Combe Martin SAC held their AGM and Presentation night at the White Lion, Braunton. A brief outline of proceedings follows :-

AGM  Chairmans Report – Wayne Thomas

I thought I should jot down a few notes this year instead of freewheeling through the Chairmans report as has been my way in recent years.

These  seem to be strange times with much happening across the world and society that isn’t inspiring. Perhaps that perspective is an age thing as I get old with the prospect of becoming a grandad this year. Fortunately, one thing that hasn’t changed for me is my ongoing passion for angling and the outdoors. To this end Combe Martin SAC has been a part of my life for close to fifty years along with Nick we have swapped roles along the years.  We must have been doing somethings right as the club is still going and if we compare with other local sea angling clubs we are probably the most active club and with a good reputation.

It would be really good to see a younger generation emerge to kick us old gits out and overhaul the club into a new vibrant force reflecting what today’s angler wants.

In the mean time we soldier on attempting to provide the club membership with a club structure that provides. A social function,  a reward for fishing effort, pooling of knowledge, and a sense of belonging to something positive.

To this end we continue to try and provide a calendar of events and work with local tackle shops and businesses to provide prizes and recognition. It is also  I feel important to support all  local tackle shops and charter boats etc as without them angling will fade away.

This is the clubs 61^st year an age I share at the moment. Tonight, is an opportunity to decide what you want from the club and how you can contribute to the clubs, success?

Looking towards next year we need to decide on a potential club adventure. In past years we have visited Sark,  Alderney and Ireland. Whilst travel has become expensive there is an interest in a skate fishing foray to Scotland with  perhaps two days boat fishing and a little shore fishing. 

I attended the Wyvern Shore Fishing competition at Slapton a couple of weeks back and would like to enter a team of four from Combe Martin SAC next January. It may not be tremendous fishing but I found it an  enjoyable event to be involved in. As it’s a fair trek perhaps a night’s B & B on the Saturday night would be an option.

I would like to thank Pete Robinson for offering to help with boat trips this year. I think the best way forward with this is that members booking a trip pay a deposit in advance. In the event that member cannot make the trip they should contact the club a month before to allow a replacement to be found.  In the event of a member dropping out of  a trip at the last moment  then they shall be responsible for the financial burden if others not prepared to share the this.  If the numbers are short two weeks prior to the trip then it is thrown open to non-members and to the charter boat skipper who might have anglers wanting a chance to get out.

Thank you for attending tonight; I look forward to a good year with the club and meeting with you at the water’s edge.             

Wayne Thomas

Many thanks to Quay Sports,  Braunton Baits and to Club members who donated prizes for the raffle held at the AGM & Presentation evening.

The club are pleased to announce a new award for club members including the predator award sponsored by Daniel Welch who will donating a megalodon fossilised sharks tooth.

The top six shore species and top four boat species awards are kindly sponsored by Ross Stanway Art.

Exciting plans for 2023 include an Open Lure Fishing Festival in conjunction with High Street Tackle.

Club membership entitles members to fish of the season awards £25.00 Tackle Vouchers for High Street Tackle.

A summer lure fishing league sponsored by High Street Tackle.

Summer Species Specimen Awards sponsored by Braunton Baits and High Street Tackle.

The club is also a member of the Angling Trust and Wyvern Division.

Follow the clubs facebook page for the latest updates and news.

AWARD WINNERS 2022 

Cod Trophy           Chris Bonds – 16lb 9oz    B

Bass Trophy       Shane Hookway. 7lb 10oz

Mullet Cup           Daniel Welch –    Thick Lipped grey mullet 5lb 5oz

Conger Cup       Kyle Bishop   25lb 11oz S

Flatfish Cup       Solly welch  Flounder 2lb

Shore Shield       Ali Laird –   gilt head bream – 7lb 4oz

Medway Cup     Mark Jones – Porbeagle 280lb

Ray Shield        Kyle Bishop   blonde ray 13lb 8oz

Specimen League –

Top four boat specimens

Dan Welch

                                                                                                           321.875

Burgess Trophy     Solly Welch – tope boat 42lb 4oz & Flounder 2lb

Wrasse Trophy     Kyle Bishop ballan wrasse  4lb 3oz

Scouse Shield    Alec McCleish    rockling 1lb 9oz

D Kyte Award

Daniel Welch           Thick lipped grey mullet     5lb 5oz                       125

Out Of Limits      Kyle Bishop – skate  -210lb shore –

Merit Award  –    .Kyle Bishop – outstanding catches local and in Scotland

Thornback Cup     – Mark Jones. Thornback  11lb 2oz

Club Records 

Kyle Bishop – Spurdog 18lb 1oz equal previous record

Ali Laird – gilt head bream – 7lb 4oz

 Fish of the season –

Winter 21/22

Kyle Bishop – Spurdog – 18lb 1oz – 180.625

Spring 22

Kyle Bishop – bull huss – 13lb 9oz – 135.625

Summer  22

Ali Laird – gilthead bream – 7lb 4oz – 241.667

Autumn 22 –

Dave Brook – smoothound – 13lb 6oz – 133.75

For further details on AGM visit www.cmsac.co.uk 

Combe Martin SAC members braved rough weather over the weekend in their search for specimen fish. Ross Stanway won the competition with a specimen small eyed ray scaling 10lb 15.5oz. (109 %) Shane Hookway was runner up with a conger of 19lb 14oz (99%).

Bideford Angling Clubs January 48-hour Rover results 

7 angler’s fished 

1 fish weighed 

1st Stephen Found  Small-eyed ray 9lb 4oz  102.777%

The WYVERN  REGION OPEN SHORE MATCH was held at Slapton Sands in South Devon and attracted 130 entrants. I will post a full report on the match later this week when I have the full results.

Sea Anglers are catching some good fish from the North Devon shore line with huss, spurdog and conger amongst catches.

Prospects for the coming month are excellent if the Westerly winds persist.

Combe Martin SAC member Ross Stanway enjoyed a session at a local shore mark to land several ray including three small eyed ray of 8lb 8oz and a brace of spotted ray.

Bideford Angling Club Monthly Sea Rover

January Rover results 

9 angler’s fished 

1 fished weighed 

1st Stephen Found Dog 2lb 3 1/2oz