18 Sep 2017

CMSAC – Lyn Fish Open Competition Result.

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

A fine specimen grey mullet scaling 5lb 1oz took top spot in Combe Martin SAC’s and Lynton C of E Primary School PTFA Open Fishing Competition. The event fished between Minehead Harbour and Clovelly Harbour resulted in success for several anglers who landed a variety of specimens from both boat and shore over the two days. The event and the raffle held at The Rising Sun, Lynmouth raised over £120 for Lynton Primary School Funds. The competition received generous sponsorship from Sakuma Tackle.

Full Results –

1st – Dan Welch – thick Lipped grey Mullet – 5lb 1oz

2nd- Ross Stanway – smoothound – 11lb 2oz

3rd -James Gubb Fradgley – conger (boat) 32lb 4oz

4th – James Gubb Fradgley – conger (boat) 29lb 1oz

5th – Wayne Thomas – thick lipped grey mullet – 3lb 7oz

6th – Matt Jeffery – bass -6lb 7oz

7th – Nick Phillips – thick lipped grey mullet – 3lb

8th – Rob Scoines – thick lipped grey mullet – 2lb 10oz

9th – Ross Stanway – ballan wrasse – 3lb 3.5oz

10th – Wayne Thomas – thick lipped grey mullet – 2lb 9oz

The competition was fished on a catch and release basis with witnesses and photographs submitted at the end of the day.

(Above) Ross Stanway smoothound 11lb 2oz

(Above) James Gubb Fradgley – conger (boat) 32lb 4oz

(Above) Wayne Thomas – Thick lipped grey mullet 3lb 7oz

(Above) Rob Scoines – thick lipped grey mullet 2lb 10oz

(Above)The top three outside of The Rising Sun.

Many thanks to Tony and all at the Rising Sun for a delicious buffet at the presentation and raffle following the competition.

Special thanks also to those who generously donated raffle prizes.

17 Sep 2017

Bass Competition Results

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

Jack Pike won Appledore Shipbuilders Annual Bass Competition with a fine bass scaling 8lb 3oz. (Above)

Runner up was Cameron Atkinson with a bass of 6lb 141/2oz and in third Paul Downing with a bass of 3lb 6oz.

15 Sep 2017

Bull Huss on the prowl – Plus prospects for the weekend

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

Combe Martin SAC Member Ross Stanway caught this 11lb 10oz bull huss whilst fishing from a North Devon Rock mark.

Prospects for this weekends Open Competition hosted by Combe Martin SAC are good with lighter winds and less rain forecast. Grey and bass are likely to be targetted by members fishing between Minehead and Clovelly. The presentation for this catch and release event at the Rising Sun at Lynmouth. For full details see poster below. The event is sponsored by Sakuma Tackle.

11 Sep 2017

Henry Gilbey- Thoughts on safety at sea

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

I was going to write a few words about safety on the shoreline following the recent tragedies in Cornwall but when I saw Henry Gilbey’s post on the same subject I asked him if I could copy to my site. Sharing my concerns Henry duly obliged. The sea is unforgiving and many of us have had near misses and as I get older I see the dangers more and more.

Henry Gilbey- writes on safety at sea.

Following on from the tragic deaths of two anglers the other day from a part of Cornwall I know very well and have fished plenty, well for some reason it’s really banged home to me that too many of us who fish choose to ignore the simple things we could be doing to give ourselves the best possible chance of surviving if and when something goes wrong. I have found a good contact at the RNLI and had an interesting chat with him about all this, and also why anglers like you and me are so resistant to wearing lifejackets out on the rocks for example. Also had a good talk with a lifejacket company about some of their products that would be most suitable for the sort of shore fishing I do etc. I never thought I would say this, but I am going to buy one of those compact and unobtrusive, auto inflate life jackets. Not sure which one yet, need to choose between a couple of makes and models, but I am looking at around £100-150 – think about what we spend on rods, reels, lures and waders for example. More to come about what I hope might be some food for thought. They found a body in Constantine Bay this morning, most likely the second angler who went in last week……………..

9 Sep 2017

A Few bass about

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

Archie Porter landed this pleasing bass from Ilfracombe Pier on Ammo Squid. With a brisk Westerly blowing and a bit of life in the water I would expect to see a few bass caught. Big baits and you don’t need to cast far!

5 Sep 2017

Grey Mullet on the feed

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

September is one of the best months of the year to target hard fighting grey mullet. We enjoyed an evening session on the coast this evening with John Avery landing six mullet to 3lb 3oz and James Thomas a good fish of 3lb 13oz.

4 Sep 2017

Porbeagle Shark – On Reel Deal

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

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.

4 Sep 2017

Sea Angling Latest News

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

(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.

4 Sep 2017

Double Figure Pollock

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

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.

2 Sep 2017

Fun Fishing – Sea Ilfracombe 2017

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

*(Above)Solly Welch is all smiles with this wrasse.*

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.

*Colin Wood & David Harper from the coastguard.*

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.

4^th – Lyn Welch & Angela Kinish – 14 points

5^th – Effy Welch – 11 points

6^th – Ross Stanway – 10 points

7^th – Sam Compton – 9 points

8^th – 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.

*Winning angler Charlie Stanway admires part of his catch.*

*(Above) Lyn Welch is delighted with a rock goby.*

*(Above)The longest fish to Ross Stanway a 20″ garfish*

*(Above) Jack Phillips -Heaviest fish – Ballan Wrasse 9oz*

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.