SALCOLMBE

SALCOMBE AND KING SBRIDGE ESTUARIES

All you need to know to fi sh these two top Devon estuaries

As 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. e balmy conditions are the reason for the availability of exotic gilthead bream, its fi rst UK boat record being a fi sh 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

e 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 fl ank is Halwell where the fi sh are attracted by the deep depressions in the seabed. ree of the record fi sh were taken here. e ‘Bag’ is rich in grey mullet always a light tackle challenge. ey 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

PRAWLE POINT

e 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. e biggest of the former was a fi sh of over 35lb taken in the best period September to late October.

BOLT HEAD

On the western fl ank is Bolt Head, an unbelievably classy mark for ballans with fi sh of 8lb in residence. You need a rod with a fairly stiff action to prevent these tough fi sh from gaining refuge in the maze of gullies below a kelp covering. A soft rod allows too much latitude in that fi rst power dive after the fi sh 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.

SALCOMBE AND KING SBRIDGE ESTUARIES

Wolf Rock reef

SAND BAR

Several double fi gure pollack and bass have been taken off Bolt during the annual Wyvern (Angling Trust) Small Boat Championship, traditionally fi shed in September for more than 40 years. Salcombe has a notorious sandbar where the outer estuary begins and it was here in 1922 in a gale that the Lifeboat William and Emma was lost and with 13 of her 15 crew who were rowing to a ship in distress. I recall coming close to disaster on the bar on a New Year’s Day in the 1990s. With the weather worsening, we had cut and run knowing that the bar had to be crossed be. As we approached a big sea reared the boat to an unbelievable angle and the eight of us aboard and everything else ended up in a big heap in the stern. I remember the bruises I received in collision with the transom. It was a miracle the boat came back on an even keel but being turned turtle was very close. It was the worst incident I have ever experienced in a very long boat fi shing career.

Starehole Bay near Bolt is the fi nal resting place of the tea clipper “Herzogin Cecilie” that struck the Ham Stone Rock in April 1936. Towed to Starehole she eventually sank and now lies 25ft below the surface. e outline of the hull can still be seen at low water with a bright sun above. It is a good mark for wrasse on dull days. ■

NEED TO KNOW

BOAT LAUNCH AND TRAILER PARK

The Salcombe Harbour Authority based at Whitestrand in the middle of Salcombe town provides a small boat launch facility at Batson within yards of the town’s biggest car park. The cost of launching a 15ft trail-boat is £9.50 per day plus 90p per horsepower of the engine being used. The trailer can be left in the nearby boat park for £6.00 daily. The Authority monitors channel 14 VHF. The Harbour Master is Cameron Sims-Stirling. Offi ce telephone 01548 852424. Chandlery - Wills Marine Ltd. Kingsbridge. There is also a good size slipway and car parking close by.

BOAT HIRE AVAILABILITY ■ Whitestrand Boat Hire:

01548 843818 Salcombe Launch Company (Age 18 minimum): 07855861383

■ Salcombe Boat Hire: 01548 844475

Roger Simcox’s record gilthead