Sea Angling News December 2019

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Sea Angling News Ltd. - www.seaanglingnews.com - editor@seaanglingnews.com - Issue 290 December 2019

MONSTER BASS POTENTIAL RECORD BREAKER ESTIMATED AT 20LB+ WAS RELEASED TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

www.coxandrawle.com

WINNER A huge well done to Oban Jones from Plymouth for this fantastic catch

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NEWS

Sea Angling News, December 2019

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That’s what you call a proper Conger. Sarah Croft doing what she does best landing “hoofing” great big snakes from her local pier. This cracker went 43lb 6oz and was caught on the usual big fish bait mounted on an 8/0 Sakuma 545 Manta Extra hook. I “doff” my cap to you Sarah, I can’t think of anyone who has landed as many big Eels as you have in recent years, a massive well done.

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

THAMES ESTUARY

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REPORT FOR THE PORTS OF BRIGHTLINGSEA BRADWELL AND WEST MERSEA

By Lee Bollingbroke, skipper of Sophie Lea Well into our autumn winter fishing season now and I can report some good catches of whiting, these are in tremendous quontitys in the thames estuary so you won’t go short of bites, a smattering of codling but certainly not to be relied on and its still early so fingers crossed for a few more. Rays are not in the vast amounts they were last year as they have had a hammering from the commercial trawler boys, unfortunately they have little else to catch so they are targeting these rays, it seems a shame because the market price is hardly worth the effort of fishing for them. Plenty of dog fish and several dabs have turned up but you will only catch dabs if you fish for them its just no good putting a large bait on

expecting to catch these tasty flaties you have to down size to a smaller hook with a single lug and most boat anglers don’t think like that its big big big still catching a few bass and erring have made there usual appearance and we actually caught one the other day, you can catch these on shrimp feathers but you need a small tide and fairly clear water which we rarely get this time of year but when conditions are rite they can be caught like mackerel in the summer with strings of them coming aboard.

So fingers crossed for a few more cod hopefully November December will see a few more moving in and we can return to port with tired worn out anglers like this lot

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

NEWS / BRIXHAM

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Cod - Obsession

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

NEWS

7TH PLACE FOR ENGLAND'S U21’S YOUTH SHORE ANGLERS IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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SIZE MATTERS

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Email: mckiesfishingcharters@hotmail.com Website: www.mckiesfishingcharters.co.uk The U21’s England Youth team headed to Latina, Italy, for the 19th FIPS-M World Youth Shore Championship for U21s from 12th – 19th October 2019.

The team representing England and the Angling Trust consisted of; Joe Cook, Rory Eastlake, Adam Howard, Owen Strange, Dillon Thompson, Paul Strange (assistant manager) and Malcolm Stote (manager).

Starting at the beginning of the team’s campaign they realised that they would need a very light tackle approach and all were made aware that they would be using tactics involving hook lengths as low as 0.13mm, which is alien to everyone.

Team England Youth arrived in Italy slightly earlier which gave them the opportunity of three extra practice days which helped them get to grips with the baits they would be using, in particular one of the worms ‘arenicola’ which was particularly tricky to put on baiting needles, as they extend in length by almost four times when picked up. There were not lots of fish in the practice sessions but depending on how the team practiced the numbers were reasonably good.

Team England’s plan, which despite the result they had was working, although they did struggle with the size of fish throughout the championship and almost every match they were caught and overtaken in the last hour of the matches.

England ended up in 7th place overall on the final day with Italy taking the World Championship title in 1st place, Spain in 2nd place and Portugal in 3rd place.

Malcolm Stote, England Manager stated “This wasn’t an easy campaign for us this time as our result shows. All credit to the team though as everyone tried their best with only Rory Eastlake having fished in an U21’s World Championship before, so this team worked very hard to try and turn things around. All the team learnt a lot and gained valuable experience for the future.”

“I must thank the people who have helped us as it is always very much appreciated.

Thanks to Tronixpro, Trabucco, Tom Bagnall of Christchurch Angling Centre and Loni's Angling. A big thank you to all the parents who came with us and for helping drive the team around and helping with tackle: also to Mark Howard, Andy Cook and Denise Donaldson and to the superstar Paul Strange who has been fantastic helping organise and for all his hard work this year. To the Angling Trust for all their help with our entry and sorting out all the details for our participation.”

Top 4 team results; 1st Italy 2nd Spain 3rd Portugal 4th Netherlands Top 4 individual results; 1st Simone Ibba, Italy 2nd David Romero, Spain 3rd Alex Ruiz, Spain 4th Alessandro Libanori, Italy The Angling Trust and Team England Youth would like to thank the Italian Federation for organising a superb World Championship.

RECENT CATCHES ON SIZE MATTERS

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

CHESIL BEACH / NEWS

CHESIL BEACH REPORT

By Gareth Mayers t’s seems the summer species are now pretty much nonexistent and the winter storms have finally arrived bringing cod closer to the shore.

We’ve seen some pretty heavy storms over the last month battering the whole of Chesil beach making it hard to get out on the cod hunt but there has been some patches in the weather meaning anglers were finally able to get out after the elusive cod.

Some lovely fish were landed during the Samalite Chesil league with Jason Brown’s cod weighing 7LB 13oz followed by one slightly heavier for Darren Cranmer. The biggest of the match was a cod coming in at 9lb 8oz falling to Paul Curtice.

Will Constance and a mate also done well on the cod catching 6 between them towards the ferrybridge end. Well done lads!

Some lovely ray have come out recently with Steve Harder Landing a blonde ray going 17lb 2oz.Andrew Proudfoot and Till Hall also

managed some great ray fishing with an undulate and a small eyed ray.

This time of year can prove hard to combat through the vast amounts of whiting and other nuisance species while targeting cod. One way to overcome this is to try live baiting a small bait fish. There are various ways of achieving this and quite a few methods as well but they all seem to work. The key to this is having the patience to sit it out.

I recently landed a codling just shy of 7LB using a pouting as live bait.

The colder months are now approaching so keep persisting on the cod as we will soon see some better sized fish into December and January.

Remember Chesil is a storm beach facing the Atlantic and can throw up some dangerous conditions so remember to keep safe on the beach while fishing.

Until next time tight lines .....

Cod

Zeta Pople with a codling.

Conger

Steve Harder with a cracking blonde ray.

Cod

Cod & Pollock

Cod

Cod

Spurdog

Some cracking cod from the samalite league.

Will Constance with a Chesil codling.

Undulate for Andrew Proudfoot.

Another sole for John Patten.

Till hall with a small eyed ray.

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

CHESIL CHAMPS / EAST SUSSEX

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CHESIL CHAMPS - WEST BAY SAC Here is the result of this year’s Chesil Champs, Fifty nine anglers signed on for the 47th Chesil Champs hosted by West Bay Sea Angling Club and sponsored by The Angling Centre West Bay on Sunday 27th October 2019. The competition was fished between Burton Cliffs to the Dragon’s Teeth, Abbotsbury & once again we included the East pier at West Bay to accommodate those less able to fish the beaches. The competitors enjoyed a wonderful days weather wise with a northeasterly wind and calming seas. After six hours of fishing fifty anglers had managed to catch weighable fish, species caught were; whiting, pout, dogfish, Whiting, Spurdog, conger & cod. Total weight of fish caught was 189kg 290g This year's winner was Ian Dancey with a weight of 9kg 30grams which was 2kg 15grams clear of second placed Rory Eastlake, Last years winner Gary Loveless took third place. Top lady on the day was Jane Johns with a weight of 2kg 265grams, top junior was Eden Lynham with 2kg 530grams.

Ian, Rory & Gary also won a share of a very healthy £295 super pool in addition to

the top prize of £250 for the winner, £150 for second and £100 for third. Cash prizes were awarded down to eighth position, there was also a healthy prize table for the top eight anglers, a big thank you to all those that donated prizes to the event The round fish pool was won by Ian Darncey with a conger eel of 2kg 840grams, No flatfish were caught so the £147.50 prize money will be donated to the Weldmar Hospice Care Trust.

All those that came back to the presentation and did not manage to weigh fish in were entered into the no fish draw. the winner of this prize was West Bay Sea Angling Club's very own Shore Secretary Steve Fowles.

West Bay S.A.C. would like to thank their sponsors who put up the main cash prizes: The Angling Centre West Bay. We would also like to thank all those that donated prizes; Pure Fishing, Daiwa, Tronixpro, Masterline, Drennan, Leeda, Swift Fishing Tackle, Svendsen Sports, Devon Baits (Martin Cocks Ltd), Otterdeane Products, Fenix, Fish Zone, Anchor, Martin Jones & Steve Fowles. The club would also like to thank Bridport Football Club for the use of the Beehive for the presentation.

Top Fifty Places as follows

the winner receiving the trophy from Tom Marley from the Angling Centre

Position Competitor

Weight in Grams Position Competitor

Weight in Grams

1st

Ian Dancey

9030

26th

Norman Stokes

3515

2nd

Rory Eastlake

7015

27th

Adam Cullingford 3405

3rd

Gary Loveless

6525

28th

Aiden Aisher

3390

4th

Dave Chidzoy

6305

29th

Phil Thomas

3115

5th

Rich Dorgan

6230

30th

Rod Barr

3070

6th

J Shambrook

6225

31st

Mike Rose

2875

7th

Paul House

5910

32nd

Barry Jones

2810

8th

C Erscott

5735

33rd

Tony Colls

2630

9th

Dave Lane

5705

34th (Top Junior) Eden Lynham

10th

Kev Daly

5455

35th

Roy Groves

2480

11th

Stuart Withyman 5410

36th

Stuart Holden

2455

12th

Ben Bradstock

5405

37th

Dave Taylor

2385

13th

Dave Blackwell

5140

38th

Ken Martin

2345

14th

Simon Bowditch 5055

39th (Top Lady)

15th

Dave Stewart

4985

40th

Dave Bennatt

2225

16th

John Owen

4925

41st

Mark Lord

2125

17th

Lea Windsor

4555

42nd

Richard Green

2070

18th

Terry Hartnell

4505

43rd

Dave Hatcher

1990

19th

Steve Floyd

4495

44th

Gerry Reed

1805

20th

John Golds

4485

45th

June Stokes

1520

21st

Shaun McConnell4275

46th

Lewis Mason

1290

22nd

Gavin Hunt

4185

47th

Paddy Hallam

1220

23rd

Chi Cheung

3960

48th

Cliff Rooney

1135

24th

Joe Arch

3935

49th

Karen Hancock

1090

24th

Paul Lynham

3635

50th

Ingrid Eick

465

Jane Johns

2530

2265

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

POOLE / DORSET

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POOLE REPORT

by Philip Higgins The weather has dominated the last few weeks with Poole Harbour being the roughest I have ever seen it as you can guess fishing has been several hampered but on the few occasions boats have managed to get out they have been rewarded with plenty of small to medium sized Conger eels and some nice rays up to 24lb. Poole Dolphins had a great days fishing landing 291 fish which included Bass, Turbot, Tope Plaice, Rays, Gurnards and plenty of Whiting to 1lb 8ozs in total 13 different species were landed, it is good to

see the return of the winter species and hopefully the Cod will put in an appearance soon. The Harbour has produced some excellent Plaice including a 5lb 1ozs fish for one angler fishing from his own boat. Squid fishing continues to be enjoyable providing you do not end up getting showered in the super sticky black ink. The report is short this time as I have been involved in a refit and not been fishing.

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Jay Hemming with a whiting on Mistress Linda

Keith Trim - whiting on Mistress Linda

Sea Angling News, December 2019

POOLE / DORSET

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SILVER SPRAY REPORT

By Sam Cumming

As the days get colder it signals the end of all the long range stuff for a month or two until the spurdogs arrive at the end of December. Our last shark trip of the year was a success producing a nice porbeagle of 110lb for Adrian Black. It was caught in fairly shallow water so put up a very energetic scrap. This year we put plenty of time and effort into developing our shark fishing and it paid off well as we averaged over one fish per trip; if you had offered me that at the start of the year I would have bitten your hand off. Biggest porbeagle went 250lb with a nice average of around the 100lb mark. The highlight was seeing

the two big thresher sharks both estimated at around 450lb, an absolute adrenaline rush to see these fish jumping around in the water. Inshore we have started our winter fishing at anchor which will be our main focus for a while. We have had our first cod and also pollock and some nice rays. There are rather a lot of congers out on the ground at the moment which does make it difficult to keep bait down for sensible periods of time. Hopefully they will get bored and move on before December. Our trips to Alderney and Guernsey are starting to fill up so make sure to book up soon to avoid disappointment.

Tony with our first cod of the winter season silver spray

Tony with a 13lb pollock silver spray

Brett Davies baby shark Silver Spray

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Karston with a big undulate ray silver spray II

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NEWS

Sea Angling News, December 2019

Minehead Cod Challenge 2020 Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th January Entry Form Name: …………………………………………………………………………

Contact Telephone No.: ……………………………………………………

E-Mail address: ………………………………………………………………

Please enclose cheque for £120 made payable to “Minehead Cod Challenge” and mail with this entry form to The Sea Angling News, 55 Poundfield Road Minehead Somerset TA24 5ES Or pay by BACS to; NatWest, Acc. Name: The Minehead Cod Challenge, Sort code 60-14-30, Account number 57155755 ref. your name E-mail keith@seaanglingnews.com with any queries.

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Sea Angling News, December 2019

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NORTH DEVON

Sea Angling News, December 2019

NORTH DEVON REPORT

By Wayne Thomas There have been some outstanding fish caught during autumn along the North Devon coast with the highlight a stunning bass of 13lb caught from the Lower Taw and Torridge estuary by Richard Jefferies.

Several bass have been landed throughout the estuary by anglers targeting flounder.

The flounder season has got off to an encouraging start with several 2lb plus specimens reported.

Flounder fishing should peak over the coming weeks with several Christmas Competitions in the estuary likely to see specimens brought to the scales.

On the open coast Weston Outcasts member Damion Close enjoyed success landing tope of 41lb and 31lb in successive casts. Kody Chugg also enjoyed success landing a tope of 45lb. Bull huss into double figures have also been landed from the deep water rock marks along with a few ray.

The headline fish tend to give a false impression of fishing along the open coast.

For every successful trip most anglers have to endure several blanks and catch plenty of tackle tangling small conger and dogfish.

Prospects for the coming winter are excellent with spurdog already caught from boats off Ilfracombe. Tope, bull huss, specimen conger, ray and spurdog will offer shore sport with December and January excellent months if the weather permits access to the shoreline.

Several codling have already been caught giving hope that this winter will produce a few table sized fish. It is a mystery why good sized cod have become very rare from the North Devon shoreline. During the eighties and nineties double figure cod were caught each winter with occasional fish caught over twenty pounds. The cod run still appears healthy higher up the Bristol Channel.

Grey mullet were once considered to be fish of the summer months but this is no long the case with mullet enthusiasts enjoying success from some marks all year.

Julian Stainer bull huss 11lb 12oz

Kevin Kirby smoothound

Kody Chugg 45lb tope. Inset left David Jenkins flounder 2lb 4oz.

Inset right Nathan Clements flounder 1lb 11oz

Pete Gregory - spurdog off Ilfracombe on Bluefin Chay Boggis - bass 7lb 14oz

bull huss off Ilfracombe

Andrew Clements flounder 2lb 4.75oz

Josh Atkinson - River Taw bass 7lb 10oz

Richard Jefferies Bass. 13lb jpg

Shuan Quartly - small eyed ray 8lb 14oz

Ollie Passmore - blonde ray 8lb 14oz

NORTH DEVON

Sea Angling News, December 2019

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NEWS

CHARITY OPEN COMP

By Dr. John A. O'Connor

The Inaugural Blood Bikes Wales Open Beach Fishing Competition, organised by members from Pembroke & District Angling Club and Osprey Sea Angling Club was held on 10th November 2019 on Amroth beach in South Pembrokeshire. The weather on the day was balmy, reasonably warm and dry, dissimilar to that which had been experienced locally in the run up to and following the competition, so the weather Gods really smiled on the day with only a gentle North Easterly breeze which meant the conditions weren’t far away from perfect with a gentle surf building as the tide flooded in with just a few rollers as can be seen in the picture. This should have augured well for a good catch and indeed it was. The turnout and support was good with 63 anglers including 4 junior boys and 4 Ladies and we thank them all very much indeed for their support.

27 anglers, including 3 Ladies and 1 Junior weighed in 40 sizeable Flounders along with 5 Dabs, 11 Lesser Spotted Dogfish and 1 Dover Sole, with other Lesser Spotted Dogfish, undersize Dabs, Bass and Flounders being caught but not weighed in.

The winning anglers, a tie for the first time ever that I can remember, who managed to land 4 decent sized flounder, for 1Kg 665gms each were local anglers Ben Cook (Pembroke) and Llewellyn Rose (Saundersfoot), netting them to share the two prizes for bags of Flatfish of £200 and £50. The winner of the prize for the heaviest any fish was Andrew Rogers (Milford Haven) with a Lesser Spotted Dogfish of 825gms netting him the £100 prize. The pair’s competition, in which both anglers had to weigh in, was won by Haydn Cole (Lamphey) and his partner Mark Bennett (Pembroke) with 4 Flounder, 2 Lesser Spotted Dogfish and 2 Dabs for 3Kg 430gms. Second with 2 Lesser Spotted Dogfish, 2 Dabs and 3 Flounder for 3Kg 045gms were another local pair and Saundersfoot club members Andy Young

and Franco Attanasio. The Ladies section was won by the partner of another regular visitor, who used to be local, Michelle Paton who had a Flounder of 430gms. One Junior weighed in a Flounder of 335gms Finan Williams who naturally took the Junior prize.

However, the most important result on the day was that the event, by the time all the money is in, will have raised £690 for the Blood Bikes Wales. This included the second pairs prize which Andy and Franco kindly donated to the Charity, for which we thank them for their generosity. To thank for this sterling effort we must first congratulate the anglers from the organising clubs, you know who you are, together with Mr Ian Wilkinson of the Temple Bar Inn who put his premises and valued support at this event’s disposal.

Lastly, we must again thank the multitude of kind and generous sponsors of the event, who donated cash, together with those donating prizes for the raffle which will hopefully ensure the continuation of the event. These were, in no particular order, Andy Young & Franco Attanasio, Ian Wilkinson of the Temple Bar Inn, Shane Tucker, Peter Kraus, Chris Park, John O’Connor, David Omnet, Chris & Phil D of Blood Bikes Wales, Llewellyn Rose, Cross Saws Inn, Pembroke, Andrew & Leigh Rogers, David & June Howell, Mike Rowe of J & M Tackle, Pembroke Dock, Mark Bennett, Christchurch Angling and the Propeller Café at Withybush Airport. If anybody feels aggrieved that they have been missed off this list and we hope there isn’t, we are truly sorry, but thank you, most warmly, for your continued support.

One final thing is that the whole shebang repeats itself early in the New Year on Sunday the 12th January with the 18th Annual Wales Air Ambulance Open, for which we now pray for at least the equivalent or better weather and as good a turnout and ctach of fish.

Sea Angling News, December 2019

MYOPIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE AND A MISSED OPPORTUNITY: ANGLING TRUST SLAMS 'RENAISSANCE OF THE EAST ANGLIAN FISHERIES' REPORT

The Angling Trust has slammed the findings of the report from Renaissance of the East Anglian Fisheries (REAF) amid fears it is setting out to drive a wedge between commercial fishing and recreational sea angling interests in the region.

Stuart Singleton-White, Head of Campaigns at the Angling Trust said: “Whilst claiming it wishes to 'reduce tensions between angling and commercial fishing', this partisan report will only inflame tensions between sea anglers and local fishermen.”

The REAF report claims that it is a “community-led long-term strategy for fisheries in the region”, but in fact is an unrepresentative political lobbying effort focused only on the narrow interests of commercial fisherman which fails to recognise the major opportunity to increase social and economic benefits in coastal communities in East Anglia by developing and promoting sea angling.

The report states: “While it is not known how many people participate in sea angling in East Anglia, the number is thought to be several thousand.” The Governments report 'Sea Angling 2012' estimated that there are 884,000 sea anglers in England.

This suggests that there are in the order of 48,000 sea anglers living in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and once we include visiting sea anglers, the number will be even higher.

Pictured are some of the winners, Haydn Cole, Finan Williams, Michelle Paton, Ben Cook, and Llewellyn Rose in with members of Blood Bikes Wales who kindly turned up in support, on the day.

(Picture by John O’Connor)

The Blue Marine Foundation report 'Defining the Economic and Environmental Values of Sea Bass' found that in Sussex, where there were 40,014 sea anglers, sea angling contributed £94.9 million to the local economy and supported 1,067 full time equivalent jobs. This report also found that in the Sussex sea bass fishery, the economic output generated by sea angling from one tonne of sea bass was 40 to 75

times higher than that from commercial bass fishing and the amount of employment generated by sea angling was 39 to 75 times more than from commercial bass fishing.

In contrast, the REAF report finds that the first landed value of fish into East Anglia is just £9.4m.

Commenting on the report, Stuart Singleton-White said: “Leaving the European Union could present a major opportunity to restore and enhance our coastal marine environment, to rebuild fish stocks to genuinely sustainable levels based upon good scientific evidence, to provide proper protection for important marine habitats and ecosystems, and to generate economic growth bringing much needed income and jobs to coastal communities.

"To seize this opportunity, an enlightened approach would see inshore fishermen and the recreational sea angling community coming together. This report does the opposite.

“The REAF team has completely failed to consider the social and economic potential of sea angling in East Anglia and has instead made some poorly informed and inappropriate proposals for restricting sea angling in East Anglia. Even more astonishing is that the REAF team does not include any sea angling expertise and that it did not occur to the REAF team to consult with the Angling Trust, England’s representative body for sea angling.”

The Angling Trust will be asking sponsors of REAF to ask the REAF team why they have so far failed to deal with the potential of sea angling in an appropriate manner and how they intend to remedy the situation.

LANGSTONE

Sea Angling News, December 2019

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 15

LANGSTONE HARBOUR AREA BOAT FISHING REPORT

By Neville Merritt, Southsea Marina Angling Club This last month seems to have gone by re‐ markably quickly, the more so because we have had so many windy, rainy or windy and rainy days. There are a lucky few who can take a boat out mid-week when a weather window appears but most of us with work schedules just look at the weather charts and feel frustrated. I am sure the trouble on internet fishing forums peaks to coincide with bad weather. I ex‐ pect a PhD student will do a study on that one day.

Another correlation is that the number of sunrise and sunset photos that are posted on social media has a direct link to the number of unremarkable fish caught – and comments like “Great to be out anyway”…

I suspect that this month had a peak of fishing forum conflict and sunrise photos because most of us have neither got out fishing or if we have, we haven’t found the cod that are supposed to be here.

So on to the news and pictures that we can share from the Langstone Harbour area.

Highlight of the month was the interclub competition between Southsea Marina Angling Club and our neighbours Eastney Cruising Association. Much to the chagrin of SMAC members who had held the trophy for the last two years they were beaten by ECA with a bass of 9lb 1oz caught by Mark Argyle. On the plus side, the ECA will have to host the competition next year and their beer is cheaper.

The previously mentioned cod have been very scarce, although a few have been re‐ ported. Whiting have put in an appearance and are a useful substitute species for the cod competitions that are traditionally run

at this time of year. Heber Crawford shows off a nicely marked a haddock – not a com‐ mon catch for anglers this far south. Con‐ ger are now out on open ground having spent the summer among wrecks and reefs. If you like catching conger, there are plenty around to over 40lb but the smaller strap conger can be a real nuisance.

Some spurdog have been caught, nowhere near their former numbers but it is good to see they are still around. Some good-sized bull huss and the usual ray species have made up the catches on most boat trips.

The bass ban is now in force with all bass fishing restricted to catch and release. In autumn we often find some very large bass prowling close inshore particularly after a storm, and they are braver outside of day‐ light hours. Heber Crawford managed just three casts on his way to work and landed this impressive fish, estimated between 9lbs and 11lbs which of course was re‐ turned.

Some more settled days have allowed the offshore boats to get out to the wrecks. Kev Johnson and his crew scored well with bass and pollack. The squid have arrived in good numbers and are being caught by those targeting them, and also by those not. Kev Johnson was noticing squid bites on conventional tackle while wreck fishing so he switched to squid lures, landing this impressive specimen. If squid fishing is your thing, perhaps you could try wreck marks if you are after the big ones.

The SMAC Open Cod Competition is planned for 17th November – if it is not post‐ poned due to weather I will be reporting on the cod (or lack of) in our next report.

Interclub Competition

Peter Churchill 14lb Undulate

Heber Crawford Bass

Steve Kelly presents prize to Mark Argyle

Kev Johnson Squid

Heber Crawford Haddock

Kev Johnson Bass

Interclub competition

16 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS / WALES / BURNHAM ON SEA

Sea Angling News, December 2019

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BURNHAM ON SEA REPORT

By Richard Saxby There seems to be a recurring theme lately with most of my reports starting off with a moan about the weather and the last month has been no different. Adding a couple of slipway closures in to the mix has left a lot of frustrated boat owners with some not getting out for over 6 weeks. On a positive note 2 members have re-engined their boats and another is currently building a new boat so next year will hopefully see a few more boats on the beach. As I write this the first cod of the winter has been caught from Burnham and a good one too.

Hopefully there will be more to follow and maybe even some decent whiting.

One of the engines has gone on the back of Obsession and Andy Georgiou has managed a few trips out to run the engine in. The first was at Weymouth on 20th October. A day drifting the race and a spell at anchor west of the bill produced a few rays, lots of strap conger, whiting, pout and the fish of the day a nice bass of 4lb 8oz for Andy.

Jamie and Anne Locke managed to find a nice flat day in the week and took advantage on FannyAnne landing loads of thornies, whiting, dogs and straps with the biggest thornie going 9lb 8oz to Anne.

they were after but a steady stream of the usual suspects kept them busy and a couple of spotted rays gave a bit more variety. The trio have also managed a couple of days out of Portishead which offers a lot more protection from NW winds which are a killer for Burnham. They found cod on both days but nothing over about 4lb.

Sunday 17th 4 boats launched with Four Buoys and Ultra Mover staying local as we were only doing a short one over high and Ultra White and Obsession steaming down to Watchet for a double tider. This proved to be a good move as within half an hour of settling on the anchor Nigel Devey had a cracking cod of 15lb 2oz.

Jamie Lock thornies

Martin Quinn spotty

Andy Georgiou bass

Nigel Devey cod 15-2

Fish of the month for October sponsored

by Thyers Tackle of Highbridge was won by Fred Saxby with a LSD weighing 2lb 6oz and 79%.

BRISTOL CHANNEL SHORE REPORT

The next club comp is our Xmas Fayre on th 8th December followed by the Ray Farthing trophy on the 15th.

Again, I feel like a broken record every month, month after month starting this report quoting” it’s been another fantastic month we’ve just had from the shore in the Bristol Channel”.

And what a nice feeling it is to be able to quote this.

Because in reality every month throughout the year can and generally is superb for a variety of species and specimens.

I know I’m probably being biased. But as I see it trawling through the Uk shore scene throughout the year the Bristol Channel is arguably the best sea fishery in the UK for a variety and diversity throughout the seasons.

Fish populations rise and fall year on year but there’s always exceptional prospects available.

Well if you haven’t heard through the beach telegraph yet. You will be pleased to learn that the Bristol Channel cod fishery is pretty healthy this year.

From the West Somerset town of Minehead to the Severn bridges it’s been positively excellent and it will continue to improve as we more into winter.

Codling numbers are impressive in the upper reaches as the estuary narrows and the concentration of fish thickens.

Catches of a dozen keepers from 2-3lb fish plus a few 5-7lb and an odd doubler are being reported. These fish are waxing on weight gorging on the brown shrimp and will continue till the water temperature drops to 8-9 degrees and

October 27th and Obsession was out again clocking up a few more hours on the new engine. A quick steam down to Watchet found plenty of fish for Andy, Nigel Devey and Martin Quinn. They didn't find the cod

The next club meeting is our Xmas social on Thursday 19th December at Burnham Motor Boat and Sailing Club on the sea front, pop along if you are interested in joining a friendly club.

You can keep up-to date with latest news and catches and all things fishy on our facebook page and website Burnham Boat Owners Sea Angling Association.

Anne Lock thornie

Nigel Devey spotty

By Craig Butler the shrimp move out and drop back into deeper water.

I know the winter hasn’t really started yet, but I can’t help getting excited about the exceptional spring codling fishing we will have next spring.

That’s for then not now though.

It’s not all about the codling as the ray fishing, the huss fishing and the bass fishing has all been on point with no shortage of quality fish being caught regularly.

Anyway with all the codling available in the channel this winter, you will be mad not to get in on the action and make the most of it.

A good bit of advice would definitely be to seek a bit of local info from the local tackle shop in the area you intend to fish, spend a few quid and you will be pointed in the right direction I’m sure.

If you are unsure, not confident or generally want some invaluable local knowledge of the Somerset coast, where some of the best cod fishing is available. I offer a full guiding package for many of the low and high water marks that consistently produce cod and codling year after year. With 30 years of experience of fishing the area you can be sure your in good hands where nothing is left to chance.

You will my advert in these pages. Everything from accommodation and quality fishing tackle and bait can be arranged.

Hope many of you get out and make the most of it.

Tightlines and happy hunting.

Sea Angling News, December 2019

BRISTOL CHANNEL / WATCHET

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 17

RECENT CATCHES ABOARD SEAFIRE II

Dan with a smoothound - Seafire II

Rita with a thornbackray - Seafire II

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

Bonio with a cod - Seafire II

Paul with a cod - Seafire II

18 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

BRISTOL CHANNEL / MINEHEAD

Sea Angling News, December 2019

BRISTOL CHANNEL BOAT REPORT

By Tom Wright As autumn has progressed and we ap‐ proach early winter with water temper‐ atures now dropping considerably we have seen subtle changes in the fish‐ ing. The ray fishing has slowed, all be it that there have still been many fine rays boated and species that typically are associated with the warmer months such as Smoothhounds have also reduced to just the last few hangers on. These fish have now been replaced by an increasing number of cod. It is very pleasing to see that al‐ though we may not be experiencing high numbers of smaller codling, we are seeing an increase in the number of fine double figure cod in comparison to the last couple of years.

Another winter visitor that has begun to make some sporadic appearances

are Spurdogs. Not in huge numbers yet but showing none the less. The first sign that the Spurdogs are about is of‐ ten when a rattily bite quickly results in a clean bite through of the trace line as their sharp teeth make light work of smaller diameter lines.

Whiting are being caught fairly regu‐ larly so its probably not surprising that a few larger Conger Eels that no doubt move in to feast on the smaller fish have been boated along with countless numbers of ‘strap’ Eels.

Bull Huss remain ever present with low double figure Huss a common feature amongst catches. And highly prized, along with the afore mentioned Cod, is the Bass which have continued to fea‐ ture most weeks among the boat re‐ ports coming in.

Smoothound for John Webber - Alykat

12lb cod caught on ‘Mary Ellen’ by Brian Cook

Smoothound - Lorna Doone

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Alan Hodge 18 lb blonde ray Alykat

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Bass - Lorna Doone

Andy Bickel nice cod Alykat

Cod - Lorna Doone

BRISTOL CHANNEL / MINEHEAD

Sea Angling News, December 2019

Basss Lorna Doone

Blonde ray Lorna Doone

Conger Lorna Doone

Blonde rays - Lorna Doone

Cod - Osprey

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 19

Cod Lorna Doone

Bass - Osprey

Smalleyed & blonde ray- Osprey

Cod - Osprey

Smalleyed rays - Osprey

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Cod - Teddie Boy

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

THornback - Teddie Boy

Cod - Osprey

ANGLER FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION TEL: 01643 703193

20 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS

I

S LEY ’ HE R 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.

RECENT CATCHES ABOARD KELLEY’S HERO

Sea Angling News, December 2019

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!

LAST LAUGH CHARTERS

By John Skeggs

Despite continuous unsettled weather, when the opportunity arises getting to sea is well rewarding, fishing is at its best!

Plaice just keep coming, averaging 40 a day between one and four pound, this being the first year we have pushed Plaice fishing into November. South of the Needles, the first and second gulley are full

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.

Usual competition rules apply

of Congers, amongst them are some nice sized Whiting the occasional double figure Pollack and unusually early packs of Spurdog.

Cod have been thin on the ground, the difficulty is getting a bait past the Congers, 54 in total on one trip.

Sea Angling News, December 2019

WEST WIGHT

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 21

VALK YRIE CHARTERS PRIVATE VENTURE 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

By Art savage

This month has seen us dodging the weather, with the majority of trips having to be cancelled The West Wight area is producing a lot of fish, however Cod are in the minority South of the Needles we have seen a run of Spurdog, on the inshore and offshore banks. These fish range from 4lb to 18lb and were returned to the water as they are protected. Also on the catch list were Conger (in big numbers) Channel Whiting Bass (returned) Bullhuss and the usual Rays, Turbot being the bonus fish.

The Solent is also fishing well with the majority of Cod coming from the Brambles marks. There is also a good showing of Channel Whiting and Bullhuss.

PRIVATE VENTURE

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Cod Private Venture

Codling Private Venture

Blonde rays Private Venture

Spurdog Private Venture

12lb Bass for Stuart. Inset: Bullhuss Private Venture

22 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

The first few days of November continued to be very productive for bream with boats reporting up to 150 bream with most being returned to the sea. At the end of the first week of the month the whiting showed up in numbers on marks close to Weymouth with fish to 3lb coming on squid/mackerel bait cocktails. It’s good when the fish move in to Weymouth Bay as travelling time drops considerably giving much more time for the actual fishing. The whiting marks are also good for a mixture of species including rays and conger plus a very realistic chance of a cod or bass.

The second weekend of November saw teams competing in the very popular Pairs Event organised by the Weymouth Angling Centre. This event is species based with the very worthy winners, Tim Ashman and Simon Norman making up the charming Team name of Captain Pugwash Sea Sick Salty Seaman, catching 13 different species on Day one but then a very impressive 16 species on Day two. Their 29 fish total resulted in a winning points score of 81 ahead of second placed team ‘Flying Fish’ with Matt Wilcox and Stuart Jones tempting 14 species on Day One and 13 species on Day 2 to give a 27 fish total for 75 points. Third came the infamous ‘Team Idiot’ consisting of Ray Barron and Mike Webber, with 28 fish for 74 points. Their first day species total amounted to 12 with a much better second day on 16 species.

Fishing took place in grim conditions with the anglers once again displaying magnificent seamanship in the face of adversity…..and no doubt the skippers went home with a few more worrry lines.

WEYMOUTH

December is upon us. The main inshore fishing will be targeting whiting mainly m the Adamant Bank in Weymouth Bay with boats often able to stay in the area all day.

If a move does take place it tends to be further south onto more mixed ground where rays, conger and an isolated cod can be caught. The Shambles sometimes has a run of whiting and an anchoring session there can also produce turbot on the baits intended for whiting.

Simon Blundell Whiting caught aboard Atlanta skippered by Dave Pitman

Sea Angling News, December 2019

Geraint Parry Whiting caught aboard Atlanta skippered by Dave Pitman

If the weather allows, the Weymouth and Portland charter boats may round Portland Bill and head off to the west with marks off Abbotsbury and West Bay giving a greater chance of cod as well as what can be very lively sessions on the whiting. These more westerly marks can also produce large tub gurnards and even a decent winter plaice especially if an angler is using worm baits.

December can be an excellent month for pollack out on the wrecks with the signs from November’s wreck fishing shows promise for the winter months.

Once again, thanks to you, the anglers, for maintaining your support for the local Weymouth and Portland charter fleet and for enduring some interesting weather conditions and entertaining seas in the pursuance of your sport. . Let’s hope the final month of the year will be kind enough to allow a few days at sea, especially in that popular post Xmas - Pre New Year Day week that so many of you like to fish.

Merry Christmas to you all and Stay Safe!

There are now plenty of bass around that we can return. The restrictions have returned with C&R only being allowed which should please those that support this initiative. The bass are expected to remain well into December and possibly even longer. Dirty water puts the bass (and bream) off the feed which is what rain and wind does to the sea so it’s all about hoping for settled days. The bream usually leave by the the first big tide in November so by the time this report is read they will have gone.The grim weather of November has restricted the amount of trips the charter boats have been able to offer. Chartering is never easy with never ending restrictions and adverse weather conditions but several trips to the Kidney Bank to the west of Portland have taken place with a few decent blonde rays coming to the net. Like many species these days, the rays are usually released as are the spurdogs and smoothhounds which are starting to show to the south of the Kidney and Shambles Banks.

Bass - Fish On II

Bass - Fish On II

Wrecking is now starting to take place again with pollack the intended quarry.

Conger - Fish On II

Bass Fish On II

WEYMOUTH

Sea Angling News, December 2019

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Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 23

RECENT CATCHES ABOARD FINS-UP

24 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

READERS GALLERY

Sea Angling News, December 2019

READERS GALLERY Notable fish caught around the coast

Well started the day bright and early at 7am this morning at dragons teeth Abbotsbury managed a few fish dogs pout and even some decent sized whiting as hours past and not much bait left we decided to have a move and try West Bexington for few hours so went to west bexington takle shop got some bait and tried there ended up with some decent pouting from Liam and also some big whiteing couple of dog fish then this fine condition of a cod came along just after the turn was a hard working day also got very cold but paid off in end enjoyed every minute. Anthony Georgiou...

Ben Karboub with an 8lb bass

Just when you think you’ve seen everything the Royalty can possibly throw up, something happens that just makes you go wow!

Terry Findlay enjoyed a great days pike fishing yesterday landing pike of 10lbs, 14lbs and 20lb 2oz but I’m certain he wasn’t expecting the next fish to take his dead bait to be a 14lb Bass!!

Has anyone ever heard of an angler landing such an unusual brace of specimen fish from the same swim?

POLITICAL PARTIES CHALLENGED OVER ANGLING MANIFESTO 2019 the outdated abstraction regime to allow more sustainable management of water resources.

• introducing national compulsory water metering and better storage facilities to avoid damaging abstractions during drought periods.

• putting new duties on the water regulator OFWAT to take account of environmental impacts when planning future investment by water companies.

Head of Policy Martin Salter presenting the Angling Mnifesto 2019 to David Drew Shadow Environment Minister

The Angling Trust has challenged politicians and political parties seeking election on December 12th to demonstrate their support for recreational fishing with the publication of a 2019 Manifesto for Angling.

All the parties representing English constituencies in the House of Commons have been sent a copy of the manifesto and invited to indicate the extent of their support for angling.

Angling Trust members and supporters are being encouraged to contact their local candidates with a copy of the manifesto and secure commitments to protect fisheries and anglers’ rights in the next Parliament. The Trust secured cross-party support for similar manifestos in the 2017, 2015 and 2010 General Elections.

The document focuses on four key areas: A better deal for fish and fishing once the UK has left the EU • retaining in full the commitment transferring all current EU environmental protections that benefit fish stocks and the aquatic environment to the UK. • reforming the farm subsidy system to ensure that £3 billion of taxpayers’ money is focused on action to address any pollution and habitat damage from poor agricultural practices.

• setting clear targets and timeframes for rebuilding marine stocks recognising that many are shared with other EU Member States.

Responsible management of water • reforming as a matter of urgency

Recognition, promotion and access to angling • recognising the benefits of angling for the environment, the economy, individuals and communities.

• providing support for our national teams and international angling competitions.

• continuing to ring fence rod licence income for angling and fisheries work.

• protecting the rights of all anglers to fish without fear of harassment and disruption.

• recognising that voluntary access agreements are the only way to manage the increase in water-based recreation, such as canoeing, on inland waters and avoid conflict between different user groups.

• recognising recreational sea anglers as equal stakeholders in decisions about marine fisheries management.

Environment fit for fish and wildlife • removing and easing barriers to fish migration in rivers and stop others being built.

• tackling diffuse agricultural pollution through a combination of enforcement by regulators and expert advice from charities outside the regulatory system.

• creating a sustainable marine fishery with designated nursery areas, commercial catch limits based on science and better protection for estuaries and

inshore waters.

• recognising the damage caused to inland fisheries by predators such as cormorants, goosanders, mink and otters and support fishery managers’ efforts to protect their waters and businesses from unsustainable predation.

• giving active consideration to the case for including cormorants on the General Licence.

Stuart Singleton-White, Head of Campaigns at the Angling Trust, said: “As the population of the UK grows, the increased pressure sees our fish and water bodies suffering. Overfishing around our coasts is devastating many fish marine stocks and inadequate controls on the pollution coupled with unsustainable abstraction has left too many rivers in a mess. Add to that the gross underfunding and lack of enforcement from the likes of the Environment Agency are simply making things worse. We need all political parties, whether they form the next government or not, to get behind angling and to get a grip of the challenges facing our water environment.”

Martin Salter, Head of Policy at the Angling Trust added: “Angling is one of the best ways to enjoy the natural world up close. It also creates an army of environmental advocates that the politicians should recognise. Angling also makes a vital contribution to people’s wellbeing and good mental health and provides the perfect way to relax and destress. The Angling Trust has worked hard to highlight the benefits of our sport, to build strong cross party support for all forms of recreational fishing and to ensure that MPs realise that angling plays a vital role in protecting our rivers, coasts and freshwater.”

Sea Angling News, December 2019

BACK TO BASICS

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 25

BACK TO BASICS By Martin Wood The FG (Fine grip) Knot is a popular leader knot with braid using anglers around the world.

It’s a very strong knot and once you’ve learned it is also an easy and fast method of connecting a leader to your main line.

It is completely reliable in all classes/ sizes and types of line! Braid, mono, flouro car‐ bon.

The key to tying this knot quickly and successfully is to remember to always maintain tension on the lines!

If you follow the diagrams and once you

tie this knot following these instructions with a little practise you can tie it about thirty seconds and will more than likely make this your new go-to leader connection knot, with that I also find it goes through the eyes of the rod a lot better and preventing drag on braid is a massive advantage by not causing it to create wind knots or wrapping around the eyes as the line slows down and yet still coming off the reel at speed and so backing up causing the issues.

Gripped weights or rolling leads?

A debate long argued about by anglers but the bottom line is… you use what is best for you and gets you results! But what are the advantages of both types? So let’s take a quick look and see.

shape lead as there are no angles or wires to snag up in weed or other features.

GRIPPED LEADS: Gripped leads come in many shapes and sizes most are Centre of gravity weights with all the weight In the nose for better casting performance and also when they hit the sea bed they plant themselves nose first.

With gripped leads you main advantages are the fact you can hold bottom in a strong undertow / tide and in doing so you keep you bait in one place releasing a scent trail that fish can follow to the bait.

A second advantage is the wires when you are fishing rocky grounds sometimes stop your lead going between small snaggy cracks between rocks or stones and so sit on top preventing you from being snagged.

ROLLING LEADS: The advantages of rolling leads is just that they roll and take the bait with them into a gulley, riffles, small depressions and keep the bait in a natural food trap which is where a lot of fish are likely to be and in turn by moving you are more likely to find fish.

It also keeps your bait moving naturally moving across the sea bed.

When fishing snaggy grounds you are less likely to snag up with a round or bomb

The Disadvantages of both types are that with gripped leads I find with the nature of them being C.O.G weights they can tend to tumble in strong cross currents which then tangles your rig and kills any chance of getting a fish.

Another disadvantage is that if your bait is anchored to the sea bed and it’s a strong current it can make your bait flap wildly and look unnatural so may be refused by a fish.

The disadvantages of rolling leads are just that… they roll! If you need to hold posi‐ tion then it could go to the left or right and that can get annoying if there are other anglers not far away resulting in crossed lines and tangled rigs or they can run you into snags.

I always carry both types of lead as I make my own but I tend to lean more towards rolling leads just using heavier leads if I need to limit movement, a lot of anglers here in the Bristol Channel would scoff at the idea and think fixed leads are the only way to fish.

But then that’s the joy of fishing there is no definitive right way or only way to do things and you use what is best for you.

I have found since using rolling leads a few years back now my catch rates have cer‐ tainly gone up.

So have a try and give it a go don’t limit yourself to being a one trick pony.

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SEA FISHING RIGS

26 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

NEWS

WEST SUSSEX

Sea Angling News, December 2019

HOOKED ON LURE FISHING

By Alan Brown

The groundbreaking new hardback from Merlin Unwin Books (RRP ÂŁ24.99)

Alan Brown 10lb Undulate ray

Joshua Hall with his 1st ever ray, not a bad one by the looks of it

Craig simmonds with a better sized strap conger among the current invasion of straps between 12lb range that are along the entire west Sussex coast line at the moment

Martin Crowhurst with a late visitor at 10lb 8ozs Carl Golding with his pb conger at 9lb2ozs caught while cod fishing

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

BOOK COMPETITION WINNERS

Bass of 2lb1oz on mackarel tail ray 8lb5oz on whole squid to rhys stanton on a double hook up

Oli pocock with a 4lb strap conger from Bognor Regis

DAVID LANGLEY ANTHONY GILL JOHN LINDSAY To claim your prize please contact James Wigglesworth: james@seaanglingnews.com

Sea Angling News, December 2019

LRF REPORT

By Richard Salter You wont be surprised to read that the fish‐ ing opportunities have been somewhat lim‐ ited these last few weeks! Wave after wave of low pressure system has brought what’s seemed like almost constant wind and rain which doesn’t tend to make for ideal LRF conditions!

Despite this, I thankfully do have something to write about...

A couple of weeks ago, Frankie Costello, founder of the Facebook group “Plymouth LRF" arranged a bit of a get together down at Millbay Docks. I’d always missed out on these meets so was glad to be able to make this one.

With the local LRF community being pretty small and friendly, I’d met most of the guys before but it was good to meet a couple of new faces and catch up with a few I’d not seen for a while. It was also great to finally meet Frankie after only ever having chatted to him on social media for the last few years! Frankie’s friendliness and enthusi‐ asm for all things fishing made for some in‐ teresting and entertaining chat, it’s clear why the man has been at the heart of the Plymouth LRF social scene for so long.

We were also lucky with the weather, the wind almost dropping off to nothing and the rain thankfully taking a night off. Water clarity was still poor but it didn’t stop us from having an entertaining few hours, in‐ cluding some good fishing....

Ben drew first blood with a fine specimen of a Black Goby, taken as he worked a bit of isome along the clean ground. The Black Goby is definitely a dominant species in Millbay Docks, one to remember for any fu‐ ture species hunts!

The biggest entertainers on the night were the Pollock though, bigger than the stamp of fish I’m used to finding, these put up a great fight on LRF gear and the sound of screaming reels soon filled the air. Age Lundström, who is a bit of a dab hand at finding the better Pollock, was the first to find them as he worked his lure steadily across the harbour mouth. I always carry my telescopic landing net, just in case and it was put to good use on the evening, all 5.9m of the handle being required to reach the fish as low tide approached!

A simple slow, straight retrieve was good enough to find the Pollock and we were all kept busy by them for a good while, each of us taking turns with the net to land oth‐ ers fish.

As the Pollock began to switch off, we moved round to an area where there was some artificial light shining onto the water, these sort of areas are often good spots to look for as fish are drawn to the light for various reasons.

Perhaps surprisingly, but not actually all that unusual in these parts, a Mackerel was the first species to be caught from under the lights. Ben notching up his 3rd species of the night as he took up prime position in the corner of the docks.

I managed a couple of small Scad whilst on the other side of me, Maurice Minchinton was catching Herring and Pollock, further on up the wall, Whiting and Poor Cod made

NEWS

an appearance and the species count was really climbing!

Ben was searching around for a Scorpion Fish and was fishing pretty static right at his feet when something a bit bigger picked up his lure and took off at speed, taking a good bit of line as it did so. A nice sized Schoolie was the culprit and a great bonus catch, although I did my best to ruin the moment with some pretty amateurish net work, got there in the end though!

I added a Pout and Rock Goby to my tally whilst the guys continued to find more Her‐ ring, with the odd Pollock and Mackerel thrown in for good measure.

Eventually we had to reluctantly call it a night, with parking tickets running out and early starts the next day for some but I think it’s fair to say everyone enjoyed the meet and it was agreed that another should be arranged as soon as possible! The LRF community is very much an open and friendly one and these sorts of gatherings are where it’s at really, fishing in the com‐ pany of like minded anglers, sharing tips and tales and generally taking the mick out if each other! Great stuff. Keep an eye on the Plymouth LRF page on Facebook to catch the date of the next meet.

That pretty much sums up the action of the last few weeks, with the addition of a solit‐ ary Ballan Wrasse I caught during an hours fishing at Exmouth in filthy water with a cold wind cutting right through me.

There are still fish to be caught though, plenty of Gobies, Scorps and Blennies are being caught by fellow LRFers and are gen‐ erally species you can reliably target even when the going is tough. Fishing into dark‐ ness is probably the way to go over the next few months with plenty of Pollock showing, Scad are still about in places and the Herring are beginning to show up which can make for some pretty frantic action when you do find them.

Tight lines to anyone who manages to find a gap in the weather and gets out there!

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 27

28 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

COSTA RICA

Sea Angling News, December 2019

Sea Angling News, December 2019

NEWS

ROVING RODS By Martin Wood So with being given the mission of fishing beaches and marks from around the country and writing a re‐ port on those venues, I thought I would start this co‐ lossal and interesting task close to home with a fantastic stone storm beach that is known as Boss‐ ington or locally as bossy, this beach in West Somerset hosted the Penn sea league final in 2018 and can have you grinning with joy or if you hit the snaggy parts you’ll be gritting your teeth and turning the air blue.

So with short notice but well up for the challenge I knocked up some quick planning around work and figured as Bossington is such a large beach I would do two night sessions here to get the most from it and in the process cover a lot more of the beach as it’s such a diverse area.

So after looking at the weather and the tides… It wasn’t really the tides that I would have chosen to make the most of these trips but none the less I got on the blower to Chris to see if he fancied a stab at it too as he is one of those never to say no to a fish‐ ing session, is a fellow fish brain and four rods should make for a better report on what you can ex‐ pect from this venue.

With Bossington you never know what fish it will give up, sometimes its stunning lovely fish when you least expect it and with so many species throughout the year this venue won’t disappoint catering for most people’s wants and needs.

When choosing what gear to fish with here I went with my Century Carbon metal BB & the my Century Kompressor WR300 for a larger baits and some grunt alongside these I decided to go with fixed spool reels in the form of two Penn conflicts 8k CFT fitting the bill nicely the great retrieve they have at 44inches per turn and sheer workhorse pulling power of these would come in handy as here you really don’t want your lead dropping or it can snag up and it’s good to also get any fish up quick from the bottom especially any of the larger straps and big conger that can lurk around here you certainly don’t want them hugging some feature and snag‐ ging you.

So with the gear all loaded up the next stop was to secure some quality bait, I fired a quick message over to Craig at West coast angling and planned a visit first thing the next day, on arriving down at Minehead harbour unfortunately the last of the worm had just gone so I opted for the good old fashioned Mackerel and some dirty squid, nice and smelly for the murky Bristol channel water although at times when it’s calmer weather Bossington can have clear water unlike up the Bristol channel.

All set and ready to go! I couldn’t wait for the even‐ ing and to get the lines wet! I’d chosen a couple of night sessions as you generally tend to get better results and it also fitted around the work pattern I had. Finally it was time to go Chris was at the door and he was ramped up also… time to head to the beach.

With Bossington you can park up in the National trust car park and walk either through the woods and over a hill to end up near the headland known as Hurlestone point or you can walk down the track that takes you to the centre of the beach and select where you want to fish we chose over the hill and to fish about 120 yards from the headland.

As we arrived and started to set up it was blacker than black no moon and plenty of cloud getting ready to rain on us with plenty of wind whipping up as well, with the only visible landmarks being the Welsh coastline twinkling in the distance and the

dark prominent and domineering headland of Hurle‐ stone point.

The evening had started! I opted for a pulley rig with 5/0 up tide Viking hooks so they could bend out of any snags should the worst happen and after at‐ taching 6oz of lead I fired out a gentle cast loaded with squid hitting around 60-70 meters whilst I began to set up the second rod.

I had just finished rigging up and was about to bait up when the BB’s rod tip started banging away, jumping up and lifting into the rod I started to wind in until feeling the lazy tension and no fight on the end… I knew it was the obligatory dogfish that you will always catch around this area but at least the fish were on the bite and good for confidence at the start of a session, after unhooking and a quick photo he went back to annoy someone else another day.

A quick bait change with an identical rig that was baited and hanging waiting over the rod rest and I fired it back out a bit further this time to around the 100m mark hoping to cast over any pack of dogfish.

Back to baiting up and firing out the WR300 with a large side of mackerel as bait, finally the traps we’re set and time to breakout a brew.

Chris had also set up and both of his lines were also set and ready opting for his century Kompressor SS and Penn 525’s multipliers also using squid baits.

Twenty minutes on and the wind had really picked up and the rain had started to fall just as I gave Chris the look of “really!” My rod tip took a strong nose dive and didn’t come back up picking up the rod and lifting into it I could feel the Bang! Bang!

Bang! Of a conger on the end so I pumped the rod and winched in on the reel to get him up off the bot‐ tom he gave easily gradually pulling him in with the odd attempt to fight back he finally emerged about 15 yards out on the surface spinning away I used the surf and tide to make my life a bit easier to bring him in as it was churning a fair bit now on walking down and collecting the eel it was a nice strap of around 4lb after a quick photo and weigh at 4lb 1oz I took it back to the water’s edge and watched him quickly and violently slither back into the dark wa‐ ters, a quick wipe of the hands and a change of rig again I fired the bait out to around the 100m mark again.

With a quick tidy up I took a stroll towards Chris to see him lifting into a small bite and he had his first fish on of the evening! Coming through the tide it was a small codling obviously the cod gods were smiling on Chris this evening not the dog gods as normal, although undersized it was good and it was another species for the night and again after a quick photo was returned to get bigger and fight another day.

With his line back out and brew in hand I headed back, just as I reached my rods the rod tip again of the BB was going over slowly and then bouncing giving it some, I again lifted into the rod to feel weight but nothing was moving or fighting back thinking it was weed I pulled it all in and found some ones leader, line and rig all tangled up luckily for me it was an easy solve so bagged up the rubbish to take home later, I was just about to recast when the wr300 went over heavy and some line was taken out and clearly some fish thought they were going to get away with the macky bait, putting the rod down I jumped on the WR300 and lifted into it and could feel banging on the end and with the rod tip bending into it nicely instantly knowing it was a conger I

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 29

wanted to get him away from any remaining snags or anything else he could wrap himself around, this was a lively fish fighting the whole way in even when beached this conger was an angry one! With gloves on and fingers in the gill slits I rolled it over onto its back which calms them down, once calmer I picked the chunk of an eel up and realised he only had one eye certainly the scrapper! With that a quick photo and weigh at 5lb 7oz he was instantly released back to swim off very strongly indeed! Time to go back and clean the box as he left plenty of eel snot every‐ where!

The weather started to progressively get worse with rain hammering down on us and the wind driving it harder it remained like this for a while and moved into intermittent waves of weather the bites stopped almost instantly and neither of us saw another bite for the remainder of the session but not to worry it wasn’t a blank and we had another night planned a few nights later.

Night 2: As you come to the end of the track and walk to the far left of Bossington (15 min walk) I decided to travel lighter and use a rucksack and no box I alone fished the breach (Chris was on family duties & re‐ portedly dying of man flu which I hear can be fatal!) this mark has fast moving water and although it was a small tide it was very blowing a hooley with strong westerly winds which was creating big swells and surf to the point of if the tide was even a medium tide I would have just walked back due to safety as‐ pects of the mark as you have marsh land that flood up behind you leaving you on a stone strip, very pretty but in bad weather and medium to large tides incorporated it can be a very dangerous place!

Please always check the weather before you fish here!

You won’t be cut off but a rogue wave could cer‐ tainly see you swept off the ridge as you have nowhere to run to and cover yourself!

So assessing safety and knowing it would be per‐ fectly ok just a bit gnarly with the weather I set up using the same outfit as last time. The grounds here are a lot shallower and so I chose to use a pulley dropper to keep the baits harder on the bottom you can fish here and not lose gear but anything over 120m casting or casting to your right towards broken structures and you run the risk of it.

So all set up I decided to fish with one rod properly rather than two rods and having issues because of the conditions of the sea and the weather.

I casted out around 50-60 yards loaded with squid onto the mixed grounds looking for bass and cod I had to wait less than five minutes and I had my first enquiry lifting into the rattling bite it was a juvenile Bull Huss So a quick photo and released and an‐ other species chalked up so far seeing 4 species and keeping it interesting.

Casting back out a fresh squid bait I hunkered down and zipped up as the weather was really blowing forcing me to lower the rod tips significantly but after the walk I was here and I was going to fish!

Again the rod tip started doing its thing with the same rattling bite only this time it was a small dog‐ fish this happened 5-6 times in a row so decided to increase the hook size and bait sizes and positioning the hook half way up the bait so it was not at the ends so the smaller fish couldn’t hook themselves.

With that done and casting out again getting dis‐ tance was going to be an issue so I dropped it a bit shorter into what I assume was a ridge or gulley as it was producing a rougher bit of surf, it had only been out 2 minutes when this instantly paid off with two defining cod nods of the rod tip, Happy days!

Lifting into the rod and feeling the fish on the end I pulled in my first codling of the evening quickly un‐

hooking and changing to the spare rig waiting ready and baited.

I fired it back out as they normally travel together and you can get two very quickly this way before they move on, once the rod was out and after a quick photo of the fish it was promptly returned.

Just as I was getting back the rod was off again ex‐ cellent! Another cod came out of the surf this time it was of a keeping size but I released it back again after a quick photo.

By now I’d been fishing around 15-20 minutes and 4 fish of which two were cod although one was under‐ sized but always good to see a healthy young cod‐ ling about.

The weather was gradually deteriorating and I knew I would have to end the session earlier than planned but I stuck it out while it was safe to do so which paid off with another 4 codling including one of just over 3lb.

After I decided this would be the last cast of the session I only had to wait 3 minutes for the rod tip to bend over furiously and take line out, I lifted into it and tightened up the drag a touch the rod was bent in half! I could feel big heavy banging on the end this had to be a good fish! But after a good ten minutes of feeling what felt like dragging the fish in across the ocean floor it ended up being 4 leader lines 5 leads a large stone with some weed attached and one of the smallest codling I’ve seen hooked onto my rig although disappointed it wasn’t a great lunk‐ ing specimen fish to show you all on the upside I have some leads to melt down and remake, I had also removed some snags and at least it was a catch and made me laugh to myself for thinking it was a big’un!

All in all with Bossington as my chosen venue al‐ though it had cut me short with the weather it had provided good sport for the 6-7 hours that I had fished it in total, I was happy with the outcome.

Just a final line about this venue, safety here is al‐ ways needed and in large tides, wet weather, winds etc.

Please be aware of the breach on the right of the track it can blow through/out! As it does most years (normally autumn/winter it’s roughly two houses wide and as tall as house! It would likely kill you should you be on it when it goes! Normally when the marsh land behind it is flooded and the river Aller is swollen up with rain and land run off.

With Hurlestone point please don’t attempt to fish off the rocks it’s incredibly slippy! And with the land above on the point what looks like grass there can be loose shale underneath plunging you into the wa‐ ter and with the tidal flow here is totally unforgiving in all ways as well running a very big risk of being swept away out to sea very quickly there are deaths in these waters every year.

To the right of the track you can fish all states of tide.

To the left of the track you have marshland that floods behind you and on larger tides floods so well so you can’t walk back through the fields making you have to walk on the stones to the track also to the left you can normally fish it two and half hours up and then down sometimes a touch longer on lar‐ ger tides but it zips out at speed here and goes a long way out.

With the Bristol Channel having the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world (second only to the bay of Fundy) the tides move in and out at great speed and produce some very dangerous currents always do your homework.

So until next time, tight lines all and come and give this venue a try!

30 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com West Bay SAC

The first match of the Saturday Juniors, Jurassic League saw three junior members turning out to fish on East pier West Bay. The competitors fished a falling tide, and the water was very coloured which made the fishing hard going. Two of the entrants managed to catch fish, but try as he might Aaron was unable to catch thus leaving him in last place. Sophie (pictured), who was fishing only her second match managed to catch two sizable three bearded rockling to beat her brother to first place.

Species caught were; pouting & rockling.

He next Jurassic match is on Saturday 23rd November at 12:00pm.

The club has decided to lower junior membership for 2020 to £6 per junior, this new rate will start on 1st November 2019 Any junior joining the club and paying their membership on or after 1st November 2019, will receive 2020 membership free.

Sophie with one of her winning fish

LDSFC

Shallow Boat Competition.

On Sunday 20th October Lymington & Dis‐ trict Sea Fishing Club held a Shallow Boat competition in which six club members fished in dry and sometimes sunny condi‐ tions with a moderate breeze. Thirty fish were caught and weighed for a total weight of 52lbs 9oz. They consisted of dogfish, scad, pouting, whiting, thornback ray, un‐ dulate ray and smooth hounds These competitions are run with a specific weight given to certain fish that are caught and the fish put back into the sea immedi‐ ately and only edible fish are returned to shore.

Results: 1st Barry Littlefair with 8 fish for 17lbs 6oz, 2nd Adrian Moody with 7 fish for 15lbs 10oz, 3rd Denis Mapes with 5 fish for 5lb 10oz, 4th Derek Smith with 4 fish for 4lb 15oz, 5th Brian Ansell and Alan Martin both with 3 fish for 4lb 8oz.

Looking forward to next year’s competi‐ tions we are going onto a points system where we bring no fish back at all and every thing is done on points. Our little bit for conservation.

RESULTS

NWASAC

Match Report: Final round of NWASAC Personal Members Championship 2019, Sun 20.10.19, Vale Park Promenade, New Brighton (22 rods).

Most of the fish caught were plaice with the early and later stages of the match most productive. The high water period was less good with only small whiting on offer.

Reigning champion, John Waugh, in his comeback match after recovering from surgery, showed that he had lost none of his magic, winning with 160 points, including the best plaice of the day. He deployed light tackle tactics to locate fish at the edge of the rocks.The result may have been different had Bill Lindfield not lost a dogfish on the retrieve.

After a few years of being a contender, Steve Bonner has finally won the championship with Carl Edwards a very creditable runner-up. Steve’s father Paul completes the championship podium.

Results (scored in continental style from 2 zones: 1.John Waugh (Wallasey), 160 pts. (Zone B).

2. Danny Parker (Wallasey), 143 (Zone A).

3. Kevin Morgans (Birkenhead), 120.

4. Bill Lindfield (Greasby), 134.

5. Dave Vernon (Wallasey), 63.

6. Simon Dawber (Sandbach), 119.

• Flatfish pool: J. Waugh, plaice, 38 cms, 640 gms.

• Roundfish Pool: B. Lindfield, codling, 41 cms, 680 gms.

Championship final scores for John Norbury Memorial Trophy, net points, best 8 from 10 (subject to confirmation): 1. Steve Bonner (Wallasey). 177.

2. Carl Edwards (Bootle), 162.

3. Paul Bonner (West Kirby), 154.

4. B. Lindfield, 147.

5. Mike Flanagan (Wallasey), 142.

6. K. Morgans, 135.

7. J. Waugh, 134.

8. Steve Trish (Bootle), 130.

9. Jim Morris (Wervin), 116.

10. D. Parker, 113.

Pairs (Neil Williams Memorial Cup): 1. Edwards/ Waugh, 296 pts.

2. P. Bonner/ Morgans, 289.

3. ,S. Bonner/ Steve Crowder (Wallasey), 287

Sea Angling News, December 2019

12 club members and 1 guest signed on and 9 weighed in 16 fish for a total weight of 19lbs 13oz. These consisted of dogfish and whiting. The best fish of the evening was a dogfish weighing in at 1lb 15.4oz and caught by guest angler Bill King.

Results: 1st Malcolm Stote, 3 fish = 3lb 6.8oz 2nd Chris Ellis, 3 fish = 3lb 6.4oz 3rd Tom Bagnall, 2 fish = 3lb 5.4oz, 4th Bill King {guest}, 1 fish = 1lb 15.4oz 5th Ollie Hopkins, 2 fish = 1lb 15oz 6th Terry Kempton, 1 fish = 1lb 10.8oz, 7th John Sloper, 2 fish = 1lb 9oz 8th John Tharme, 1 fish = =1lb 6.8oz 9th Ben Daniel, 1 fish = 1lb 1.4oz.

Only edible fish are retained. All other fish are weighed and measured and released immediately.

became a nuisance taking our baits very quickly, eventually a few whiting turned up and Adam Cullingford managed to bag a thornback Ray around 6lb. At the end of the match it became clear it was going to be close between Gerry and Steve in fact so close that they were both tied on 39 pts, so it went to a tie break for the longest fish in the highest scoring category this went to Gerry with a dogfish of 60cms beating Steve by 2cms.

LDSFC

Species caught in match, dogfish, pouting, whiting and thornback Ray.

Week-end Recreational Fishing Trip.

On Sunday 20th October Lymington & Dis‐ trict Sea Fishing Club held a recreational fishing trip aboard “Voyager” skippered by Kevin Duell. Ten club anglers headed out to a mark five miles past the Needles. With a strong northerly wind, the aim was to stay there for a short time until the tide got too strong.

As soon as Kevin dropped anchor the fish started to appear. First Karl Bates brought in a blonde ray weighing 11lbs 8oz. A short time later Pete Drodge caught another blonde ray 10lbs 3oz.

New member Richard Howard caught a nice bass 5lb and not to be left off the score sheet Nelson Philips caught a bull huss weighing 9lb.

Other species caught were conger eel and pouting.

As the tide got stronger the decision was made to move to a mark just off the Needles Lighthouse called The Gully which has produced many congers but Anton Emblen managed a spotted ray 3lb 5oz.

Another new member Mark Boldick hooked into a nice bass which was brought to the surface, but as the skipper tried to net it, it came off the hook. Kevin estimated the fish to be around the ten-pound mark.

Sadly, another story about “the one that got away”.

Shirley SAC

2019 Champion Steve Bonner

LDSFC

Shingle Bank League Competition.

Top 3 anglers only ounces apart.

On Wednesday evening on the 23rd Octo‐ ber Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club held a Shingle Bank League competition at Milford-on-Sea. The sea and weather conditions were very good with a slight chill later in the evening.

Here is the result of our latest match which was a Shore comp held at Weston & Netley Shores on Sunday 27th October.

20 members fished with 10 weighing in 15 Flounder's for 4k 520gms. The best Flounder was a fish of 580gms caught by David Beale.

RESULT. SENIORS. 1. Wayne Bulley 4 fish 1k 040gms 2. David Beale 2 fish 940gms 3. Adrian Groves 2 fish 520gms 4. Robert Cooke 1 fish 360gms 5. Clive Angel 1 fish 320gms 6. Bob Patterson 1 fish 300gms No Juniors weighed in.

The annual Wally Pettet match took place at Seatown over the weekend of the 19th & 20th October fishing from 5pm till 10pm, just a slight breeze for both days made fishing pleasant. After day one Gerry Reed & Steve Harwood were tied on 22pts so all to fish for on Sunday, pouting & dogfish made up the catches. On Sunday pouting

1st most fish points: Gerry Reed 39 pts (pictured below) 2nd best fish: Adam Cullingford (thornback Ray) 3rd most spieces (3, on tie break): Steve Fowles Dogfish, pouting & whiting

2019 winner Gerry Reed

LDSFC

Win-Sum League Competition.

On Wednesday 9th October the club held its monthly Win-Sum League competition at Hordle Cliff. Eight club members signed on and all weighed in fish. The longest flat fish pool was not won. The longest round fish pool was won with a conger eel of 55cm caught by John Sloper.

Results: Zone 1. 1st Luke Woodford 252cms, 2nd Paul Watson 191cms, 3rd Ben Daniel 156cms, 4th Mark Duncan 101cms.

Zone 2. 1st John Sloper 227cms, 2nd Gavin Sloper 202cms, 3rd John Tharme 194cms, 4th Chris Ellis 159cms.

Only edible fish are retained. All other fish are measured and released back into the sea immediately.

Win-Sum League {Bonus Competition}.

On Wednesday evening 13th November Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club held its monthly Win-Sum League competition which was the bonus competition at Avon beach. The weather forecast for the day was not good with gale force winds all day so only seven club members signed on.

However at the start of the competition the wind started to decrease and it turned out to be a good evening for fishing. Malcolm Stote had a very successful competition not only coming 1st he also won both pools

Sea Angling News, December as well.

Longest flat fish pool with a flounder of 35cms Malcolm Stote. Longest round fish pool with a dogfish of 57cmsMalcolm Stote.

Results: 1st Malcolm Stote 346cms, 2nd Ben Daniel 210cms, 3rd Paul Watson 178cms, 4th Luke Woodford 161cms, 5th Chris Ellis 97cms, 6th Mark Duncan 71cms, 7th club member blanked.

Only edible fish are retained. All other fish are measured and released immediately.

LDSFC

Shingle Bank League competition 7th November.

On Thursday evening Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club held its monthly Shingle Bank League competition at Milford-onSea. The weather for the evening was good and fifteen club members signed on.

Thirteen weighed in a total of 142 fish for a total weight of 127lbs 3.7ozs.

Fish caught consisted of dogfish, whiting, pouting, undulate ray and silver eels. The best fish of the evening was an undulate ray weighing 10lbs 12ozs and caught by Danny Panks.

Only edible fish are retained. All fish are measured and weighed and released immediately back into the sea.

Results: 1st Malcolm Stote 17lbs 2.6ozs, 2nd Danny Panks 17lbs 2ozs, 3rd Paul Watson 15lbs 9.6ozs, 4th Sir Tom Bagnall 10lbs 1.6ozs, 5th Andy Hopkins 9lb 10.4ozs, 6th Ben Daniel 9lb 8.2ozs, 7th Ollie Hopkins 8lb 12.5ozs, 8th Chris Ellis 6lb 7.6ozs, 9th Steve Pitman 6lb 5.4ozs, 10th Billy King {guest} 5lb 0.2ozs.

The Final top ten places at the end of this year 2019.

1st Malcolm Stote 62lbs 12.4ozs. 2nd Sir Thomas Bagnall 56lbs 3.8ozs. 3rd Danny Panks 44lbs 9.6ozs.

4th Andy Hopkins 23lbs 15ozs. 5th Chris Ellis 21lbs 4.6ozs. 6th Ben Daniel 20lbs 15ozs.

7th Paul Watson 20lbs 10.2ozs. 8th Ollie Hopkins 19lbs 12.9ozs.

9th Luke Woodford 19lbs 7.4ozs.

10th Michael Dawkins 19lbs 4.4ozs.

2019

RESULTS / FIXTURES

Shirley SAC

Here is the result of our latest match which was a Shore comp held at Friars Cliff & Avon Beach on Sat 9th November.

13 members fished with 12 weighing in 84 fish for 26k 028gms. Species were Pout, Dogfish, Whiting & Small Eyed Ray with the best fish being a Small Eyed Ray of 3k 175gms caught by Gavin Priday. The weight of the Ray coming from the club's Weight to Width Ray Chart with the fish after measuring being released alive.

SENIORS 1. Gavin Priday 8 fish 2. Kevin Dunham2 fish 3. David Beale 14 fish 4. Adrian Groves 14 fish 5. R. Dunham 7 fish

6k 695gms 2k 883gms 2k 730gms 2k 550gms 2k 460gms

No Juniors fished.

LDSFC

Recreational Fishing Trip 6th November.

On Wednesday 6th November nine club members boarded “Supanova” skippered

by Lyle Stantiford out of Weymouth for a day’s fishing.

Leaving Weymouth we headed for Portland Bill where hopefully our target fish, ballan wrasse were. We were hoping to break the club boat record which has been held by A.E.Lewington since 1962 for a ballan wrasse of 5lb.

With calm seas we felt that today this was achievable. Lyle droped anchor just off Portland Bill over some rocky ground.

Straight away we all started bringing in bal‐ len wrasse of between 2lb and 3lb so per‐ haps today was the day for record breaking.

Robin Lane started with one of 2lb 9ozs fol‐ lowed by Andy Hopkins 3lb 3ozs, Brian Hetherington-ford 3lb 8ozs and Chris Ellis 3lb 12ozs. Malcolm Stote had the best catch of the day with one of 4lb 2ozs but sadly not breaking the 1962 record.

Other notable fish on the day were Mark Boldick a bull huss 7lb 7ozs, Malcolm Stote a mini species baillons wrasse 8 3/8oz and Chris Ellis had some very nice size pollack.

A big thank you to Lyle Stantiford for a good days fishing.

Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 31

MATCH PLANNER BOGNOR REGIS AMATEUR ANGLING SOCIETY Christmas pagham open beach competition Sunday 15th December 0930 to 1430 catch and release to be fished at pagham beach booking in and draw for pegs from 0830 at pagham yacht club 1 west front road PO21 4SY entry cost £8.00 seniors £4.00 junior pool flat £1.00 round £1.00 Tel John Small 07799 762377 after 5 pm both are penn points competitions and cash prize subject to entry

WEST BAY SEA ANGLING CLUBS

47th Chesil Championships Sponsored by The Angling Centre West Bay Sunday 27th September 2019 Sign on at Bridport Football club DT6 5LA from 9:00am Fish 11:00am – 5:00pm 1st Prize £250, 2nd £150 3rd £100 Top lady and top junior prize plus 5 more cash prizes Entry Seniors £20 inc pools Juniors (16 & under) £10 inc pools Pools are: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Super pool & heaviest Flat & Round Fish.

More info contact The angling Centre 01308 421800.

Back up date if weather is bad is 27th October 2019.

NWASAC Town Hall – Maddock Bank, Saturday 12.10.19 Fishing 15.30 – 19.30 Book on 13.30 – 14.15 Tobin St Pre Book 07572593272 – 01516770011 JE Williams Memorial Two Day Festival Otterspool 30th Nov & 1st December Sat 09.00 – 14.00 Sun 09.30 – 14.30 Pre Book ESSENTIAL CRAB BAN 07572593272 - 01516770011

BEXHILL FESTIVAL OF THE SEA ANGLING COMPETITION DATES 2019 Boat Competition 8th September 9am to 5pm Junior Pegged Open Beach 29th September 11am to 2pm.

Beach Specimen Hunt 9am 30th September to 5pm 4th October Pegged Open Beach 13th October 9am to 2pm (Penn points match) Bass Specimen Hunt 20th October 11am to 3pm

As in previous years all the competitions are organised by Bexhill Sea Angling Club on behalf of Bexhill Festival of the Sea. For further details please see: www.bexhillseafestival.co.uk

32 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com

TACKLE SHOPS DIRECTORY

Sea Angling News, December 2019

TACKLE SHOPS DIRECTORY DEVON SEAVIEW ANGLING 14/15 Faraday hill, Plymouth PL4 0ST. Tel: 01752269698 SEATON ANGLING CENTRE The Harbour, Axmouth, Seaton Devon EX12 4AA Tel: 01297 625511 www.seatonanglingcentre.co.uk HIGH STREET TACKLE, 153 High Street, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9EZ info@highstreettackle.co.uk Tel: 07516 730749

DORSET

RECENT CATCHES FROM FISHING JERSEY

SWANAGE ANGLING CENTRE 6 High St., Swanage BH19 2NT Tel. 01929 424989 email martin@swanageanglingcentre.co.uk The Angling Centre, 10a West Bay, Bridport tel. 01308 421800 www.fishto.net WEYMOUTH ANGLING CENTRE 2-3 St Edmunds Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8QU Tel 01305-777771 Email: wac@weymouthangling.com ABBOTSBURY FISHING TACKLE Rodden Row, Abbotsbury Weymouth DT3 4JL Tel 01305 871199. Delivery service to beach available.

JERSEY MORNING WATCH TACKLE St Catherines Breakwater, St Martins Jersey JE3 6DD 01534854359

HAMPSHIRE ALLAN’S MARINE 143 Twyford Ave., Portsmouth Tel 02392 671833 www.allansmarine.co.uk ROVERS FISHING TACKLE 178a West St., Fareham, Hants PO16 0EQ Tel. 01329 220354 Fax 01329 829040 roverstackle@yahoo.co.uk POINGDESTRES Unit 11, Southampton Trade Park, Third Avenue, Southampton, Millbrook SO15 0LE 023 8077 2958 www.poingdestres.co.uk

SOMERSET

www.oceanwarrior3.com

2 - 4 - 8 HOUR TRIPS

Specialising in offshore wreck and ground fishing. Fish in a spacious twin engined 500hp 38ft Aquastar.

Full time owner and skipper Dave Elliott.

60 mile D.T.I, fully licensed and insured.

Hot drinks and rod hires available.

Ring Dave on boat direct 07966 377145 or evening 01444 230882 Email dave@oceanwarrior3.com

MINEHEAD LOGISTICS & FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD. ✔ ✔ ✔

Warehousing Shipping Office Furniture

Tel/Fax: 01643 705225

Veals Fishing Tackle, Brunel Rooms, Unity St. Bristol, BS2 0JP. 01179 260790 THYERS FISHING TACKLE, 1A Church Street, Highbridge 01278 786934 Fax 792397 WEST COAST TACKLE The Quay, Minehead Tel. Craig 01643 705745 WEST COAST ANGLING CENTRE 53 Swain St, Watchet Tel. Steve 01984 634807

SUSSEX THE ANGLERS DEN 6 North Road, Pevensey Bay, East Sussex BN24 6AY Tel: 01323-460441 LAGOON BAIT& TACKLE, 327 Kingsway, BN3 4LD Brighton - 01273 415879 SCOTTIES 25 Southwick Square, Southwick, Brighton BN42 4FP Phone:01273 592903 PRIME ANGLING 26 Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PT. Phone:01903 821594 www.primeangling.co.uk/

WALES TELBOY’S TACKLE Amlwch, Anglesey Tel. 01407 832965 www.telboystackle.co.uk

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