18 Jun 2024

BASS ON LURES – SETH TUSON SHARES HIS THOUGHTS

by | posted in: Lure Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

After getting lucky enough to catch a salmon in April from the Torridge this year, many further fruitless sessions followed, leading me to switch my attention to bass fishing earlier in the season than I normally would. It was obviously a lucky April for me, as somehow on my second session of the year I managed a 67cm fish, and I am yet to catch a bigger one this season in the pursuit of a 70cm+ fish on a lure. However, because of all the time and effort I have been putting in, I have managed some nice fish, albeit not monsters for some, which can be seen in the pictures shown. The excitement never wears out for me with these fish, particularly when caught on surface lures.

As I’m sure is the case with many others in the North Devon area, bass are probably my favourite fish to target throughout the season and I feel we are blessed as anglers to have so much different ground to fish from the estuaries to the open coast. I’ve been a member of the North Devon Bass Lure fishing page on Facebook for a couple of years now, but last year I started to post fish I caught on the page. This resulted in me getting chatting to a couple of good lads who I’ve subsequently done some sessions with, sharing marks and as always learning new things about people’s preferred tactics and lures etc. As much as I love the solitude of fishing, going out with others has been thoroughly enjoyable and I believe social media pages such as this are going to be crucial in getting the younger generations into fishing going forward.

 

 In addition to the local page, I would also give mention to UKBLF where people from all over the UK chat all things bass lure fishing and share their catches. Through this Facebook page, I discovered we are lucky enough to have one of the leading stockists of bass lures in the UK in Ilfracombe at Highstreet tackle. A lot of the fish I have caught so far this year have been on Savage Gear gravity stick paddle tails or the IMA Chappy, both of which I purchased there. It really is like a sweetshop in there however and easy to get carried away as a prewarning.

As is usually the case, I anticipate the bass fishing to only get better as the season progresses and hopefully, I’ll surpass the 70cm mark as it gets towards September/ October. Whilst Bass fishing can be hard graft at times, it is all made worth it when you put the leg work in and it pays off in the end.

 

 

17 Jun 2024

Big Gilthead from North Devon Shoreline

by | posted in: Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Combe Martin SAC member Ollie Passmore has been targetting gilthead bream and enjoyed success with this awesome specimen of 6lb 10oz. The fish has a local specimen rating of 220%.

Ollie commented on his facebook page.
“Still absolutely buzzing with this unit of a gilt head bream from a few weeks back.  Fallen in love with catching these fish!! Still lots to learn and lots of blanks involved, trying to work out there feeding patterns and locations. Such an amazing fish in the flesh and feel blessed to have caught such a big local one  6lb 10oz
@sakuma_fishing Top bits from sakuma using 25lb fluro for hooklenth and mini manta extra size 2s nailing them every time.”
17 Jun 2024

NEW CHARTER BOAT – ILFRACOMBE

by | posted in: Lure Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0
Hi I’m Dan Welch I’m 42 and the new skipper and owner of Predator 2 Charters in Ilfracombe.
Predator 2 is an Evolution 38, powered by a new 450hp engine. She is coded for 10 passengers, up to 60 miles offshore.
I might be new to the Charter boat scene but I’m not new to fishing or boats. I’ve spent my whole life over 40 years on, next to, or in the water off this coast and the south coast and have owned my own boats for the past 20 years.
Many of you reading this will know me and know that fishing is my passion and in my blood. I love specimen hunting both boat and shore and I’m an active member of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club. I have a real passion for lure fishing and have spent much of the past 10 years off North Devon on my previous boat Seahorse hunting down the Bass, Pollack and Wrasse on light lure gear.
I now have the opportunity to continue to do what I love doing and to share this with others.
My main aim is to give people some great days out and hopefully make some new friends and encourage some youngsters into the sport. The 2024 season will be spent setting the boat up how I want it and doing some short range charter trips over slack water for the Tope and Huss (Keep an eye out for evening/after work trips). I will also be doing some prospecting trips further afield with friends and family.
2025 will be the year that I will be offering a full range of bespoke fishing trips. Trips will be tailored to suit your needs or ideas. We can do specialist lure only days, specimen hunting trips for the larger species, including tope and sharks, general species days or days aimed at targeting specific species or fishing in a specific way.
You can find me, and some of my photos on Facebook and Instagram, just search for Predator 2 Charters, give my page a like and follow, to be kept up to date.
I’ve already had a few requests for dates next year but won’t be taking bookings for the 2025 season until later this year.
16 Jun 2024

Bideford Mid week Competition Result

by | posted in: Match Fishing, Sidebar | 0
Evening competition No 5
Results. :
1st Nathgan Underwood  24lb 8oz
2nd Ian Croxton  24,lb
3rd Craig Lamey  23lb
4th Mike Snudden   17lb 14oz
5th Les Polden 17lb 4oz
16 members fished.
At the midway point of the summer league they were treated to a warmish, less breezy evening.
Nathan  once again performed his paste on the pole trick for yet another victory off of peg 9.
Ian ,on peg 6 , was a close second on 24lb with  Craig, not far behind in third on peg 1 with 23lb .
16 Jun 2024

WIMBLEBALL – EXMOOR RAINBOWS

by | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

I enjoyed a day at Wimbleball catching up with some good mates for an annual get together. Whilst fishing wasn’t top of the agenda the lakes hard fighting rainbows put a serious bend in our rods.  A superb full finned rainbow of 5lb 1oz that took me to the backing after taking a black foam hopper was the highlight of the fishing day. The sight of the fish slurping in the fly in a leisurely roll and then stripping line from the reel in a blistering run before leaping from the lake is one of those enduring memories from a summer day of sunshine and heavy showers.

Wimbleball offers superb fishing with hard fighting rainbows and wild browns. Its large expanse of crystal clear water nestled within a lush rural landscape makes it must a visit venue. The catch and release option ensures that a full day can be enjoyed.

 

14 Jun 2024

WATER COLOUR – OPPORTUNITY

by | posted in: Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

Not certain if this is open to non-club members but my guess is that a generous bid could seal the deal!

Good morning all anglers!

https://dulvertonanglingassociation.org.uk

Dulverton Angling Association  has very generously been given an original watercolour by William Shepherd dated 1926, please see the picture. size 8 x 6 inches.
Shepherd painted out on the water around Plymouth and Brixham, the boat having a Brixham registration.
We are looking for offers over £100 to start the bidding, please email your best offer to us by the end of June. Just remember the value the DAA offers in terms of quality fishing..
Many thanks for your consideration.
James
—

Lance Nicholson

Fishing & Guns
9 High Street
Dulverton
TA22 9HB
01398 323409
14 Jun 2024

11 YEAR OLD BOY CATCHES A MONSTER 60LB+ CATFISH

by | posted in: At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Sidebar | 0
11 YEAR OLD BOY CATCHES A MONSTER 60LB+ CATFISH‼️🙀🎣
Massive congratulations to Riley John who caught a huge new personal best 62lb 5oz Catfish from Nirvana’s Specimen Cat Lake!!
Riley’s Dad shared –
“Riley has been coming to anglers paradise for 5 years now, normally in August with his family but this year was treated with his dad and uncles. We arrived Friday to fish the specimen catfish lake.
It was a quiet night for Riley with his dad having a 2 during the night, and Riley woke up feeling disheartened not to have had a beep.
Then all of a sudden after breakfast, his rod beeped into action & after a long hard battle & a little help from his dad, he landed a monster!! Hopefully beating his 33lb from last year….it weighed 62lb 5oz!! A fish that was as long as himself & an attitude to match what a great start to the week!!”
Wow! Well done Riley, a fish that many adult Anglers still dream of catching and you have at such a young age!!

 

Anglers Paradise
NEW LAKE RECORD COMMON‼️🎣🥳
Massive congratulations to 5C’s member Joe Dietrich who fished Nirvana’s day ticket Xanadu Lake for a quick 24 hour session and only goes and catches the biggest Common of the Lake at 30lbs 2oz!!

 

14 Jun 2024

A new chapter for North Devon’s anglers.

by | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Lure Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling, Sidebar | 0

Quay Sports closed on June 14th after trading for close to three years it has been a valuable stop off point for North Devon’s Anglers providing a wide range of tackle for all disciplines. Fortunately the shop manager Chris Connougton is opening a new tackle shop  that will ensure that Barnstaple still has that vital ingredient to enable a social hub and source of those essential items of tackle and bait. It is essential that local anglers support this new venture and all other local tackle shops. We are very fortunate to have a range of tackle shops across North Devon a fact that I will promote in the coming weeks.

Last day of the shop today. Come and grab yourself some last min bargains. We would also like to say a huge thank you to you all for your support over the last 3 years, we have made some great relationships and friends. We wish Chris all the best for the future with Barnstaple Bait & Tackle and sure will see some of you on the bank.
Quay Sports

( Above) Mark Potter and Chris Connaughton on their last day at Quay Sports

🎣CHRIS CONNAUGHTON Comments
“I am proud to announce that I will be opening a fresh new bait and tackle store at 6 Queens House, Barnstaple, EX32 8HJ. I am hoping to be open by the 1st of July but more will follow on this.
There will be all the usual sea and freshwater baits available along with a vast range of tackle from leading brands.
My aim is to create a local social hub where like-minded people of all ages can meet, shop and chat about all things fishing!
It hasn’t been easy so come show some support when open and keep a tackle shop in Barnstaple for many years to come.
Watch this space for further details, a new facebook page, deals and events.
I look forward to welcoming you through the door
Chris
(I would also like to say a massive thank you to Mr Pinn of Pinndart for all his help with the logo etc).”