Bass and thunder on the Jurassic Coast
The tide was flooding rapidly into the River Axe estuary when I arrived to park up and I took note of what looked like a potential mullet fishing venue. This was confirmed later as I chatted with the skipper John Wallington.
The cliffs were shrouded in grey mist giving a truly Jurassic atmosphere to an early October day as we motored out of Axemouth aboard https://www.devonbassprocharters.uk/
There is always something particularly exciting about visiting a new fishing destination. I had been invited by Snowbee ambassador Jeff Pearce who had brought along a few Snowbee Deep Blue Rods to test out. https://www.snowbee.co.uk/sea-fishing.html
There were six of us fishing on the boat Jeff and I knew none of them but as always anglers are a little like super glue gelling quickly to become friends sharing an adventure within a short time. Names are banded about at the start of the day, Mark, Martin, Mick and Zee but in truth I am terrible with names and by the time we left the harbour they could have been Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
Those grey mist shrouded cliffs of the Jurassic coast soon faded into the distance as we headed out to wrecks deep beneath the grey waters of the English Channel. Bass were our target with the chance of pollock. I always find it fascinating how many Skippers have their own approach and special tricks. John is very keen on safety and had given a very thorough briefing before leaving the port. Focussing on how to use the ship to shore radio if he was to become incapacitated a factor that I have often thought of but never actually asked any skipper about.
John explained how we would be drifting the wrecks using lures on long traces of up to 6 metres. The ball weights used must be inserted into their holders when the fish is retrieved and the fish is then handlined carefully to the waiting net. Flailing weights can be dangerous. When lowering the tackle into the water the weight is lowered first the lure held carefully until the weight has taken up the slack in the trace.
( take care not to get hooked by the inertia of the sinking weight- It hurts! ) The set up incorporates a simple anti tangle tube with the weight attached to a weak link. ( Well, mine was as I was using 50lb b.s braid mainline!) The other technique/protocol that was different to many charter boats was that we were all to fish on the same side of the boat with the lines all trailing away, ensuring none of the tangles associated with lines coming under the boat.
It was a very grey murky day but fortunately the sea was calm with just a gentle breeze. John spotted a few tuna leaping from the water. Gannets soared gracefully in the dark sky.
After forty minutes or so we reached our first wreck with the shoreline now hidden by mist. We sent our lures to the sea bed and followed the drill. On reaching the sea bed wind up slowly for thirty or so turns then send it back down and repeat. If a fish started to attack the lure keep retrieving until all locks up and then thump the hook home by lifting the rod positively.
The morning started slowly with a few bass and pollock from the first two or three wrecks. I was pleased to get off the mark with a decent pollock and bass.
The fishing was steady then as we covered a couple more wrecks. As the tide eased the breeze dropped away and we were entranced when pods of dolphins appeared to play around the boat passing within a few feet clearly visible in the clear water.
Several martins flew overhead as they headed South on their migration to Africa. A warbler of some type circled the boat another tiny migrant heading south its survival surely against the odds.
Sport began to pick during the afternoon as the tide picked up with each drift bringing multiple hook ups keeping a smiling John busy with the net.
Despite dark skies and intermittent rain, we were all surprised when a flash of lightning was followed by an impressive rumble of thunder. The storm persisted for around fifteen minutes with huge thunderclaps and some spectacular flashes of lightning. We fished on in shock and awe. This failed to deter the fish that were hitting our lures with gusto.
Not sure how many bass and pollock we eventually caught but I ended with seven bass and three pollock. I did lose a very good fish that hit my lure hard putting an impressive bend in the Snowbee Rod, the reel screaming before the hook pulled free.
We headed back to Seaton bouncing across a dark grey seascape as gannets plunged into the water. We all climbed from the boat a little weary and said fond farewells thanking John for a great day.s sport.
Combe Martin SAC’s Lure Fishing Update
Reece Woolgar registered this fine bass of 65cm to take a narrow lead in Combe Martin SAC’s Club members lure fishing competition that runs until the end of October.
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
Bass Lurę – Competition Update
Mark Jones tempted this fine 65cm bass to extend his lead in Combe Martin SAC’s members only Lure Fushing competition sponsored by High Street Tackle.
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
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.
CMSAC – Bass Competition Update
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
New Leader in CMSAC lure league
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.
Reece Woolgar – 64cm 59cm 71cm Total – 194
Mark Jones – 71cm 63cm 59.5cm Total – 193.5
Shuan Quartly – 72cm 60.5cm 56cm – Total – 188.5
Wayne Thomas – 67cm 54.5cm Total – 121.5
Nick Phillips – 64.5cm 47cm Total – 111.5
Mark Tossel 69cm Total – 69cm
ANOTHER PERFECT NORTH DEVON DAY
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 2023
COMBE MARTIN SAC Bass Lure League
Mark Jones – 71cm 63cm 59.5cm Total – 193.5
Shuan Quartly – 72cm 60.5cm 56cm – Total – 188.5
Reece Woolgar – 64cm 59cm 57cm Total – 180
Wayne Thomas – 67cm 54.5cm Total – 121.5
Nick Phillips – 64.5cm 47cm Total – 111.5
Mark Tossel 69cm Total – 69cm
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.
COMBE MARTIN SAC – OPEN LURE COMPETITION
First – Wayne Thomas – Bass 67cm
Second – Nick Phillips – Bass 64.5cm
Third – Reece Woolgar – Bass 64cm
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.