Bideford Angling Club
March Rover results
1st Andrew Clements Smalleyed Ray 9lb 5oz 103.472%
2nd Nathan Clements Bull Huss 7lb 3 3/4oz 72.343%
Combe Martin SAC
SPRING ROVER
1st Wayne Thomas – Thick lipped grey mullet 3lb
Marine Management Consultation
There is an opportunity for anglers and commercial fishers to take part in a consultation regarding fishery management plans. As is often the case North Devon has missed out to some extent but there is an opportunity to engage on-line.
Upcoming Engagement Events – (NQS) FMP Tuesday 7th March 9am – 12pm Weymouth – Quayside (outside Weyfish the fish shop) 6pm – 8pm Lyme Regis – Fishing College 4pm – 6pm Online* 7pm – 9pm Falmouth – Chainlocker Pub Wednesday 8th March 9am – 12pm Newlyn – CFPO office 10am – 1pm Lyme Regis – Quayside (The Cobb) 2pm – 4pm Newlyn – Quayside 3pm – 5pm Axmouth – Quayside Thursday 9th March 9am – 12pm Fowey – Mission to Seafarers 9am – 12pm Exmouth – Quayside 2pm – 5pm Looe – Fish Market 6pm – 8pm Plymouth – Quayside 7pm – 9pm Looe – Social Club Friday 10th March 10am – 1pm Mevagissey – Social Club 10am – 12pm Brixham – Quayside *For online events, please email [email protected] for link
Bideford Angling Club – 48 Hr Results
Late February and March can be difficult months for sea anglers with rockling, dogfish, dabs and pouting often winning competitions. The beaches could be worth trying for ray with the chance of an early bass. Big huss are likely to be caught from rock marks. It was hard going for Bideford Club members with just one fish tempted above the 70% qualifying criteria. Spotted ray and rockling were caught to just under the 70%.
Bideford Angling Clubs
February’s 48-hour results
1st Andrew Clements – Pouting 1lb 2 3/4oz 78.125%
Spurdog Specimens
Combe Martin SAC members Martin Huntingdon and Stef Jones enjoyed some exciting spurdog fishing on a Private boat off the North Devon Coast. The best at 16lb 8oz fell to Stef with Martins best scaling 15lb 8oz.
Stefan also enjoyed some excellant pollock sport off Beer aboard Orca Charters boating a pollock of 9lb 2oz.
ESTUARY BASS
Lee Mutter fished the Taw estuary offering worm baits purchased at Quay Sports. He was delighted to catch and return a fine bass of close to 6lb.
Bass are present in the estuary throughout the season but are strictly catch and release until March 1st when two bass per day can be retained.
SEA ANGLING ROUND UP
Calmer conditions have resulted in a down turn in sea angling sport with specimen fish hard to find over the past week. Despite this some good fish were recorded by anglers fishing the first week of February a time of year when catches traditionally start to decline. The seasons and the migration of fish in our waters is without doubt under going change with reports of mackerel from Ilfracombe in the past week and the presence of grey mullet throughout the calendar year.
Appledore Shipbuilders
Thirteen Anglers fished the February rover today. It made a change to have nice weather for the rover after the last few competitions.
Although there was an easterly wind!
Kevin Pike was victorious with a fabulous Bull Huss of 11lb 7ozs. James Atkinson was second catching a fine Small Eyed Ray of 7lb 5 1/2ozs and 3rd was Chris Boon with a big Dogfish of 2lb 11 1/2ozs.
Bideford Angling Club -February Rover Results
1st Antony Smith Bull Huss 7lb 9oz 75.625%
2nd Andrew Clements Dog 2lb 3oz 72.916%
Combe Martin Sea Angling Club – Winter Rover 2 Results
Club seceretary Nick Phillips won with a specimen whiting scaling 1lb 10oz. Runner up was Wayne Thomas with dogfish of 2lb 8oz.
Whiting, dogfish, spotted ray and conger were also caught by members who fished marks across North Devon.
Big Bull Huss for Combe Martin SAC member
Combe Martin SAC member David Brooke caught this stunning Bull Huss weighing 15lb 2oz on a recent session. The fish is just 1oz short of the club record set in 2011 by Jon Patten.
Combe Martin SAC AGM & Presentation Night Report
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 61st 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 –
| Ali Laird | ||||
| tope | 36lb 6oz | 121.25 | S | |
| bull huss | 12lb 9oz | 125.625 | S | |
| spurdog | 8lb 10oz | 90.789 | S | |
| glithead bream | 7lb 4oz | 241.667 | S | |
| smoothound | 13lb 9oz | 135.625 | S | |
| rockling | 1lb 8oz |
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S | |
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| Kyle Bishop | ||||
| tope | 40lb 4oz | 134.167 | S | |
| bull huss | 13lb 9oz | 135.625 | S | |
| conger | 25lb 11oz | 128.437 | S | |
| spurdog | 18lb 1oz | 180.625 | S | |
| smoothound | 14lb | 140 | S | |
| blonde ray | 13lb 8oz | 112.5 | S | |
| 831.354 |
Top four boat specimens
Dan Welch
| Daniel Welch | Pollock | 12lb 15oz | 129.375 | B |
| Daniel Welch | mackerel | 1lb 8oz | 100 | B |
| Daniel Welch | smoothound | 13lb 14oz | 92.5 | B |
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
| Daniel Welch | Thick lipped grey mullet | 5lb 1oz | 119.118 |
| Daniel Welch | Thick lipped grey mullet | 4lb 7oz | 104.412 |
| Daniel Welch | Thick lipped grey mullet | 4lb | 94.118 |
| Daniel Welch | Thick lipped grey mullet | 4lb 4oz | 100% |
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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 Sea Angling Club for more details please visit the clubs website:- www.cmsac.co.uk
To recap to pay BACS sort code 51 70 16 and account 79279198. To pay by PayPal please use [email protected] with no gaps. Please put a reference and use family and friends.
Angling Trust – Marine – Wyvern Region Open Shore Slapton
Angling Trust – Marine – Wyvern Region Open Shore Slapton, South Devon, On the 15th Jan 2023.
The South West’s first major event in 2023 attracted 130 anglers to the South Hams to fish the annual Angling Trust Wyvern Open Festival, with some competitors traveling from South Wales & the Isle of White, the weather conditions on the day saw a strong to gale force, west / south westerly wind with occasional heavy blustery showers for the five hour event. Whiting, Dogfish, Smoothounds, Spotted Ray & Small Eyed Ray were caught during the event, 52 competitors returned to the scales with fish to record. The results were announced within half an hour of the close of scales at the Festival Headquarters at the Stokeley Farm Shop.
The main sponsor was Julian Shambrook of Anyfish Anywhere Ltd, a major fishing tackle manufacturer, based in Torquay. All of the sponsors for the day were thanked for their continuing support each year, also a big thank you to Stokeley for their hospitality & providing an excellent venue.
The worthy winner, of the event was Tom Travers of Honiton S.A.C., he recorded a Whiting of 1.225lb & a Spotted Ray of 3.25lb giving him a total of (153.89%),he was presented with the top prize of £200 cash and the Brixham Bowl, other tackle prizes to the value of £800 were awarded down to 12th place, these were announced by the Chairman of the Wyvern Region Alex Parker and presented by Julian Shambrook.
It was also very encouraging to see a junior Archie Sweetland from Honiton SAC take 11th place in a competition which attracted 130 anglers.
The Region promotes the Angling Trust “Take Five” anti litter campaign and encourages all anglers to leave the beaches cleaner than they found them.
The first Twelve Places are as follows: –
First: £200 Brixham Bowl
Tom Travers Honiton SAC, Whiting 1.225 lb, Spotted Ray 3.25 lb
Total: 153.89%
Second: Pick of the Prize table & Bideford Cup Cup
Adam Slack Brixham SAC, S E Ray 6.69 lb, Whiting 0.855 lb
Total: 131.31%
Third: Pick of the Prize table & Appledore Cup
Julian Shambrook, Torquay, L.S.D. 1.785 lb, Whiting 0.755 lb
Total: 121.73%
Fourth: Pick of the Prize table & Sidmouth Cup
Rob Marshall, Unattached, Whiting 0.670 lb, L.S.D. 1.845lb
Total: 118.47 %
Fifth: Pick of the Prize table
Liam Teppett, West Bay S.A.C. Whiting 0.805 lb, S. E. Ray 5.75 lb
Total: 117.56%
Sixth: Pick of the Prize table
Matt Werbitzky, West Coast S.A.C. Whiting 0.570 lb, L.S.D. 1.970 lb
Total: 116.80%
Seventh: Pick of the Prize table
Joe Walton,Teignmouth SAS, Whiting 0.590 lb, L.S.D. 1.825lb
Total: 112.33%
Eighth: Pick of the Prize table
Adam Green, Plymouth Sound SAC, Whiting 0.635 lb, L.S.D. 1.670 lb
Total: 109.13%
Ninth: Pick of the Prize table
Gavin Hitchcock, S.W.A.F.S.A.C, Whiting 0.645 lb, L.S.D. 1.565 lb
Total: 105.60%
Tenth: Pick of the Prize table
Paul Rohrabaugh, Sidmouth S.A.C. Whiting 0.685 lb, L.S.D. 1.430 lb
Total: 102.87%
Eleventh: Pick of the Prize table
Archie Sweetland, Honiton SAC, Whiting 0.730 lb, L.S.D. 1.290 lb
Total: 100.27%
Twelfth: Pick of the Prize table
Johnathon Bray, unattached, Whiting 0.830 lb, L.S.D. 1.110 lb
Total: 99,73%
Best Team: Team Shield: (Team of four anglers, Best fish by each angler)
Team: Anyfish Anywhere:
Rob Marshall
Julian Shambrook
Marcus Ward
Pete Hutchins Total 251.87%.
Pool (best individual species)
1/ 50% Alan Hobbs Roving Rods SAC 92%
2/ 30% Tristan Rowe Cormorants SAC 90.33%
3/ 20% Tom Travers Honiton SAC 81.67%
As a member of the Wyvern committee, I attended the event and was nominated as the end marker at the Strete end of the beach. I also acted as a steward but saw very little action at this end of the beach until the final hour witnessing just 2 dogfish and a couple of whiting. Despite the lack of action, (I blanked) it was a very enjoyable day.
Coming from North Devon it was great to be able to set up on the beach without having to chase the tide up and down. The sight of beach shelters are rare up on the North Devon Coast where the tides make them impractical. And up North we are of course more hardened to the cold weather shunning the need for shelters!
Slapton is a superb competition venue having plenty of parking and easy access along its 3 miles of course sand. There are a wide range of species caught from the beach throughout the seasons.
Slapton sands has an interesting history with a very moving story attached to it. In 1943, the beach was used by the allied forces as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings. Unfortunately, a combination of live ammunition and poor visibility resulted in the deaths of 749 American servicemen. You can visit a stone monument which was set in place on Slapton Sands to commemorate the ill-fated.
Whilst I had never fished the beach at Slapton I have fond memories of pike fishing in Slapton Ley before angling ceased under the stewardship of the Slapton Ley Field Centre. The Ley once held huge shoals of rudd and pike to twenty pounds. Its reed fringed waters provided a fascinating and atmospheric venue.
As is often the case in large sea angling competitions the weigh in reveals plenty of fish at the scales with dogfish and whiting dominating. The introduction of catch and release for ray, smoothound and spurdog was in my view a positive step towards conservation. I intend to fish again next year and hopefully tempt a brace for the weigh in.
Congratulations to all those who won prizes. And big thanks to those who organised the event and to the generous sponsors.
SEA ANGLING RESULTS
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.