Specimen Spurdog and big conger on Bluefin
A party of local anglers enjoyed some hectic sport off Ilfracombe aboard John Barbeary’s ‘Bluefin’. Spurdog provided the bulk of fish caught with upwards of 50 brought to the boat. Several quality conger to almost 40lb were also boated putting a serious curve into the anglers rods.
The biggest spurdog of the day was a fine specimen of 16lb 8oz to the rod of Bill Caasar. (Below)
It is likely that the spurdog sport will continue for some while yet with bull huss also likely to increase in numbers.
Josh Atkinson with a specimen spurdog on of several double figure specimens he landed to 14lb 4oz
Bideford 24hr results 18/19/2017
Bideford 24hr results 18/19/2017
1st Ian Hooper – thornback ray 9lb 1 100.694%
2nd Elliot Clements – small eye ray 8lb 2 3/4 90.798%
3rd Kyle Blackmore -thornback ray 7lb 15 88.194%
Graham Snow wins North Devon Heat
Graham Snow secured victory in the March heat of the North Devon Sea League with his fine mullet 4lb 13.5oz. It was the only fish brought to the scales, Th next heat is on April 9th and10th with the weigh in at Appledore. The Leagues AGM will be held in May and anyone interested in submitting 4 man teams should contact Damien Babb on 07875611772.
Fine bull huss for Junior angler Jack Pike
Jack Pike with a fine bull huss of 10lbs 15ozs last night a new Appledore Shipbuilders junior record!
The bull huss secured victory in Appledore Shipbuilders 24 hour Rover. In runner up spot was Michael Toogood with a huss of 6lb 6oz and third was Andrew Atkinson with a dogfish of 2lb 3oz.
Spurdogs still showing off Ilfracombe
Pete Gregory enjoyed a good days sport on Bluefin with spurdog still showing with bull huss numbers increasing probably because they can now get to the bait before the ravenous pack of spurdog.
A brilliant days fishing out from ilfracombe with john barbery on board his boat the ” Bluefin ” . About twenty spurdogs landed as we are coming to the end of the season , so not as many as in previous trips , but the shortage of bull huss in previous trips was reversed with lots on this trip as the waters are beginning to warm up . Lots of dogfish as usual and a few congers to twenty pounds . It was suggested that if all six of us put in a fiver for the biggest fish caught this trip , something i tend not to get involved with on most trips which would give the winner a thirty pound pay out . Just as well as it ended with me winning which made the trip extremely cheap .
Spring mullet on the coast
Several thick lipped grey mullet have been caught along the coast and have also been seen in local estuary’s. Combe Martin SAC member Graham Snow landed a fine specimen of 4lb 13.5 oz and I landed a hard fighting of fish of 3lb 4oz.
Grey mullet were once considered to be fish of the summer months but recent seasons have seen local anglers land mullet throughout the year.
Spurdog on Bluefin
(Above)Andrew Atkinson with a fine specimen spurdog of 18lb.
North Devon Match Group Winter League No 5 Slade Reservoir – Pike don’t count!
Martin Turner secured victory at a cold and windswept Slade Reservoir putting together a fine net of silver fish.
1st Martin Turner 25lb 14oz
2nd Kevin Shears 19lb 13oz
3rd Andy Gray 10lb 3oz
4th James Grogan 9lb 3oz
5th John Bailey 8lb 10oz
(Above) Kevin Shears
North Devon Match Group Winter League No 5 at Slade Reservoir was a match to forget for most with gale force wind and blustery conditions making fishing very uncomfortable and difficult . The road side produced top 3 all to pole tactics
Catch of the day was undoubtedly a fine double figure pike landed by John Forster sadly pike don’t count in matches!
Huge spurdog
Castaways Sea Angling Club member Gary Hillon fished a North Devon Rock mark to a catch a fantastic specimen Spur of 17-7-8. The fish was tempted on a sandeel squid cocktail fished on a 4/0 pennel pulley rig.
Ryan Dunbreck also had a fine Spur of 14-6-8 a new Castaways Catch & Release record.
