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 Bait Box’s Craig Mcloughlin proves his angling crudential with this fine bass of 8lb 6oz caught using spider crab that is available in store. He also went onto bring a fine porbeagle boat side.
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
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
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”
Reece Woolgar has taken a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s lure league tempting a stunning bass of 71cm. The club members only competition runs until the end of October.
After the weekends Open Lure fishing competition members on the scoreboard have increased injecting welcome numbers to club members taking part. The league runs until the end of October and is sponsored by High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. Bass from boat and shore count.
Mark Jones is currently leading the lure league with three bass totalling 193.5cm
The North Devon Coast proved to be challenging over the lure fishing weekend competition with suspended weed proving problematic on the open coast where water clarity was good.
After weeks of very calm weather a brisk North West breeze undoubtedly resulted in the weed issue. The event hosted jointly between High Street Tackle and Combe Martin SAC failed to attract a large number of competitors. The difficult conditions undoubtedly deterring some from entering. I wonder if lure fishers tend to be non-competitive. There were bass to be caught as was proved with several fish registered from both the open coast and estuary. With many miles of coastline and a many lures and tactics to employ getting anglers together is a great way to promote learning in a pastime where those who take part will never stop learning.
( Below) The winning fish of 67cm caught after dark in shallow water.
(Below) Runner up Nick Phillips with a bass of 64.5 cm
Reece Woolgar tempted several bass over the weekend inclding this fish of 64cm
A few observations on lure fishing the North Devon Coast. There are many miles of varied coastline to fish and anglers have a wide variety of tactics to employ depending upon where the fish are located and what the fish are searching for. A significant factor in lure fishing is undoubtedly confidence and the willingness to adapt and experiment. Nick Phillips and I caught bass fishing an open coast shallow rock mark after dark when the fish will often. move very close to the shoreline. My belief is that the fish lose much of their natural caution after dark. Weightless soft plastics work after dark despite producing little movement and vibration.
Reece Woolgar tempted his fish again on soft plastics stalking the fish in shallow estuary water where polarising glasses are perhaps the greatest asset.
On the open coast surface lures can often work if there is suspended weed in the water. In the right conditions hard plastics and metal lures have their days and can produce good catches.
A jelly fish hooked a hard plastic lure !!!Nick Phillips on the Open Coast
Combe Martin SAC are hosting an Open Lure Fishing Competition with High Street Tackle Ilfracombe. If the event is well supported it is hoped it will become an annual event that can be built upon each year if the appetite is there to share the wonderful lure fishing for bass that can be enjoyed along Nortb Devons coast line. The coast line offers a wide variety of marks to target bass with a wide range of lure tactics proving successful.
Shallow rocky shorelines –Taw and Torridge Estuary
Bass tempted on a soft plasticOne of North Devons rocky headlands from the sea.
Sandy beaches have great potential for bass on lures
The boundaries for the event are the entire North Devon Coastline from County Gate to Welcombe Mouth.
The entry fee is £10.00 Competitors must book in at High Street Tackle Ilfracombe.
There is a first prize of £100 and £50 for the runner up. Additional prizes may be added if support is good.
The presentation will be held at Ilfracombe Pier, Outside the Aquarium at 6:30pm on Sunday July 2nd.
All those who attend the presentation will be entred into a raffle for a lure donated by High Street Tackle.
The prizes are for the longest bass nose to tip of tail caught using an artificial lure. A photo of bass and tape must be provided in addition to picture with captor if possible.
Fishing is from 00.00 June 29th until 6.00pm July 2nd.
All entries to be sent to CMSAC via their facebook page or to North Devon Angling News via social media or [email protected]
Advice on lure fishing for bass along with a huge sellection of lures are avaialble at High Street tackle.
