COMBE MARTIN SAC – CLUB NEWS

Combe Martin SAC’s Six Hour Rover Result

The winning fish an eel of 18lb 10oz was caught by Jonathon Stanway with his brother Ross Stanway securing runner up spot with an eel of 12lb 2oz. Third was Ollie Passmore with an eel of 11lb 15oz.

Jonathon Stanway with his winning eel
Ollie Passmore with his eel of 11lb 15oz

Conger dominated catches during this six hour evening competition with members fishing various marks on the North Devon Coast. The conger seemed to be on the feed in a big way. I fished with club secretary Nick Phillips and we landed close to twenty eels, sadly all were less than 10lb. I did hook what felt like a very big eel and was dismayed when the 7/0 hook I was using snapped an event that has never happened to me in over fifty years of fishing.

COMBE MARTIN SAC – AGM

Chairmans report

An interesting year with potential areas for the club to grow. The fun and species league based around Ilfracombe has generated an influx of new members and as a club we need to ensure this initial enthiusasm doesn’t dwindle away. How we do that is of course up to the members?

The core of the club is still specimen based but there has been a change in the way we fish with less social interaction and a more insular approach. Reduced access to the coastline is an issue as an increasing population leads to ever more restrictions on parking and access.

The challenges we face as a club are common to most clubs and we need to address areas where we can perhaps offer more to the membership. Though all a club really provides is a place to come together and share a common love of angling.   It is a concern that Nick and I have been at the helm of the club for forty years or more! If there is a future then at some point some young revolutionaries will have to kick us out.

Fish recorders report

38 species from Ilfracombe Pier and harbour area!

Toby Bassett caught – 34 of them!!!

Specimens fish  – 51 over 100%. Kyle landed – 20 of these

(49 in 2023)

Gilthead bream seem to thriving in the estuary and I suspect there were more 100% smoothound caught than recorded? A big change in what is being caught in the estuary with smoothound and gilthead bream caught as far up as Fremington Quay.

The winter fishing on the Open coast has been difficult with small conger and dogfish dominating catches. Good to see a few big pouting caught but the numbers of pouting and whiting are a fraction of those in past decades.

The summer bass fishing was good in the estuary and for some periods on the open coast.

I am hoping to see a big increase in fish recorded from the boats this season now that we have a Charter boat skipper in our midst. I would like to recruit a few new members wanting regular boat trips. As members they will have secure access to regular trips and a reasonable rate.

As regards to fish entries they are a valuable source of historical data for the club so please send in your fish. Either via email, Watts App, Messenger or good old phone.

2024 Trophy Winners

Cod Trophy     Kyle Bishop 18lb 5oz   Shore

Bass Trophy    Kyle Bishop   9lb 9oz  Shore

Mullet Cup       Graham Snow   5lb 3oz Thick lip – Shore

Conger Cup       Kevin Legge     26lb 9oz   Shore

Flatfish Cup       Nick Phillips     Flounder 1lb 4oz

Shore Shield       Ollie Passmore – Gilthead bream – 6lb 10oz

Medway Cup     Wayne Thomas – tope  – 41lb

Ray Shield    Shane Pavio Hookway – S/E Ray 11lb 4oz

Wrasse Trophy  – Kyle Bishop  – ballan wrasse 4lb 8oz

Predator Award –  Kyle Bishop – spurdog  15lb 3oz – Shore

Burgess Trophy   Zephyr Laramy-  Gilthead bream – 5lb 2oz – Shore

Scouse Shield     – Ross Stanway – 1lb 2oz

D Kyte Award      – Dan Welch – 6 mullet – total – 593%

Out Of Limits    – Skate  136lb

Merit Award  –    Kyle Bishop

Thornback Cup     – Shane Pavio Hookway   9lb 6oz

Specimen League –    Kyle Bishop

cod 18lb 5oz 152.6 S
spurdog 15lb 3oz 151.875 S
tope 43lb 10oz 145.417 S
conger 26lb 1oz 130.312 S
bull huss 15lb 150 S
Smoothound 13lb 4oz 132.5 S
862.704  

Runner up

Shane Pavio Hookway
bull huss 11lb 12oz 117.5 S
small eyed ray 11lb 4oz 112.5 S
bass 7lb 4oz 90.625 S
conger 20lb 5oz 101.563 S
pouting 1lb 6oz 91.667 S
thornback ray 10lb 90.909 S
141.667 S
746.431

 Fish of the season –

Winter –  Kyle Bishop – cod – 18lb 5oz  152.6%

Spring  – David Brooke – gilthead bream  4lb 1oz – 135.417%

Summer  – Ollie Passmore – Gilthead Bream – 6lb 10oz – 220.833%

Autumn    – Graham Snow – Thick Lipped – 5lb 3oz – 129.688%

ILFRACOMBE HARBOUR SPECIES AND FUN

I spent an hour or so working through the results of the 2024 Combe Martin SAC – Ilfracombe Harbour fun & Species Competition the results are below.

Well done to all who have taken part throughout the year. We had a very good uptake at the start of the year and special thanks go to Toby for his enthusiasm and efforts in recruiting new members. The number of species caught across the membership was amazing. The club sub group has added a different dimension the club and it is essential that this is continued. The club has its AGM on Friday 31st at the Mariners Arms, Braunton and it would be really good if as many as possible attend. This is your club and ideas are required.

I suggest we have a sub group coordinator or maybe a meeting at Ilfracombe for a chat and get together and maybe a combine with the first fish of the year.

To continue the club species total accumulator on both an annual and ongoing basis.

Arrange events throughout the season maybe Winter, Spring , Summer & Autumn. Plus at least one social meet at Ilfracombe in conjunction with one of these events?

Please Bring ideas to the AGM….

Total Number of species caught by club members – 38

1st – Toby Bassett – 34

2nd – Daniel Welch – 31

3rd – Ross Stanway – 30

4th – Nigel Oliver 24

5th – Gary Prout 21

6th– Lenny Lake – 19

7th Solly Welch – 18

7th – Ted Childs – 18

8th Paul Lorrimore – 13

9th – Charlie Stanway – 10

10th – Andrew Laramy -9

Zephyr Laramy – 9

Wayne Thomas – 9

11th – Jake Stanway – 7

12th – Matt Childs – 6

A sub group meeting is to held to look at how the league will proceed in 2025.

The AGM was attended by 19 club members. The only substantial change was that competition entry for standard competitions has risen to £10 reflecting changing times and relative value of money. A £5.00 entry fee had been in place for over twenty years. The increased entry fee makes the prize money more attractive.

 

SEA ANGLING RESULTS

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Fishing has been hard going on the Open Coast for sea anglers as the latest results from Bideford & Appledore reflect. With stormy conditions forecast I expect a flurry of action through Late January and early February with Bull Huss, spurdog and conger likely.
Bidefords Angling Club  48-hour results
1st Paul Ackland – Rockling 1lb 3 79.167%
Appledore Shipbuilders
Claudio Pinto managed a sizeable small eyed at 4lb 15ozs to secure the win in Appledore Shipbuilders Winter League Match.
 FLOUNDER COMP UPDATE   Sunday January 26th 
Still plenty of flounders about, as proved by Ted and his dad this week! (Backgrounds obscured for obvious reasons, after all there is a comp coming up😉). Well done guys!
Anyway, on to the comp.
FISHING BOUNDARIES:
We have decided to widen next Sunday’s flounder comp to anywhere on the Taw, as long as you are at the Ebberley Arms for the weigh in from 3.30 – 4.30…..comp starts at 10am
WEIGH IN LIMIT:
We are only accepting 1 fish per angler for the weigh in. A good idea is to keep your fish alive in a bucket of water so that it can be released safely if you then catch a bigger one.
ENTRY:
The entry form is on our counter. £5 for adults and £3 for children
We are building up a good head of participants and a great selection of prizes so look forward to seeing you all on the day to raise as much as possible for a great cause!!
BBT

Bideford AGM – Steve Bailey thanked for Sterling work

Bideford and District Angling Club held their AGM at Bideford Con Club on Friday November 15th,  the event was very well attended. The club is North Devon’s largest angling club with a membership of over 500 that includes over fifty Junior members many undoubtedly attracted by the clubs two well maintained fishing lakes. Tarka Swims consists of Georges Lake and Karen’s Lake that between them provide excellent pleasure, match and carp fishing. The lakes manager Steve Bailey resigned from the post after many years of sterling service and was presented with gifts from the club in appreciation. The new lake manager is Mike Jones.

Club Secretary – Mervyn Beal says :- Farewell Steve. At last nights AGM the club said farewell to our outgoing Tarka Swims manager. Over the past 20yrs Steve has been the backbone of our club, his grit determination, hard work and commitment has made Tarka Swims what it is today. On behalf of the committee and club members we would like to say a massive thank you Steve and to Lorraine for giving up so much family time over the years. Hopefully you can now enjoy more family time and get some well earned fishing in. Thank you.

 

The clubs holds well attended coarse fishing Matchs each month and a summer series of events for Junior anglers. The club also hosts regular sea angling competitions and game fishing events.

Bideford and District Angling Club Match Secretary’s Report 2024
The Senior matches on George’s Lake, Tarka Swims have once again, been very well supported. With an average of 20 members regularly competing.
Our Junior Section has also been extremely well supported with 35 different youngsters enjoying the 3-hour Saturday events held throughout the summer. The 5-match series was won by Ethan Broom on 46 points, close second Lewis Hathaway on 45 points.
The 10 match, Summer Evening Series attracted 22 different anglers, we were blessed with some great weather for the 3-hour contests. Runaway winner was Nathan Underwood on 130 points with Kevin Shears 2nd on 92 points. The 3-hour pairs event was won by Rhys Elyes and Darren Polden with a remarkable total of 96lb 12oz.
Richard’s ‘Rod and Reel Only’ Competitions have been fully attended; organiser Richard Jefferies currently leads the league with 2 matches remaining.
At present, in the monthly Sunday Matches, Craig Lamey has an unassailable lead with Nathan in 2nd place.
Our 2-leg team match against Plymouth resulted in a resounding victory for us 713lb to 219lb. I hope to set up a more challenging contest against Bude Canal anglers.
This club offers a fantastic variation of disciplines; from the game beat on the Torridge to boat trips, shore fishing contests and, of course, the Tarka events. The lakes provide a host of opportunities to get involved; as members we need to be mindful that the membership is diverse and each of us find pleasure and fulfilment in our chosen pastime whether helping with the working parties, camping out overnight after the ‘Big One’ or witnessing the joy of watching the juniors catching their first fish.
Openness and understanding are essential if the club is to prosper; division is not healthy. As a club we must be respectful of members choices.
Regular matches, I believe, provide a very useful indicator as to the condition of the water and its inhabitants. Recorded results provide accurate information and trends can be monitored.
Once again, I must thank those people who have supported events but especially those who have ensured that they run smoothly. Mervyn for his support scrutinising and publishing results. Steve and his team for providing us with a well maintained and safe environment to enjoy our chosen discipline.
Finally, I must comment on the shock of the closure of the institution that was Summerland’s Tackle; we wish the family well and thank them for all their support over many years.
Martin Turner stands for another term as club match secretary.

 

SEA ANGLING – RESULTS

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APPLEDORE SHIPBUILDERS RESULT
First rover Appledore Shipbuilders  new season resulted in some lovelly fish being caught.
First place went to Josh Atkinson with a beautiful Black Bream of 2lb 5 3/4ozs.
Michael Hammett was second with another Black Bream of 2lb 4 1/4ozs and Josh was also 3rd with a cracking Ballan Wrasse of 5lb 4 1/4ozs.

BIDEFORD ANGLING CLUB –  Result

Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover with a thornback ray of 7lb. Graham Snow was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 8.5oz.

Sea Angling Round Up

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Combe Martin SAC  – Catches

Combe Martin SAC members have been catching some fine specimen fish from North Devon’s rocky shoreline. Kyle Bishop registered bull huss of 11lb 11oz and 10lb 2oz. He also made the long trip to Scotland where he landed a fine skate of 136lb. Shane Hookway caught a 20lb 5oz conger at a local shore mark.

Graham Snow caught a specimen thick lipped grey mullet of 4lb 8oz.

TRIPLE HOOK CLUB OPEN RESULT

Mario Manley won Triple Hook Clubs South West Water Open with a flounder of 1lb 121/4oz. J.Martin was runner up with a flounder of 1lb 121/8oz  and Mark Hancock third with a flounder of 1lb 12oz. Junior angler Max Chapel was fourth with a flounder of 1lb 111/8oz.

Cornish Tuna Adventure 2024 – Leviathans off the Cornish Coast

Bluefin tuna are now present off the South West Coast in huge numbers during late Summer and Autumn generating a great deal of interest amongst sea anglers consequentially bringing a valuable boost to the local economy.

These immensely powerful fish were once prolific in the North Sea feasting upon the herring shoals that migrated to the area each autumn. The Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough became the home of the British Tunny Club in 1933 and for the pre-war years became the destination for the rich and famous to battle with these leviathans fishing from rowing boats using strong tackle specially built for the purpose. There was a cessation of fishing during the war years and a revival of the sport following these dark times until the early fifties when the fishery collapsed due to the overfishing of herring.

Whilst tuna were caught off the Yorkshire coast they were also sighted off the Cornish coast and in 1936 several fish were hooked and lost. Brigadier J A L Caunter in his book Shark Angling In Great Britain records numerous sightings off Looe during the late forties.

My own interest in tunny was fuelled by books telling of this historic fishing. Tunny – The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Biggest Fish written by Chris Berry and The Glory Days of the Giant Scarborough Tunny by Mark Ross are both excellent tomes that recount those historic days of battles with giant fish. Both of these books were published in 2010 before the current revival in tunny catches.

Fireside reading

Fortunately todays anglers are wiser and all tuna are carefully revived and released at the side of the boat. Tagging of these majestic fish has provided a wealth of valuable scientific data that can be used to ensure the correct management of valuable stocks.

Today anglers targeting these fish are provided with top quality tackle and fish from well-equipped Charter boats. All the skill rests with the skipper locating the fish. All the angler does is bring the hooked fish to the side of the boat. A task that brings a sense of trepidation for these immensely powerful fish can exceed 1000lbs with 400lb plus fish relatively common.

Whilst many cite global warming as the likely reason for the tunny revival this is unlikely to be a major factor. It is more likely to be a change in the migration of food fish and conservation efforts across the globe. There are concerns at the impact of these huge shoals of tuna on stocks of bass and migrating salmon and sea trout. As an angler I relish this opportunity and hope to savour the experience of a lifetime.

Looe on the South Cornish coast is a seaside town that is very close to my heart as it was here close to sixty years ago that my angling journey started with mackerel and garfish from the Banjo Pier.

I climbed on to the Charter boat ‘Sowenna’ skippered by Dan Margetts in mid-October with four fellow anglers. Jeff Pearce, James Coggan, Rory Nugent and Bruce Elston. We were fortunate to be getting out to sea; for the previous day had seen named Storm Ashley sweep up across the UK with winds to over 60mph. Whilst a residual swell remained winds were light and from the South West with sunshine promised for later in the day.

The tuna fishing had been exceptionally good prior to the storm and we hoped that the strong winds hadn’t broken up the bait fish shoals and the hunting tuna.

John McMaster prepares

A moderate swell was rolling shoreward as we headed out anticipating an angling adventure. Never having caught a tuna before there was a touch of trepidation. Would I be physically able to deal with such a powerful fish? I had seen two caught on previous trips and knew that these were seriously strong testers of both angler and tackle.

I watched the horizon and spotted a large gathering of  active birds. I immediately alerted skipper Dan and John Mc Master and we steamed optimistically towards the activity.

Beneath the swooping melee of birds the surface was disturbed as tuna smashed into shoals of bait fish.

         The trolling gear was sent astern spreaders of bright lures with a stinger in their midst. We drew numbers to see who would be first. Jeff pulled 1, Bruce 2, myself 3, Rory 4 and James 5.

         Tuna broke the surface tantalisingly close as birds continued to swoop and dive into the water. After a while the shoal dispersed and both hunters and hunted disappeared.

         Dan suggested we head West to an area that had been proving productive over recent weeks. The skippers all work together sharing knowledge for there is a common desire to see this fishery prosper and as the fish are I believe generally nomadic there are no hotspots as such.

         After steaming for ten miles or so we again spotted active birds and tuna along with a pod of dolphins.

         Again the gear was sent astern and the steady troll resumed. Tuna broke the surface on a regular basis all around the boat.

         We chatted, waiting in anticipation, Dan provided tea and coffee at regular intervals. Gulls, storm petrels, a lone skua and gannets filled the sky.

         The tuna were here in numbers and from time to time a huge fish would crash out of the water its sides glistening in the sunlight before crashing back into the calming sea.

          Suddenly a screaming reel set off  cries of “tuna !”

Jeff who was harnessed and ready stood beside the screaming reel waiting for the first run to slow and for the other rods to be cleared ready for the battle ahead.

 

         We all watched excitedly giving Jeff encouragement as he took the rod and commenced battle. Half an hour or so later the tuna was boat side and Dan grabbed the leader signifying that the battle was won. Sadly the fish detached itself at this point and Jeff did not get a picture.

         It was Bruce’s turn next and we had to wait another couple of hours for the next fish. This was Bruce’s first tuna and he played the fish with determination savouring every moment.

         The tuna was eventually brought boat side where it drenched us all as its powerful tail thrashed the water to foam. The tuna was estimated at 160lb its flanks of silver, emerald and gun metal grey a sight to behold. We admired its beauty as the fish was allowed to recover whilst we captured valuable images of the triumphant moment to store in life’s memory trove.

         It was my turn next and I waited with mixed emotions. The sky was now a vivid blue the sun slowly sinking illuminating the vast seascape as the day ebbed away. Activity had by now eased the tuna and their prey had moved off. Pessimism was starting to battle with my expectation.

         A half a mile or so closer to the shore we again spotted a large gathering of birds. John and Dan scanned the horizon with binoculars and we once again set off for a fresh area.

         Gannets dived into the sea, gulls and other birds swooped in a feeding frenzy. Tuna broke the surface and the lures trailed through the feeding tuna to no avail.

         Time was ticking, Dan really wanted to get me a tuna waiting and persevering with dogged determination and belief.

         As my hope slowly evaporated it happened! The line flicked out of the clip the reel screamed and I took my place beside the rod and screaming reel. As the run eased I ensured the line remained tight whilst the other tackles were removed from the vast playing field.

         I took the rod from the holder, Dan and John assisted in clipping the reel to the harness and I leant back to take the strain. Far away on the straining line a huge fish pulled back. The next half an hour was a game of give and take with line regained inch at a time with the powerful heavy fish taking it back with short powerful runs.

         I savoured every moment of what seemed like the summit of an angling life. The sun slowly sinking towards the horizon as the fish that filled my dreams was tiring. Eventually the leader appeared  and we all peered expectantly into the depths, the battle was seemingly won. Then unexpectedly the rod sprang back and that empty feeling of loss only an angler knows descended. The hook hold had given way the fish gaining freedom tantalizingly close to the boat. Dan and John congratulated me on getting my tuna. It was handshakes and congratulations for in one sense the deal was done I had caught a tuna.

         “If you were intending to release the fish, then the leader wound to the rod tip or being grasped by a deckie can fairly be considered a caught fish.”

       In footballing terms it seemed like a one all draw for it was neither a loss or a victory.

We steamed back to Looe the sun setting in the West as familiar landmarks on the Cornish coast passed by in the golden light of dusk. Gannets, glided over the calm waters I relived the drama of the day enjoying the company of fellow anglers vowing to return again to finish my quest.

Our son James had been mountain biking whilst I fished; he had successfully caught a 300lb plus tuna the previous year. As we approached the iconic Banjo Pier it was good see James sat rod in hand fishing. It was there that my lifelong love of angling had started with my own father. With the passion still burning strong I vow to return even as life’s autumnal years descend.

How long tuna will remain in British waters only history will reveal for there are no guarantees in this ever changing world we live in.

Bidefords 48-hour sea Rover results & AGM Notification

Bidefords 48-hour sea Rover results 

1st Jon Stevens Bull Huss 12lb 13.5oz 128.437%

2nd Richard Jefferies Bull Huss 12lb 12oz 127.5%

NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS

The 2024 AGM of the BDAC will be held at the Bideford Con Club on November 15th @ 19:30 for 20:00 prompt start.

Please note all proposals for change of rules or applications to join the committee in any capacity must be put in writing to the club secretary Mervyn Beal, with the name of a seconder to [email protected] by 23:59 on the 25/10/24

Due to the retirement of our Tarka manager Steve Bailey and Karen’s Lake secretary Jake England we need to elect members to take their positions, these are both big jobs that are vital to the running of our Tarka complex, and it’s no exaggeration to say that failure to fill the Tarka Managers post will have a great impact on the running and well keeping of the whole site.

For more information on these posts please contact Steve or Jake who will explain what’s required.

Could you ALL please make an effort to attend, there is a minimum number of people needed to form a quorum, and to make decisions on rules / fees etc.

Hope to see you all there.

Pete Skinner Club

Chairman.

 

 

Sea Rover Results

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Andrew Atkinson won Appledore Shipbuilders monthly Sea Rover with a club record rockling of 2lb. Runner up was Josh Atkinson with a bull huss of 10lb 15.25oz and third Andrew Atkinson with a bull huss of 8lb 12oz.

Stephen Found won Bideford Angling Clubs monthly rover with a thornback ray of 8lb 13oz. Andrew Clements was second and third with a bass of 6lb and a conger of 17lb 1oz.