Sea Angling News, December 2016
ALDERNEY
ALDERNEY REPORT By Mark Harding Shore Sport It’s been hard to gauge what’s out because if the lads aren’t away fishing exotic destinations like Lanzarote and such banging out massive Rays then they’ve been squidding. I have never seen so many squid as we have done the last few weeks with bags of 30 – 0 common place – who said there is a squid shortage!! Lure fishing for the Bass is still productive with plenty of fish falling to surface lures. My own efforts have resulted in bags of 8 fish but not big fishies, best around 3lb this month but sure there’ll be bigger out there. At times there is some good Pollack fishing to be had too with fish to 6lb caught and reported. Several Rays reported, both Small Eyeds and Undulates caught – guess what they’re eating? Yep, Alderney squid! Reports of Tope being caught but it’s hard to cut through some of the utter rubbish being talked about but yes Tope have been caught and provide great sport. Every time Huss are targeted too they seem to get caught so plenty of those about and the odd decent Conger too, lots of small straps about. Worms not producing much, just the odd red Mullet and od Sole around. Black Bream not so full on as they were. Plenty of Thick Lipped Mullet about just waiting for someone to target them! Alderney Angling Shore League 2016 – 24 Hours Heaviest Bag Fishing was way tougher than expected with Black Bream, Mullet and Bass dominating the weigh in for the 12 competitors. Easterly winds have taken the brunt of the blame as night time fishing was non-existent and for those putting in the hours for the full match with no sleep reward was scant. Better was much deserved! That’s fishing though, sad faces at the weigh in as those leading the pack were scrabbling for points to maintain their positions and those trying to catch wanted to outdo their competitors! So, it’s fun still, even if more than a little frustrating. Best fish of the match was a close-run thing though with Andy Black and guest Daniel Curgenven both with a decent enough bass separated by mere drams – Dan just pipping the ‘Bass’ man! Great to see the girls in the top 6 too!! Match Results: 1st –– Mark Harding – 4 Bass, 6 Black Bream - 16lb 7oz 2nd –– Dan Curgenven – 2 Bass, 6 Black Bream - 16lb 4oz 3rd – Wayne Cosheril – 6 Black Bream, 1 Thick Lipped 13lb 6oz 4th – Michael Bohan – 6 Black Bream, 1 Thick Lipped 12lb 11oz 5th – Fieona Cosheril – 4 Black Bream, 1 Bass - 7lb 5oz 6th – Kim Le Poullain – 4 Black Bream, 2 Pout, 2 Scad 5lb 14oz 7th – Dicky Smith – 2 Black Bream, 1 Garfish – 4lb 9oz 8th –– James Clarke – 1, Thick Lipped, 1 Garfish – 4lb 9th – Andy Black – 1 Bass – 3lb 12oz 10th – Alistair Walters- 2 Black Bream 2lb 13oz 11th – Scott Audoire – 4 Pout – 2lb 4oz A little wait now till the next match which is on Saturday 19th November. It’s the Worm Only Match!! I did offer Aurigny the opportunity to sponsor this one but they ‘refused to comment’!! Fishing is from 14.30 till 22.00. Booking in from 14.00 at Alderney Angling. Nominated species with size limits are: Red Mullet 27cm, Bass 42cm, Sole 34cm, Plaice 30cm, Black Bream 30cm, Couches Bream 27cm. Maximum two of each fish. Heaviest weight. Roving event. Weigh in. Two rods, max 4 hooks. League Table After this match there is very little change, limited pressure put on Dicky by Mikey and Wayne as they gained points but probably not enough. Scott’s challenge has taken a serious dent, on a match all thought he would do well he unfortunately bombed but three good results and a joker to play – who knows? Cat out the bag, Dicky can’t fish the last three ;-) There you go, a little bit of pressure added J! Top 4 fish the Fish Race Final and the winner of that will get to go to the Florida Keys!! (or if preferred a European destination). Best 14 matches from the 20 count. Darren Braby 1133 (J) Adam Salmon 931 (JJ) James Clarke 875 (JJ) Dicky Smith 800 (JJ) Wayne Cosheril 675 (JJ) Michael Bohan 591 (J) Mark Harding 573 (JJ) Scott Audoire 564 (J) Fieona Cosheril 503 (J) Alistair Walters 472 (J) Kim Le Poullain 396 (JJ) Andy Black 358 (J) Andrew Scott 221 Norman Butel 182 Jordan Walters 180 Adam Barnes 136 Mick Maurice 110 John Copeland 100 Gary Maurice 50 Jacob Maurice 46 Jack Williams 26 Marcus Odoli 20 Tracey Clarke 10
Trophy Contenders Pairs Trophy Top 3 fish a Fish Race final in this one too – the winners will have a long weekend at Dorset’s famed Chesil Beach in the Autumn. Top two teams keep playing tag with each other as Fie/Adam get back on top! (HAHA – same line as last week so clearly I mistyped that lol!!) Good team result for MB/WC again but I still believe that Dicky can get Andy going and drag them in to the top 3?? Fieona C/Adam S 1444 Darren B/Andrew S 1364 Michael B/ Wayne 1296 Blacksmiths 1158 Mick M/James C 995 Scott A/Kim Le P 970 Wally W/Norman B 654 Mark H/Jacob M 539 Gary M/ Adam B 216 Jordan W/Marcus O 200 Heaviest Fish of the Year Adam Salmon – Pollack – 8lb 8oz Best Bass Adam Salmon – 5lb Best Pollack Adam Salmon – 8lb 8oz Best Conger None Best Plaice/Sole Norman Butel – Sole – 2lb 3oz Most Species of the Year 18 – Darren Braby 17 - Adam Salmon 16 - James Clarke (Ross still 4th lol!!)
Mark leaves one office for another and managed a couple of rays that have been fairly abundant, a reasonable Small Eyed and this is one of two Undulates he had in the same session
Fieona and Dan had Bass on the surface lures, like peas in a pod! Lanzarote Trip As mentioned a couple of the local lads headed further south to the beautiful island of Lanzarote. It’s a venue they have been headed to for a few years now and boy did they capitalise on the knowledge they’d built up. The lure fishing is always hard work but rewards are exciting when it is on with Blue Fish to 9lb+, Bonito’s to 7lb, Bass, Barracudas and Garfish to 3lb 8oz! The Bonitos run incredibly hard and are great fun catching. The other thing they like to do, if they can drag themselves away from the bars, is to spend the evenings fishing for Rays – Sting Rays! Several were caught on this trip including one that gang leader Darren Braby and Adam Salmon could not get out of the water which estimated at 200lb+. They also had several beautiful Butterfly Rays, an Angel Shark, some other unidentified shark, a very rare White Skate and more. Great holiday and easy for you UK guys to get too. Enjoy the pictures.
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