Kevin Hainsworth, Rich Mullans and Rich Drays had an exciting day on Ilfracombe based Charter Boat ‘Reel Deal’ they decided that they were all going to have a go at enticing the porbeagle they hooked to the boat in a team effort. The porbeagle was caught on Veals Mail order terminal tackle and reels on a 10/0 circle hook. The fish measured 70 inches by 38inches girth and weighed 127lb she fell to a blast frozen Ammo mackerel.
(Above)James Gubb-Fradgley took his own boat out Of Lynmouth to land this fine pollock of 12lb using a light spinning rod and Savage Gear Lure.
Dan Spearman secured Combe Martin SAC’s Fish of the month for August with a bass of 10lb 9oz. Graham Snow took second and third places with a thick-lipped grey mullet of 5lb 21/2oz and thin-lipped mullet of 4lb 51/2oz.
Graham Snow won Bideford Angling Clubs Monthly Rover with a thick lipped grey mullet scaling 4lb 2 1/8oz. In runner up spot was Dick Talbot with a thornback ray of 6lb 14oz and in third Graham Snow with a thick-lipped mullet of 2lb 143/8oz.
Keith Bullard landed this stunning double figure pollock from his own boat off the North Devon Coast. Pollock of this size are now quite rare from marks along the North Devon Coast with the grounds off North Cornwall generally more productive. Twenty years ago big pollock were a regular feature of catches off Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and Lynmouth.
Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs 2017 Fun Fishing Event on Ilfracombe Pier once again brought plenty of smiles as young anglers and families shared in the pleasure of fishing. Eighteen anglers signed up for the event and plenty of passers by mingled with the participants to gaze in fascination at the array of species caught.
A total of twelve species were registered including numerous mini species.
Special guests for the day included Mat Mander from Devon and Severn IFCA and the Marine Coastguard. The coastguard chatted with members of the public explaining their crucial role in coordinating rescues along the coast where they liaise with the other emergency services to save lives. Mat mingled with local anglers discussing fish legislation and conservation. The event always provides this valuable link between these bodies enabling valuable interaction in a friendly environment.
Mat Mander – Devon and Severn IFCA
The morning commenced under a bright blue sky with the sea a pleasing calm. The fishing proved productive with an LRF style approach bringing plenty of action with rattling rod tips throughout the morning. The competition was fished on a species basis with 2 points for the first of each species and one point for the second, only two of each species counting per competitor. This was an attempt to ensure that there was not a tied result. The top three prizes were for under 16’s only and the winner was for the second year young Charlie Stanway who amassed an impressive 18 points. Runner up was Solly Welch with 17 points and third Jack Phillips with 16 points. Ross Stanway landed the longest fish a garfish of 20”. Jack Phillips caught the heaviest a ballan wrasse of 9oz.
4th – Lyn Welch & Angela Kinish – 14 points
5th – Effy Welch – 11 points
6th – Ross Stanway – 10 points
7th – Sam Compton – 9 points
8th – Cory Payne – 8 points
The rarest fish caught was a leopard goby (Below) to the rod of young Charlie Stanway.
Everyone who caught a fish took home a prize with a splendid selection of quality tackle provided by sponsor High Street Tackle, Ilfracombe. Several other prizes were provided by IFCA and one by North Devon Angling News.
CMSAC’s two month long species competition ended with two anglers way out ahead of the field with John Shapland registering an amazing 43 species and Dan Welch 41. To catch such an array of fish over two months is an achievement to be proud of, both anglers received quality prizes from High Street Tackle. In third place was Ross Stanway with 25 species and in forth Lee Holden on 21.
The prominent statue of Verity always stimulates debate amongst both locals and visitors.
(Above)Safety on the coast demonstrations from the David Harper of the local Coastguard.
(Above)Paul Hutchings holds the wrasse for young Cory who is wary of the spines.
FUN FISHING EVENTHoping to see plenty of participants at this fun fishing event organized by Combe Martin SAC. Weather forecast looks just about perfect so enjoy the sun before autumn sets in.
Danny Watson of High Street Tackle wrote this account of their trip on Reel Deal
Today was an excellent day Pauline Chard opened her boat fishing account! We arrived at the harbour at 8.30am to meet Daniel Hawkinsfor a four hour deep sea trip. It was glorious morning and the sea was flat calm! A little steam round the coast got us to the mark, anchor down and the fishing began. Was not too long before she was into the fish with a couple to add to her species list a couple of nice small eyed rays and a smoothound. (there was obviously a couple of dog fish as well) She did not get a tope – I did and upped my PB by just 2lb. Still standing at 27lb, got some way to go yet to be respectable!!! Pauline enjoyed it though and I am proud of her for doing it – thanks to Dan and Archie for their tuition and encouragement – oh, and obviously some banter!! She really enjoyed it and wants to go again!
Anglers have being enjoying regular sport on Reel Deal landing tope, bull huss and ray.
Bideford And District Angling Clubs Annual Fishing Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend attracted twenty-six anglers bringing fish back to the scales from all over the South West. Tarrant Wotton won the competition with a fine smoothound scaling 13lb 21/4oz. In second and third was Nathan Clements with hounds of 13lb 11/2oz and 12lb 43/4oz. Four other fish were recorded of over 100% with a club record sole to the rod of Dan Redmore weighing 1lb 14oz.
Jack Pike landed this stunning 52lb tope whilst fishing with his father Kevin who boated a 45lb 8oz that was reported on here yesterday. The fish sets a new boat record for Appledore Shipbuilders beating the old record of 46lb that was caught by the late Ralph Atkinson.
Kevin Pike fished Morte Bay in his own boat to land ten tope in three hours. All of the fish were tempted on pollock hook baits the biggest a fine hard fighting fish of 45lb 8oz.
Tope are still showing Off Ilfracombe as Cameron Mckenzie found out when he landed this fine tope of 40lb whilst fishing on ‘Bluefin’ Off Ilfracombe.
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