Connor Harold fished on the back bays swim 9 on Beatties lake . Connor had in total 25 fish out ! Up to 26lb 12oz all fish caught on Nash Scopex , candy nut crush and Mainline cell boilies. (Below)
(Below) Nigel Bassett who fished beach 2 (swim 11) up on lodge lake and had 9 fish out up to 26lb fishing with sticky baits Manilla and a spod mix.
(Below) Richard Roberts who fished up on swim 13 on the spit on lodge lake. This was Rich’s first time here in which he caught 5 fish out all caught on Sticky baits krill 16mm boilies.
(Below) George Ward who just finished his 48 hour session yesterday up on lodge lake and had 14 fish out up to 31lb 2oz a new personal best for George ! All fish caught from swim 7 (the nook) using Sticky baits Krill 20mm boilies and house pellet.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to chat with Pete Tyjas for one of his recent Fly Culture Podcasts. See link below – If you download you can play it on the phone; a good way to entertain on a long car journey or in my wifes opinion ideal cure for insomnia.
Whilst many anglers focus on carp there are many other fine specimens lurking within local waters. Several South West Trust reservoirs have hidden secrets with 2lb roach reported from Upper Tamar, Lower Tamar and Lower Slade in recent seasons. Darracott is the latest venue to yield a specimen roach with Terry Ramsden tempting a fine 2lb specimen roach. Perch to over 4lb, bream into double figures and eels of over 7lb reside in several waters its just a case of unlocking the potential.
Terry Ramsden with a 2lb roach from Darracot Reservoir caught using feeder tactics he also had a 16lb carp and five good bream.
It’s been a good season for bass fishing so far with both bait and lure anglers enjoying success. There have been good numbest of quality fish too with plenty of fish in four to six pound range. As the summer moves towards autumn bigger bass normally show with double figure fish expected. Big mackerel baits anchored out in the surf are often successful.
Kody Chugg enjoyed success with bass tempting three bass over 4lb the best 6lb 4oz during the past week. All taken on large fresh mackerel baits. . He also tempted a small eyed ray off k]just under 8lb from an up channel mark.
Dan Welch enjoyed an action packed lure fishing session in rough water conditions bringing nine fish up to 55cm ( Approx 5lb) to the shore.
Matt Stanbury and Kate Hudson had a cracking week at Anglers Paradise. Matt caught a personal best 64lb 8oz Catfish and a stunning fully scaled Mirror from the Main Carp Lake, and Kate caught a new personal best 32lb 8oz Catfish from the Easy access Lake.
They also had a night to remember on the Easy Access as in 24hrs they landed 6 Catfish and lost one. The Cats went 23lbs, 26lbs, 27lbs, 28lbs, 32lbs, and 36lbs. Their arms were aching after all that hauling!!
Most of the fish were caught on DNA baits SLK boilies in 26mm with a bit of pepperami.
Matt shared –
“Thank you once again for a wonderful week. You and the family always make us feel welcome.”
With a boat trip off Ilfracombe cancelled due to a brisk wind I decided upon a short session with the lure rod in the hope of a bass. I timed my arrival at the mark two hours after low water as the flooding tide pushed over the shallow boulder strewn shoreline. The shallow water was a little murky with more suspended weed than I would like but if the lure can be presented I felt sure bass would be there. I had a Megabass spindle worm clipped the end of my line from the previous trip in similar conditions. This lure is weedless and can be fished nice and slowly in the snaggiest of water without fear of losing tackle.
5lb bass
I started searching the water close in where weed was not so prevalent and after a couple of casts there was a swirl and knock as a bass snatched at the lure. The next ten minutes were non eventful as I peached the mark carefully. A cast to an area of slightly clearer water brought a big swirl and an all too brief encounter.
My confidence was now high and as the tide pushed in my confidence grew. I followed the edge of the tide up and was rewarded as a bass hit the lure with thump. Line was ripped from the reel and the thin braid burnt my finger as I applied heavy pressure as the fish thrashed about in the weed. After a spirited tussle the bass was secured and at around 5lb despatched to take home for tea. I only take the occasional fish for the table returning any fish over 7lb and any under 4lb. Pan fried bass fillets are delicious!
5lb bass
I continued to search the shallow water and enjoyed another spited tussle with another bass of identical size that was slipped back into the shallow water. The fish swam strongly away and I hope to encounter the fish again in ten years time when it will perhaps be a double.
Brian and Nicki Krakow joined Anglers Paradise for the first time last week and both caught personal best Carp and Cats! Brian caught his 1st ever Catfish at 20lb 5oz from the Octopussy and then went onto catching another personal best at 39lbs!! Nicki also caught her 1st ever Cat from the Octopussy!
Combe Martin SAC member Dan Welch has been enjoying some superb fishing from both the boat and shore. Early morning images, bass, mackerel are all the essence of summer sport on our beautiful and rugged coastline. Many thanks to Dan for letting me publish his stunning images.
“loads of mackerel tonight haven’t had mackerel like that for 10-20 years” Dan told me
