Ross Stanway has registered the first bass in Combe Martin SAC’s Annual Lure Fishing League that is sponsored by High Street Tackle. The 43cm bass is a welcome sign that the 2024 bass lure fishing season is starting to take off.
URBAN MULLET
Combe Martin SAC members ventured to Portishead Marina in search of the large mullet that reside within the sheltered waters. The day commenced with heavy rain falling and a bitterly cold North wind that ensured that breakfast the first item on the days agenda.
Fortified with full English and hot coffees members explored the confines of the marina. The mullet proved elusive with John Shapland securing the only fish of the day a superb specimen of 4lb 2oz.
CMSAC – ILFRACOMBE FUN AND SPECIES- Latest
Close to half a dozen members of Combe Martin SAC met up at Ilfracombe Pier for the second pop up fishing session of the Ilfracombe Harbour and Fun Species League. The ongoing dismal Spring weather failed to dent members enthusiasm and I was delighted to find a good number of Junior anglers amongst members attending.
The new format has proved a great success with club members registering an amazing 32 species of fish since February 1st. As this period coincides with what many consider to be the worst time of year for sea fishing off the North Devon coast this is very encouraging.
The leading club members at present are Toby Bassett on 24 species with Daniel Welch and Ross Stanway 22 species each. Gary Prout and Solly Welch are currently joint third on 12. Though this is changing daily and I am struggling to keep up!
With heavy rain pending I was keen to present the prizes for the February and March competitions kindly donated by Danny Watson at High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. The February prize for most species went to Daniel Welch with 22 species and the prize for the best picture also went to Daniel Welch with his stunning picture of a scorpion fish.
The monthly raffle prize kindly donated by Quay Sports was won by Toby Bassett.
The water clarity was excellent and as the tide ebbed an abundance of fish were swung onto the pier. Several dogfish were caught by Lenny Lake who has taken an early lead in the April competition which is for the longest fish.
Young Solly Welch caught a number of fish adding a shore rockling to his growing species tally that includes a rare topknot and clingfish.
Andrew Laramy caught a plaice.
Ted Childs caught several blenny’s fishing from the Piers inner basin. Inspired by young Ted I added a common blenny to my modest tally of species.
I was pleased to add a common blenny to my tally. As the tide ebbed and the light faded the catch rate dropped and members slowly returned home to dry out.
The gig rowers and Lifeboat exercise added life to the Maritime scene.
It had been an enjoyable evening and I look forward to the next event that will probably be held on a Sunday morning the plan being to alternate monthly between morning and evening.
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Fishing League
COMBE MARTIN SAC – Putsborough Open 2024
SEA ANGLING CATCHES
Bidefords March 48-hour results.
1st Andrew Clements Bull Huss 12lb 9oz 125.625%
2nd Graham Snow Thicklipped Mullet 3lb 6oz 84.375%
3rd Graham Snow Thicklipped Mullet 3lb 4oz 81.250%
Bull huss from Ilfracombe
Combe Martin SAC member Paul Lorrimore landed a personal best bull huss of 12lb 5oz whilst fishingf an Ilfracombe shore mark.
Combe Martin SAC Junior member Lenny Lake fished from John Barbeary’s Bluefin out of ilfracombe to boat a fine bull huss of 12lb 2oz.
Billy Evans won Appledore Shipbuilders league competition with a smoothound of 9lb 6oz. Andrew Atkinson was runner up with a smoothound of 9lb 0.25oz and Graham Snow third with a thick lipped grey mullet of 3lb 6oz.
Combe Martin SAC Fun and Species
Combe Martin SAC are holding a pop up fishing event at Ilfracombe Pier on Saturday March 23rd. Whilst it is a club members only event prospective new members are welcome to come along for a chat and perhaps enter into the Fun and species league.
Huss and conger on the prowl
Combe Martin SAC member Kevin Legge enjoyed success from North Devon rock marks landing this double figure bull huss of 11lb 3oz and a specimen conger of 26lb 9oz.
Kevin Legge Wins End Of Winter Rover with specimen spurdog
Kevin Legge won Combe Martin Sea Angling Clubs end of winter rover with a specimen spurdog scaling 14lb 15oz. Ross Stanway was runner up with a spurdog of 9lb 9oz.
There has a been a late surge in spurdog sport with good numbers of spurdog landed from North Devon shore marks. Combe Martin SAC member Kyle Bishop has caught numerous spurdog including specimens to 15lb 3oz.
