24 Jul 2023

Combe Martin SAC – Summer Fish Result

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David Brooke won Combe Martin SAC’s Summer Fish Competition with a fine bass of 7lb 14oz. Wayne Thomas was a runner up with a thick lipped grey mullet of 3lb 3oz.

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.

Below Fish of the Month – This is for the best mixed brace

 

23 Jul 2023

Massive Tope from North Devon Shoreline

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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”

22 Jul 2023

Big Shark off the coast

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Daniel Welch and Jonathon Stanway enjoyed session to remember on a Private Boat bringing two big porbeagle boat side along with several good sized pollock.

Anglers have been enjoying superb shark action on Reel Deal with porbeagle and thresher shark. Shane Pavio Hookway brought a huge thresher estimated at 300lb to the side of the boat setting a club record for the species.

20 Jul 2023

SEA ANGLING NOTES

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Below are a couple of pieces intended for the NDJ column that for some reason did not get printed.

Sea anglers have been enjoying some good sport with mackerel showing in good numbers from both boat and shore at Ilfracombe. After several poor years it is good to see mackerel feasting on shoals of sandeels.

            Climate change is having a dramatic and at times catastrophic impact on the natural world. Salmon are an iconic species their survival threatened by rising water temperatures a fact that is slowly starting to reach the awareness of the wider public. Angling bodies have been campaigning against pollution from sewage and intensive farming for many years. It is good to see these important issues reaching the wider public agenda with the demise of West Country salmon featured on BBC spotlight.

            Rising sea temperatures are a mixed blessing for sea anglers with long term threats to the marine eco systems balanced against short term opportunities to catch species that may visit our waters as result of a warmer climate.

            It is amusing to read the annual sensational headlines about great white shark visiting UK waters. It is highly Likely that these majestic creatures do visit waters off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall there is after all nothing to prevent them and plenty of seals and other prey to hunt.

The Taw and Torridge estuary offer exciting opportunities to target bass and grey mullet using fly fishing tactics. All three species of grey mullet can be caught in the estuaries. Thick lipped grey mullet, Thin-lipped grey mullet and golden greys can all be targeted each requiring subtle modifications to tactics. The pursuit of mullet on the fly increased in popularity in recent seasons with a Facebook group; Mullet on the Fly having 10,000 members. Colin Macloud has done much to demystify the catching of mullet on the fly following the publication of his excellent book, Mullet On The Fly. I must confess that my own efforts to catch mullet on the fly have been enjoyable but generally unconnected to the wily target species.

North Devon Angler Kyle Bishop has enjoyed recent success with grey mullet on the fly catching several good fish from the Taw estuary.

15 Jul 2023

Jamie Steward – Big Fish and fundraising

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Combe Martin SAC member Jamies Steward is having a good run at the moment tempting this fine specimen smoothound of 13lb 3oz on his latest trip to the coast. He also caught a specimen thin lipped mullet of 4lb 14oz from the Taw estuary.

Jamie and his family have been raising funds for the RNLI following a near miss on the coast during the winter. Jamie has organised various events including two raffles and a 100km charity walk that have raised over £1700 for the Ilfracombe RNLI. The local angling community have been generous in supporting Jamies efforts appreciating the wonderful work undertaken by the RNLI.

Rescued Angler Launches Crowdfunding for the RNLI

14 Jul 2023

Estuaries of Opportunity

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Combe Martin SAC member Jamie Steward tempted this fine specimen thin lipped grey mullet of 4lb 14oz whilst using baited spinner tactics.

The Taw and Torridge Estaury offer many miles of accessible angling where light tackle and varied tactics can be employed to tempt a surprisngly wide variety of species. Bass to double figures hunt the estuaries and can be found surprisingly high up on the confluence with freshwater as well as at the estuary mouth.

On  the lower estuary school bass can be seen in a feeding frenzy as they smash into whitebait behind this angler lure fishing on a flooding evening tide.              

Gilthead bream are a more recent visitor to the Taw estaury with specimens tempted as far up as Fremington Quay.  All three species of grey mullet can be found throughout the estuary and can be caught using bait, fly fishing and baited spinners.

Where the estuary meets the sea smoothound to double figures can provide excting tussles as they grab baits often intended for bass or gilthead bream.

( Above) The vast estuary at Fremington Quay offers plenty of scope to explore and use different tactics.

( Above) Mullet will push up into the many creeks along the estuary offering a challenge that few anglers are prepared to accept.

The vast estuary with its many mudbanks, creeks and sandbanks offers a wealth of opportunities for anglers with the chance to glimpse a diverse variety of wildlife. The scene is ever changing as the tides ebb and flow beneath everchanging skies. As autumn approaches flounder enthusiasts will line the banks at popular venues. Codling can often provide a decent meal as the nights pull in during late autumn.