Ian Laird and his thirteen year old son Ollie have been enjoying some superb gilt head bream sport in local estuaries. Their best so far this stunning gilt head of 4lb 1oz.
A Kracking Carp for King
George King for beating his personal best by 11lbs with a new PB of 34lbs 11oz from Nirvana’s Kracking Carp Lake.
George shared –
“I was fishing on the Kracking carp in the heat wave, at 1.30am the alarm had a few beeps and suddenly tore off!! I got out of bed like Usain Bolt! After a fierce battle, it slid into the net, at which point I realised it was my new PB at 34lb 11oz, beating my previous PB by 11lb!!
I’m absolutely buzzing to be in the 30 club, I can’t wait to come back very soon!! Thank you for the advice Ashley Bunning Complex fishery bailiff .”
Small Boats Championships
Porbeagle 226lb
Mark Jones and Craig McClouglin of Braunton Baits have been targeting shark off the North Devon Coast using Marks Private boat. Mark hooked a fine porbeagle that was brought to the side of the boat where it was carefully measured using refined tactics that allow safe measuring before releasing the sharks. The recognised formula gave a weight of 226lb.
On the way to and from the shark grounds Mark and Craig tried out lures from the Braunton Bait Box to good effect.
Big Cat Haul
Joe Dietrich fished Anglers Paradise’s Eldorado Catfish Lake to tempt 5 catfish the best scaling 63lb 9oz. The other cats weighed with a 47lb, 32lb, 27lb and 21lb along with 2 mid double carp! All from an overnight session on Eldorado Carp and Cat 2 (bottom lake) Best fish came at dusk and dawn.
LURE FISHING
I joined South Molton Angling Club for an evening at Instow where members tried their luck with both Fly and lure tactics. It was an enjoyable evening but no bass were tempted. Fortunately the Cricket Club gave a chance for members to discuss tactics for next time over a welcome pint.
http://www.highstreettackle.co.uk
The following night I headed out onto the coast where I enjoyed more success. Early into the session I tempted a small bass on a surface lure and went on to tempt four more after dark on a soft plastic. The best of these a nice fish of 64cm that will be enjoyed pan fried with just a sprinkling of pepper.
Combe Martin SAC Lure Competition – fish registered so far.
Daniel Welch. three bass total – 167.5 cm
James Corner two bass – 122 cm
Wayne Thomas two bass – 115 cm
Peter Robinson one bass – 62 cm
Ross Stanway – One bass = 53 cm
ESTUARY MULLET SPORT
Jon Stevens has enjoyed a few decent sessions on the mullet (amongst the blanks!) recently, with several thin lipped mullet in the 2-3lb bracket coming to the net.
Best fish landed – 4lb 6oz.
All fish caught on the usual tactics and returned quickly to the water.
Torridge Carp Lakes Success
David Jenkins normally targets sea fish but decided on a change of scenery targeting carp at Day Ticket Torridge Carp Lakes. He was rewarded with a superb carp of 28lb 6oz.
Lower Tamar Carp
Alex McDonald of Sakuma tackle visited Lower Tamer Lake with Andy Hoskins to share a fine haul of nine carp.
Andy Hoskins banked the best two fish both commons scaling 26lb and 22lb 8oz.
Andy also banked fine perch of 3lb tempted on a pop up boilie!
Alex also reported on sightings of a sparrow hawk hunting and a lesser spotted woodpecker.
WAY OUT WEST ON REEL DEAL
Extreme Heat warning for large areas of the UK ! Not a problem 50 odd miles West of Ilfracombe where I enjoyed a great day drifting for shark on Reel Deal skippered by Dan Hawkins. Armed with a couple of cameras I attempted to capture the day enjoyed by three Welsh anglers and an Italian. I intend to write a full feature on the trip but thought I would share a few images of the day that speak for themselves.
Many thanks to Dan Burt, Nick Davis,Tom Lardner and Stefano for making me welcome and to Dan Hawkins Skipper of Reel Deal for sharing his thoughts and expertise.
All shark are now realeased boat side.
Dan grabs the rod and sets the hook as a shark grabs a bait fished boat side.
Fulmars often give warning that sharks are about taking off suddenly.
A blue shark appears in the clear water after the fulmars take off in alarm
On the way back we are treated to the wonderful sights of dolphins