Sea Angling News February 2021

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Sea Angling News Ltd. - www.seaanglingnews.com - editor@seaanglingnews.com - Issue 304 February 2021

RARE BLUE SKATE CAUGHT FROM BRISTOL CHANNEL SHORE MARK

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ANGLING TRUST

LOCKDOWN FISHING: UPDATED GUIDELINES PUBLISHED

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BACK TO BASICS

HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE SEA ANGLER

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MARITIME & COASTGUARD

CONSULTATION ON THE SAFE DISPOSAL OF MARINE FLARES

WINNER This incredible Blue Skate was caught by local Somerset angler Guntars Zukovskis. He was fishing a reef mark after work when this rare 15lb 3oz came along . It truly is an exceptional fish to be caught in the Bristol Channel.

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ROVING RODS

GASWORKS BEACH - MINEHEAD

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Sea Angling News, February 2021

LOCKDOWN FISHING: UPDATED GUIDELINES PUBLISHED

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Anglers flock to join Angling Trust in record numbers since lockdown After a hectic and successful week navigating the consequences for angling of the government’s decision to impose a third National Lockdown in England in response to the rise in coronavirus infections, the Angling Trust has published new comprehensive guidelines and FAQs to help anglers fish safely, locally and responsibly without falling foul of the law.

The news that fishing was to continue, when most other sports could not, was greeted enthusiastically by anglers with over 2,000 new members signing up as members of the Angling Trust in the last week (a new record) and staff working long hours responding to the mass of enquiries.

As well as the updated FAQs, which now includes advice on interactions with the police, Angling Trust Policy Chief Martin Salter, who has been at the centre of our campaign to keep us fishing during lockdown, has published a new blog telling the full story on how we got angling over the line, together with some essential reading on how to stay the right side of a very confusing set of rules.

The key messages are: •This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May. Read the government guidance •Angling is a ‘reasonable excuse’ recognised by Government as evidenced

by Sport England •You should be able to show that your travel to go fishing is in accordance with the government’s instruction to stay local and you are following the Angling Trust’s travel guidelines

•We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply •Should a police officer decide to issue you with a direction order or fixed penalty notice you should accept it and pack up immediately and return home if so instructed •Organised sporting gatherings prohibited so no match fishing

are

•The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever •To remain within the law you should follow the travel guidance and only fish locally •Avoid fishing in crowded places where social distancing could be difficult and might give rise to concerns over public health •We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others cannot and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.

Martin Salter said: “Covid has caused an unprecedented and deadly global pandemic costing thousands of lives and putting our NHS staff under intolerable pressure. We are clear that angling must be part of the solution and not a cause of problems or concern. Getting ministers to recognise the case for local fishing was a huge achievement but it has understandably

triggered hundreds of enquiries and requests for clarification. Foremost was to define ‘local’ - hardly an easy task since the government has not done so in the regulations as the Police have been pointing out this week and the Prime Minister has demonstrated with his recent seven-mile cycle ride. By bringing everything into one document we hope that we’ve provided everything anglers need to know in order fish safely, locally and responsibly during the lockdown without falling foul of the law.”

Scott Mann, North Cornwall MP and a keen angler, welcomed the continuation of angling saying: “We have seen over the last 12 months the positive impact angling can have on people’s mental health. As a solitary pursuit it can be enjoyed without concerns about distancing from other, so I am glad we are now able to fish once again.”

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, added: “ I couldn’t be prouder of the leadership role played by the Angling Trust throughout the Covid crisis. We have acted responsibly, professionally and effectively, much to the envy of many other sports, as has been acknowledged by Sport England, the Environment Agency, government ministers and officials and the thousands of anglers who have sent us messages of support or joined us in record numbers. But I must stress that the spotlight is on us like never before and we must all conduct ourselves responsibly and fish safely. Please remember we are extremely fortunate to be able to fish at all and we must all act as ambassadors for our sport.”

Sea Angling News, February 2021

THAMES ESTUARY

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NEWS / BRIXHAM

Sea Angling News, February 2021

Sea Angling News, February 2021

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HOOKED ON LURE FISHING The groundbreaking new hardback from Merlin Unwin Books (RRP ÂŁ24.99) Packed with brilliant tips and ideas from Dom and saltwater lure fantatic Andy Mytton, this new book reveals a huge range of species to target and exciting tactics to try. Over three years in the making, it also features the amazing underwater photography of BBC Wildlife star Jack Perks. It is available now from various book and tackle shops, or signed from www.dgfishing.co.uk

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Sea Angling News, February 2021

BACK TO BASICS By Martin Wood

With lockdown keeping a lot of us in Its makes good sense to make use of our spare time and research what we love do‐ ing and new ways to get at certain spe‐ cies we may want to catch and sorting our gear our out cleaning down and prep‐ ping rigs.

On my website www.thesnagfishingblog .com there is a lot of information on fish species and when you click them you get to see the grounds they inhabit, certain behaviours they may exhibit, baits to catch what rigs and a whole lot more to help us all with planning our trips.

I’m sure many who regularly go sea angling will be not looking for basics at the moment but planning trips for when it is allowed for species hunts or specimen fish hunts and so forth.

But there are also a lot of new people to fishing at present because of C19 and the lockdowns etc.

People are either coming back after a long time out or new altogether to this fantastic sport and past time as well as giving you fresh food for you and your family to put on the table.

So I have thrown together some quick looks, hints and tips for a few things to look at and if you visit previous articles I wrote last year on Back to basics articles there was a lot of water craft articles about where to fish and what to look for which are al so on my website mentioned above and if you’re on facebook then will articles will also be pushed across to The snag page.

First of welcome to sea angling if you’re new!!!

1.) I have fished beaches all over and it’s learning how to fish the beaches that is important and knowing what to look at and what to look for.

There are always some nice fish to be caught at some point on most beaches.

As with anything it can be cost depend‐ ant with gear and the quality but to get going there is always options and it just depends how much you’re willing to

spend.

But ideally you'll want a beach caster 12ft to 15ft the longer the rod the greater the distance you cast depending on casting ability is the general rule of thumb.

I bought my son a cheap £25 NGT beach caster to see if he would like fishing and I would still cast 90-100 yards more than enough to catch fish!

But obviously the more you spend the better the gear gets generally and the longer it will last.(i found this rod quite floppy but it pulled in a 7lb bass just fine) But some makes give a good rod for just under £100 a Penn squadron/ Rampage or a second hand Anyfish anywhere 6+bait (AFAW for short if you see it online) are great rods and not likely to let you down anytime soon I’ve seen them about for £80-100 I used to use multiplier but I have changed back to fixed spool reels as the playing field is greatly reduced and your retrieve rate is a lot better especially over snaggy grounds when you want to keep the lead and the fish up on the retrieve especially where I am at Bossington beach it’s a massive advantage.

Reels are what you feel comfortable with and I can use both but I prefer fixed spool for ease and enjoy my fishing because of that.

But depending on your personal prefer‐ ence you will find plenty of half decent reels multi or fixed spool for around the £70 that will last for a good while.

2. Bait... all bait will get you catches but I guess the most common baits are Squid, Oily fish as well so bluey, mackerel, sardines and herring at the right time are great baits!

Especially really good for bullhuss and rays, bass, conger to name a few etc there is a massive list that will clear up a fish bait but it also depends what ground you fish over to what you catch.

Sand eels a great bait and normally a match anglers first go to bait good for all types of fishing.

Worm baits lug and rag again no self re‐ specting fish normally turns down a worm.

My personal freezer has that squid, sand eel, bluey, mackerel, crab, mussels, sardines, herring, limpets and frozen blacks.

I know a guy that was so skint he had some out of date bacon and caught a pollock on it so I guess anything goes if you have no access to tackle shops or online baits then when you are doing your essential shopping in your supermarket pick up some mackerel or prawns etc it all works but the fresher the bait the bet‐ ter!

If using fish bait I tend to lop off the tails which prevents your rig tangling/ twisting on the retrieve and also gets the scent out there quicker.

3. When I started out many moons ago I was told to avoid small tides etc tosh!

Fish all the tides in all states and find out for yourself!

Some of my best fish have been on a very small spring low tide etc ... look at the tides table and look for patterns and look at the places you're going to fish at these times, look at the beach at low tide to find gulleys, depressions, snaggy areas etc look for and fish features a solitary rock on an otherwise clean beach.

I find keeping a diary is fantastic as you find patterns for marks by doing so it can be surprising just what you forget at times.

If you fish a large spring tide at low water its very low amount of water so it goes out furtheron the beach, cast out your best cast and chances are you're on ground that you don't normally fish and is normally always covered by water its served me well a good number of times!

4. Depending on beaches and ground your fishing over you won't get a lot of rays over boulder ground but would con‐ ger eel and Bullhuss where as if you fish over flat sand you won’t encounter as many Bullhuss or conger but rather bass, rays etc Also the time of year makes a massive difference... it’s such a large area this subject we could be here all day... but

you will always find some dogs normally if nothing else. s 5.I don't know the areas that you will be fishing but again look for features just be‐ cause others may not do well there does not mean you won’t!

Sometimes people like their spots quiet so say it’s crappy and it’s really actually very good!

6. Whilst LRF, spinning and float fishing are all great I personally like ledgering you want your rig on the sea bed well planted in spring tides use a spiked lead with the pull out grips and if it’s a calm day I use a plain lead bomb to find any little riffles and gulley that the fish are hiding in I out fish a lot of people this way.

Some good rigs to look at to get catching are the standard running ledger.

The pulley pennel good in snaggy ground as the lead stays up in front of the fish.

Up and over rig for a long hook length but gives a running ledger presentation of the bait.

Or my personal go too favourite is the pulley dropper as it keeps the lead up in front on the retrieve but also allows the hook length to flow anyway in any tide no matter the direction which in turn keeps it hard on the seabed where you want it and gives a better bait presentation...

Take a look on youtube there so many people which show how too's on making rigs and how to bait them up (presenta‐ tion certainly helps! and if distance is wanted streamlined baits help) Match your size of bait to the hook and leave a clear hooking point always!

Unlike course fishing they are as shy and will take it regardless.

Also look at your venue are there natural baits there? I.E if you see worm casts or lots of crabs about.

If so use the same as that is what the fish come for.

Any questions at all I’m on facebooks “The snag” page a lot so feel free to fire a message over!

Tight lines and the best of luck

Sea Angling News, February 2021

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POOLE / DORSET

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Sea Angling News, February 2021

POOLE REPORT

by Philip Higgins As restrictions have hit angling hard again a chink of light following pressure from Angling Trust and the PBA does allow for some fishing but not charter boat opera‐ tions. During a few hours of fishing free‐ dom and being allowed to give the boat a run Con Bratcher caught a new PB when he landed a very rare Allis Shad weighing

over 2lb and measuring 45cms the fish was quickly returned alive to grow for an‐ other day, he also landed several Blonde Rays, Channel Whiting and Eels. During the next few weeks there is a Beach Re‐ plenishment operation planned for Poole Bay to improve the beaches.

Sea Angling News, February 2021

POOLE / DORSET

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CHESIL REPORT

By Gareth Mayers With a full lockdown being in place and only locals being aloud to fish the beach unfortunately there’s not much to report from this month.

To be fair the beach normally fishes hard this time of year and the majority of anglers wouldn’t really bother too much with Chesil at the moment.

I would imagine that there would be a lot of whiting showing along with strap con‐ ger with the odd ray or codling.

I expect that most are hoping to be out again during spring time but that’s a differ‐ ent matter as we all know!

If we do get the green light around that time of year I for one can’t wait to send a rig out there with a bit of bling for an early plaice.

The shallower end of the beach will pro‐ duce the early fish around Cogden way with the better ones coming from slightly deeper water.

Best baits by far as most are aware is either rag or lug or a good cocktail of both normally tipped with a slither of squid. A top tip is to switch to a rolling lead if there’s a good pull in the tide this could prove vital for giving that extra bite or two!

(Pictured are some plaice that come out late last year when the flatties are in a little better condition) Unfortunately there has been some horrific weather hitting the beach hard recently with waves crashing over the top of the bank injuring people and also causing damage to the streets in the area.

It seemed to be a shock to some anglers on social media platforms but with a huge ground swell it just shows the true power of our waters and that we must stay vigil‐ ant at all times while fishing in rough weather.

Let’s hope we can all get back to Chesil very soon but for the meantime stay safe and protect the NHS.

CHESIL

Sea Angling News, February 2021

Sea Angling News, February 2021

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NORTH DEVON

Sea Angling News, February 2021

NORTH DEVON REPORT

By Wayne Thomas I am sure many anglers will be suffering from lockdown blues during these strange times when this dreadful pan‐ demic has limited the freedoms that we have taken for granted throughout our lives. The Angling Trust has done a great job in ensuring that angling can continue on a local basis. There has been a great deal of debate on what is deemed local but we will not get into that debate here.

Those anglers that have managed to get out onto the North Devon Coast have found the fishing hard going with North‐ erly winds dominating throughout much of January. A few specimen huss and spurdog have succumbed to anglers baits along with some good conger.

There was one story of a very big conger hooked from a popular Ilfracombe shore mark that was estimated at over thirty pounds.

Jon Patten Double figure spurdog

Jamie Steward North Devon Codling

At least one intrepid lure angler has had success in tempting winter bass high‐ lighting that these prized fish are present all year round.

There has been speculation as to why the fishing has been so poor this winter with anglers having many theories re‐ garding an apparent demise in fish pop‐ ulations. There has undoubtedly been a dramatic decline in the numbers of cod caught from North Devon’s coastlines along with other species such as whiting and pouting.

Supertrawlers harvesting fish off the South West approaches get a great deal of the blame and must have a devastat‐ ing impact. There are also those who blame climate change and dredging.

Angling can have some impact on fish stocks though I believe any impact is in‐ significant especially as most anglers return a high proportion of the fish they catch.

As the Spring approaches it is hoped that COVID restrictions will ease and anglers will once again be able to set out on the regions Charter boats.

Private boat owners are working hard to prepare their boats for the fast ap‐ proaching warmer days.

Kody Chugg - 11lb 9oz spurdog

Spring ray will be a possibility from North Devon’s surf beaches with small eyed ray, spotted ray and blonde ray all likely. Bull huss, dogfish and rockling will rattle rod tips on the rocky shoreline.

The Taw and Torridge Estuary could pro‐ duce early bass for those prepared to try an exploratory cast with peeler crab or lure. Sandy marks can bring success on small worm baits tempting tasty dabs and maybe even plaice.

The latest angling news from North Devon can be found at www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk

Jon Stevens Pouting 1lb 5oz

James Corner conger 23lb

Sea Angling News, February 2021

NORTH DEVON

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NEWS / LANGSTONE

LANGSTONE HARBOUR AREA BOAT FISHING REPORT

By Neville Merritt, Southsea Marina Angling Club

The Southsea Marina Sea Angling Club year runs from February to January, so 31st January marked the end of the 2020 Season and competitions. The final couple of months are usually quite exciting with last-minute changes in the club competi‐ tion standings and winter competitions to look forward to as well. Well as we all know, this year has been like no other year and with the second major lockdown re‐ stricting travel and competitions, the club activities drifted gently to a halt. Our winter cod competitions were cancelled and with only a few local anglers being able to use their boats, there weren’t many fish caught of note.

Kev Johnson was the overall Club Cham‐ pion and managed to bag a few more

trophies as well, including the Bass Cup for this 11lb 10oz beauty pictured! Next month we will be announcing all the win‐ ners of the SMAC competitions and hope‐ fully we’ll also know more about when we can all fish together again.

SMAC is independent from Premier Mari‐ nas Southsea although we are based in the marina, and we are very grateful for their support. Premier have kindly given up a page on their website if you would like to find out more about the club and activities, please visit www.premiermarinas.com and look at “About Southsea Marina”.

Neville Merritt Southsea Marina Angling Club

Sea Angling News, February 2021

ANGLERS DEMAND MORE THAN SIMPLY COUNTING CONDOMS IN RIVERS CLEAN-UP

Anglers and river campaigners have reacted with disappointment to today’s ‘over-hyped’ announcement from the government on the recommendations of their joint task force on sewage discharges which promises little more than counting pollution incidents rather than doing anything about them.

The DEFRA press notice proclaims: "Water companies have agreed to make real-time data on sewage discharges available at bathing sites all year round, meaning surfers, swimmers and other water users can check the latest information – especially after heavy rainfall. Water companies will also accelerate work to install monitoring devices to create a complete picture of their activity by 2023."

Whilst the Storm Overflows Taskforce, made up of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, Consumer Council for Water, Blueprint for Water and Water UK, has agreed to set a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows no timescale or plan of action has been agreed.

Data already released show that too many of our rivers are impacted by pollution. In 2019 water companies released raw sewage into local rivers for more than 1.5 million hours. In September 2020 data from the Environment Agency revealed that not a single river in England achieved good chemical status and only 14% were classed as being of good ecological status.

The now postponed The Sewage (Inland Waters) Private Members Bill, introduced

by Phillip Dunne MP, sought to place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters. The Bill received strong backing from environment groups and the Angling Trust as part of their ‘Anglers Against Pollution’ campaign.

Stuart Singleton-White, Head Campaigns at the Angling Trust said:

Club Champion Kev Johnson with Bass 11.10

of

“Anglers are often the first people to know when sewage pollution incidents occur and the Angling Trust and Fish Legal spend a huge amount of time and resources fighting this threat to our rivers and taking polluters to court on behalf of our members. We are big supporters of the Phillip Dunne Bill to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage and there is no doubt that the water industry needs to clean up its act.

"Laudable as these task force aspirations are they don’t mean an awful lot without a massive increase in capital investment by the water companies to significantly increase capacity at their treatment works so that they can properly treat or store all effluent even at times of heavy rainfalls.

This requires more than warm words. It needs a sea change in attitude by both the government and the industry regulator Ofwat. You can’t clean up our rivers on the cheap. They have to release the investment that time and again consumers have said they want to see happen to deliver a better environment.”

Martin Salter, Head of Policy at the Angling Trust added: “The commitment to publish real time data on sewage discharges at a handful of bathing water sites is all very well but what about the hundreds of other rivers, including internationally significant chalk streams, that are polluted every year by storm overflows? This information is already publicly available from water companies as we have demonstrated through our use of Environmental Information Regulations so let’s not pretend that somehow its publication is akin to the collapse of the Berlin Wall.”

Angling Trust Ambassador and rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey was equally sceptical saying: “I had absolutely no expectations whatsoever for DEFRA’s Sewage Taskforce and I have not been disappointed.

"In 2019, on 200,000 separate occasions, water companies were dumping sewage into our rivers. We know this for a fact.

What we needed to see from government was action - instead what we got was simply more time to count used sanitary products, human waste, wet wipes and condoms sailing down our rivers.”

Fish Legal Solicitor Justin Neal said: “The water companies are already under obligations to publish much of this data.

But as we know from Ofwat’s investigation of Southern Water a few years ago, we aren’t always getting the real picture. At the heart of the problem is the Operator Self Monitoring regime where the polluter checks its own records. What we need is a wholesale change from the Environment Agency and Defra. The time has come for Ofwat and the EA to deliver proper regulation which is a whole lot more than an accounting exercise.”

Sea Angling News, February 2021

EAST SUSSEX

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NEWS

Angling Direct Delivers Major Boost to Angling Trust’s Get Fishing Campaign with New Partnership Agreement

•New collaboration will encourage more people to give fishing a go.

•Campaign raises awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of angling.

•80 newly qualified Angling Direct coaches to offer expert in-store advice to new and existing anglers, promoting wider participation.

Angling Trust and Angling Direct have today (January 29th, 2021) announced a new partnership to encourage more people to take up angling for the first time or to get back into the sport. This exciting new partnership will deliver major investment into bringing the health and wellbeing benefits of fishing to a wider audience, across all age groups.

Angling Direct, the UK’s largest specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer through its network of 38 stores and leading online presence, has entered into a new arrangement to support the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign, which aims to boost participation and encourage more anglers into the community through coaching, education and grass roots initiatives.

Over the past year, the popularity of angling has increased significantly as people turn to the sport for its health and wellbeing benefits. This partnership will see the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign benefit from a massive expansion of its reach into both the angling community - and importantly - a brand new audience of people who are keen to try fishing as one of the safe activities that can be carried out by families and friends together outdoors during lockdown.

Widening access to angling for everyone is one of Angling Direct’s core values.

Since this latest lockdown period, the Company has invested, along with the Environment Agency through fishing licence income, in training 80 of its colleagues to become Angling Trust qualified and licenced angling coaches, empowering them to share their passion for angling, whilst offering trusted advice and support to more customers and communities alike across the Group’s stores. These coaches will now form a vital part of the Get Fishing initiative by helping to deliver the very best angling experience to new and existing anglers alike.

Each year the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign introduces thousands of new anglers to the sport, encourages returning

anglers to get back into fishing and focuses on establishing a lifelong angling habit, with all its associated benefits. The investment provided by Angling Direct will strengthen the programmes run in association with the Environment Agency, by expanding a whole range of participation initiatives.

Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook commented: “The boom in participation and publicity around fishing and corresponding spike in participation numbers has been reflected not only by sales of over 100,000 new fishing licences, we’ve also seen a massive increase in angling's visibility in media, social media and numbers on the bank. Fishing is now known to be an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors safely, within Government guidelines. We are delighted to have partnered with Angling Direct to progress and expand our existing plans and initiate exciting new projects that will help snowball this new growth in the sport so that many more people 'Get Fishing'!”

Andy Torrance, CEO at Angling Direct added: “Bringing the joys of angling to as many people as possible has formed the DNA of Angling Direct’s core purpose since the Company was founded. We are therefore pleased to be partnering with the Angling Trust to help further these values by widening participation and promoting the many health and wellbeing benefits of fishing to a broader community. As the leading omni-channel fishing tackle retailer in the UK, we already have some of the most passionate angling colleagues in the country and indeed have so far given away over 12,000 free angling starter kits to young people.

Thanks to our investment and training programme which has enabled 80 of them to become qualified angling coaches, they will now be able to inspire even more people to discover the benefits of fishing.”

Coach bursaries are to be funded equally by the Environment Agency Angling Improvement Fund and Angling Direct.

Several hundred coaching sessions will be delivered by Angling Trust staff as a result of this investment in the Get Fishing campaign. This will mean Angling Direct stores become the go-to place for surrounding communities to learn how to get the most out of the fishing near to home – ideal for beginners and returners to find bespoke “local knowledge”, catch more fish and get a lifetime full of fantastic angling adventures.

Sea Angling News, February 2021

CONSULTATION ON THE SAFE DISPOSAL OF MARINE FLARES

A proposal to develop long-term future arrangements for the safe disposal of time expired marine pyrotechnics (flares) from the pleasure boat sector is going out to industry, industry regulators and owners for consultation.

The proposal being put forward by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency is for an industry-led, self-regulated disposal service that complies with existing legislation and offers an opportunity for small regional businesses to tailor a disposal service that meets local needs.

The consultation begins this week lasting six weeks and is designed to help understand how and where the Government can support industry in overcoming obstacles to providing a disposal service. It will look at what scheme or schemes exist already, or which could be developed to ensure that boat-owners have access to a trustworthy and reliable range of options allowing them to dispose of their flares safely.

Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes said: “Marine pyrotechnics have traditionally been a vital means of raising the alarm for mariners when they have run into difficulty or have an emergency at sea.

“These devices must be safely and responsibly disposed of when expired or damaged. Irresponsible disposal or abandonment of flares is illegal and such action could lead to damage to the marine environment, people, equipment or property.”

The current service was put in place as an interim measure to allow for industry to develop a long-term solution and has been provided for free to pleasure boat owners by the MCA since 2010. Expired flares can be taken to 17 coastguard stations around the UK plus the RNLI station in Poole, Dorset.

The contract held by the MCA with an ordnance disposal company is now due to expire and this consultation allows for a discussion around how to create a scheme which is more efficient and convenient for pleasure vessel owners allowing them to meet their legal obligations more easily and conveniently.

Claire added: “Many vessel owners have already told us that they would like to see a scheme that allows for flares to be disposed of closer to home to reduce travel.”

Sea Angling News, February 2021

BRISTOL CHANNEL / WATCHET

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 17

WEST SOMERSET HOTEL Watchet’s best angler friendly family run Hotel Bed & breakfast , Drying room Freezer facilities , Packed lunches in request And a great harbour town pub for a drink after a hard days fishing West Somerset Hotel Swain Street Watchet TA23 0AB

Tel: 01984 634434 BRISTOL CHANNEL SHORE REPORT

BY CRAIG BUTLER

18 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

BRISTOL CHANNEL / MINEHEAD

Sea Angling News, February 2021

● All the latest electronics ● Tea & coffee provided ● Full on-board facilities ● Experienced anglers & beginners welcome

Sea Angling News, February 2021

BRISTOL CHANNEL / MINEHEAD

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 19

Historic Harbour-side Venue ●Newly refurbished iconic pub and hotel with its fantastic Minehead harbour-side setting. ●Fine ales & river cottage style food & traditional hospitality at its best. ●Fishing parties welcome.

TELBOY'S TACKLE AMLWCH, ANGLESEY SHAMROCK TACKLE - FULL RANGE NOW AVAILABLE OP E N E ARLY 7 DAYS A W E E K T E L : 0 1 40 7 8 3 2 96 5 www.telboystackle.co.uk

Free Postage and Package on orders over £10

Tel: 01643 703 516 www.theoldshipaground.co.uk

ERL E Y V A W GUEST HOUSE

Proprietor: Ian Daniels 10 Tregonwell Road, Minehead TA24 5DT www.bandbminehead.com Email: idaniels@btconnect.com

ANGLER FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION TEL: 01643 703193

20 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS

Sea Angling News, February 2021

I

S HE R ’ Y E L O L E NORTHNEY MARINA II K HAYLING ISLAND

Tel. Ian or Bex on 07795 538933 Email: iandale@kelleys-hero.com

11m South Catamaran with twin 330hp Iveco Turbo Charged Diesel engines. She has a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots. The boat is fully coded to MCA CAT 2, and is licensed to carry 12 passengers.

www.lastlaughcharterfishing.co.uk Individuals / Small and Large Groups Catered for Email: johntomkat1@hotmail.com Mob: 07796023881 Owner: John Skeggs. Port: Lymington FREE PARKING! Now taking bookings for winter Cod fishing!

A full day targeting Cod / Whiting, or you can split the day for Cod / Bass.

Plenty of options!

Sea Angling News, February 2021

NEWS

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 21

VALK YRIE CHARTERS Skipper Glen Cair ns O f f ice: 02392 461717 Boat : 07831 878669 Valkyrie 6 & 7 are based at Northney Marina with easy access just across Langstone bridge plus FREE secure parking.

Specialising in Wreck, Reef, Pollack, Cod, Bass fishing.

All the facilities you would expect onboard a modern catamaran heated cabin, seating, cooking facilities.

Licensed for 12 + 2 crew 60 miles fully insured. www.valkyriecharters.co.uk | Email valkyriecharters@hotmail.co.uk

PRIVATE VENTURE Fast Cat out of Lymington fishing the Needles area.

Channel wrecking, reef fishing, 3 to 7 day Channel Island trips. Needles cod - bass fishing. evenings - individuals - parties

Tel: Arthur Savage 02380-897111 Boat 07702 607216

LAGOON BAIT & TACKLE NOW UNDER THE NEW OWNERSHIP OF BRETT LOMAS FORMERLY OF THE BOGNOR REGIS ANGLING CENTRE Brighton and Hove's largest selection of fishing tackle for all types of fishing specialising in sea fishing.

WE ONLY STOCK GREAT BAIT! New opening hours 8am to 6pm monday to Saturday. 8am to 12 noon on Sundays.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Lagoonbaithove for catch reports and special sale items.

Bring this advert into the shop and redeem your 10% discount (Limited time only, bait not included)

327 Kingsway, BN3 4LD Brighton - TEL: 01273 415879

22 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

WEYMOUTH

Sea Angling News, February 2021

OFFSHORE REBEL CAT, Cop 60 miles, licenced/insured for 12 anglers, Channel Islands, wrecking specialist fishing trips Here we are in the middle of January 2021 with the charter boats being once again tied up with Covid restrictions preventing virtually any chance of angling being allowed to take place. And, as we are all fully aware, there is no way of predicting the immediate future with any degree of accuracy or surety.

Tel: JAMIE PULLIN Mobile: 07886 931406 Phone for free newsletter & individual list Contact my web site on:

http://www.deepsea.co.uk/boat/offshore_rebel

The Shambles Bank and the Kidney Bank to the west of Portland can be lively for rays in February with all 5 species of rays associated with the Weymouth/Portland sea area being get caught in the same day; namely small-eyed, thornback, undulate, blonde and spotted rays. February has proved itself in the recent years to produce some very big blonde rays up to 30lb. Both Banks can produce many other species such as wandering conger, whiting, occasional cod, a solitary bass, tope, turbot and, of course, many dogfish.

Offshore wrecking in February is at its best for pollack with the unfished wrecks very likely to produce steady sport all day with many fish into double figures at this time of the year.

The Shambles MAY, if conditions calm down enough to allow the bank to settle, see turbot caught. Although most turbot fishing takes place on the drift, anchoring one of the rips can be more productive, particularly if the sea is murky. Anchoring, of course, also significantly increases the actual fishing time with no need to continually rest the drifts. There have been seasons where February has been the outstanding month for turbot…so, if angling is allowed to take place and the weather looks favourable, a serious effort on the turbot is a sensible consideration.

Winter is always a difficult time very for skippers and anglers alike and this year, 2021, will be surely remembered as the worst of all in that there may be very little, if any, angling trips allowed.

As always the skippers wish to express their gratitude towards you, the anglers, for supporting any available trips and we all look forward to ‘things’ settling down again.

Skipper - Keith Brown

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CALL JAMES ON 07825181694

ATLANTA Reef, Wreck, Shambles & Kidney Bank fishing.

Individuals, Parties, Beginners welcome.

60 mile COP, Licensed & Insured.

Tel: DAVE PITMAN 01305 781644 Boat 07721 320352

Offshore Wrecking, Reef, Bank and Alderney Fishing Trips

FISHING CHARTERS FROM PORTLAND/WEYMOUTH MARINA

Free Parking Refreshments Professional Tuition Tackle and Rod Hire available Beginners, Experienced and Families All Welcome

SKIPPER - DAN CLARKE (01308) 488515 / 07734383440 WWW.FINSUP-CHARTERS.COM @finsupfishingcharters

Apologies for such a short report….you will all understand the reasons why.

Good Luck to all of us as soon as possible.

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2021

Sea Angling News, February 2021

WEYMOUTH

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 23

TWO NEW BOOKS

Book 1. From Army Brat to Sea Dog. Written by Paul Whittall.

The humorous (I hope) story of a small boy being snatched away from his Weymouth Fishing Family to become an Armed Services Child and his struggle to return to his fishing roots and destiny.

Book 2. Sea Dog Tall Tales. Edited by Paul Whittall A Collection of Seafaring Tales by over 50 contributors including such legendary skippers as Geordie Dickson and Roger Bayzand along with a Captain of an Ocean Going Container ship, Lifeboat crewmen, private boats owners and, most importantly, anglers.

Both books are available as ebooks and Paperback Books. All profits to be donated to the RNLI. Available through amazon.co.uk Just put the book title (Either From Army Brat to Seadog or Sea Dog Tall Tales....into the Amazon search box and the books will appear...ready to order.

24 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS

Sea Angling News, February 2021

GEAR REVIEW - RON THOMPSON AXELLERATOR ROD

By Martin Wood

Ron Thompson Axcellerator Beach caster: The Ron Thompson Axcellerator is a Beach caster now with a cult following among certain crowds in the sea fishing domain and with good reason!

So taking the rod out the sleeve and you instantly get when the sun hits it a grey snakeskin like effect of the carbon of the extremely strong IM7 Blank underneath the high build with the graphics saying Axcellerator in yellow just above the Ja‐ panese shrink wrap which runs down to the butt cap.

Looking up the rod which is 13ft 6 inches you have black whippings with metallic red edging whips which set off a lovely look, the high build is even and well done too.

You have at the bottom a rubber butt cap with little studs on the bottom for grip and working up there is strong sliding screw winch reel seat which will take multiplier or fixed spool and holds it solid with no wiggle, although it is very chunky it will certainly last and not fail you easily.

The rod guides are all black genuine Fuji BMNAG guides.

The rod is rated to cast 4-8 ounces The rod has a price tag of around £149.99 depending on the trader.

The 2 piece rod goes together faultlessly and shows plenty of spigot it’s very thick at the bottom end and this rod is a bit of a poker it seems but that being said the cult following are a lot of Rock anglers and real rough ground fishermen, I’ve had

one for years and can certainly certify that when the going gets tough no rod will compare to this one for the money it’s A LOT of bang for your buck in strength and casting if you can bend it upon casting.

Heading over the field with it and I have a Penn battle 2 teamed up with 20 mono and 80 shock leader.

I don’t bother putting a smaller weight on I’m diving straight in with 6oz of lead and give it an off the ground thump and in‐ stantly hit 136 meters with it.

Upon reeling it back in you can see it’s definitely a bit of a poker as the tip doesn’t flex much but on the upside of things that will bring your gear up quicker out of the rough stuff, the blank is incred‐ ibly strong and I look at the camera play‐ back and it didn’t even really put a bend into the rod.

Strapping on a 7 oz I wound it up in a pendulum cast and tried to get a bit of a bend in it and it flew out to the horizon I knew it was a better cast and when measured out it went to 164.2 meters which is one of my best casts I’ve done.

Having the confidence now and watching again on the play back I put a small bend in it and it would obviously take a lot more! So pulled out the 8oz lead clicked it on and wound it up with another pendu‐ lum and it..... cracked off went high and landed with the leader about 80 meters away, I collected lead and leader and changed the leader to 100lb in case it was that.

All set again and I wound it up and same thing another crack off this time I knew it was me and my technique it’s not always

that smooth so retying the leader again I decide to remove the aerial part and do a off the ground cast.

I do it with some power and I think it was close to cracking off again the rod bites harshly when I add power and it is very unforgiving but the lead flew and was in the field and measuring out it was 147 meters... user error? Most likely!

I’m sure in the right hands this rod will put a lead well in excess of 200m I have used my Axcellerator for fishing locally at Bossington and some rough & rock marks too and there isn’t a rod that will do it better that costs more or in the same bracket as this rod!

It is a lot of rod for the money you pay, you will need to add some reflective tape to the ends as it doesn’t come with any.

People often say about the bite detection being terrible... Yes ok it’s not the best but its not a match rod and it’s not so bad! Yes it isn’t as pronounced as a tip tornado super match or a tournament rod but then this rod will see you through the rough stuff that the others won’t!

This rod will let you see dog and whiting bites with no issues yes they are not as pronounced but you won’t miss them either.

This rod is made with a certain job in mind and it does brilliantly, I bought one originally and sold it when I got a WR300 and TTGSM and then I ended up regret‐ ting it and bought another one of a friend Darren that had one going cheap.

So all in all if you are looking for a rod that will fish mixed ground through to the roughest and kelpiest ground this is the rod you want.

If you want a rod that will bully large Huss, conger, cod through the roughest marks, launch large baits and weights then again this is your rod.

I will be taking this rod with me when I go skate fishing this year along with the WR300.

All in all it’s a fantastic rod with a de‐ served reputation and following I also re‐ commend watching sandmans tackle time on Youtube where he reviews one and lifts a engine block head with one where all others smash in half this takes it well and demonstrates just how strong and well made the blank really is!

It is a lot of rod for £149.99 Overall I think this rod is Marmite you will either love it or hate it! I will always have one in my arsenal for a set job as I don’t think there is a better rod to do the job!

Pros: - Strong rod will handle any fish and grounds.

- 4-8oz casting weight.

- Aesthetically pleasing.

- Well made.

- Punish the rod and it will keep going it will see you through the “roughest stuff” - Only £149.99! sometimes a bit cheaper Bad points: - Although Fuji eyes they are quite brittle and break easy if you’re not careful.

- Bite sensitivity isn’t the best.

- Large chunky rod and not the lightest.

- Unforgiving when casting with power.

- No reflective tape on tip.

Sea Angling News, February 2021

NEWS

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 25

Great news! Dave Roberts’ new book ‘Absolute Angling’, is now live and for sale on Amazon!

It carries great reviews from some top names in the Angling world and has over eighty full colour images, maybe you are in there!

If you would like a signed copy delivered to your door, it is the same price as Amazon at £14.99.

These copies will be available from mid January! Contact Dave at enquiries@alykatimages.com

26 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS

WEST BAY SAC The winners of our monthly photo com‐ petition for December are; Senior Winner: Scott Smy of Rodbenders SAC went shore fishing off the River Tamar in Plymouth and caught a Pouting of 2lbs 9ozs giving him a percentage of 170.83%. Scott wins a £20 voucher kindly sponsored by The Tackle Box Lyme Regis.

Junior Winner: Adam Johnson of Rod‐ benders SAC Juniors whilst fishing off the Plymouth Foreshore caught a 2lbs 5ozs L.S. Dogfish.

This gives Adam a specimen percentage of 131.99%. Adam also wins a £20 voucher sponsored by The Angling Centre West Bay. Well done to both of them.

Also due to the ongoing pandemic we will not be able to hold our annual presenta‐ tion evening, so below is a list of the trophy winners for October 2019 – September 2020.

BEST SPECIMEN BY A LADY Ellen Stockley Brixham SAC Thornback Ray (Shore) 18-0-1 Area C 180.62% BEST SPECIMEN FLATFISH -

Sea Angling News, February 2021

LDSFC Darren Miller Fishing For Fun SAC Flounder (Boat) 3-4-0 Area C 130.00% BEST SPECIMEN BASS Mike Hansell Lyme Regis SAC 15-5-2 (Boat) 165.13% Area D BEST SPECIMEN CONGER Sam Sanson Lyme Regis SAC 66-0-0 (Boat) 165.00% Area D BEST SPECIMEN BLACK BREAM Ian Moss Brixham SAC 4-11-6 (Boat) 134.00% Area C DAWLISH TROPHY / WATNEY MANN (BEST JUNIOR BOAT SPECIMEN) Isabelle Smerdon T and B ASA Cuckoo Wrasse 1-14-2 224.21% Area C DENNIS SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY (BEST JUNIOR SHORE SPECIMEN) Joshua Johnson Rodbenders SAC Whiting 1-15-0 193.75% Area C CASTLE TROPHY (BEST OVERALL SPE‐ CIMEN OF THE YEAR (Boat or Shore) Martin Larkin Castaways SAC Gilthead Bream (Shore) 8-7-0 241.07% Area C

Vernon Everitt Match Boat League Competition.

On the 5th December Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club fished the final match of the 2020 Vernon Everitt Match Boat League aboard Supanova and Snapper at Weymouth. As the league has expanded, more venues are being introduced to challenge the anglers and enhance the anglers’ skills to catch a variety of new species.

A short weather window enabled the competition to commence, with ten anglers fishing with a limited bait supplied match pack. This consisted of four squid, three frozen mackerel and 8 ounces of ragworm all supplied and sponsored by Christchurch Angling Centre.

With the knowledge of the conditions deteriorating throughout the day, each skipper decided on a game plan. After a quick conversation with the crew on Supanova a decision was made to steam out to the foul ground. It was not long before several species were caught, including bream, pout, poor cod, whiting, dogfish, congers, bull huss and thornback rays. With the wind strengthening and the boat beam on against the tide it became a battle between Chris Rogers and Richard Day as to who would come out on top at the first venue.

Meanwhile Snapper had taken a different tack and went to a wreck situated in the entrance to Portland Harbour called the Hood. The skipper skilfully drifted the wreck against the tide holding the boat against the current. Considering it was December bites were instant. It was

obvious that there were a number of fish to be caught, including ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse, pout, pollack, goldsinney wrasse, garfish, mackerel and cuckoo wrasse. After several drifts, Malcolm Stote and Ed Taylor fished headto-head to catch as many species as possible, trying to maximise the species bonus points.

Eventually the wind strengthened and pushed the boat off the wreck, making it unfishable.

A short journey east against the increased sea state meant that both boats had to move to the haven of the inside of Portland Harbour. With flat calm waters, both boats moved around the harbour either anchoring or drifting.

Despite having to fish the harbour there were still several species to target with mackerel, including gobies, pollack, dragonets, whiting, grey gurnard, and a new species for the league the red band fish. All were carefully returned to live another day.

Although adverse conditions inhibited access to most fishing marks, eighteen species were caught between the two boats during the day, showing the potential of this great venue. Boat winners on the day were Richard Day on Supanova and Ed Taylor on Snapper. Well done all as the conditions were exceptionally challenging.

Notable fish of the day for Robin Lane was a Bull Huss of 8lb 8oz’s and a new club record Dragonet for Richard Day of 4 1/8 oz.

Results: Supanova: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Richard Day Chris Rogers Paul Hollyoake Robin Lane Chris Ellis Ben Daniel

Points 333 325 299 268 232 120

% 100 97.6 89.79 80.48 69.67 36.04

Points 265 223 185 70

% 100 84.15 69.81 26.42

Snapper: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Scott Smy. Inset: Adam Johnson.

Ed Taylor Malcolm Stote Andy Southwick Karl Bates

The Angling Trust is the representative body for game, coarse and sea anglers in England and Wales. Our members support the campaigns and legal action we carry out to protect fish stocks and our programmes to increase the number of anglers fishing for fun and in competitions. We're fighting for the future of YOUR fishing, but we need YOUR support to do more.

If you want to protect your fish and fishing, for now and in future, join your representative body today.

Sea Angling News, February 2021

NEWS

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 27

28 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

ROVING RODS

ROVING RODS - GASWORKS BEACH

With the fishing around here being very poor of late and a lot of good fishermen I know pulling a few blanks in a row and having a hard time which isn’t normal at all for them, I figured I would go out on the largest tide this month just before the due date that was needed for the editor so was hoping it wouldn’t be a blank to write about!

It was time to go fishing and I got to Gasworks at Minehead ( local beach) at 17:30 with a warm brew in hand watching the heavy seas and swells on its way in and was waiting until the sea was in and a little closer to be on the completely safe side so i didn’t have to go far or near the sea/ level with it.

I decided it would best to fish out the back of my Touran from the car park, its far more waterproof and windproof with heat and electrics for filming etc as well.

So with it being a go I turned the Touran around and popped on my wil‐ lies and century waterproofs popped up the boot hatch and started to set up.

I set up the stand with some added rocks around the feet of it I brought the lower tripod today not the 7ft Ian golds so I could keep it out the wind a bit more and it has a homemade ex‐ tended rod rest cups and keeps the rods and rod tips apart which is ideal in weather like today keeping lines from tangling or crossing easily etc.

The wind was howling in from the NE

Sea Angling News, February 2021

By Martin Wood

it was cold and roughing up the sea a treat looking productive but we will see.

The Century WR300 was set up with the battle II with 30lb braid and a pul‐ ley dropper with large bait on but to start with I just shoved a squid mantle on to get a bait in the water whilst I set up the other rod.

Walking down the beach as it was still safe to do so I fired out 7oz gripped and walked back up to camp.

Rod in the rest and I got out the second rod which was the Tronix pro Xenon travel rod, the more I use the rod the more I love it!

Putting the 6 sections together was quick and easy and the reason I chose this rod this evening is it casts well and is a lot softer in the top sec‐ tion of the rod which sits better in rip‐ ping waters and swells.

All set up and a pulley rig on with a 2/0 hook baited with squid as well and fired it out as far as possible in the winds that were trying to stop it happening.

A walk back up to the top of the stone ridge and this would now be where I stay so I’m well away from any rogue waves or issues.

Both rods sat happily in the rod rest I got a mackerel out that was going to be using as well.

I chopped off the tail and then cut long ways down the body making two thin fillets out of one side and then

tucking the knife in behind the pec‐ toral fin I cut down to the spine and went along the fillet releasing both bits putting one for a later bait back in the bag.

Whipping up the fish ready I made a brew and then pulled in the first rig which had managed to come loose and move across the beach into a snag but a quick angle change and I was back in business, reeling it in quickly to get the lead up of the bot‐ tom and back in over the snaggy stones if the lead drops and sinks onto the stones its normally snags up!

With the old bait stripped off and the mackerel fillet being hooked on the penneled hooks and whipped on with some elastic which is needed in this streaming tide!

Walking back to the steep stone edge and I fire the bait out as the wind dies down for a second, good timing and its out on the sand clear of the stones.

There is a lot of weed coming in with the tide making for a lot of false bites and making the mainline looking like a washing line with it all hanging off and some blowing up the line and off the top of the rods.

Time passes and more weed is col‐ lected then I get a good knocking on the WR300 lifting into it and winding down on what looks like a bite I start to reel it in and can feel a lazy weight at the end ... Is it weed or a lazy dog‐

fish.

A few seconds later and it’s on the surf line and it’s a bundle of lumo mono a weight and weed as well all being pulled up on the end of my rig.

So with a weed fish and fishing gear I get out the scissors and cut it all free and stash it in the bucket to be dis‐ posed of later on at home in the line recycling bag.

Rebaiting again and I cast the rig back out, the line stayed for about 5 minutes then weed pulls the rig out again as the rod is stiff and I’m using braid it pulls the rigs out in strong tidal flow and heavy weather.

It settles down again with the 7oz gripped weight digging in again hope‐ fully it stays put this time.

It’s time to refresh the smaller bait as well so I get on the Xenon and wind it all in, whip on half a squid cut long ways to keep streamlined and sent it back to the now black mass of water under a black clouded sky that looks like it’s going to dump yet more water on me.

The WR300 starts bouncing and wav‐ ing around like harry potters wand doing its thing!

It’s just weed and the heavy seas so pull it in and its snagged.. grr.....

I try and free it up but to no avail the line snaps and it’s the second rig of the night gon on this side with the rod so I decide to pack this rod down as its too stiff with braid and pulling baits out the sea bed and I don’t have any

Sea Angling News, February 2021

mono with me or a heavier weight than 7oz.

But although I didn’t want to pack it away as I like to fish with two rods, two baits and two rigs it is better in rough weather to fish with just the one rod fished properly as it’s less to worry about and a lot less to go wrong.

One rod all packed down and away in the car I sit back in the boot area and kick back a little bit after changing the memory card in the camera because I’m also filming this session as well.

I pour another coffee and lay back looking at the rod tip watching it get‐ ting hypnotized with it bouncing about with the wind, weed and tidal pulling and wondering if I’ll actually see a bite if I should get one haha.

Watching people come and go eating their Maccy D dinners and coffees whilst watching the sea in their cars shining their lights over the sea you could see just how large the swells are. Looking to my right though the dinghy park at the harbour about 100 yards away the waves are slapping up against it and up over the walls and looking to my left the waves are crashing into the beach with massive swells and spray if you were to be swept in you wouldn’t get back out that’s for sure!

Every now and then you would hear massive crashes where rogue waves suddenly come in and these waves

ROVING RODS

smash into the stone bank and send a spray of mist up and over even though I’m well away from the sea.

I look down the beach and there is a lot of debris everywhere... natures own warzone!

As well to the left I see a tree trunk washed up being pushed up to the top of the beach the trunk must be about 12 ft long and 4ft thick! And be‐ ing tossed about like a twig.

With time just about up and ap‐ proaching high tide I put my last bait on and sent it out as hard as I could against the fierce winds picking up even more gusting now well over 40mph but managing to get it onto the sand... that’s a result and good enough!

With the weather picking up and stay‐ ing constant at high tide, with the clouds warning an imminent drowning was about to happen as well I looked at the time and ten minutes to go.

So far there had been nothing about but if there was a fish to be seen it’s nearly always in the last ten minutes of a tide.

Sure enough I see a small rattling bite associated with a whiting but it stopped as quick as it had started and the normal bobbing and pulling of the rod tip continued with nothing else showing I waited by the rod in case of another bite which I would be ready to strike on.

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 29

Nothing showed but I saw the odd light pluck so I’m assuming there is a small dogfish or whiting on the end and with time up now as its high tide so lift the rod and start to reel in and my assumption was right, I could feel something on the end with the direct‐ ness of the braid you can feel everything.

Staying well back from the swells be‐ ing extra careful I see a small round fish emerge from the heavy white frothy surf mouth open and then clear of the surf I have no option but to give a few winds of the reel bringing the fish gently up over the stones so it was safe to collect.

Headlamp on full whack turning night into daylight for me I never turn my back on the sea looking out scanning the waves in close and further out and reading the sea I collect the whit‐ ing and step well back and clear again to complete safety to unhook the fish and then release it, although I wasn’t putting myself in any danger when getting the whiting I never as‐ sume it can’t happen!

A quick unhooking and photo and its back you go and thanks for prevent‐ ing a blank!

Taking down and packing away the remaining gear and camera equip‐ ment for The snag youtube channel, facebook page and website www.thesnagfishingblog.co.uk

I glad to don my fishing gear and shut the boot and climb into the seat of the warm cab area.

Although it was only one whiting to show for the two hours fishing that’s how fishing goes I was tempted to fish it down a bit as well but condi‐ tions were getting worse and trying to land a larger fish if caught would be a big issue and not safe so home time it is.

But it was enjoyable two hours none the less but it’s always great to be out in nature especially when it’s wild, but please note I NEVER ever put myself in any type of danger!

I would never fish a beach that is too dangerous and occasionally will wear a life jacket just to be safe plus al‐ ways let people know where I am what time I will be back and do check in calls sometimes depending on weather etc No fish is worth your life!So please stay safe in the winter storms, or sea swells its always worth looking at swell information on the sea as I see that when I was scrolling the Chesil site the outer sea swells have caused havoc when they have come in on the beaches and have battered the sea fronts tonight! You wouldn’t get that information from just weather info and could be caught short.

Stay safe and tight lines all till next month.

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Sea Angling News, February 2021

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COMPETITION BEST LURE CAUGHT FISH PRIZE The Red Gill is for the heaviest lure caught fish. The editors decision is final. The claim will have to be backed by photographic evidence and weighed on accurate scales. Full name and address will be needed plus details of where the capture was made. If you wish to have your photo returned please enclose an S.A.E. Entries to Red Gill competition, Sea Angling News 102 Periton Lane Minehead, Somerset TA24 9BP or email: editor@seaanglingnews.com.

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Sea Angling News, February 2021

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