WHERE TO FISH
BOAT
Words and photography by MIKE MILLMAN
SALCOMBE AND KING SBRI All you need to know to fish these two top Devon estuaries
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s a base for the private boat angler Salcombe takes some beating; it has great weather, sheltered waters, plus a remarkable array of species – 29 at the last count have been recorded. It’s also within an hour’s run to open sea marks with a big reputation when weather allows. The balmy conditions are the reason for the availability of exotic gilthead bream, its first UK boat record being a fish of 4lb 13oz taken in 1975 that has risen in six stages to 10lb 2oz 4dr recorded in 2015. So many have been caught Salcombe could be given the title “Gilt Eldorado”.
Starehole Bay
THE BAG
The main areas for gilts include the channel abeam Portlemouth and the moorings known as ‘the Bag’ giving access to the Kingsbridge Estuary. On its eastern flank is Halwell where the fish are attracted by the deep depressions in the seabed. Three of the record fish were taken here. The ‘Bag’ is rich in grey mullet always a light tackle challenge. They tend to browse on the weed growing along the hulls of the moored vessels so this is where to place additional ground bait. A feature of Salcombe’s waters, notably on the western side of the inner and outer estuary, is ballan wrasse of good size. The inner Salcombe Estuary
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PRAWLE POINT
The reef off the ruins of King Charles’ Castle is a very good mark and you can also do well putting a bait on the Wolf Rock Reef on the other side of the waterway. Prawle Point marks the eastern side of the outer Salcombe Estuary and its central area is well rated for blonde and smalleyed ray. The biggest of the former was a fish of over 35lb taken in the best period September to late October.
BOLT HEAD
On the western flank is Bolt Head, an unbelievably classy mark for ballans with fish of 8lb in residence. You need a rod with a fairly stiff action to prevent these tough fish from gaining refuge in the maze of gullies below a kelp covering. A soft rod allows too much latitude in that first power dive after the fish takes the bait – a rocked up ballan is hard to shift. Light tackle is a no go for this game and its best to use 30lb plus reel line and trace to bring a big one to a waiting net.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 607
17/02/2022 13:10
