Plans in the region.  Recently we have been tasked with identifying and informing local stakeholders about the continuing development of the South West Marine Plan, the first draft of which is due to go out to public consultation in early 2020.   Although the MMO’s engagement process is well underway, there are still opportunities for stakeholders to learn more, have their say, and help shape the Plan.

As a hugely significant sector in the region, the MMO are particularly keen to still hear from a range of local sea anglers.

 

11 Aug 2019

Stormy waters mean bass!

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Stormy weather that stirs up the water is not ideal for the lure angler but is often a blessing for the bait fisher. Fishing as the storm abates is often productive with big odour oozing baits fished on big hooks likely to attract a specimen bass. Distance is not an issue with fish often found right in close feasting on food dislodged by the surging waters.

Safety is obviously paramount during rough conditions and marks must be chosen with care. Always look for somewhere with a degree of shelter and never fish where there is no chance of safely landing the fish you hook. Study the tide, weather charts and google maps. Wear a life jacket, do not fish alone and allow a sensible margin of error between you and the sea. Don’t linger as the tide pushes in. Use strong tackle to ensure you can bully a big fish into the net. Take a long handled landing net to allow netting without getting too close to the water.

(Below) Rob Scoines tempted this beautiful silver flanked bass from a North Devon rock mark using launce.

(Below) Rob is about to release his prize back. If you want to keep a bass fish of 4lb to 5lb make great eating bigger fish are best returned alive after a quick picture.

(Below) Paul Saunders tempted this bass during a stormy session at Ilfracombe.

9 Aug 2019

Big Cats from Anglers Paradise

by | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

NIRVANA’S SPECIMEN CAT LAKE PRODUCING THE CATFISH

Well done to Martin Cox and Noel Hyland who both caught their personal best Catfish from our day ticket Specimen Cat Lake!

Martin caught a personal best 63lb 10oz Cat caught on peg 3 on Mainline spicy crab 20mm bollie over 10kg of Baittech pellets and Noel caught a personal best 40lb Catfish.

Anglers Paradise
8 Aug 2019

Stafford Moor Latest news update.

by | posted in: Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Match Fishing, Sidebar, Uncategorised | 0

Stafford Moor is on top form for carp fishing and match fishing with plenty of twenties from the specimen lakes and numerous 100lb plus bags in matchs.

(Below) James Richard Russel  had a new personal best mirror carp  of 29lb 4oz from swim 4 (the gap) up on lodge lake using special Occasions bait.

(Below) Thanks from Jo — Hi All would just like to say a HUGE thank you again to Neilsen Jeffery who held his charity match here in June in which the money’s we all raised were shared with RNLI and we now have a difribulator here at Stafford Moor ! So happy days well not if we have to use it of course! but fab just to have on site in case we ever do just to give so many peace of mind  the difribulator is located at our house on site and the emergency contact number will be shown around the site, also a huge thank you to Trevor Vernalls  who trained us all free of charge plus gave us some more important guidance on CPR

(Below) James Short who had these 2 out including this stunning mirror at 26lb from the summer hut swim on Beatties lake, James was fishing with Nash Key Cray boilies and matching hook Baits & pellets.

(Below) Gareth Simpson who was fishing here with friend Kev, they had 20 fish out between them on the summerhouse swim on Beatties lake using DNA Baits S7.

7 Aug 2019

Big Catfish Wins Fish Of The Week In Paradise

by | posted in: Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0

FISH OF THE WEEK WINNER 2ND AUGUST IS…

Dan Maher who caught an amazing personal best 68lb 12oz Wels Catfish from the Main Carp Lake!

Dan’s story –

“My name is Dan, I’m 33 years old and I’m from Liverpool. I’ve been coming to Anglers Paradise for over ten years and this is the first year I have come with my girlfriend, Nicola. I decided to fish Nev’s Point on the Main Carp Lake and after catching a couple of nice carp up to 21lb I decided to cast out a catfish rod I brought specifically to try and beat my previous PB of 54lb from the Specimen Cat Lake.

Nicola and I had just sat down in our chairs after a nice bbq and a glass of Zyg’s wine, when the rod ripped off towards the 5C’s island. The fish decided to go on a long run to a snag against the island opposite and then over towards Zyg’s boat house. I was using strong tackle to deal with the biggest catfish in the lake and managed to pull it back through the weed and into open water.

This catch was extra special because it is a new PB and weighed in at a massive 68lb 12oz. It was also amazing to have my girlfriend present to help me net the fish. Nicola is new to fishing and this is the first fishing holiday we have taken together. I would have struggled to net the fish on my own and with little fishing experience, Nicola did an amazing job. I smashed my PB by 14lb and the fish was caught on pellet. I was also lucky enough to catch another cat a couple of hours later at 55lb.”

WELL DONE DANNY BOY – THAT’S A BIG FISH TO CATCH!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Here he is with his winning Fish and being presented his prizes by Zyggy and Zenia with special thanks to JRC Fishing.

Anglers Paradise
7 Aug 2019

DISMAY & ANGER – At Fish kill

by | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

North Devon’s anglers are shocked, angry and dismayed following news of a major fish kill on the River Mole one of the River Taws main tributaries. Various reports indicate that up 10,000 fish have perished over a 5km stretch including salmon, sea trout and brown trout. Early indications are that the pollution was anaerobic digestate. It is vital that the perpetrators are apprehended and a substantial response is imposed by the Environment Agency. A vast amount of time, effort and energy has been invested in improving the habitat of the Taw and its tributaries and it is heart-breaking that this has been impacted upon so severely by this tragic event. With river levels very low at the time of the pollution impact is likely to be severe with no dilution. Anglers are very often first on the scene and should report any incidents immediately to the Environment Agency via their hotline number 0800 807060. Whilst I seldom comment politically, I do feel saddened that the EA’s funding has been cut over recent years as focus is directed elsewhere. As voters’ anglers should give serious consideration to environmental issues when casting their votes.

I have very fond memories of fishing on the Mole and encounters with sea trout and otters. It is to be hoped that the river recovers from this tragic event. Lessons must be learnt from this to prevent future incidents and it is hoped that the penalty imposed will go some way towards highlighting the need for vigilance.

The rate of decline in West Country Rivers is truly alarming. In the forty years that I have visited the rivers I have seen a dramatic collapse in stocks. Remember that in natural terms forty or fifty years are short spans when you consider the long term evolution of salmon and sea trout. Each generation of anglers relates to their own life beside the water and as a result often fail to comprehend the longer term decline in stocks.

The interviews I conducted in research for my soon to be published book , “I Caught A Glimpse” have brought this home to me. Whilst it would be nice to think that salmon will be running our rivers for future generations; I have my doubts. It is likely that without a huge effort salmon will be non-existent within many West Country Rivers within decades. That this should happen during our watch is shameful.

 

6 Aug 2019

Blakewell Fun Fishing

by | posted in: Sidebar, Young At Heart | 0

Catching those first fish is not always easy so that first venue needs to have a good head of fish. At Blakewell Fishery the Fun Fishing Lake gives young anglers the chance to catch that first fish and of course a tasty treat to take home as well. The Fishery also boasts a waterside cafe overlooking the fish farm where children can also feed the fish. An ideal venue for a family visit.