Combe Martin SAC Member Daniel Welch tempted this 3lb 12oz thick lipped grey mullet from a local harbour. The species offer exciting sport on light tackle and the next four months offer the best opportunity to target them from a wide variety of marks.
I was contacted by Shyanti who is working towards a Masters in Marine and Coastal Sustainability. After deliberating I completed the survey as requested. Marine litter is undoubtedly a huge issue that we as anglers witness all too frequently. I would be the first to acknowledge that a minority of anglers contribute to the issues by discarding bait packaging and losing line etc. I also believe that the vast majority of anglers are dismayed at the amount of litter they see on the shoreline and floating in the sea. After carrying out the survey I offered Shyanti the opportunity to post her message on North Devon Angling News to hopefully increase engagement with recreational anglers.
Below is an example of how discarded plastics can lead to injury to fish. This piece of plastic was removed from a porbeagle shark off the North Devon Coast.
Hi Wayne,
Thank you so much for your reply and for completing the survey. Yes! Marine litter is now a huge concern and every stakeholder should come forward to tackle it!
I wrote the following intro about my work with my survey link-
My name is Shyanti Sengupta, and I have an undergraduate degree in Marine Science from the University of Chittagong (Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries), Bangladesh. During my undergraduate degree, I conducted a study on the Bay of Bengal, focusing on the gut content analysis of selected marine predators, including sharks. This investigation revealed a significant presence of microplastics in the fish.
I wanted to explore this further, so I started a Master’s in Marine and Coastal Sustainability (the link) at the University of Exeter’s campus in Cornwall (the link). For my research project, I aim to delve deeper into the human aspects of the critical issue of marine litter by exploring the perceptions of anglers or recreational fishermen in the southwest of England.
By understanding the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of anglers towards marine litter, I hope to gain valuable insights into their role in tackling marine pollution. I believe that anglers can play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of marine litter, and their perceptions can influence public awareness and policy decisions, making them vital stakeholders in the fight against marine pollution.
The ultimate goal of my research is to bridge the gap between scientific findings and human perceptions, which is essential for crafting effective strategies to address marine litter comprehensively. Integrating my past research on microplastics with the current study on anglers’ perceptions will contribute to a more holistic understanding of this urgent environmental issue and pave the way for collaborative efforts towards a cleaner and healthier marine ecosystem. Would you like to be involved? Please take this survey here.
Thanks!
Regards
Shyanti
Ask many sea anglers which is their favourite species and my guess would be that many would answer bass. This would come as no surprise as the species ticks many boxes. Bass certainly look the part with their streamlined bodies silver flanks and defiant spiky fins.
They are also reasonably prolific and can be caught from the warmer waters of the South West throughout the year. Their biggest attribute is perhaps the fact that they can be caught using a wide range of tactics that suit different angling approaches.
Bass can be caught from a wide range of terrains across the region from deep water rock marks, shallow, rocky beaches, harbours, estuaries and those classic sandy storm beaches. The topography will to a certain extent determine the methods employed to catch bass and of course what is currently on the menu. Bass and all fish will go where the food is so this is ideally where the angler should head choosing bait that matches the hatch.
My own bass fishing approach is to some extent determined by who I fish with, what method is likely to bring results and what I enjoy most. In recent seasons lure fishing has to some extent been my go to method producing good numbers of fish over shallow rocky shores.
But to some degree I have always associated bass with shallow sandy surf beaches inspired years ago by the writing of Clive Gammon and others who fished the famous surf beaches of South West Ireland. The evocative picture of a loan angler stood in the surf holding the rod whilst waiting for the electrifying tug of a silver bass hunting in the third breaker.
Whilst this approach has its appeal the modern angler tends to fish in a lazier yet perhaps more effective way. My good friend Kevin Legge has fished North Devon’s surf beaches for several decades and I always enjoy a session with Kev whose confidence and experience always inspires. Kevin’s approach is in some ways similar to that of the modern carp angler anchoring baits far out in the surf relying upon the large sharp hooks to self-hook the fish against the breakaway lead.
A brisk westerly breeze was blowing when we arrived at the beach to coincide with a rising tide and the onset of night. A moderate surf was pushing in and at times it surged up the sand making fishing a little difficult. Kev doesn’t relish a surging push like this as it seldom results in good catches. But persistence can pay off in fishing and with a bait in the water you never know what is lurking out in the dark.
We fished fifty yards or so apart each anchoring two baits out in the surf. I had elected to use joey mackerel on each rod casting out as far as I could and then walking back as the tide flooded until depleting line on the reel forced a recast.
After a couple of hours Kev wandered over with a smoothound estimated at 8lb and tempted on a squid bait. Apart from this the baits had been untouched throughout.
The brisk breeze drove spells of rain and drizzle into the beach and I pulled up my hood whilst I watched the rod tips for signs of life. The distant lights of seaside towns and villages flickered from across the bay and ships lights shone from out on the sea. Standing alone on the sands was liberating immersed in the natural world. Bright eyes shone in the headlights beam as a fox approached. Ever resourceful they have learnt that anglers bring bait that makes a tasty meal. For this reason, a tough bait box is essential to repel their efforts to steal from the bags left away from the incoming tide.
As I removed old bait from the hooks the fox showed little fear and came right up to me despite my initial efforts to drive it away. The fox was certainly persistent and at times sat patiently behind me on the wet sand like a dog waiting for his meal. Eventually I warmed to my companion and allowed him to take the discarded bait each time I reeled in to refresh.
The best time for bass is often close to high water which was at 01:40am. We decided to call time at around 1:30am and as I watched the rod tips intently a gentle nod of the tip caught my attention. I picked up the rod and felt a slight tug followed by a slight slacking of the line. Another slight tug followed and I suspected a dogfish. I raised the rod and began retrieving not sure if anything was attached. A few lunges on the line as the tackle was brought into shallow water indicated that a fish was attached. A pleasing silver bass of around 3lb 8oz was dragged across the sand. I despatched the fish, descaled and gutted it as it was a perfect eating size. I return all bass I catch of over 6lb keeping the occasional fish for the table as it is one of my favourite eating fish.
The larger bass are valuable breeding stock and their flesh is often riddled with worms that although harmless are not very appetising. The minimum size for bass is 42cm though I would return any bass under 45cm. Anglers are permitted to take no more than two bass per day full guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bass-industry-guidance-2023/bass-fishing-guidance-2023
As I packed away the tackle Kev walked over to show me the smallest ray he had ever caught. A tiny ray that sat in the palm of his hand that had fancied a whole mackerel.
It had been an enjoyable session made memorable by a visit from a wild fox and by just being there as the tide flooded as we puzzled over the pages of natures never ending script.
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Competition League
Wayne Thomas has moved up to third place in Combe Martin SACs Lure fishing league adding a bass of 61cm to his three fish qualifying tally.
Mark Jones bass – 63cm, 63cm, 71cm – Total – 197cm
Shaun Quartly bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm – Total – 188.5cm
Wayne Thomas – bass 67cm, 61cm 54.5cm – Total – 182.5cm
Reece Woolgar bass – 57cm, 59cm, 64cm – Total – 180cm
Lure fishing has proved challenging over recent weeks with rougher seas resulting in lots of suspended weed to snare lures. The abundance of natural food can also reduce the success rate of natural lures.
The best time for catching bass can be after the sun has set.
Back in February Combe Martin SAC member Shaun Quartly contacted me regarding an unusual fish he had caught whilst fishing for ray from a beach near Minehead. I suggested that he should preserve the fish by freezing after weighing it and document every detail carefully as I it seemed that the fish was a very rare capture. This proved to be the case and after following all due protocol the fish has been ratified as a new British Record. In addition to being an accolade for any angler these records are also valuable in monitoring and recording species for science.
Braunton Baits Sponsor Combe Martin SACs Fish of the month competition for the best mixed brace. First prize is a T-Shirt from Ocean Daze
Think back to those formative fishing days as a teenager in North Devon and mackerel would feature high in those fishing memories. Caught on silvery spinners, strips of mackerel fished beneath bright crimson tipped floats or more commonly on strings of feathers launched from the rocks. I remember watching the shoals as they drove scattering silver whitebait from the water as the birds swooped to feast upon the fleeing fish.
I had begun to think that those days of plenty had been consigned to history books but sometimes nature bounces back. I had heard that mackerel were abundant in shoals not witnessed for decades with large shoals showing from Hartland to Porlock.
I headed down to Ilfracombe to enjoy a session after the mackerel and scrambled out onto the rocks amongst the foundations of the old pier. It was good to see the rocks and pier busy with anglers of all ages casting a variety of lures and feathers. News that mackerel were about had brought out the occasional angler in abundance. And whilst I’m not generally keen on fishing amongst crowds I resigned myself to this hustle and bustle of communal angling.
I had brought a spinning rod and a few metal lures to savour each fish taking a few home for tea whilst enjoying the thrill of catching. For the first twenty minutes or so I suspected that I had missed out on the recent abundance. But then I noted a few mackerel starting to show with the twisting and turning fish being swung ashore.
A sharp knock was transmitted through the line and I was in. The mackerel are miniature tuna and fight hard their bodies packed with muscle. As I watched them in the clear water I reflected upon the huge tuna I had seen caught last winter and questioned my sanity in seeking contact with a member of the mackerel family 500 times bigger than the fish at the end of my line.
As the tide flooded I was forced to leave my rocky platform with five mackerel, real jewels of the summer sea. The sun was setting as I put the rods into the car and lines of anglers were still casting from the rocks.
Whilst mackerel can sometimes encourage a less savoury aspect in those who litter or take more fish than required it also brings anglers of all ages to the shoreline to enjoy those simple pleasures.
During July and August many Ilfracombe Charter boats take holidaymakers on short trips to catch mackerel an experience that can be the introduction to a more serious angling addiction.
Heavy rain dampened the spirits on the weekend that signals the start of the summer holidays. At the meetu p and committee meeting that followed the competition members discussed the huge shoals of mackerel that are providing some exciting fishing along the coast. These fish are undoubtedly attracting larger predators like tope, shark and bass. Other agenda items included the upcoming Fun Fish a run down recent competitions includng the Putsborough Open and Open Lure competition. Fish conservation and protocol regarding shark fishing were also discussed. Summer is always a time of low attendance at club meetings and it is important that anglers get together to plan and air issues.
Combe Martin SAC member Kyle Bishop has caught a massive shore caught tope weighing 61lb 9oz. The huge specimen was tempted from a North Devon rock mark and is the biggest tope caught from the North Devon shoreline in thirteen years. This year is proving to be an exceptional year for predators with large amounts of bait fish in the region and some excellant shark fishing off-shore. Congratulations to Kyle on landing such a superb specimen and getting an excellent picture of the fish. Below is Kyles own account of the capture of a very special fish.
“Well after not sea fishing for a few months putting a few hrs in on the flyrod, I was getting the bug to chuck a few big baits, early last month got on phone to Tyler Roffey after seeing some bad weather coming through big swells and strong sw winds, we set out on a short window before it got to rough to fish a local mark. Got on the mark just as it was getting light set up 1 rod blasted big maki bait out for tope, set fly rod up for bass after 15mins Tys shouting my rod was going, running across the rocks to find rod in full arch and line peeling off, first run was incredible put some drag on and managed to turn her, after a back n forth battle Ty went down and put it straight in the net, I dropped down to give him a hand when I realised what we had, quickly sorted scales and sling, she went 61lb 9oz first cast back in to the big blue and a new personal best 
quick pic and back she went, fish of a lifetime still buzzing now and believe I’m only the second ever person to have a 60lber from the shore on the north Devon coast line yes now top man Ty for landing it and pics”
