Present positions are : –
Reece Woolgar three bass – 200cm
Mark Jones three bass – 199cm
Shaun Quartly three bass – 188.5cm
Wayne Thomas thee bass – 182.5
1st Mark Jones – Bass – 71cm, 65cm, 63cm Total 199
2nd – Reece Woolgar = Bass – 71cm 64cm 59cm Total 194
3rd – Shuan Quartly – Bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm Total 188.5
4th – Wayne Thomas – Bass – 67cm, 61cm, 54.5cm Total 182.5
Combe Martin SAC – Lure Competition League
Wayne Thomas has moved up to third place in Combe Martin SACs Lure fishing league adding a bass of 61cm to his three fish qualifying tally.
Mark Jones bass – 63cm, 63cm, 71cm – Total – 197cm
Shaun Quartly bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm – Total – 188.5cm
Wayne Thomas – bass 67cm, 61cm 54.5cm – Total – 182.5cm
Reece Woolgar bass – 57cm, 59cm, 64cm – Total – 180cm
Lure fishing has proved challenging over recent weeks with rougher seas resulting in lots of suspended weed to snare lures. The abundance of natural food can also reduce the success rate of natural lures.
The best time for catching bass can be after the sun has set.
Mark Jones has extended his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s members bass lure competition catching an open coast bass of 63cm.
Present standings are :-
Mark Jones bass – 63cm, 63cm, 71cm – Total – 197cm
Shaun Quartly bass – 72cm, 60.5cm, 56cm – Total – 188.5cm
Reece Woolgar bass – 57cm, 59cm, 64cm – Total – 180cm
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.
The North Devon Coast has many miles of very varied and spectacular coastline much of it well worth exploring so when James suggested a trip to check out a cove near Ilfracombe I was keen. Lee Bay is a secluded Wooded Valley that descends to a fascinating stretch of coastline intersected by the South West Coast path much of the land in the custodianship of the National Trust.
James had suggested a short trip to explore the coves with a fishing rod perhaps incorporating a swim. We arrived shortly after Low water and walked out along the beach following a fascinating pathway cut into the rocky foreshore.
The path leads to a secluded beach sheltered from the prevailing South Westerly. This was where James intended to take a swim. But before cooling off we ventured beyond the cove through a maze of gulley’s that lead to a rugged rocky foreshore that screamed bass.
We had a few casts but with the tide flooding time was limited and we headed back to the cove where James plunged into the clear waters to cool down.
I stepped out onto the rocks and cast a lure whilst savouring the unfamiliar topography.
I didn’t really expect to catch and joined James on the beach suggesting we head back to Ilfracombe and try for a mackerel as the tide flooded.
Ilfracombe was a contrast to the secret coves of Lee Bay with its bustling harbour and people all around. After catching up with the cricket score we took our lure rods to the rocks near the pier and cast shiny metals into the clear water.
The aqua blues and greens of the sea with white breaking waves against rocky foreshores were exhilarating. We spied vast shoals of sandeel shimmering and shoaling close in against the shoreline. Birds were working out in the tide a sign that mackerel or bass were hunting.
A burst of life upon the water caught my attention and I cast my lure into the general direction. After a couple of casts came that pleasing thump as a mackerel hit the lure. Over the next twenty minutes we added four more mackerel to the tally. Fresh from the sea we looked forward to them lightly grilled or pan fried for tomorrow’s breakfast or dinner.
I was delighted to share the shoreline with James seeing the sea as it should be with abundant fish and prey. A lively moving eco system that can be enjoyed if only we could learn to use it in a sustainable fashion taking only our fair share.
As the tide forced us to retreat again we strolled along the harbour to pick up delicious burgers and a Katsu box from Paul Lorrimore’s https://www.baysideburgerbar.co.uk/
It would have been nice to savour the food sat on a bench overlooking the harbour but Ilfracombe’s seagulls made us retreat to the safety of the car parked beneath Verity’s towering presence.
The end of another perfect day in North Devon.
COMBE MARTIN SAC Bass Lure League
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.
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
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.
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.
The boundaries for the event are the entire North Devon Coastline from County Gate to Welcombe Mouth.
https://northdevon-aonb.org.uk
This event is shore only.
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.
“Great day on my boat with Craig Crafty Mcloughlin 
Sun flat sea & no easterlies for a change
Had 3 shark trips now but doing more lure fishing as well in between sharking
Landed this beauty 70cm plus & it went like hell on my slash 28g lure rod what a fight won’t forget that in a hurry!!!! C&R”
Mark now has three bass totalling 193cm
Reece Woolgar has two for 116cm
Mark Tossel one for 69cm
