My web site has been around for almost 10 years now and is regularly read, but now I also have a face Book page that carries lots of pictures of fish caught in south Devon and is worth clicking on to because it is linked to me local radio station, Palm where I have a weekly report and sea and freshwater audio reports on Palm.FM web site that is regularly up dated.  This web site will definately be contuinuing with regular up dates of catches and stories as well as my monthly Diary, so a must to be in your Favourites file.  Scan down for link

Which Fishing lines are best?  Ted explains, go to Ted's Tips  Click here TIPS BY TED

Can fish see in colour?  Read about it on News and Views page. Click Here  News and Views

A Scientific Study shows over fishing started thousands of years ago. Read about it on News and Views. Click Here News and Views 

Tips on Anchoring a boat and Lifting the Anchor.  Click Here  News and Views

New to fishing?  Then go to our Beginner's page for tips on starting out, tackle, rigs bait, casting  and much more. Click here.   BEGINNERS PAGE

Fish recipe.  Dogfish are the most common fish caught around the coast, but seldom eaten.  Torquay's angling chef, Sean Coulson has sent me  his recipe for dogfish, it is on News and Views   Click Here

In South Africa they have rules to protect their fishing including catch and bait restrictions that are accepted, read about it on News & Views. Click Here  

Going on Holiday.  Then check our Where to Fish page, we are always adding new marks. Click Here.

How  to tie the popular rig used by the top plaice anglers. Find out on News and Views.  Click here News and Views

 How big are Bass and Cod before they spawn for the first time?  The answer on our News and Views page, Click Here

British Records.  Full British Record Sea list, including Mini Species list on Records page, the page also includes the new records.  Click Here

Paul Savage adds interesting information to the subject, "Do Fish See Colour".  Go to News and Views and scroll to near the end of the page.  Click Here

 To keep abreast of all that is happening on the conservation front go to:   Sea Anglers' Conservation Network Click Here
http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn/

Going on Holiday and want to know were to fish at your holiday destination, then check our Where to Fish Pages for the UK Click Here

Don't Miss out on cheap tackle, log on to   Tidal Tackle a top mail order company based at Torquay, their retail shop is Quay Stores on Torquay harbour side open seven days a week.  I write their News Page, Where to Fish, Charter Boats and Competitions pages that are always up to date.  Click Here to view their special offers and their full range of tackle and all their  pages. Click here  http://www.tidaltackle.co.uk

• Sidewinder lures are recognised as the top catching lures with new innovations coming  into their list all the time.  Visit their web site and see the full range including new models. http://www.sidewinderlures.co.uk/You can order Sidewinders at competitive prices from Tidal Tackle, link above.The Torbay and  Babbacombe ASA, Torquay's top angling club now have their own web site, its excellent and has all the information you need to know as well as a picture gallery of catches. It is easy to navigate.  Click here, http://www.tbasa.org.uk/

Tuscany Holidays  

If you are thinking about going to Italy to fish off the  Tuscany coast, or just to visit with the odd days fishing then log on the link at the end and go direct to the English page  This is a privately owned German site offering cottages of varying sizes, the bookings and the English site is administered by my married daughter who lives in Germany.  I have fished there in a World Championships and had a surprisingly large number of fish.  Click English version.  http://holidaysintuscany.de/pages/home.php?LANG=EN 

Audio Report  You can now listen to  my weekly angling audio report on  Palm Radio's web page, changed every Weekend  Click here:   http://www.palm.fm/p/onair/fishing

My Diary has been updated for September

Last up date: 1.9.10

Torbay Festival, details below, see change for presentation evening.

Big Conger

The biggest conger of the year so far, or that I have heard of was landed on the Plymouth based, Happy Days.  The lucky angler, although you should not say that because it takes skill to tempt and land big fish, was Aaron Lidstone, it weight a very credible 87lb

Trigger Fish

There are reported to be loads of Trigger Fish off the north coast of Devon, Andy Copping caught 27 in one visit.  They are also along Chesil Beach and the same beach has seeen the first sole and the return of a few plaice from the strecth between alcombe Regis and West bexington.

TOPE SURVEY.  Your help required.

Comments on tope limits are welcomed

Torbay Festival.

The prestigious Torbay festival, the biggest in the South West casts off on September 3rd and ends on the 12th.  This long running competition is a must, around 500 will fish it from all parts of the country.  The top prize is £650 for the best specimen and there are three prizes of £325 for the best specimen in each section, Boat, Wreck and Shore.  There are special prizes for visitors and for juniors whao are also eligible for all the other prizes.  Entry fee is   £35 for the week or £5 a day.  Juniors it is £20 and £3 a day.  http://www.torbayfishingfestival.co.uk

Correction to brochure from the Festival committee:   Presentation night will now be at the Half Moon, 188/190 Torquay Road, Paignton, times as brochure.   The Torbay Council have withdrawn their support for the first time in its history due to the economic climate and the need to cut back on expenditure.  The Holiday company cost were too high for the committee to consider it as  a venue.   Also error on specimen list,  Blonde Ray shore should read, 10lb not 5lb.

Note:  This is the second change of venue, they hope this stands now.  Ted

13 Year old boats 80The festval web site is lb conger 

Not many 13 year olds on holiday qualify for the British Conger club with a conger weighing 8olb.   But that is what Jake Rogan from Southport did when fishing from the popular Gemini skippered by Dave Harrison out of Dartmouth did.  He was fishing with his dad over a mid channel wreck when he hooked into the massive eel. " he coped with it very well, he did not panic and listened to advice as he struggled to get it to the boat"  said Dave Harison.  He had the best fish by far on the day and dwarfed a seventy pounder caught by Newton Abbot angler Mark Sayer.  Mackerel were the baits.

Jake in striped shirt playing his conger, he seems to ave a natural skill.

Pictures from Dave Harrison, skipper of gemini.

Beautiful Ray

The undulate ray I believe is one of the most attractive rays, you could say it is the Madonna of the ray world.  This fine specimen was caught by Bristol angler, John Jefferies from the Weymouth based, Duchess 2 skippered by my friend, Jeff Clark who sent me the picture.

Other species of ray also being caught off Portland, plus black bream, some five pound and abpve.

Big Ling

How nice to see quality ling being caught, mostly from the offshore wrecks, but not all are being caught that far offshore.  The Dartmouth based Gemini skippered by Dave Harrison sent me these two pictures of big ling caugh from an inshore wreck off Start Point.
Dave Beaumont just pipped his brother  John to the biggest at 29lb, johns best tipped the scales at 24.4.0  



 

Shambles Flatties.

I have just received these pictures from my friend  Jeff Clark, skipper of the Weymouth based, Duchess 2 of a turbot and a brill caught from the Shambles Banks.  Jeff told me  this year they have seen a resurgence of these giant flatties that not only give great sport but are top of the range for the freezer. The 9lb turbot was caught by Paul Gale and the 9lb brill by Peter Andrews.  It has got to be worth a trip out,  call him on: 

 Tel 01308 425494    Boat 07778 315778

Pictures Jeff Clark

Mullet are being caught in most rivers, estuaries and harbours, the biggest reported to date from the river Teign weighed in at 7lb, name not available.   Jim Hutchins weighed in one of 4.12.0 from a Torbay mark.   There have also been a number of golden mullet taken, will the British record fall this year?

Charter boats are reporting the conger season is in full  swing, several have been caught over 70lb, the best 75lb

Interesting reading!

Sea angling participation

• 4% (5%) of the population over 12 said they had been sea fishing in the last year (1.9 million people).
This compares to the Drew Associates estimate of 1.5 million for all ages in 2003.

• 6% (7%) of the population over 12 said they had been sea fishing in the last 2 years (2.8 million
people).

• Of the 3.3 million people who had been freshwater fishing in the past year, 28% (940,000) had also
been sea fishing in the past year.

• 940,000 people had been sea fishing in the past year but not freshwater fishing.

• Compared to the 2005 survey, significantly more sea anglers had also fished in freshwater, and fewer
only in the sea in 2010.

 

Smoothhounds sweep in

The Bristol Channel is seeing really big smoothhounds,  two Paignton club records have been broken there by father and son.  Steve Doidge boated  a starry smoothhound weighing 21.14.1 and his son Craig boated one of 12.8.14

Now they are around the shores of Torbay with fish to 10lb being caught at Hopes Nose.



 

The sporty smoothhound is sweeping along the south coast too and a lot our now being caught.  These mini sharks offer real excitement for shore anglers as ratchet scream, ssoft back crab the better bait followed by peeler crab. Kevin Rouse won the Torbay and  Babbacombe weekend competition, June 19/20th, with a club record starry of 13. 14.0, caught from a Dorset beach.  Kevin said he lost count of the number he caught, most though he said were small.  Interestingly he caught a Gilthead bream of 2.12.0 on the same trip.   
 

Many more came to the weighin and reports say they are being caught down as far as plymouth.

picture Kevin Rouse    Now they are around the shores of Torbay with fish to 10lb being caught at Hopes Nose.
 

Bass are being caught from the Orestone Area of Torbay on live sandeel,  nothing to big, 3lb to 5lb.   Could be bigger on the next spring tides.

 Big Garfish

Denise Stacey from Teignmouth just missed out on a new Torbay and Babbacombe ladies record with her 2.6.0 garfish caught on float from Brixham Breakkwater.  What did Hubby, Dave catch.  Don't ask. 

Picture Dave Stacey

Bass are now being caught from most of the South Devon marks including the East Banks off Dartmouth, but you do have to compete for space with the commercial anglers.

Off Minehead, smoothhound and tope have been caught.  Archie Foord broke two Torbay and Babbacombe club records from the Ellen, a common of 8.8.0 and a starry of 9.12.0.

Charter boats are catching a lot of cod from inshore wrecks off South Devon, the Dartmouth based Gemini has caught them to 24lb, also a good sprinkling of ling.

My friend Jeff Clark who skippers the Duchess 2 at Weymouth called to say he is catching a lot of black bream to 4lb  and has also had a surprise catch of spurdog to 16lb.

Are Turbot Returning to the Skerries Bank?

Turbot were once permanently on the Skerries Banks off Dartmouth in South Devon, but in the seventies the disappeared, now in the first weeks of the new season, two have been caught, one was only 3.8.0 caught by Dave Flavel from Brixham on the Gemini skippered by Dave Harrison but, the other was a respectable, 17.10.1, it was caught from the Torquay based, Ann Clare skippered by Kevin Tate by Paignton club angler, Gordon Richards.

Pictures courtesy Jason Upham and Paignton SAA

Turbot were in their prime from the late 1950's through until the late seventies.  Half a dozen on a boat was not unheard off, the record one day catch by the late Harry Goode was 45, there were catches topping twenty on a few occasions.  I don't think we shall get back to that fishing, but it does look promising for some kind of revival.  
 

PLAICE.

Plaice are being caught on the Skerries, when weather allows boats to reach the mark, East Portlemouth, but they are tiny and Chesil Beach at Cogdon and West Bexington where they are nice fish, the best to date, 3.14.0
 

The First Plaice

After a few false rumours the first plaice was landed from the Skerries Banks off Dartmouth by Nick Best on February 19th, he is competition secretary of the Torbay  and Babbacombe ASA and what a way to start the season.  Nick's fish hit the scales at 4.4.0 but look at the size of the fish, it was thin from spawning so later in the year and in full bloom it would have pushed close to 6lb, maybe more.  Nick was fishing at anchor from his own boat with young Pete Hutchins  catching 3 each, so yes the plaice have arrived.  Bait was peeler crab  and they were fishing at anchor.

Big Ling

The Duchess 2 fishing from Weymouth took advantage of a calm weather day and steamed to a mid Channel wreck where skipper, Jeff Clark gave his anglers a great day catching pollack, conger and ling.  

The best of the ling was a real big'un for the time of the year and tipped the scales at a touch over 26lb, the lucky angler was Dave Philpots from Hertford.

The top lures as always, Sidewinders and shads.
 

Picture courtesy Jeff Clark

And this is Jeff's West Bay catches.

Jeff Clark, skipper of the West bay based, Duchess 2 sent me these pictures of fish he has caught from reefs through January, apparently his anglers enjoyed some excellent fishing; now looking forward to the first black bream he says that should show off Portland in March..

The young lad holding the 4.9.0 whiting is Harvey, the conger weighed in at 46lb and was caught by Phil Jones and the 12lb cod fell to  a Hokais lure of Mike Newson.

Jeff also sent me a copy of his annual report of the past years catches, fascinating reading.

DUCHESS 11 CHARTERS NEWS LETTER

WHATS NEW FOR 2010

Duchess is all serviced and set for the 2010 and she passed her 5 year surveyed by the M.C.A. So we set off with the new prices for the year after lots of consideration we have decided to freeze the prices at £40 per person for a days Reef fishing & £50 per person for Wreck fishing. Although as last year we have decided to keep the popular  Wreck & Reef fishing  trip for £45 fishing the many the inshore wrecks on our way to the Reef. *****

Off Shore Wreck Fishing.

The wreck fishing is proving to be fruitful again this year with many New Season Pollack into double figures the best topping 20lb+.They are mainly caught on Jelly Worms tipped with Rag Worm or Shads. So why not check the website for dates available. You never know your luck you might even pick up a Coalfish. The Wreck also produce great Ling and Conger Eels on the smaller tides.

Reef Fishing January to March

The Reefs are still producing well with Whiting up to 4lb as seen below there are also the Humble Cod along with Huss and Ray . 2009 was one of the best years we have had for cod with over 50+ being caught in one trip with may in double figures. Then as the season creeps on the warmer water fish will start to arrive. We have spaces available for reef fishing

Black Bream Fishing

During the March right through to November we Have the Black Bream with us they start in the East and work there way round to the West. They are one of the Best fighting fish in the sea  the best one caught on Duchess was out of West Bay and it weighed in at 6lb 4oz in 2006 what a whooper. Why not come along & see if you can beat  it & win yourself a free trip. We had been catching last season up to 70 plus Bream per day excellent value for money.

Flat fish on the Shambles Bank.

Weymouth boast excellent Flat fish banks starting with the Plaice, in the late spring then going on to the Turbot & Brill last year we topped with an 17lb turbot and a Brill of 9lb 5ozs one of the biggest seen for years ,it was also the best year for flat fish we have ever had. We were managing to get 15 turbot over one tide.

Bass fever!

What a treat we have for all you Bass fan Weymouth has the Portland race which the Bass seem to find irresistible using just Shads as lures it is nothing to pick up 50plus Bass on a tide this starts late Autumn an carries on until late December with many in double figures. The best for 2009 was Bob Wilson from Reading with his 13lber, So why not keep your eyes open for available dates.

Don’t be a dope come out for Tope

The Weymouth waters have some great Tope fishing during the summer months they are not just a great scrap but what a reward when a 40lb Tope surfaces next to the boat . They are superb looking fish as you can see below. All Tope have to be returned back to the sea but are still great sport for all

Summer Visitors of the rarer kind.

We have had  a few surprises this year all have been a pleasure to see we have had John Dory, Trigger Fish up to 20 in one day .                                 

Hounds & Huss.

We have had a nice selection of Bull Huss & Smooth Hound caught during the last year with many in double figures. These have rounded our year of nicely .

We hope you have enjoyed are round up of last year give us a ring to book a trip call Jeff on 07778315778 or 01308 425494.

****The prices are subject to any rises in fuel charges or changes to the red diesel prices & regulations

Big Pollack

At last Pollack catches are improving, last Sunday, (Valentines Day) we saw the biggest to date caught on the Brixham boat, Silver  Seas skippered by Torbay Lifeboat Coxswain, Mark Criddle.  He found an 18.4.12 pollack for Brixham club fishing chairman, Doug Mousedale.  Other charter boats also reported good catchers, the Dartmouth based Gemini skippered by Dave Harrison also caught better quality fish, the best on his boat was close to 18lb.  As always Sidewinders and Shads the better lures.

The Skerries is coming to Life

Nick Best, competition secretary for the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA took his own boat to the Skerries, off Dartmouth and caught a couple of dabs to 14ozs.  "It was the biggest tide I have seen there" he said, "the tide was screaming".  It will not be long before the first plaice hits the decks, but the will be of poor quality in the early weeks.

Winter Channel Pollack

South Devon charter boats skippers have found pollack feeding.   The calmer weather has allowed South Devon skippers to venture out to the mid Channel wrecks where the big fish are.  The biggest so far reported is this 17lb specimen, the prize catch for Pontypool angler, Nicky Malson,  who was on a regular trip with skipper Dave Harrison on the  Dartmouth based Cat, Gemini.

Note, a Rhubarb and Custard Sidewinder was the killing bait, it is still in its mouth.

Picture courtesy Dave Harrison

If you are looking for good prices on Sidewinders and Shads go to Tidal Tackle Web Site, click  here now   http://www.tidaltackle.co.uk
 

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Dabs Make an Appearance

As soon as the weather improved and access roads cleared of ice,  South Devon anglers found dabs had arrived; reasonable numbers have been caught at Slapton Beach, Torcross end,  and an at Hopes Nose in Torquay. Most are under half a pound.

 

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 Pollack Catches on the rise

After a lean spell due to weather conditions charter boats are at last able to reach the deep water wrecks in the Channel and are hitting into good conditions fish.  The Gemini out of Dartmouth sent me these pictures part of a catch on Sunday 23rd Jan.  On board were members of the Blandford SAC. 

Derek McFarland and Andy Gorrie took the biggest, both in the upper teens, weight not given)  Sidewinders and shads were the successful baits.

 

 

Pictures courtesy Dave Harrison, Skipper Gemini

 

 

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Silver eel in trouble

 

ANGLING TRUST
CONTACTS:  Mike Heylin, chairman
Tel:  01442 235821 or 07836718187 mike.heylin@anglingtrust.net
Alan Brothers, marine committee abrothers1037395@aol.com
 

January 17 2010  

Eel slipping off the menu 
 
Anglers who for centuries have caught a few silver and yellow eels to eat - smoked or jellied or in a pie - won’t be doing so for much longer.  

Stocks of the young slippery creatures have “crashed by over 95 per cent”  
in rivers and estuaries across England and Wales, according to the Environment Agency.  The story, they say, is the same elsewhere in Europe.
 
So the agency is to order anglers to immediately put back any they catch and limit commercial eel fishing.  
 
No one is sure what caused the problem or how long the ban will last.  
 
The Angling Trust representing recreational anglers, is demanding the rules go farther by asking European lawmakers to stop all eel catching.
 
“Our members want a total ban and for those catching and processing eels commercially to find new ways to earn their living,” said the chairman, Mike Heylin. ”Consumers can help, too, by not buying eel products.”
 
At present the agency plans only to refuse future commercial licences to catch eels at sea, to reduce and toughen up licences to catch them in freshwater, and introduce a close season.  
 
Eels in British waters are immature. When they begin to reach maturity they change colour to silver and swim off to the Sargasso Sea in mid-Atlantic to breed but they never return.  

The tiny elvers they produce make their way back to Europe to develop into eels and remain in fresh and salt water for 20 years or more, before themselves returning to mate in the Sargasso Sea.

End 

Kingsbridge Flounder

Gary Messenger, chairman of the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA went to the Kingsbridge Estuary to blow away his Christmas hang over and was rewarded with a flounder of 3.2.0 and another of 1.8.0; both were photograhed and weighed and returned to the water. Well done Gary.
 

This interesting story arrived via email, I bet he would rather be back in the Med than the  Newquay aquarium.

A Falmouth fishing crew made a surprise discovery earlier this week when they hauled up a rare Mediterranean octopus in one of their crab pots.

RNLI Christmas Fayre Match on River Teign sees resurgence of Flounder

Flounder were waiting for the 120 anglers competing in the annual RNLI Open organised by the Torbay and  Babbacombe ASA on the River Teign.  25 flounder dropped on the scales, 6 were over two pond and the winning fish caught by Teignmouth angler, Steve Mason tipped the scales to 3.1.4.  Second spot went to Steve Lynch from Teignmouth, 2.11.14  with Derek |Radmore of the host club in third spot  2.11.6. The top junior was William Messenger also of the host club, 1.13.12.  FRan Dack of paignton won the ladies prize,  1.5.8.  Altogether ten Turkey hampers were won.

Massive Shore Whiting

Matt Skelly from Torbay Angling at Paignton made the long trip to Chesil Beach for cod and whiting with a few friends.  They caught a lot of quality whiting and codling to 5lb, but the star of the evening was a giant whiting of 3.9 0,   In the dark they thought at first it was another codling, but they soon realised what it was.   Few whiting of this size are caught  from the shore these days.

Nick Best, pictured below with flounder,  returned to the same river Teign boat mark  on the next similar tide and caught six more flounder, three over two pounds.

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Bull Huss. 

I received this email from my club's fish recorder that shows that sometimes an unplanned fishing trip can be very successful


Hi Ted 

I took  young Archie fishing yesterday near Hopes Nose yesterday shore fishing around Hopes Nose and caught this bull huss of 14.2.8.  I caught it at 2pm on a small mackerel strip close in. Myself and Archie only popped down for a couple of Hours just trying for whatever was about. Shame Archie didnt have it , it would have smashed the junior record. Cracking fish whih beats my best by 3lb. Not quite as big as the Conger we lost from the same spot last year estimated at 35 to 40lb.  

Cheers Nigel 

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Flounder Are IN

The first Open of the winter on the River Teign, the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA Open Boats was fished in very strong winds. The heavy rain passed over before the start of the match but his did not affect the fish and three flounder over two pounds were caught, not bad considering there were only 20 anglers fishing, not a bad turn out considering the weather that stopped a number of boats being towed to the venue as well as other steaming from from other ports.

The results:

 

Seniors:

1st (£150 + Pool) Mike Johnson, T&BASA, 2lb 10.7oz (pic attached)

2nd (£75 + Pool) Carl Shobrook, T&BASA, 2lb 7.2oz

3rd (£50 + Pool) Paul Ward, Teignmouth SAS, 2lb 4.4oz

4th (Filleting knife) Carl Shobrook, T&BASA, 1lb 11.9oz

5th (Spooling station) Dave Winsborrow, Teignmouth SAS, 1lb 4.8oz

 

Junior:

1st (Ugly Stick 20lb class Boat Rod) Sam Millward, Teignmouth SAS, 1lb 10.4oz
 

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Reef Pollack Getting Bigger

Cod  a lot are being caught from mid channel wrecks by charter and private boats, most are in the mid teens.  I will try and get some more information and pictures.

The very latest from the EU for your information 

The 109 anglers had a quiet evening for once with cal, winds.  Competition for the best conger was intense as always at this popular conger venue, a number were caught but there was the big fish of previous years, the winning fish, 17.5.0.  But what a win for local angler Simon Porter on his first ever conger trip and what a time to catch your first conger.  He went home well satisfied with £200 cash and £680 worth of tackle.

Two Junior Records in Month

10 year old William Messenger, son of Gary, chairman of the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA is making a name for himself; in the past month he has broken two club junior boat records, first with a bull huss of 10.7.0 now he has boated a wrasse weighing 5.12.14 caught on hardback crab from a mark outside the river Dart on the family boat named aptly, Wizard.

Also on board was another member, Mike Johnson  who caught  the best wrasse of the day, his tipped the scales at 6.2.2.

Big Congers

Two of the biggest congers of the year have been caught off South Devon by the same angler on consecutive days breaking the Paignton club record on both occasions.   Dean Corbett fishing frfom his own boat over a mid Channel wreck boated one of 99.7.3 that became the new club record beating the standing recor of 87lb.  The next day he returned to the same wreck and boated the best of the year so far anywhere, it weighed in at a massive 107.5.13. That of course becomes the new club record.

His young son also showed some of dads skill had rubbed off because he caught  one o f 64.5.4 to claim the clubs junior record.  Mackerel flapper the baits.

Pictures courtesy Paignton saa,

Sorry the picture quality is poor, probably from a mobile phone, but I thought you would like to see the big eel.

Nice Turbot

Welsh angler, Wayne McKeown, a member of the Cyback Predators SAC will not forget his trip to Dartmouth in South Devon where he fished on the Gemini skippered by Dave Harrison and caught a very succulent turbot.  Weight not given but must be in the high teens.

Picture courtesy Gemini.

Is This The Brill Of The Year?

Will this be the biggest brill of the year?

It  dropped on to the deck of the Weymouth based, Duchess 2 skippered by Jeff Clark  in early September while drift fishing over the Shambles Banks off Portland.  It weighed in at a massive  9.5.0 and was caught by Portsmouth angler, Carl Fuggle. 



picture courtesy Jeff Clark
 

Mixed catches from South Devon improve the fishing

The recent fine weather (Sept 20th) has seen anglers fishing from boat and shore with catches that included bream, wrasse, trigger fish, bass and huss.

The Starcross Fishing and boating club celebrated their 50th anniversary with a competition that saw a wide variety of fish hit the scales.

The winner was Kevin Rouse wrasse 4.2.0

2nd  Bill Searles, Trigger fish 2.5.0

3rd was Lee Pearson  Garfish 0.14.0

On another day, a trip out of the fishing port of Beer saw members of the Torbay and Babbacombe club catch more that 10 different species.  Kevin Rouse winning the competition for the most species, 10, including a conger of 34.4.0 caught on a size 1 hook.

picture courtesy Nigel Foord, T&B ASA

Big Bass

With the Torbay Festival about to cast off (Sept 4th to 13th) the first big bass of the year was brought into Paignton club for weighing.  It was the best of several caught from a Lyme Bay wreck by John Bovey, it tipped the scales at  13.15.13.  The question being asked; was it caught a week to soon?

Wyvern Junior Festival Change of Date.

This press release from the Wyvern Division was issued 24th August.
 

Bristol Channel Ray and Smoothhounds

I received this email from a friend, Nigel Foord, records officer and PRO  for the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA telling mw about a trip he had in the Bristol Channel.

Dear Ted

We enjoyed a mid week trip to Minehead on Mary Ellen skippered by Marcus James. I was joined by my good friends Kevin Rouse and Jonathan Keeble along with Jon's two boys Joel (9) and Gabriel (5) as well as my son Archie (10).  Bright sunshine greeted us as we arrived at the Harbour as did a strong North Westerly wind that had whipped up white horses across the Channel. Nevertheless, we carried on with Marcus keeping the boat in close as we headed down to Porlock Bay. The fishing was steady with Smoothhounds falling to Crab baits and later we had a good run of Small Eyeds over low water. All in all a superb day afloat with Marcus finding us enough fish to keep us all entertained. For the record Joel had several small eyeds up to 7lbs, Archie landed a nice Smoothound around the same weight. Jon had a purple patch landing half a dozen rays in short succession and Kev did similar with 7 ray up to around 8lb. 

P.S. I put my lack of fish down to having the camera in one hand all day and helping bait up the boys rods with the other hand! Still beats working by a mile. 


I've attached some pics Jon Keeble , Joel Keeble and  Archie Foord. 

Regards

Nigel
 

The Angling Trust Fights Back

Win a £100 worth of tackle by joining now.

The Angling Trust have launched a month long competition to boost their membership and their flagging bank balance.  If you join within the next month you could win £1000 of Daiwa tackle.

The following Press Release was issued on August 14th and it pleases me that they are working hard to stop getting into the red.  As a past chairman of the NFSA I understand their  frustration at the lack of  support from anglers, especially when they know their governing body is their only chance of protecting sea angling; this also applies to coarse anglers who are also represented by the Angling Trust.   So join now.

Big Summer Pollack off South Devon Coast.

A trip from Wales to Dartmouth in south Devon paid off for John Hughes from Llanwern Village, he topped the days catch on the Dartmouth based Gemini, skippered by Dave Harrison by catching one of the biggest summer pollack landed so far, it tipped the scales at a touch over 22lb.

picture courtesy Gemini

Angling Trust in Trouble

The Angling Trust formed just 8 months ago is in financial trouble, a press release dated August 6th has been sent out, it follows in full.  The implications for angling are dire, especially for sea anglers as their own Governing body the NFSA was one of the top Governing bodies that merged taking with it all their cash and assets; Has this money now been lost?  There are very many questions that will emerge quickly that all require answers from Chief Executive Mark LLoyd not least the Insurance cover of members and clubs.

Record Cuckoo Wrasse

It is one of our most handsome fish, its colours are stunning, especially when it first comes out of the water. They mostly inhabit reefs so it came as a surprise when Ray Nathan caught a a new Paignton club record fish of 2.1.12 from a wreck off Torbay.

Picture courtesy Paignton SAA

Medway to South Devon for a big conger!!

Each year a small group of anglers books the Gemini at Dartmouth to fish for a 100lb conger; for the past two years their trip fell foul of bad weather.

This year expectations were high, third time lucky and all that, but guess what, the winds blew and the first two days were spent fishing over the Skerries Banks for plaice.

Day three and they set  sail  for the off shore wrecks at 7.30.  All was well except that it was holiday August and the conger had taken theirs, the biggest of a handful of eels weighed in at around 36lb.  The consolation prize, there were a  handful of decent size ling grabbing their cuttlefish baits, Karl Elsey taking the biggest at just over 20lb.

Pictures Steve Tame  and Karl Elsey plaice

Karl Elsey ling, courtesy Gemini

Over the Skerries Banks

I had a very pleasant day fishing with Dave Harrison on the Dartmouth based Gemini (July 28th), the best of the week for weather. I had joined anglers from Cheltenham.  The tide was stronger than it should have been according to the tide table and with a fairly strong wind from the SW the drifts were fast but they soon dropped back.  Red Gurnard, Bernard's Dave calls them, were in plentiful supply, a dozen or more were caught on the early drifts.  As the tide eased we started to catch plaice, my first was a double, slightly disappointing because I thought it was a decent fish.  Another double also came aboard. As the day progressed so  plaice continued to dropped into the fish box.   As we set off for home base, a weather front as promised was fast approaching.  As we moored up at Kingswear another very pleasant day out with Dave on the Gemini ended.  More pictures:

The Gemini is a well fitted catamaran with comfortable cabin space for us anglers not to mention a deck like a dance floor, plenty of room for us all.  See Gemini's photo Gallery and details of bookings.  http://www.geminifishing.co.uk

Pictures Dave Harrison helps unhook a plaice

Small Eyed Ray.

This popular ray has been scarce so far this year, but over the weekend of 25/26th July two were weighed into the Paignton club, one boat and one shore.

The biggest at 11.6.8  was caught by Simon Mitchell from a mark in Start Bay and the other weighing 8.15.3 was caught from a shore mark in North Devon by Karl Bennett.

Sandeel fished dea are a popular bait for these ray, often called the Painted Ray
 

If you would like to get hold of the popular Sidewinder lures click here to the Tidal Tackle web site for a full range at keen prices. http://www.tidaltackle.co.uk    If you are in Torquay this summer then call at their shop, Quay Stores on the Harbour.  Click Here 

Flounders.

Jeff's web site      http://www.deepsea.co.uk

Going to South Africa?

This message from my friend in South Africa, Allan Duplessie, who runs charter boats, makes interesting reading on catches and what to expect.


Hi Ted,

Hope you have had a great festive season and caught some good fish. 
2009 is upon us and January is almost a memory. Most folks are back at their desks, (not us) teh heh, and memories of fishing are exactly that, memories. 

The season has not been a great one, and it seems that whenever I do these reports nowadays, the scenario is the same. Bad weather and plenty of wind. I am in Struisbaai as I write and the westerly is rattling the windows. Nonetheless, the Cape is the place we know and love and we have caught some really good fish in the last while. More of that later. 

OFFSHORE
The October tuna season was not. We had practically no fish in October and I think the weather only gave us about three or four sea days anyway. Some of you will remember you were on the list to get out there, but no fish and bum weather scuttled our plans. November was better and when the fish did pitch up, we did quite well. The striking thing was the average size of the tuna. We had a few days out there where all our fish were between 60 and 90kg. The biggest we landed was a fish of 97, then one of 95 and a few of over 90. Many were in the 80's. Then came December, and when December came, the tuna went. Simple as that. Again, we had very few sea days, and when we did get out we caught next to bugger-all. Apologies to those of you who came out with us and had poor fishing days. We really try hard not to let them happen, but that’s fishing. Our total tally for yellowfin so far this season is about 70 fish. Compare that to tallies of 120 to 150 a couple of years back, and it is dismal. BUT, before you all cry "The fish are gone!" All is not doom and gloom.

We have had very different water conditions in the last two years and particularly so in this season.  There was a very strong thermocline most all the time and more schools of baitfish than I have ever seen. We saw miles and miles of yellowfin tuna feeding upon these baitfish (Mackerel, sardine, anchovy, squid, prawns, you name it) and try as we might, they would not eat our offerings. (I don't think we can blame them. Why would they want to eat the plastic lures and frozen bait we give them when they can pick and choose for their own fresh menu?) So, being the eternally optimistic fisherman, we hope the autumn season will be a cracker. We are already getting some reports of yellowfin (only a few mind you) in the canyon and quite a bit of longfin up in the west. 

INSHORE AND FALSE BAY
We only did a few bay trips, but were well rewarded for our efforts. The cob season has been a good one and the most remarkable one we caught was a fish of 18kg caught by Dr Louis Benade, a regular client and good friend from Canada. Hopefully his fishing holiday was a memorable one. The cape salmon did not really make an appearance in False Bay, but certainly made up for their no show by literally pitching up in their thousands at Hangklip and Betty's Bay. We do not fish there, but friends of ours who do had a bumper season and to the best of my knowledge, are still getting good fish when the weather comes out of the Southeast. The yellowtail season has been ok, with most of the fish being around Cape Point and to a lesser extent inside the bay. We have had a few good days with some classy fish up to 10kg. 

STRUISBAAI - CAPE AGULHAS
Once again we find ourselves in Struisbaai for the month of February and possibly March. We brought "Tyler" around by sea about 10 days ago and although the fishing here is a bit quiet as well, we have had one or two remarkable catches. The highlight thus far has been a striped marlin of about 120kg that we released last Friday during the annual "Two Oceans Marlin Tournament" run by the local deep sea angling club. Ion William (also one of our regulars) and a group of friends fished the tournament with us and managed a respectable 2nd place in the competition. Pipped only by the fact that the winners released a small black marlin (black marlin get more points than striped marlin). We have no doubt that the stripey we released was a potential SA record. It was certainly the biggest stripey I have seen. Still, 2nd out of 25boats is not bad. We fished for two and a half days, the boats recorded about 30 strikes and four marlin were released. Not quite as good as last year, but good nevertheless. I suspect it will be a long time before we have another comp like last year. We lost a very nice black marlin (est. 200 to 250kg) after a fight lasting 45 minutes. The fish was about 100m from the boat and fairly deep when it simply let go of the hook. Puzzling to all of us, and very disappointing for Bruce Henderson, the angler on the rod. Our stripey was caught by Manfred (his surname eludes me) aka "Flash Gordon" for reasons that best remain with the anglers who were at the competition. 

The other remarkable catch was a yellowtail of 23kg caught by Ion himself. It is most certainly our biggest yellowtail to date and the fact that he caught it on a 10ft spinning rod in 8 meters of water makes it even more special. Usually these brutes simply smash your tackle in the shallow water. 

That is about it for now. We are planning a couple of trips to the Alphard Banks this month. Both are offshore reefs and the fishing down there has been much better than here. Red Steenbras up to 35kg and good yellowtail are being landed on a daily basis. If you are keen to have a go at these fish, or at a marlin. Please drop me or Gareth a line. Till we hear from you again, tight lines, happy fishing and God Bless.

Pictures of the latest catches are on the website.
Yours in fishing
Alan & Gareth
 

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An Artificial Reef Could be on the cards off Portland.

After years of talk about sinking ex naval craft to make artificial reefs for angling, it is just possible we might see the first off Portland.  Plans are for three out of service Royal Navy ships to be purchased and sunk, two for diving and one for angling.  The first ship earmarked iis a Type 42 destroyer.  Following is a press release I received on the project.

New plans have been unveiled to create a series of artificial reefs by sinking old warships off Portland.

The project would boost the economy by breathing new life into the ailing diving industry while also helping to support the angling and fishing trades and to promote nature and education.

A not-for-profit community group called Wreck to Reef Ltd has been set up to realise the vision, a first for UK waters. The group has wide support from the marine industry, local authorities and other bodies.

What started as a plan to boost the diving industry by sinking one ship – modelled on the HMS Scylla project in Whitsand Bay near Plymouth – has grown into a major scheme to create a sanctuary involving in time at least four vessels.

Wreck to Reef has already obtained permission in principle from the Crown for its favoured area of seabed in Balaclava Bay on the north eastern side of Portland, and has presented its proposal to Portland Port, the harbour authority which has jurisdiction for the waters.

Initial project funding has come from two local marine businesses, O’Three and Fathom & Blues, but the hope is to get the Regional Development Agency (RDA) to fund the first phase.

The RDA has poured millions of pounds into regenerating Portland since the closure of the Royal Navy base and was the main financier for the HMS Scylla project in 2004, contributing £1.38 million. That project paid for itself within 14 months in terms of benefit to the local economy, say Wreck to Reef.

The first phase would involve securing an ex-Royal Navy Type 42 Destroyer and preparing it for the 2011 dive season. Discussions are under way but it is understood a ship could cost as little as £100,000.

To help the borough economy it is proposed to moor it in Weymouth Harbour next year where it will be decommissioned and prepared by local companies.

Once it is sunk it is envisaged a working group would be established to manage the project and secure grants to obtain further vessels.

The Dorset 2012 Legacy Board has thrown its weight behind the plans, which it sees as supporting the bid to turn Weymouth and Portland into a centre of international marine and leisure excellence.

Economic impact studies to support the proposal are currently being carried out by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council.

Wreck to Reef project co-ordinator Neville Copperthwaite said: “This is an innovative project which will bring increased revenue into Weymouth and Portland for many years.

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Twaite Shad

There is much confusion about Allis and Twaite Shad; can they or can't they be caught?  They can be caught, and are caught, but they should not be kept because they are on the "Endangered Animals" list. I had this confusion brought home to me this week when Terry Williams from Seaton in Devon caught one in an Open competition, and the organisers were un-sure.  They rejected the 1.4.0 shad  because it did not have an NFSA specimen rating; it is not on the list because of its endangered rating.

There is also difficulty in identifying the two fish; an eminent biologist once told me not to put trust in the number of spots along the back, they do vary from fish to fish.

Another identification difficulty arises between it and a herring; a simple way is look at the belly; a herring's is round and soft, the shads are hard and sharp. If the fish is over a pound it is unlikely to be a herring. 

  Sandeel or Launce

Red Band Fish.   Red band fish are long and snake like, bright pink in colour, and with a big mouth full of teeth. A light weight fish as was proved when Clark Robertson caught one at Prestwick to break the Scottish record, it was eighteen inches long and weighed just 4ozs.   Once considered a visitor, they are now caught regularly.  They live in holes in the seabed, and it is after gales when they have been washed out that they are sometimes caught.   I caught one in the Lymington river in the mid 1950's that measured 22 inches.  I took that to the British Museum where it was preserved, and as far as I know it is still there in its jar.

Sole   Sole are one of the nicest fish to eat, they are also a powerful fish, they rattle rod tips hard when they bite.  Catch one and try to hold it in one hand, and a small one can lever itself from your grip.   Sole are wide spread around the country, log on to our Where to Fish Guide (Click Here) They are caught from the Humber to the West Country.  Night time is the best time, from twilight to well in to the night, a warm sultry evening is particularly good.  Most will be small fish, slips as they are called, 12 ozs to a pound, but sole of two pound and above are regularly caught in some areas like Chesil beach.  A three hook flapper rig (paternoster) works well with size 4 hooks baited with lug or ragworm.  Be alert other fish will take the small offering.

Tadpole Fish 

A rare specie;  Note the tail has been nipped off.  The broad head is about as wide as it is long.  It has white lips, and a very small first dorsal fin. The dark colour is uniform on the top and and a leaden brown on the underside.  They grow to a maximum of 11 3/4  inches (30cm). British Records Boat 1.4.4 Shore 1.5.12

Undulate Ray. 

Not as big as the common skate, but still a big ray.  The prime area for these attractive fish is from Dorset to the Isle of Wight.  A lot are caught each year challenging the British record that stands at 21.4.8. from boat.  Recently this could have been broken by Tim Valent from Suffolk fishing off the Isle of Wight who caught one that weighed around 22lb when weighed on board his boat and returned to the water.

Herring and shad are frequently mistaken for one another; one easy identification point is the belly, if it is round and soft, it is a herring, if the belly is hard and sharp, it is a shad. Also the weight can be an indication, if it is over about 1.3.0 it is probably not a herring, maximum size is 1.8.0. 

The Pollack  Pollachius pollachius)  

It is typical of the cod family having three dorsal fins and two anal fins.  The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper, and there is no barbel on the lower jaw.   The lateral line has a definite curve up over the pectoral fin.  (On a coalfish it is straight).

The pollack is widely distributed, and is a school fish, and found in shoals.  The bigger fish are found in deepish water over and around rocks and reefs and in particular over wrecks. They have be found in depths of 100 fathom. The immature or small fish are usually to be found close to the shore, and are found in harbours and around piers. The pollack feeds mainly on fish, its favorites being sandeel, herring and mackerel; they are also fond of crustaceans. They spawn between January and April. ( From observations it seems nearer March in the South West). 

Barracuda 

What is thought to be the first barracuda caught off Cornwall was hauled aboard a Cornish trawler, just six miles off the Lizard.  It was not a big fish, probably about ten pounds.  The fish was offered  to the Natural History Museum in London because it was such a unique fish.  It is thought the fish could be as much as 350 miles off course.  This is the latest in a long line of tropical fish swimming into the western channel, including Spanish mackerel this summer.

The Barracuda of the family Sphyraena  which include the Great Barracuda, Pacific Barracuda, Striped Barracuda, Pick-Handle Barracuda, Guaguanche, Northern Sennet and the European Barracuda.   

Other common names around the world for the barracuda are, sea pike, giant sea pike, scoots, asogon, southern sennet and  spet

All the barracuda have long slender bodies with a long snout, and a long mouth stretching back to the front edge of the mouth.  They have long sharp teeth of irregular size. The different species reach different sizes, the biggest are the Great barracuda and the Pick Handle which can both grow to around six feet in length, and to a maximum weight of about 65lb.  The average would be a lot smaller. The smallest is the Striped at around sixteen inches. Barracuda have a bad and justified reputation as a fierce attacker. An exciting fish to catch. 

Wreckfish Record.   Patrick Banks, a company director from London is hoping his boat caught wreckfish weighing 11.14.0. will be accepted as the new British record.  Patrick caught he fish off Poole in Dorset fishing from his own boat.  The wreckfish comfortably beats the existing record of 10.10.0. caught back in 1980 off the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth.

Wreckfish Profile.  The wreckfish, Polyprion americanus, is rarely seen in our waters.  They are usually found under or near floating debris, and are usually in schools, and are  mostly young fish, the much larger adult fish are generally lone fish and live in deep water.   Their normal habitat is the Mediterranean. They are also to be found in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean.  

 Rob Dart & Sunfish

Sunfish are frequently seen in the south west, and this one was drifting off Start Point in Devon, and laid alongside Robs boat. With his pal Tom Allen the gently lifted it from the water for this picture, and immediately returned it to the water.  Rob said they normally only seem to drift, but this one had a surprising turn of speed.

The Sunfish belongs to a small family known as Molidae or sometimes called Orthagoriscidae.    They are pelagic, surface living fish of world  distributions of temperate and tropical waters. Their peculiar appearance is adapted to their life stile of passive drifting in ocean currents.   Its body is compressed, and it looks as if the tail has been cut off, and a new extremity grown, it is a frill like fin which represents the tail. They resemble their relatives, the puffer fish by having small mouths with well developed beak like teeth in each jaw. The fish has two fins, both long, a dorsal and an anal, and has neither pelvic nor a swim bladder.   They feed on plank tonic organisms, especially jelly fish and small floating crustaceans and larvae.  They arrive in our waters by drifting with the Gulf Stream, and are found here between June and September. Only two of the species are seen in our waters. They can grow to 13 feet in length and a weight of  3,000lb. 

They are similar to our mackerel. They can be identified by a corselet of large scales in front of, and below the pectoral fin, and according to The Fishes of the British Isles,  are often caught off the Cornish coast.   Colouring:  The markings on the body, running down to the lateral line  are similar to a mackerel, but can have a yellowish tinge to them, under these are a row of spots. The head is slightly larger, but this would be difficult to see.  

Sting Ray  Dasyatis pastinaca

June and July are the months  of year when sting ray are caught.  The main area for these large ray is Hampshire and Sussex.  The Solent area seems to be the main region where they are to be found.  Like many fish they are not in the numbers they were.

The back of the sting ray is a dark colour, almost black.  The serrated "sting" on its tail can be either one or two. It is a bottom living fish, found usually over a soft  bottom of mud or sand. They are usually to be found in shallow water. Although listed as living on crustacean,  more are caught on ragworm than most other baits.  It  is a live bearing fish (ovoviviparous), giving birth to between six and nine babies. The serrated "sting" can be up to 5 inches long and the venom is between the serrations. Beware of the ray when it comes out of the water, its tail swings around and this is when it can be driven into a leg or foot. Injuries can be very painful.  The British records are: Boat  72.2.0. caught at Blackwater Essex.  Shore 54.9.0. caught at Fairbourne Beach.  

The Common Topknot   Zeugopterus punctatus

It is a wide bodied flat fish with a large head and the eyes always on the left. It is an uncommon flat fish with restricted distribution.  Plymouth and the Clyde are the two areas where they are seen or caught most frequently.  Its habitat is over rocks or rough ground in depths from half a fathom to fourteen fathoms.  They are sometimes found clinging to the sheltered side of rocks among kelp. It is believed their diet is mainly small fish.  They spawn in the spring. 

  There was great excitement at the small fishing village of Cadgwith on the Lizard when John Tonkin skipper of the commercial fishing boat Kingfisher brought ashore a 90lb Sturgeon, (19th April). John had caught this rare visitor to our shores in one of his nets just a few miles off the coast. " I was not  sure what I  had caught until I radioed another boat who had an identification book on board  to confirm it", he said. True to tradition the fish was offered to the Duchy of Cornwall, Prince Charles, also true tradition refused it, so the fish was sent to Newlyn market where it was sold  for around £1,000.   

The sturgeon, family name Acipenseridae, is a family of  25 different species, with just one specie that lives in Northern Europe. The female grows to enormous size, almost 12 feet and a weight of around 700lb.  A male fish is much smaller. The larger females can spawn up to 3 million eggs which are sold as caviar.   They spawn in deep gravel bottomed rivers in northern Europe.  There is not a British Rod caught record for a sturgeon, so I can only assume one has not been caught on rod and line. Their food when in our waters is crustacean, mostly prawns.