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ISSUE 233 JANUARY 2015
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BIG COD FROM THE NEEDLES
UK SEA ANGLERS RISE THROUGH THE WORLD RANKINGS
WINNER
The Fédération International de Pêche Sportive - Mer (FIPS-M) has released the Shore Angling Individual World Rankings and England’s very own Richard Yates has climbed to number 2 in the World, with Joe Arch of Wales taking the coveted number 1 spot. UK anglers feature heavily in the latest rankings, contributing five of the top ten anglers in the world. England’s Saul Page and Ian Golds are ranked 6th and 9th respectively while Wales’s team member Alan Price is also inside the top five ranked 4th. England’s Darren Newland narrowly misses out on a top 10 ranking position to South Africa’s Francois Charl Marais. World Rankings are calculated based upon individual final placing’s during Senior World Shore Angling Championships held between 2010 and 2014 inclusive.
Top 10 Joe Arch (Wales) Richard Yates (England) Martin Dowie (South Africa) Alan Price (Wales) Lorenzo Seccharoli (Italy) Saul Page (England) Fernando Guirro (Spain) Jose Afonso (Portugal) Ian Golds (England) Francois Charl Marais (South Africa) Portugal and the Algarve will host the 32nd Seniors World Shore Angling Championships in 2015 and England will be looking to build upon their solid performance in 2014.
DEAL STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPORTING BUSINESS AND CONSERVING FISH STOCKS. The UK government has delivered a fair deal fishermen today, striking the right balance between supporting businesses and conserving fish stocks to safeguard the future livelihoods of our fishing fleets and their local communities. This follows negotiations at the annual EU Fisheries and Agriculture Council where fishing quotas for 2015 were agreed. Decisions were based on three clear principles: following the available scientific advice; achieving sustainable levels of fishing and reducing discards.
Colin Powell with a 37lb 8oz Needles Cod caught on a charter boat out of Keyhaven
HYTHE ANGLER HAS “LAST LAUGH” WITH BASS OF A LIFETIME Scaffolder Robert Hulme 28 from Hythe in Hampshire with a fish of his dreams a 14lb 9oz Bass caught aboard Last Laugh skipperd by John Skeggs. He was using a Kenzaki 12-20, Daiwa slosh 20 with a running leger baited with squid.
The government entered negotiations facing challenging proposals from the Commission for precautionary reductions in the quotas of many stocks, but important increases were agreed for many parts of the UK’s fishing fleet. This includes increases to cod and haddock in the North Sea, Nephrops (prawns) in the Celtic Sea, sole in the Western Channel and angler (monkfish) and haddock in the West of Scotland.
WINNER
Where the latest scientific evidence supported it we were also able to lobby against unjustifiable cuts proposed by the Commission. Instead we ensured quotas were looked at on a case-by-case basis, achieving a rollover of current 2014 catch levels to Continued on page 2...
2 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
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RESULTS / NEWS
editors blog... Well we are now into our fourth year at the SAN, where does the time go it only seems like yesterday that Dave & I met Norman (the previous owner) in Portsmouth to discuss the handover. This month heralds more news on the fish quotas (page 1) particularly bass which I'm sure every angler has their eye on, talking of which several of the south coast boats have been seeing some great catches of these magnificent predators not least a 14lb + specimen landed on John Skeggs charter boat Last Laugh. The winter cod run now seems to be well under way with some sizable specimens appearing in the Solent and Bristol Channel which is also seeing some big hauls of spurdog and some pretty impressive huss especially in the Ilfracombe area (see P12). It only remains for me to wish you all a happy Xmas & prosperous New Year and to once again to thank all our readers, contributors and subscribers for all your continued support. Ed...
ALDERNEY ANGLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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DEAL STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPORTING BUSINESS AND CONSERVING FISH STOCKS. Cont from page 1... provide stability for the fishermen who rely on these species, including skates and rays around the UK. The government also successfully resisted further reductions to days at sea under the cod recovery plan. This will give fishermen the time they need to fish more selectively and avoid discarding perfectly good fish. Finally, despite pressing hard for measures to address declining sea bass levels we were disappointed not to leave negotiations with an agreement on specific measures to tackle this issue. The UK government has led on action to improve these stocks and has now secured a commitment from the Commission to work with Member States to reduce fishing pressure at the start of the season in 2015. Commenting from Brussels UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice said: Although these were difficult negotiations, I am pleased that we were able to secure the best possible deal to ensure sustainable fisheries and a strong UK fishing industry.
Page
ANGLERS DEN, GILLINGHAM . . . . . . . . . 13
Sea Angling News, January 2015
Rules for all Sea Angling News competitions All entries must be accompanied by a clear photograph. All entries must be weighed on accurate scales and witnessed. All entries will be judged on the size of the fish, tackle used and the quality of the photograph. Weights must be submitted in pounds and ounces, metric weights may be submitted in addition to imperial weights. The Editors decision will be final in all cases.
While fishermen had feared there would be major cuts from the Commission, by bringing new science to the table we were able to keep the same quota as last year for many species, including monkfish, megrim and pollock in the South West and skates and rays around the UK. This was in addition to important increases to North Sea cod and haddock quota which will benefit Scottish fishermen. In some cases there are still some reductions in quota, but I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions need to support our shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment. If we want a longterm future for our industry we have to listen to the available science and agree fishing opportunities which support the sustainability of our stocks. I was disappointed no decision was reached this year to improve bass stocks but will be following up on the Commission’s commitment to work with Member States in the New Year. The UK has been a lone voice on this issue and it is essential we achieve a balanced approach which reflects the contribution of both commercial fisheries as well as recreational anglers on declining bass numbers. Given the start of the pelagic discard ban in January 2015 the UK also ensured next year’s total allowable catch took into account the ban on discarding fish, a crucial agreement following UK-led reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy last year. In addition a
commitment was obtained from the Commission to undertake research to improve flexibility, allowing fishermen to use quota across regions in light of the discard ban and increased selectivity. The UK also successfully negotiated a number of further concessions. These include: Days at sea kept at 2014 levels rather than reduced. Increased quota for fishermen in many areas, including the following: North Sea: 5% cod,15% Nephrops (prawns), 15% plaice North Sea and West Scotland : 6% haddock, 20% angler (monkfish) Irish Sea: Nephrops (prawns) 3% Around the UK: hake 11% Reducing cuts to a number of important fish quotas by providing sound scientific evidence to the Council. Including: Celtic Sea: 64% cut to cod reduced to 26% and 41% cut to haddock reduced to 12% Eastern Channel: 60% cut to sole reduced to 28% Bristol Channel: 35% cut to sole reduced to 15% As well as maintaining 2014 quotas for a number of stocks, including: Irish Sea: haddock South West: angler (monkfish), megrim Bristol Channel: plaice North Sea: megrim, dab and flounder, sole and ling And accepting proposals for cuts where necessary to protect stocks, including: Celtic Sea: 30% cut to herring, 26% cut to cod and 12% North Sea: 5% herring, 15% saithe. The Fisheries Minister George Eustice represented the UK in Brussels to ensure a package of measures that reflected the interests of all parts of the country. Richard Lochhead and Michelle O’Neill also attended for Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively. The negotiations were the culmination of months of UK government-led meetings to hear from fishermen, devolved administrations, scientists and environmental NGOs to secure the best possible deal in order to meet our shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment. Fishermen in the North East and Scotland also benefitted from the formal acceptance of our early agreements with Norway on fishing opportunities in the North Sea where we secured a quota rise in haddock and cod – the second successive rise in two years. Negotiations with the Faroe Islands to deliver additional quota and opportunities to catch a number of species in Faroese waters were also agreed at Council today.
REACTION FROM ANGLING TRUST George Eustice was told time and time again that his strategy of leaving it to Europe to agree long overdue measures to rebuild bass stocks was fundamentally flawed. With ICES calling for an 80% reduction in bass landings we have to ask bad do things have to get before the government starts reducing unsustainable over fishing in UK territorial waters? What ever happened to the 'significant breakthrough' that Eustice was boasting about a few weeks ago?!
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Last month Fisheries Minister George Eustice, in response to a Parliamentary question from Angling Trust Ambassador Richard Benyon MP, said: "When it comes to bass, I can tell him that we expect to have an important breakthrough in December. We have always said that there should be technical measures. The stock has been fished unsustainably and there is a tentative proposal, which we expect to be raised at the December Council, that will look at both bag limits and catch limits, so that we can preserve this vital stock." We see from the Defra press release that the UK was a 'lone voice' in pressing for bass conservation measures. Hardly the basis for securing a breakthrough and prove positive that George Eustice has done too little too late to build support for collective action to save this iconic recreational species that is worth £200 million to the UK economy. This is very disappointing news but we feel that that the government has now run out of excuses for putting off introducing domestic measures on bass minimum landing sizes, more nursery areas and increased protection for estuaries. The Angling Trust will be working with supportive MPs in Westminster to keep up the pressure for meaningful action to save British bass stocks. See
page 25 for further detail...
Sea Angling News, January 2015
THAMES ESTUARY / NEWS
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 3
THAMES ESTUARY REPORT by Lee Bollingbroke The charter cancelations have started with the first winter storms howling in from the west but I guess we have done ok in our neck of the woods and its already early December as I write this report from my office with the winds howling outside. Up to now we have done ok getting our anglers out and getting them fish, but as I say we are lucky in the Thames estuary with our fairly sheltered waters to bob and weave around hiding under sand banks etc. The Blackwater has been an excellent venue with plenty of fish to be had in calm waters whilst every were else has been unfishable due to strong winds, however it is a mark that i personally feel should only be used in conditions were its to rough to fish any were else and I can’t help feeling that on calm days the effort should be made to steam further afield and i am sure anglers feel they have been short changed by this practice especially by ports flanking the Blackwater that only have a five minuet steam to be on the fishing mark but that’s just my opinion and if your catching fish who should worry.. The wallet has been fishing well with plenty of codling and rays, yes we are still catching rays in fact my boat Sophie Lea had a thirteen pound Thorn back ray
on the first day of December and one of just under fourteen pounds the next day. We have tried for the bigger cod offshore but it’s difficult to say the least and I can honestly say we have only had one big fish on last week after a morning of trying for them and we lost that on the surface, still time though if the weather is kind to us. Plenty of good sized whiting also being taken and several dabs and flounders if you fish for them yes you need to discard the whole squid drop down a hook size and a lug bait is the way to catch em. The lads from the Crouch don’t seem to be fishing there area at all and just steaming straight for our neck of the woods I can’t help thinking that it’s an added & not un considerable fuel expense for them around a forty/ forty five mile round steam and they are probably steaming over fish in their area to get to ours but I have to take my hat off to them for putting in the effort. Well here we are again another Christmas another new year were did 2014 go will we get another summer like it ? we will see so here is wishing all readers of S.A.N a healthy and happy Christmas and Newyear.
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“Sophie Lea” Mark Nicholes with his just under fourteen pound thornback ray caught on Sophie Lea
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4 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com ISAC ROUND 12 – MATCH REPORT ISAC hosted its final ever match on Saturday 13th December 2014 at Browndown Beach from 2pm until 7pm. Conditions were idyllic, flat calm, light airs and a clear sky for the 42 anglers that booked in for the round 12 competition. Pegs were laid out in two zones from the lookout tower peg 1, up to the third shingle mound peg 55. High water at 3:32pm was set at 4.1 metres. 1269 fish were recorded at the scales for a total match weight of 270lb 13½ozs, 85.118kg. The sizeable fish were represented by 9 Dab, 3 Flounder, 43 Pout, 1 Rockling and 426 Whiting. The 787 TopUps were represented by 4 Bass, 12 Dab, 1 Plaice, 17 Pout, 1 Ray, 751 Whiting and 1 Wrasse. Nothing exceptional was caught with the HFOTM being a 1lb, 0.453g Flounder landed by WAYNE PERRETT. £545 was paid out in 12 cash awards taking the grand total payout up to £10,475 for the year, and £208,036 after all 212 open competitions. INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION Winner of the match was IAN GOLDS from Bedhampton who recorded the top weight of 9lb 15½ozs, 4.528kg from peg 55 in zone B. That total was represented by 1 Dab, 2 Pout, 23 Whiting and 27 Top-Ups, (1 Bass, 1 Dab, 1 Pout and 24 Whiting). This was Ian’s second ISAC match victory of the season and won him the top cash prize of £120 with the r12 ISAC Match Winners trophy and certificate. Runner-Up in the match was DARREN NEWLAND from Lake on the Isle of Wight who won zone A from peg 1, with a total weight of 8lb 7¾ozs, 3.848kg, represented by 1 Pout, 22 Whiting and 23 Top-Ups, (3 Dab and 20 Whiting) winning him a £100 cash prize. DAVE LANE took 3rd place in the match from peg 42 in zone B with a total weight of 8lb 5½ozs, 3.784kg, represented by 1 Flounder, 1 Pout, 17 Whiting and 26 Top-Ups, (1 Bass and 25 Whiting) winning him a cash prize of £60.
SEA ANGLER MAGAZINE – PENN SEA LEAGUE The top points on weight will be awarded to IAN GOLDS, DARREN NEWLAND and DAVE LANE. WAYNE PERRETT should also gain bonus points for landing the HFOTM. MATCH RESULT 1st – Ian Golds – Bedhampton – B55 – 9lb 15¾ozs – 4.5288kg – 1 point - £120 2nd – Darren Newland – Lake – A1 – 8lb 7¾ozs – 3.848kg – 1pt - £100 3rd – Dave Lane – Weymouth – B42 – 8lb 5½ozs – 3.784kg – 2pts - £60 4th – Nick May - Hastings – A2 – 7lb 3ozs – 3.260kg – 2pts - £60 5th – Ant Buik – Dorchester – B41 – 7lb 9½ozs – 3.444kg - 3pts - £40 6th – Mick Goodger – Netley – B52 – 7lb 9½ozs – 3.444kg – 3pts - £30 7th – Mike Brown – Southampton – A4 – 6lb 9¼ozs – 2.983kg – 3pts - £40 8th – Matt Brook – Sandown – A24 – 6lb 3ozs – 2.806kg – 4pts - £30 9th – Wayne Perrett – Eastleigh – B53 – 6lb 6¼ozs – 2.898kg – 5pts - £40 10th – Mike Groves – Havant – A25 – 5lb 10ozs – 2.551kg – 5pts - £25 All r12 individual match placings are available on our website. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MIKE BROWN from Southampton snatched victory in the last round to win and retain his Individual Championship title. He becomes a legend within our sport emulating the same feat of three times Individual Champion STEVE HARDER who won back-to-back titles in 2001-2002. Mike recorded a total weight of 43lb 5¼ozs, 19.652kg, for 37 points, winning a total of £690 along the way. Very many congratulations Mike from everyone in ISAC. Former World Youth Individual and Team Champion DANNY MOGRIDGE from Fareham had to settle for second place overall again, on 43 points and 50lb 4¼ozs, 22.799kg in weight, winning a total cash payout of £570. These two outstanding match anglers repeated their placings of 2013 and
NEWS / RSULTS
Sea Angling News, January 2015
are congratulated for two years of outstanding shore match fishing. The final podium place went to MIKE GROVES from Havant with 44 points and 41lb 1oz, 18.625kg, in weight. Mike’s winnings totalled £473. 4th place overall went to PETER CRACKNELL from Shoreham on 45 points and 51lb, 23.132 in weight. NICK HAYTER from Southampton was 5th on 49 points and 52lb 2ozs, 23.642kg in weight. The top five anglers win bonus end of season awards donated by sponsor George Cunningham of TRONIXPRO. LEAGUE TABLE 1st – Mike Brown – Southampton – 43lb 5¼ozs – 19.652kg – 37 Points - £690 2nd – Danny Mogridge – Fareham – 50lb 4¼ozs – 22.799kg – 43pts - £570 3rd – Mike Groves – Havant – 41lb 1ozs – 18.625kg – 44pts - £473 4th – Peter Cracknell – Shoreham – 51lb – 23.132kg – 45pts - £335 5th – Nick Hayter – Southampton – 52lb 2ozs – 23.642kg – 49pts, £440 6th – Nick May – Hastings – 51lb 9½ozs – 23.402kg – 53pts - £235 7th – Ian Dancey – Waterlooville – 42lb 11½ozs – 19.376kg – 60pts - £182.50 8th – Dave Lane – Weymouth – 38b 11¾ozs – 17.569kg – 67pts - £180 9th – Darren Stevens – Bristol – 37lb 5ozs – 16.924kg – 67pts - £285 10th – Jeff Fisk – Poole – 40lb 11½ozs – 18.469kg – 68pts - £215 11th – Wayne Perrett – Eastleigh – 39lb 15¾ozs – 18.136kg – 68pts - £235 12th – Mick Goodger – Netley – 43lb 1½ozs – 19.546kg – 69pts - £195 13th – Darren Wilson – Havant – 38lb 4½ozs – 17.363kg – 70pts - £213 14th – Ant Buik – Dorchester – 33lb – 14.968kg – 70pts - £220 15th – Darren Newland – Lake – 38lb 13¼ozs – 17.611kg – 72pts - £590 16th – Peter Farrell – Portsmouth – 23lb 8¼ozs – 10.666kg – 74pts - £228
POLICE SPORTING GROUP MAKE DONATION TO YOUTH AND JUNIOR SEA ANGLING TEAMS
An additional £1600 in 16 x £100 Tackle Shop Gift Vouchers will be awarded to the top 16 anglers at the end of the 2014 season. INTER TACKLE SHOP LEAGUE 17 x 5-man teams competed against each other within all 12 rounds of the Hampshire League. Winner of the tournament were the team representing ALLAN’S MARINE based in Portsmouth. Team members MATT BROOK, MIKE BROWN, PETER FARRELL, MIKE GROVES and DARREN JAMES dominated the competition and held the lead from round 3, finishing on 146 points. They win £250 donated by our sponsor SOUTH HANTS GLASS. KNOCKOUT CUP The top 64 members from 2013 competed in a 2-leg, 6 round Knockout Cup competition in 2014 sponsored by BRAESIDE PROPERTY SERVICES. DARREN WILSON of Havant is this years Winner defeating NEIL BURROW of Southampton by 11lb 4¾ozs, 5.124kg v 8lb 14½ozs, 4.039kg. KNOCKOUT PLATE BRAESIDE PROPERTY SERVICES also sponsored the Knockout Plate which was held from r7, with the top 64 members from the 2014 individual championship competing against each other in 6 single rounds. NICK HAYTER from Southampton defeated DANNY MOGRIDGE at Browndown with a total weight of 4lb 2¾ozs, 1.892kg v 3lb 10½ozs, 1.658kg. The winners from each event won cash prizes of £100, with the runners-up claiming £25 each. PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP 20 x 2-man teams competed against each other over the 12 rounds of the Hampshire League with each pairing gaining points based on there combined weight and zone points totals in each match. MIKE BROWN and MIKE GROVES won the 2014 competition with a total of 29 points. ANT BUIK and DAVE LANE were runners-up on 48 points, whilst brothers DARREN & WAYNE PERRETT finished third on 50 points.
Dorset Police recently hosted this year’s Police Sport UK sea fishing event at Weymouth fishing an evening match on 11th at Preston Beach and a day match at Abbotsbury and West Bexington (Chesil beach) on 12th Nov. 145 competitors came from as far afield as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to compete representing 22 Forces with a mix of retired and serving officers. The event is in its 23rd year and it is customary to hold a raffle for good causes. The raffle prizes are donated by the teams themselves and also with donations from tackle shops and companies (Daiwa, Tronixpro, Shimano, Delta Tackle, Red Gill, Sakuma, 914 Tackle Bournemouth, Christchurch Angling Centre and Weymouth Angling centre). The event went very well despite some inclement weather. The raffle was also a great success and resulted in a very generous donation of £1,500 to the Angling Trust towards the funding of the Team England youth and junior shore fishing squads to assist them in their endeavours at the World Championships next year. Iain Fryett of Dorset Police explained the reasons for the donation; "I live in Christchurch and about three years ago joined the Christchurch and District fishing club. As a result I fished against some of the youth and junior anglers and saw the level of commitment to their sport. I got to
know Dave Graham and Tom Bagnell at Christchurch Angling Centre and again saw the time and effort that both put in towards promoting angling participation by younger anglers and how the successful members of the teams act as a real inspiration for other young anglers. I know they hold regular training sessions on local beaches and have refined their techniques and tackle to incorporate the light continental tactics they have to contend with abroad and I see how this knowledge filters out to anglers in this country. Ultimately the efforts of all involved have raised the profile of sea angling and without a doubt attracted numerous younger anglers to the sport. From a Policing perspective young people with an active interest in sport are far less likely to be involved in anti-social behaviour or crime and therefore it should be encouraged. We hope our donation will assist them in their future endeavours and help to develop the skills of future team members." Ben Thompson, Senior Talent and Competitions Manager for the Angling Trust said; "On behalf of the Angling Trust and the anglers in our Junior and Youth Team England sea angling squads, I would like to thank Police Sport UK for their incredibly generous donation. Competing in World Championships can be expensive and this donation will contribute to reducing those costs and support both teams as they head to the Netherlands to compete in the FIPS-M World Championships 2015."
Sea Angling News, January 2015
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 5
HAMPSHIRE / NEWS / RESULTS
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11lb 1oz and 13lb 3oz were the best of 14x large Winter Bass caught by E.C.A (Eastney Cruising Association) Fishing section member Mark Argyle during a brief 2 hour Bass session on his own 18’ boat out of langstone harbour drift fishing the offshore sandbanks using a mixture of live and frozen dead baits.
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Sea Angling News, January 2015
NEWS / TORBAY
SPOT-ON CHARTERS The last few trips have fished very well with the big Pollock m o s t definitely on there way with many nice double figure fish being taken, the last of the Cod have nearly all gone with a few small ones on the last trip, a few bonus Ling and lots of small Bass have been also making an appearance along with the ever greedy Pouting. The boat is now out of the water until end of January
for her annual scrub and tidy up etc but we will be back in the water in prime time for the winter Pollock season. Spot On's 2015 calendar is certainly filling up fast so please don't leave it too late to book your trip on boards Brixham's premier charter boat. Thank you all for your custom this year and your continued support of myself and Brixham and I would like to wish all the readers a merry Christmas and a happy new year and look forward to seeing all the shiny new tackle that Santa brings them for 2015.
SHANDE III CHARTERS
EXMOUTH
GROUPS & INDIVIDUALS Still some Bass about lads today we were on 3 a drift Well done lads
Nice plaice Steve, Steve was off to a slow start but is catching up now. There are Plenty of Plaice on the Skerries lads
Nice plaice Neil, Having never been Plaice fishing before Neil was catching Two at a time The Skerries are fishing well lads
The Bass are still here lads Bill had 12 today & sometimes 2 a drift a good days Bassing for all Well done lads
Nice Bass John, Best today Side winders did the job
Nice fish Steve, In amongst the Bass some nice Pollock to be had Not bad for inshore wrecking Well done lads
They say no two days the same yesterday the bass were jumping in the boat & today we never saw a bugger. But the lads did manage some pollock this being the best for simon. Well done m8 Don't for get to let mike know now & again how many you had lol
Sloppy day lads but the Bass were hungry & feeding well a slow start but then it kicked off one drift produced 16 Bass all on side winders. This was the best of the day for Clive but a lot of fish were around 4lbs. Well done lads
Nice Bass Trev well done m8 There are some nice Bass on our wrecks lads but like yesterday with conditions not great it was hard work. Trevor still managed 3 like this. Blue & white Sidewinders did the trick Dangler Dave from Wales on the Plaice. The Plaice are thinning out now lads but what a great season we have had plenty of whiting & some Codling on the Skerries lads Caught Aboard Shande 3 Exmouth
Sea Angling News, January 2015
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 7
SUSSEX / RESULTS
EAST SUSSEX DIARY by Kevin Morgan THE NOMADS CHRISTMAS OPEN On Sunday 7th December the Eastbourne Nomads A.C. held their annual Christmas Open. Due to an unfortunate clash with another Open there was not as many entries this year. But the weather was good, and a good time was had by most. fish caught were mainly whitings, poutings and dabs, with a few lings and a couple of flounders and codlings. The fishing was pegged through Langney Point and divided into 2 zones. After the winner, the payouts went through the zones with 8 in each zone (9 in the winning zone), there were also the pools, heaviest flat and round fish, then top 3 in each zone, there was also a seperate pairs competition with the top 3 being paid out. The Nomads also put up £150, this was divided for the top 3 Nomads A.C. club members. 31 cash prizes all together. Trophies and prizes were presented by Snowy Ruffell, the club Chairman, Snowy has been a member of the Nomads since 1956. The presentation and raffle was held at the Eastbourne Angling Association. The overall winner was Gerald Sargeant with 5lb 5oz of whiting and dabs. Second in A Zone was Paul King with 5lb 8dr. 3rd Gary Banfield with 4lb 9oz 8dr. 4th Paul Parsons with 4lb 4 oz 12dr. B Zone winner was Trevor Rooney with 3lb 8oz. 2nd Paul Christopher with 2lb 8oz 4dr. 3rd Dave Rose with 2lb 6oz 12dr and fourth Barry Sinden with 1lb 12oz 8dr. The heaviest round was a codling of 1lb 3oz 8dr and the heaviest flatfish a flounder of 14oz 12dr for Dave Hollobone. ANDERIDA FISHING CLUB On Thursday 20th November Anderida held a beach match in Pevensey Bay with 24 anglers catching mainly whiting. The winner with 12lb 11oz was Dan Wood. Second was Gerald Sargeant with 10lb 15oz, third Jim Whippy with 9lb 11 ½ oz and fourth Colin Isaacs with 9lb 7 ½ oz. The superpool winner and biggest round with a whiting of 13oz was Tim Harmer. No flatfish were caught. On Thursday 4th December 23 anglers fished in Pevensey Bay again catching mainly whiting. The results were very close with less than 1lb separating the top 10!!! The winner with 7lb 12 ¾ oz was Rob Lock. Second with 7lb 11oz was Kevin Morgan. Third was Colin Everest with 7lb 10oz and fourth Dan Wood with 7lb 7 ½ oz. The superpool and heaviest round was a codling of 2lb 4 ½ oz for Malcolm Payne and no flatfish was caught again. THE NOMADS On Monday 3rd November The Nomads fished the 3rd Presidents Cup with Ian Hopper landing 12lb 13oz 12dr of Pout, Codling and Whiting. Second was Dan Wood with 7lb 8oz 8dr and third Paul Parsons with 7lb 6oz. The heaviest fish was a codling of 2lb 3oz for Martin Payne and the heaviest flatfish was a sole of 1lb 8oz 8dr.
On Monday 24th November the first cod and species match was fished. The winner Tony Kirrage managed 4 species including a codling, dogfish, whiting and dab, for a weight of 6lb 1 oz. Second was Graham Lewis with 4lb 12oz and third Richard Newman with 4lb 1oz 8dr. The joint heaviest round winners were Tony Kirrage and Graham Lewis both with a codling of 1lb 8oz and the heaviest flatfish was a dab of 4oz for Tony Kirrage. The second cod and species competition was held on Wednesday 3rd December with Paul King landing several codling as well as whiting and a sole for a total weight of 12lb 8oz as well as 65 species points. Second was Dan Wood also with 65 points and a weight of 10lb 1oz 8dr. Third was Rod Parris with 65 pints and 4lb 11oz 4dr and fourth Paul Parsons with 55 points and 4lb 8oz 4dr. The heaviest fish saw Paul King win both with a codling of 3lb 4oz and a sole of 12oz 12dr.
Big fish xmas comp Dec 2014
NEWHAVEN SEA ANGLERS CLUB On Thursday 20th November the pairs cup was held. The individual winner was B Henderson with 5lb 10 ¼ oz. Second was M Gillett with 5lb 6 ¼ oz and third K Skippings with 5lb 4oz. The pairs winners were M Gillett and B Goodwin with a combined weight of 10lb 4oz. OVER FIFTIES Twenty four anglers fished the over fifties beach match on Wednesday 26th November with 19 weighing in !! The winner with 6lb 14 3/4 oz was Malcolm Payne. Second was Ian Hopper with 6lb 13 ½ oz. 3rd was Carol Vivian with 6lb 8 ½ oz and fourth Vernon Vivian with 6lb 5oz. The heaviest round was an eel of 10 ¼ oz for Paul Christopher and the biggest flat a flounder of 7 ½ oz for Gerald Sargeant. On Wednesday 10th December 19 anglers fished in Pevensey Bay with pplenty of whiting and pout showing. The winner was Paul Christopher with 12lb 7 ½ oz. 2nd Vernon Vivian with 11lb 3 ½ oz. 3rd Gerald Sargeant with 8lb 3oz and fourth Fred Wassell with 7lb 12 ½ oz. GENERAL On Sunday 14th December 24 anglers took part in the xmas big fish bash!! Competitors were only allowed one flatfish and one round fish to weigh in. Heaviest flatfish were all flounders and first was Ian Hopper with 1lb 2 ½ oz. 2nd Terry Taylor with 14 ½ oz, 3rd Paul King with 13 ¼ oz and fourth Jim Whippy with 10 ¼ oz. Heaviest round fish were all whiting and joint first were Glyn Morgan and Joe Plumstead with 12 ½ oz. 3rd was John Ryder with 12oz and 4th Rod Reynolds with 11oz. The combined superpool winners were 1st Ian Hopper with 1lb 10oz and second Terry Taylor with 1lb 7oz. Bayside Bay Charters sent a picture of a nice 13lb+ Thornback Ray caught on the boat on 30th November, using mackerel on a flowing trace.
Dave Burton 13lb ray 30th Nov2014 Bayside
Snowy presents Gerald Sargeant with the Best Nomad in Christmas Open trophy
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POOLE / DORSET
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POOLE PORT REPORT
Sea Angling News, January 2015
SILVER SPRAY & SILVER SPRAY II Two modern catamarans from Poole. Fast and spacious boats fitted with twin engines. COP 60 miles for 12 anglers. Large heated wheelhouse with toilet. Hot drinks provided and microwave available. All necessary rods, tackle and bait available. Available for wreck, reef, banks, evening trips, 4-day Alderney and 3-day Cherbourg trips. **Bass, turbot, cod, plaice, shark specials** Both boats available for charters and individuals.
Owner/skippers Sam & Andy Cumming Phone 07787 375 386 www.silverspraycharters.com Email: info@silverspraycharters.com
SILVER SPRAY REPORT We are coming to the end of another year of fishing from Poole and I think it’s been good all round with every target species turning up in both quality and quantity. The one season that I would say has been slightly slow for us would have been the winter coding, plenty of mixed fish like rays congers and whiting but unfortunately not as many cod as we would have liked so far. This changed last Saturday as Ray Baldwin joined us for the day, he caught the biggest cod of last year weighing in at 28lb 12oz. Using the same tactics, a sliding pennel rig baited with squid, cuttle and lug worm, Ray produced the goods again with a mammoth 33lber which put up a tremendous fight. Being the first angler to land a 30lb plus cod
this winter has earned Ray a free trip to Cherbourg next year and in the process redeemed our end to the year. As I mentioned the cod may have been a bit slow but that hasn’t stopped the anglers from hooking into plenty of other fish. It’s unusual to see spur dogs this far inshore at this time of year but they are now making regular appearances, fingers crossed this means we will have plenty of sport when we start fishing for them properly on the offshore banks. Many thanks to everyone who fished with us this year and made it such a good one. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Silver Spray Charters. Sam Cumming Silver Spray II
Ray Baldwin 33lb cod Silver Spray II
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321 Wimbourne Road | Poole | BH15 3DH Tel: 01202 668 244
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Sea Angling News, January 2015
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 9
POOLE / DORSET
13lb spur Nathan Broom Silver Spray II
Nice undulate ray Silver Spray II Undulate Ray, Gary Rook. Trueblue.
Thornback Ray, Vince. Trueblue.
20lb+ Cod, Darren Phillips. Treueblue.
Spurdog, Suzie Smith. Trueblue.
SEA FISHING POOLE
Fisherman’s Dock - The Quay - Poole - BH15 1HJ Situated just feet away from The Fisherman’s Dock Steps at Poole Quay Open early throughout the year for all angling boat departure times. Pop in for bait or those last minute tackle items that you might need
All types of fishing trips arranged. Individuals or charter for inshore, offshore and Channel Islands. All skippers are members of The Professional Boatman’s Association
Tel 01202 679666 / 07891 669489 Email: jill@seafishingpoole.net Drop-off and pick-up point for The Reel Service Centre Dave Lynes 01202 578661 / 07974 481808
POOLE PORT REPORT by Steve Porter There have been a few changes to the local winter fishing since last months report. Notably the cod whose numbers haven’t quite lived up to the expectations brought about by a positive start to the winter season back in October. Small cod mainly up to around 5lb are still readily available close inshore along the bay and numbers are probably above seasonal averages. Larger fish though do appear to be a little below the seasonal norm. That being said they are still a worthwhile target fish and the past few weeks have seen some very special fish landed. Several cod in excess of 30lb have been reported to the east of the bay with local angler Dave Gimson bagging himself a new personal best for UK waters. Dave was fishing alone in his own boat so had his work cut out when confronted with a 34lb cod on the end of his line without a second pair of hands on board to help land it. I’m pleased to report that the fish was successfully landed and the weight confirmed at 34lb once ashore. Whiting are now well established within the bay with some good catches being reported on most days. Local angler Dave Colclough boated in excess of 150 whiting himself in a single session while fishing on Matt Rowe’s boat “Piscary”. And if that wasn’t enough, targeting dabs with a size 2 hook, Dave went on to land a personal best cod of 21lb. Truly great angfling. Well done Dave. Until mid December most whiting have been on the small size with just a few bigger specimens up to just over 3lb. Thankfully recent days have seen an increase in bigger fish. Our last trip on Trueblue saw the average size whiting on the day climb to around 2lb. Rays have continued to provide great sport to anglers targeting cod and all of our local species of ray are being landed. There seems to be an increase in the amount of Thornback Rays that are being landed to the western end of the bay. Another fish that appears to be being anded in above seasonal average numbers
are spurdogs with many high teen specimens being reported. The Sea Fishing Poole Open Cod Competition that was originally scheduled for the 7th December had to be postponed due to the weather. The new date is Sunday 28th December. An ideal day to get afloat and escape the cold turkey and mince pies. If you haven’t booked your place on a boat yet then visit one of the following websites to find a boat. www.poolecharterboats.org www.deepsea.co.uk www.charterboatsuk.co.uk The 2014 Anglers Christmas Party at the Riviera Hotel saw record numbers of skippers, anglers and their guests attend. A total of 225 attended meaning that the venues maximum capacity was reached. Other hopefuls sadly had to be turned away. A date has not yet been set for the 2016 function. On behalf of the Poole Charter fleet I’d like to wish all our anglers and friends a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your continued support. Steve Porter, Skipper of Trueblue. Forecast of events, 28th December, The rescheduled Sea Fishing Poole Cod Competition. Updates and news regarding weather etc leading up to the event will be displayed on the following websites, www.facebook.com/truebluefishinguk www.truebluefishing.co.uk www.seafishingpoole.net 6th January 2015, Professional Boatman’s Association AGM at The Springfield Hotel, Wareham. 11:00 am start. Coffee from 10:00am. The afternoon session will be dedicated to insurance issues and in particular the minefield concerning personal injury claims and how skippers can guard against it.
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Sea Angling News, January 2015
PLYMOUTH / SUSSEX / RESULTS
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RESULTS / NEWS
Sea Angling News, January 2015 Samalite League
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 11
Veals Winter League Table 2014 (best 6 from 8)
Chesil Centre, Dec 6th, 4 - 9pm. Conditions were good for the final match of the year, nice bit of sunshine, calm sea and to top it off enough room for us to get our pegs in up towards Martleaves. Species Weighed In; Garfish, Gurnard, Cod, Dogfish, Pout, Poor Cod, Pollack, Whiting. ZONE A; 1st, Andy Hutchings, 23lb - 9oz 2nd, Phil George, 11lb - 1 - 5/8oz 3rd, Paul Titt, 8lb - 15 - 1/2oz 4th, Rob Marshall, 8lb - 9oz ZONE B; 1st, Ben Bradstock, 27lb - 1oz 2nd, Joe Arch, 18lb - 5 - 7/8oz 3rd, Danny Woodcock, 18lb - 1 - 3/8oz 4th, Dave Lane, 17lb - 14oz HEAVIEST FISH; ZONE A, Andy Hutchings, COD, 3lb - 1oz ZONE B, Terry Hartnell, COD, 3lb - 11oz
Steve Ace Ian Brice Keith Warren Darren Stevens Dave Lovelock Cliff Jones Grant Jones James Madsen Russel Preston Rachael Jarman Dave Shaw Dave Gracie Bert Nick Snow Lucky Lil Brad Tonto Tom Bayford Dave Fortune John Lintern Pete Griffin Tony Taylor Brogan Bayford Simon Bristow Mike Watts Nick Young Nicky Frewin Rich White Dave Blackwell Andy Shopland Martin Wright Gary Withy Mini Hawkins Paul Ashmen
Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 32
Match 1 175 202 182 197 211 135 146 206 175 210 135 204 149 159 130 188 197 144 154 149 196 180 203 189 135 187 158 50 168 120 159 135 50 164
Match 2 214 192 206 187 125 193 154 161 216 124 151 139 188 206 182 125 139 50 172 200 165 134 180 139 105 171 144 166 173 114 154 144 157 125
Match 3 129 198 158 138 171 203 190 149 133 192 173 208 172 144 120 50 163 182 50 139 128 181 146 177 180 143 159 191 115 185 50 50 50 50
Match 4 212 139 197 172 209 164 191 182 202 167 214 134 149 140 183 202 187 209 151 188 50 151 125 140 50 50 148 156 50 50 169 171 50 50
Match 5 189 209 151 199 188 169 212 146 180 143 167 181 193 205 159 198 169 172 180 157 192 158 50 154 214 50 134 50 50 158 50 181 198 50
Match 6 214 182 214 213 185 207 164 208 125 192 171 130 144 134 176 154 50 139 189 50 125 50 149 50 141 193 50 159 197 125 170 50 194 50
Points Total 1133 1122 1108 1106 1089 1071 1057 1052 1031 1028 1011 996 995 988 950 917 905 896 896 883 856 854 853 849 825 794 793 772 753 752 752 731 699 489
Veals Winter League Nov 30th
Shore Reports Thursday 4th December Abbotsbury 19:00 – 22:30 Ollie Mears continued his outstanding consistency by coming first yet again; he has been the angler to beat all year. 1st Ollie Mears 6505 g 2nd Simon Bowditch 5835 g 3rd Pete Grinter 5290 g Most species: Steve Fowles, 4; dogfish, pout, whiting, poor cod Heaviest fish: Hugh Rathbone dogfish 890 g
Andy Neal Rover 29th November 17:00 – 23:00 Most anglers chose to fish along the Chesil with a couple returning to West Bay piers for the last hour of the match. 9 different species came to the scales. 1st Ollie Mears 7810 g 2nd Paul Grinter 7005 g 3rd Adam Cullingford 6740 g Most species: PJ wheeler, 7; dogfish, pout, whiting, cod, poor cod, flounder and shore rockling Heaviest fish: Steve Harwood cod 1415 g
Thursday 27th November Cogden 19:00 – 22:30 Plenty of dogfish, pout and whiting came to the scales along with a couple of codling, the best falling to the bait of Ken Martin at 1125 g. 1st Hugh Rathbone 6220 g 2nd PJ Wheeler 5950 g 3rd Craig Horton 5745 g Most species: Mark Wickenden, 5; dogfish, pout, whiting, poor cod and codling. Heaviest fish: Ken Martin; codling 1125 g.
1st Steve Ace – 6lb 13 3/4oz (Bristol), 2nd Darren Stevens – 6lb 10oz (Bristol), 3rd Barny Smith – 6lb 9oz (Bristol). 40 Anglers Fished.
NWASAC Ben Bradstock caught this huge Whiting of 3lb 1oz which is 200% specimen for the Dorset area.
Shirley SAC Here is the result of our latest match which was our Shore Xmas Fayre along Weston & Netley shores on 7th December. 21 members fished with 11 weighing in 20 Flounders for 6k 820gms. The best Flounder was a fish of 710gms caught by Glen Murray. RESULT. SENIORS 1. John Farnworth 4 fish 1k 530gms 2. Glen Murray 3 fish 1k 390gms 3. Tony Johnson 3 fish 740gms 4. Richard Cowdrey 2 fish 550gms 5. Nick Manning 1 fish 530gms JUNIORS. 1. Joshua Cull 1 fish 390gms This won him the Darren Groves Memorial Cup for Juniors.
Clevedon Pier SAC To celebrate their first twenty five years, Clevedon Pier Sea Angling Club held a special match on the pier which ran in conjunction with their annual charity match. Following tradition, the winner of the charity match nominates the charity of his choice. This year, Terry Varley was top man, and the Weston RNLI along with the Burnham area rescue boat (BARB) will each benefit to the sum of £170.
To commemorate the anniversary, a cut glass decanter was presented to Terry by club Chairman John Chatfield.
Match Report: Final round of 2014 Personal Members Championship, Sun 7th December, Allan Marklew F & F Match, Seacombe Promenade, Wallasey (26 rods). The final round of the series, the annual Fur & Feather Match, saw the series leader, Ian Griffiths, facing a last match challenge from two on-form anglers, Joe Perry and Bill Lindfield. Strong winds and a fierce tide run, particularly in the upriver Zone B, presented additional problems at this popular and productive promenade venue on the Mersey Estuary. As the tide flooded, sizeable codling, whiting and dabs started showing to worm and crab baits. Emily Edwards, the nine year old daughter of former champion Carl Edwards, landed some good codling and other fish to win Zone A, but in Zone B, Bill Lindfield accumulated an unbeatable 5040 gms (weight conversion) of fish to win the zone, the match and the championship, a successful defence of his 2013 title. He will be awarded the John Norbury Trophy for the series and the Allan Marklew trophy for the match, a fitting end to what must be his most successful match season yet. Also, he and wife Heather won the Pairs championship for the first time. Ian Griffiths finished runner-up in the series but will receive the Mersey Cup for his performance in matches fished in the Mersey Estuary. After the match, as is traditional, there were festive prizes for all who fished the event. Results (scored in continental style from 2 zones): 1. Bill Lindfield (Greasby), 504 pts., 14 codling, 2 dabs, 2 whiting, Zone B. 2. Emily Edwards (Bootle), 312 pts., 4 dabs, 4 whiting, 3 codling, 1 rockling, Zone A. 3. John Baguley (Wallasey), 311 pts., 8 codling, 1 whiting. 4. Phil Simpson (Pensby), 305 pts., 10 dabs, 5 whiting, 3 codling. 5. Joe Perry (Litherland), 256 pts., 7 codling. 6. Ian Griffiths (Eastham), 301 pts,. 4 codling, 3 whiting, 2 dabs. Roundfish Pool: equal, Dave Bown (Greasby) & I. Griffiths, both codling of 920 gms. Flatfish Pool: Paul Brocklebank (Wallasey), dab, 250 gms. Championship final net scores, John Norbury Trophy:
1. B. LIndfield, 186 pts. 2. I. Griffiths, 182. 3. J. Perry, 174. 4. John Waugh (Wallasey), 166. 5. equal, Heather Lindfield (Greasby) & John S. Williams (Prenton), 154. 7. J. Baguley, 149. 8. Carl Edwards (Bootle), 135. 9. Andy Hopkinson (Eastham), 124. 10. Steve Bonner (Wallasey), 117. Pairs Championship, Neil Williams Memorial Cup: Bill & Heather Lindfield, 340 points. Liverpool University/ Environment Agency Mersey Cup: Ian Griffiths, 145 points scored within the Mersey Estuary.
President Dave Cornick (left) presenting cheque to Bridport R.N.L.I. Chair, Martin Newbury.
BRAAS braas beach open pagham sun 5 april 2015 penn points penn results pagham 7 dec braas 7 dec 2014 pagham open beach results 33 people fished Dan Mogridge Portsmouth 2 whiting 1 lb 1 oz Martin Mogridgee Fareham 1whiting 1pouting 7.5 oz Darron Wilson Havant 1 whiting 7 oz 7 people caught fish total weight 2 lb 7oz heaviest fish Dan Mogridge whiting 11 . 5 oz.
Bill Lindfield and Emily Edwards NWASAC
West Bay S.A.C West Bay S.A.C. AGM Sunday 7th December Haddon House Hotel, West Bay. The new Bridport R.N.L.I. chair, Martin Newbury, attended before the AGM this year to receive a cheque for £250 which the club had raised during the annual R.N.L.I. open competition back in the summer. Mr Newbury thanked the club for the cheque and stressed that the organisation relies wholly on donations in order to operate. The various officers reported on another successful year for the club and a new family subscription rate was introduced for 2015; membership and information can be obtained from the Angling Centre, West Bay.
A cracking 2-11-0 sole from chesil for Honiton sea angling club member Barry Codling.
12 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
ILFRACOMBE / NEWS
Sea Angling News, January 2015
ILFRACOMBE CATCH PICS
It looks like the crew on Blue Fin skippered by John Barbeary of Ilfracombe had a great day afloat. Between four of them they managed 80+ spurdogs to 16lb, 20 bullhuss to 13lb 8oz, congers to 30lb and a lovely 15lb cod caught by Dan Spearman. Well done guys!
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Sea Angling News, January 2015 It’s been a fairly active month for the anglers of Alderney, two league matches have been fished as well as plenty of other sessions. The red mullet are still showing on Plattes Saline, as are the occasional Gilthead Bream, Codling and Sole. The lure fishing has also been good, with the fairly brutal weather bringing swell and a good number of bass inshore. On the odd day where the wind and swell have allowed access to the South side of the island, some good wrasse fishing has been had as well as some niced sized pollack to a little over 7lbs. A couple of local anglers have even managed to get stuck into a few nice sized tope, promising signs for a good winter season. Here’s how the two matches have gone: 28/12/2014 – Best Sole Match For our 14th league match, 11 entrants gave up their Friday night in an attempt to land the biggest sole. With a fairly strong wind coming from the South East, most of the island was unfishable, but Plattes Saline and a few rock marks in the area were nicely sheltered from the brunt of it. Whilst fishing the beach proved hard work for most anglers, Dave Young managed to find a few species including Codling, Red Mullet and a Gilthead Bream of 1.12.8. In the mean time Matt and Jordan chose to fish one of the more remote marks on the island, which proved to be a huge success, with neither of them getting so much as a bite throughout the duration of the 6 hour comp. Quietly going about his business though, Adam was having a great session fishing on Doyle with Ross. First cast produced his first ever Red Mullet and just 40 minutes before the weigh in, he managed to winkle out the only sole of the match at a weight of 1lb 1oz, another first for Adam. What makes this even better is that both Adams new species came on a rod that he had just bought from Mr Mick Maurice, a rod that Mick has claimed is cursed. I think he might be asking for it back at this rate! Match Positions 1. Adam Salmon – 1lb 1oz 06/12/2014 - Best Black Bream Match What a surprise this little match had up its sleeve! 12 anglers signed in for the nine hour roving match, all with high hope of catching a Bream over the 33cm qualifying length. Wind was in the NW at a steady 15knots and an overcast sky, not bad conditions at all. As the afternoon progressed a few fish had been caught including Wrasse and small Bream. Adam Salmon managed a small Red Mullet during daylight plus a Dragonet, an interesting brace of fish to say the least. Wally was picking out a few fish also, including
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 13
ALDERNEY
a Tub Gurnard on his worm baits. As darkness fell and the match came to a close everyone met at the signing in point. After a few close calls and Darren being the closest to the qualifying length with a Bream of 32.5cm it became apparent there were no weigher’s for this match. Well done everyone for trying…… we’ll just blame the Dolphins! League Positions after 15 matches….Just one match to fish before the fish-off, and with three anglers still battling it out for the last position, it’s all to fish for 1. Ross Johnson 158 2. Mark Harding 152 3. Matt Smith 127 4. Dave Young 123 5. Alistair Walters 111 6. Dicky Smith 108 7. Scott Audoire 96 8. Adam Salmon 90 9. Darren Braby 78 10. James Clarke 74 11. Nigel Bowditch 74 12. John Copeland 69 13. Gary Maurice 66 14. Jordan Walters 55 15. Tim Whalley 49 16. Mick Maurice 34 17. Chris Dowden 32 18. Marcus Odoli 27 19. Andy Black 21 20. Fieona Cosheril 17 21. Mark Ashton 12 22. Adam Barnes 12 23. Rob Blondin 6 24. Jasper Osbourne 6 25. Jack Gates 3 26. Angela Burke 3 Trophy Contenders Pairs Trophy (Top 5) 1. Adam Salmon/Ross Johnson 2. Darren Braby/Dicky Smith 3. Mark Ashton/Mark Harding 4. Team JC (Copeland/Clarke) 5. Scott Audoire/Marcus Odoli 6. Alistair Walters/Angela Burke
263 192 164 146 135 120
Matt 9lb 3oz Huss. Inset: Jordan pulls out a nice wrasse of the daiwa d-fins
Matt plugs away during sunset on day 2.
Heaviest Fish Trophy (Annual) Matt Smith 31-0-0 Conger Eel Most Species Ross Johnson 17
Adam Salmon 1-1-0 Sole
One of many 4lb wrasse caught on day 2. Inset: Adam Salmon 1-6-0 Red Mullet Ross 5lb 6oz Bass
Dave Young 1-12-8 Gilthead Bream
14
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
Welcome Aboard Hello and welcome aboard the ‘Fishing Dartmouth’ (www.fishingdartmouth.co.uk) column with myself, Rob Miller This month’s report The local charter boats ‘Anglo Dawn’ (Chris Roberts), ‘Outlaw of Dartmouth’ (Owen Mallia), ‘Gemini’ (Dave Harrison) and ‘Samuel Irvin 3’ (Ian Noble), and who all send me regular reports of what their anglers are catching all say there are quality fish to be had when they’re out. This month has be plagued by the bad weather so sailing times have been reduced. Mid Channel wrecks - This time of year they’re mainly targeting Cod, Pollack and Ling. Some Cod are still showing but in our area they’ll soon be out of season. The general size is good plate sized fish of 6 - 8lb but there certainly are some better sized ones in amongst them. The Ling seem to still be around but numbers a getting fewer. The Pollack are still around in numbers. Just like the Cod they’re mainly in the 6 -10lb mark but some nice conditioned fish up to the mid teens are still making a showing. The biggest Pollack this month was by Gary Johns while fishing aboard the Dartmouth based ‘Samuel Irvin 3’. Hopefully, as the Winter progress’s we’ll see some of the real big ones of 20lb plus coming up from the Western Approaches ‘Skerries Banks’ - Further inshore the ‘Skerries Banks’ are still fishing well with Plaice the main quarry. Most of the Plaice caught are smaller in size compared to recent months but still good numbers are to be caught. The good thing with a lot of anglers is they’re returning a good amount of fish to preserve future stocks. Ray are still showing with some nice specimen Blondes being caught. Garry Harding and good friend Darren Scott have been doing very well. Garrys biggest Ray this month being a Blonde Ray at 24lb 15oz 3dr but was pipped by Darren Scott with another fine fish of 25lb 4oz 15dr. Codling are being caught as well up to around the 6lb mark. Also making a showing are Spurdog with Paignton angler Paul Millman getting the best at 14lb 3oz 5dr. Something nice to see is a large Dab of 1lb 8oz 7dr for Pete Passmore. Hopefully the bigger Dabs are making a comeback This month’s Shore report Codling are making a showing from the usual marks like Berryhead and Hopes Nose. Only a few but it’s a start. They mainly seem to be in the 2-3lb mark with the occasional 4-5lb one mixed in. Whiting are also being caught but are generally small with just the occasional one hitting the 1lb mark. Saying this, Paignton anglers Mike Adkins and John Taylor had nice specimens of 1lb 8oz and 1lb 7oz 5dr respectively. Hopefully we’ll get a good run this year as they’ve been a bit in short supply the last couple of years. Flounder are being targeted with some nice specimens coming to the nets. The biggest I’ve heard of is by Jeff Bennett with a nice specimen of 3lb 1oz 1dr. This was closely followed by another fine specimen of 3lb 0oz 4dr by Brixham angler Dave Fortune while fishing the last of the BSAC’s Triple Fluke competitions. Both fish I believe coming from the Kingsbridge Estuary which is starting to produce some number of Flounders now and normally hits its peak around Christmas. The Teign will produce good numbers of Flounders still when the conditions are right. This is the time of year when specimen hunters also search out the big Wrasse. Paignton SAA member Steve Doidge landed a fine Ballan Wrasse of 5lb 2oz while fishing a local breakwater. Two local anglers Arron Churcher and good friend Carl Turnstill have been doing very well on lure caught Bass. Both anglers have caught numerous fish with the bigger ones going well into 7lb. Great fishing
Sea Angling News, January 2015
DARTMOUTH
for so late in the year. If I can get the skippers to play ball I’ll be starting a ‘Skipper of the Month’ article next month where I’ll give you my own personal experiences aboard some of the south coast’s premier skippers. As many of you will know the Fishing Dartmouth website (www.fishingdartmouth.co.uk) is a haven of knowledge for the inexperienced and experienced anglers alike with regular updates of catch reports from far and wide and has been ranked at number 3 amongst the Worlds top recreational sea angling websites. Please keep all your fishy tales and catch reports coming in, they’re greatly appreciated and will keep the website the success it has become. My email address is rob@fishingdartmouth.co.uk so keep your fishy tales coming in and the some of the best will be in future editions of the Sea Angling News. In the meantime, I hope the fishing is good and it’ll be great to see you next month.
Gary Johns pollack
Gary Johns pollack
Rob Miller © Robert Miller January 2015. All rights reserved.
Johnny Francis pollack
Joe Drew 2lb 8oz 6dr flounder
Arron Churcher 7lb bass
Kev pollack
Garry Harding spurdog
Ashley Cockram wrasse
Ken Skinner blonde ray
Pete Austin blonde ray
Sea Angling News, January 2015
DARTMOUTH
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
15
DARTMOUTH CHARTERS
Blue Water 32 Launched in 2013 - 450 hp Engine
DARTMOUTH ANGLING CHARTERS
Stuart Norrish 0 14 0 Bert Pitman 2 6 7 Bobby Drew 2 7 3 flounders
Carl Turnstill 7lb bass
Graham Dryer 2 12 12 flounder
Bobby Drew 2 7 3 flounder
16 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
WALES / NEWS
Sea Angling News, January 2015
PEMBROKESHIRE FISH WEEK 27th JUNE – 5th JULY 2015 - PACKED WITH NEW EVENTS!
Planning is underway for the 2015 Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival! Taking place between Saturday 27th June and Sunday 5th July the festival looks set to be tastier than ever! Celebrating not just the County’s abundance of seafood and local produce but also its beautiful coast and beaches, clean seas, fishing heritage and community spirit, there really is something for all ages and tastes! Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or fish fanatic the event promises to have plenty of eating out opportunities to get your mouth watering, from fish feasts to luxury BBQ’s, taster evenings , to guest chef nights and even seashore grazing menus. Other delicious events will include cookery workshops, demonstrations and master classes Already confirmed to feature is Celebrity Chef Dean Edwards from ITV’s Lorraine program, look out for more chef announcements in the new year! Dance off your meal with live local music, or to satisfy your appetite and adrenaline why not try kayaking or Coasteering with a seashore lunch. There are also lots of great family activities to enjoy. Children can
participate in art and craft sessions, crab catching or beach and river exploring. And from rock pools to rock music head to Pembroke Castle on Saturday 4th July for Kings and Queens of the Castle band night. Throughout the week there will also be plenty of leisurely outdoor activities to whet your appetite from guided coastal walks, boat and fishing trips, cycle hire to seashore foraging sessions. For the keen angler there will be fishing competitions with lessons and taster days for beginners and those simply wanting to improve their skills. The festival will begin with an Opening event at Milford Fish Docks on Saturday 27th July, with plenty of stands, chef demos, cookery workshops, live music and hands on family activities plus tasty dishes to sample in the Blas-y-tir’ Feast on Fish popup restaurant. With plenty more exciting events soon to be confirmed, keep up to date by visiting: www. pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk following us on Twitter: @pembrokeshirefishweek or liking us on Facebook: Pembrokeshire Fish Week Pembrokeshire Fish Week is organised by Pembrokeshire County Council and part-funded by the Welsh Government.
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Sea Angling News, January 2015
NEWS / WATCHET / BRISTOL CHANNEL
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 17
James the taxi, with a nice cod - Seafire II
Richard Reynolds and his son went fishing aboard their own boat Sheila B from St Thomas Head near to Sandpoint Weston Super Mare. Son Jack who is 8 years old caught his first ever thornback ray weighing in at 10lb caught on a simple running ledger set up with a whole frozen squid. Also he caught a 10 1/2 lb cod also on a running ledger set up on a lug worm tipped with squid.
Rob, 17lb cod - Seafire II
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
Flapper, shapwick sac, double figure cod - Seafire II
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CENTRE
53 SWAIN STREET WATCHET LIVE & FROZEN BAITS SEA & FRESH WATER TACKLE Glynis, from watchet, spotted ray - Seafire II
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BRISTOL CHANNEL / MINEHEAD
Sea Angling News, January 2015
BRISTOL CHANNEL BOAT by James Wigglesworth So it looks like winters here at long last. Things have been pretty difficult this last week with many charters having to be cancelled due to these strong winds and swells. One such trip was the annual Minehead Cod Challenge. This was a huge disappointment to everyone involved especially the organisers but the decision was made to postpone the event until February. We will bring you a full report how the competition unfolds in the March issue. Those that have managed to get out have been seeing some fantastic results with numbers of cod increasing day by day. During the run up to December we were seeing some nice double figure fish but they all seemed to be very long and lean, however in recent trips they really seem to be piling on the weight as expected having gorged themselves on the herring and sprat shoals with some nice plump cod coming aboard. As well as the big cod there seems to be a good head of smaller codling around which are always a welcome catch. Get your worm and squid baits down there and see what you can tempt. It could be 2lb, it could be 22lb you never know. I’m still waiting to hear of the first thirty pounder of the year to be caught but I’m sure it won’t be long now as January looms. This seems to be the month when all the big girls
show themselves. On the Watchet grounds they’ve been experiencing some great fishing with Shaun Anning skipper of Seafire reporting several double figure cod, some nice whiting up to 2lb, plenty of thornback rays, a scattering of ling and some surprise haddock. It’s a pretty rare sight up in these parts of the channel and several of the Watchet boats have reported catching them. Nothing huge but fish to 2.8lb is very much a welcome sight. Down the other end at Ilfracombe their main focus at this time of the year is the spurdogs on the offshore marks. There are plenty of these around now with most trips accounting for at least two dozen. They are all a similar size at the moment with the majority of the fish being in the 6-10lb bracket but I’m sure as the season goes on that we will be hearing stories of upper double figure fish so we will look forward to that. Previous to these storms Alykat Too of Minehead managed to get out to the mid channel areas and locate some spurs, again nothing huge but great fun with congers and some huge bullhuss making up the rest of the catches. Good luck to everyone who’s planning a trip this month. Let’s hope for some settled conditions so we can all get out there and drop some lead.
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Mike Smith 14lb thornie Alykat Too
John Waring 16lb blonde Alykat Too
Liz With Bullhuss AlyKat Too
Alan Jaynes Bass AlyKat Too
Chris Peacey & James Thomas pair of double figure cod Alykat Too
Phil 'the teeth' Lewis 14lb cod Alykat Too
Pete Stanbury 11lb cod Alykat Too
Sea Angling News, January 2015
MINEHEAD / BRISTOL CHANNEL
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 19
BRISTOL CHANNEL SHORE REPORT By Craig Butler of West Coast Tackle Before I waffle on, I would like to wish you all a totally awesome Christmas and new year, or I hope you all HAD a totally awesome Christmas and new year, depending when you are reading this report. Well what do you know ???. A week before Christmas and there they are bang on Q!! The better cod in the 4-8lb bracket have made there presence very well know. Plus, days before I tapped up this report on my iPad. There has been several double figure cod caught from a number of venues from Bossington to Portishead that I know of and every day or so another one is mentioned. Especially between Bossington and Hinkley point. And further up channel around Clevedon as well. This year, has really got to go down on record for being A classic Bristol Channel cod year throughout. With the masses of codling that have moved right up beyond the Severn bridges (something missing on this scale for a good few years). And an extremely healthy number of codling from Porlock Weir to Watchet with the addition of the better stamp as mentioned. I've been scratching my head in confusion recently, as to why. When I have been out on the beaches, a good few times this last month I literally have had the whole beach to myself or between at least a few mates. Admittedly this has mainly been mid week. Not to mention the fantastic opportunities on offer on the neap tides when it seems the average angler packs his rods away til the spring tides as he thinks the cod fishing is not good. To be honest this is way far from the reality of it. And I urge those anglers to make the most of all tides and take negative internet reports with a pinch of salt. Just because someone doesn't get a bite, at say for example, on Watchet harbour it doesn't mean you won't bag up the next day there. Similar could be said by seeing a common 10 codling catch from Dunster beach one day. The next day you may not do so well ,but the odds are in your favour. Right here's one for you !! Experienced anglers and tackle shop staff will understand this. As many of you know I work at West coast Tackle on Minehead harbour and I have the great pleasure in hearing of the many great catches caught local to me and on what baits (and even those secret squirrel ones). But this one particular issue had me rattling in disbelief. I lovely couple of chaps popped into the shop recently after hearing the harbour wall has been throwing up a good few codling and they wanted to get in on the action. They asked advice on bait . I suggested 8oz (£8) of lugworm between them for the codling to get them going, and if they need more they could walk the 30 meter walk back to me for more. Simple and cheap at £4 each I thought. But no !! They didn't want to pay that for some lovely fresh worms, it was to much money for what you get. Fair enough its their choice. So they ask me for 2lb of squid 4 packs of mackerel 2 packs of Sandeel's and a pack of bluey!!! Bonus!! £20 odd quid in the till ideal I think. Three hours past and one of them pops up for a mug of tea and a choccy bar and creates merry hell that he's only caught a pin whiting and its nonsense about the cod reports from the harbour, and the bait they brought was no good for codling!!!!. I politely explained what I advised earlier and the reply was " you would say that, to sell us your bait "!!!OH MY DAYS!!! I thought you just brought £20 odd of bait that's not working!!! I was speechless!! I could go on but I think you get the picture lol. Right back to the fishing. And the prospects are looking pretty darn good if your a winter cod angler. If your a fare weather fisherman. You stay tucked up at home and keep warm my darling's so there's more for those that have salt water running through their veins . Illfracombe to Aust. Aust to Illfracombe and more or less everything in between has potentially the chance of cod and codling as they can and will turn up in the most unlikely places at the most unlikely times going on past and present times. The mild weather has kept the bulk of the codling tight to the shoreline and with the odd flash frosts the bigger cod have and will move in after dark looking for the crab and shrimp that has moved off the shore line due to cold snaps. Mineheads White mark area over low water is a favourite mark and had produces 4 double figure cod the past month or so, the 18lber mentioned last month plus a few 10-12lbers have been caught early and mid December . Also the harbour wall at Minehead has seen 2 10-12lbers caught and countless codling recently.The low water reef systems from Watchet to Hinkley are a no brainer for a double figure cod over the next month or so. With several good cod already been caught and tidy bags of 5-8lb fish showing up if your lucky enough to find them.
Somerset Angler Craig Pope has continued with some fantastic shore caught fish this past month with a belting 16lb1oz Thornback Ray caught from a West Somerset shore mark. This is believed to be one of the biggest Thornbacks to be caught from the beaches of the channel for a good few years. Well done Craig from the S.A.N team
THE BRITTANIA INN ALCOMBE The Britannia Inn is one of the oldest free houses in the Minehead area serving real ales in a traditional environment. we serve great food & offer angler friendly accommodation George the bass has been struggling to find the bass the last month. So got stuck into the modest run of better 4-7lb cod that have turned up in half tidy numbers along the coast at Minehead (week before Xmas) with the 2-3lbers.
The Britannia Inn, Manor Road, Alcombe, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6EH
TEL: 01643 702384 - www.britanniaalcombe.co.uk You can't beat a passionate cod kiss on a cold winters night. Caught from Minehead harbour recently. Several 6-10lbers have been steadily been caught this past month from this inform harbour wall.
The lower light, Brean Down, Sandpoint, ladye bay ledges, are all worthy hot spots that will have a decent cod or two moving about out there, but sprat can be a pain in the butt at times. High water around the Severn bridges should remain good for some tidy bags of codling with fish to 5lb along with the 2-3lbers plus some excellent flounders are to be hard in the area. Back down to Minehead and the Whiting are still not showing properly and it remains to be seen if we will see some respectable catches as of yet it's just one or two upto around the 12oz to a lb mark. There's still plenty of time as the sea temperature around Minehead is between 10-11 degrees still, and the dog fish are still fairly thick on the ground. As they move off we may see the Whiting move in like in past season, we will just have to wait and see what happens. Anyway there's more than a good reason to get out and bag a decent fish or two over the break and into the new year so all the best. Tightlines and happy hunting into 2015.
The biggest perk of the job for me, is seeing my customers catch lovely codling like this from the gas works beach at Minehead meters from the tackle shop door.
Honiton S.A.C member Greg Jackson with a cracking 10lb9oz Cod caught from the inform Bristol Channel.
The Bristol Channel has got to be one of the most consistent places in the country this year with catches like this so common they don't even get mentioned. This catch was caught by Bristol angler Steve Parsons in mid December.
20 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
CHANNEL ISLES / SHOREHAM / ESSEX
THE ANGLERS DEN
Sea Angling News, January 2015
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Angler Steve Gannon caught this thick-lipped grey mullet of 5lb in Bristol
Sea Angling News, January 2015
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Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 21
WEST WIGHT
PRIVATE VENTURE
WEST WIGHT CHARTER BOATS
Fast Cat out of Lymington fishing the Needles area. Channel wrecking, reef fishing, 3 to 7 day Channel Island trips, Needles Cod - Bass fishing. Evenings individuals - parties
Tel Arthur Savage 02380-897111 Boat 07702 607216
WEST WIGHT REPORT By Arthur Savage Another month of poor weather; lots of days in port not knowing when the next fair day would arrive. The gales and big seas have churned up the bottom once again, with more discoloration in the water. Most of the boats have managed a few days at sea between blows and the results have been good; over ten (10) 30lb plus Cod coming to the scales from Charter and Private boats, along with various other sized Cod right down to 4½lb, which is a good sign for next years season.
followed the same trend, going offshore over the smaller tides and returning when the tide started to build back.
We started this month with a fair run of Channel Whiting, but they seemed to evade us over the smaller tides (going against the normal trend); however, on the bigger tides, if you could find them, there were some bumper fish up to 4lb to be had. Conger
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2015.
Channel Whiting Pete Warren SAC Private Venture
Cod. Neville from Andover Private Venture.
The month has been consistent with last month producing many Rays; Thornback, Blonde and Spotted in reasonably good numbers (these fish were returned to the water). We also boated some fine Undulate Rays, with the best one topping the scales at 22½lb, which were also returned.
www.lastlaughcharterfishing.co.uk Individuals/Small & Large Groups Catered for email: johntomkat1@hotmail.com Mob: 07796023881 Owner: John Skeggs Port: Lymington Needles; Reef Fishing Channel Wrecking Channel Islands & Cherbourg Trips
Tight lines - A A Savage - Skipper – “Private Venture”
LAST LAUGH REPORT
Channel Whiting Private Venture
Cod. Jeff from Portsmouth Private Venture
Needles Cod Rob from Romsey Private Venture. Record breaking Undulate 22.5lb Colin from Farnbrough Private Venture
With another year coming to an end, we have seen many highs and lows through out this season. The mackerel appeared then disappeared, the cod seem to be following the same trend. South of the Needles: Although this last month saw a handful of 30 pounders including a whopping 37 pounder caught on Greg Pitt's boat “Osprey”, in general it's been a real lottery. Perhaps the cod and whiting are high in the water feeding on sprats or maybe they are just not there ? We still have several weeks left to target that 40 pounder. You will not catch it, sat at home in the arm chair ! There seems to be plenty of codling in the Solent. To
catch these you need to down size your baits,you will not go far wrong with squid strip and black lug cocktails. Probably the only certainty this year has been the bass fishing,which is still producing fair results. My annual “Catch and Release” bass competition, went all the the way to the wire and was won with a bass weighing 14lb 9oz caught by scaffolder Robert Hulme. Congratulations Robert on returning such a magnificent fish. I would like to finish by thanking all of my customers for supporting me throughout 2014. Tight Lines John Skeggs (Last Laugh / Lymington).
22 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
NEWS / WEYMOUTH
Port Report What an amazing month November was with its unusually mild T–shirt wearing conditions which persisted to the final day of the month. Bassing in the Portland Race and on the Shambles Bank itself produced some outstanding fishing mainly on the Snowbee blue and white Stinger lures or on live mackerel when they could be caught. There were several special days when the bass were mainly double figure fish and plenty of days when the bass were much smaller but each angler could get into double figures in quantity. As always, it is to be stressed that bass fishing in the Portland area is demanding. The bass often come on the feed right in the middle of the choppy seas of the Portland Race. Wet weather gear and a steady pair of sea-legs are essential as is good preparation of the required tackle. The last thing anyone wants to be doing is fiddling about in their tackle box with waves breaking over the boat as the skipper resets the drift. Get to know the rigs and have a few at the ready. If your team is not the best in a choppy sea, let your skipper know as there are other areas which can produce bass in calmer conditions to which you can be taken. In July to late October, bass sessions are broken up by anchoring or drifting for bream and plaice. By the end of October the plaice and bream have usually gone. Not this year though. Conditions were so mild that even the last anchoring sessions of November in the Portland Bill area produced very fine catches of black bream on the squid/mackerel strip baits. November is the month that the Adamant Bank comes into its own. This is great as the Bank is just 30-45 minutes from Weymouth Harbour so there’s stacks of actual fishing time to enjoy. There’s been a very good run of whiting, plenty of strap conger but with a few over 30lb and various rays with blonde and undulates in the main. There is a vague chance of a cod on this Bank and an occasional turbot crops up.
Sea Angling News, January 2015
JUNIOR WINNER
2014 was an outstanding year for fishing. We experienced excellent cod on the wrecks, very good pollacking from both wrecks and reefs and amazing conger fishing for those who like a good scrap. The Weymouth Conger Festival enjoyed a brief moment of National fame as featured on BBC1’s ‘Channel Patrol’ programme as did the bassing out of Weymouth in Episode 7 of the same series. The plaice fishing continued to amaze us all and the Autumn bassing was superb. The Channel Island trips continued to be very popular with its flatties, bass, pollack, bream and tope sessions. Weymouth emerged as a star on the International, European and World competition stage playing host to four major events in September/October with competitors telling us it was the best fishing they has ever experienced and those fortunate enough to visit Weymouth regularly for their sea angling should be very aware that they have an absolute treasure of a place available to them.
Weymouth Angling Society junior member Ethan Casey (aged10) caught this 16 lb 1 oz Undulate Ray whilst fishing the last monthly shore comp of the year. The comp was held on Chesil beach an Ethan went on to catch a total of seven species with a total weight of over 30 lb. this was the heaviest weight landed by any angler in the comps this year also the Ray was the best specimen over the year.
Thank you to all of you who do recognise this ‘treasure’ and we look forward to welcoming you next year. (If any readers have any questions regarding any of some highly contentious comments on any Sea Angling forums which appeared in November or on any troubling rumours which may be circulating then please address questions/comments to me directly as the Weymouth and Portland Borough Licensed Skippers’ Association Sea Angling representative. If I cannot answer questions directly then be assured I will bring them up at our Association meetings and provide you with an accurate and informative response. Email me direct pwhittall@aol.com as required)
The Shambles becomes good for the above species in late November and both banks will retain these species well into January and maybe into February. December will remain lively for bass (they stay later and later….often into February before the next ‘bass season’ begins in late March), whiting catches will increase especially from the Abbotsbury marks to the west of Portland and there is more chance of cod from these westerly marks. The reefs around the Stennis area south of the Chickerel Bridging Camp are always noted for their variety of species but are probably the most likely areas to catch cod on the drift.
Skipper's brother, Denver Simmonds, travelled all the way from San Francisco to catch his PB 9lb Bass off Portland aboard Fish-on 2..... Fish-on!!!!
‘Winter’ has always been associated with wrecking for Pollack. Now is the start of the new Pollack season and the offshore charter boats will be heading south in search for this species which I traditionally regarded as being in its best condition. As this year has been so full of surprises, who knows what the wrecks might throw up. Bass are very likely but maybe there are still a few cod about. A very popular time in December is the week between Christmas and New Year. The Weymouth boats will be offering wrecking and inshore trips, often on an Individual basis. If the weather is OK, then what a great time to have a day at sea and escape the inevitable over-indulgence of ‘the season of Goodwill’. Once it got going after all the awful winter storms,
Charlie Brown, stand up comedian from High Wickham with brace of 8lbers caught aboard his favourite vessel, Fish-on 2 from Weymouth.
Lewis Mann with a late season bream caught aboard Fish-on 2 out of Weymouth.
Sea Angling News, January 2015
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 23
WEYMOUTH
OFFSHORE REBEL CAT, Cop 60 miles, licenced/insured for 12 anglers, Channel Islands, wrecking specialist fishing trips Tel: PAUL WHITTALL on 01305-783739 Mobile: 07860-571615 *SAN CHARTER BOAT OF THE YEAR 2000*
Phone for free newsletter & individual list Contact my web site on:
68 year old Betty Moore from Weymouth caught this Blonde Ray weighing17.2lb from Chesil Beach. Half a mackerel Fillet using a Mustard Viking Bass Rod, Shimano Aerolux Reel GT8000 on a 2.0 hook on a running ledger rig with 14lb fireline braid. This is the one and only blonde ray Betty has ever caught.
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WILD FRONTIER II Skipper: Clem Carter 36 ft South Cat MK2 60 mile COP.
Tel: 01305 773377 www.sailorsreturnweymouth.co.uk Email: mail@sailorsreturnweymouth.co.uk
Daytime Tel. 01305 823474 Mobile No: 07967029031
Email Wildfrontier@deepsea.co.uk ATLANTA
Reef, Wreck, Shambles & Kidney Bank fishing. Individuals, Parties, Beginners welcome. 60 mile COP, Licensed & Insured. Tel: DAVE PITMAN 01305 781644 Boat 07721 320352 www.deepsea.co.uk/boats/atlanta
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24 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
RAYMARINE
Sea Angling News, January 2015
Sea Angling News, January 2015 ANGLING TRUST SLAMS EU BASS SHAMBLES AS ANYTHING BUT A 'FAIR DEAL' Following the government’s failure at this week’s European Fisheries Council meeting to secure an agreement on threatened bass stocks, the Angling Trust has stepped up its campaign for urgent unilateral action to protect bass stocks in UK waters. The Trust has written to UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice seeking an urgent meeting to discuss a timescale for the introduction of national bass conservation measures. The recreational sea angling sector, which is worth £2.1 billion and 23,600 jobs to the UK economy, feels badly let down by the government which has persistently refused to take unilateral action on the basis that an EU breakthrough was pending. To make matters worse, Ministers are claiming to have secured "a fair deal for fisheries", despite the failure to take any measures on bass in response to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas’ (ICES) recent call for an immediate 80% reduction in bass landings to avoid a total stock collapse. Since 2004 sea anglers have been calling for domestic measures in UK waters including: • Raising the minimum landing size for bass from 36cms to at least 45cms to allow fish to breed at least once before harvesting • Strengthening and enforcing the UK's network of bass nursery areas and giving greater protection to estuaries. • Moving away from indiscriminate netting towards line-caught methods that are more selective and environmentally friendly. • Limiting the weekly catch per commercial boat. Last month, Fisheries Minister George Eustice, in response to a Parliamentary question from his predecessor Richard Benyon MP, said: "When it comes to bass, I can tell him that we expect
NEWS / RESULTS
to have an important breakthrough in December. We have always said that there should be technical measures. The stock has been fished unsustainably and there is a tentative proposal, which we expect to be raised at the December Council, that will look at both bag limits and catch limits, so that we can preserve this vital stock." Martin Salter, National Campaigns Coordinator for the Angling Trust said: "George Eustice was told time and time again that his strategy of leaving it to Europe to agree long overdue measures to rebuild bass stocks was fundamentally flawed. With ICES calling for an 80% reduction in bass landings we have to ask just how bad do things have to get before the government starts reducing unsustainable over fishing in UK territorial waters?” George Hollingbery MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group, has today tabled the following parliamentary question seeking action on UK bass stocks: “Following the failure of the December European Fisheries Council to agree any measures to protect sea bass stocks in line with the ICES recommendation of a 80% reduction in landings does the Secretary of State have any plans to unilaterally introduce domestic technical measures to reduce bass mortalities and allow stocks to rebuild?” Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust added: "This is very disappointing news but we feel that that the government has now run out of excuses for putting off introducing domestic measures on bass minimum landing sizes, more nursery areas and increased protection for estuaries. The Angling Trust will be working with supportive MPs in Westminster to step up our campaign for meaningful action to save British bass stocks on behalf of a million sea anglers. Once again we have seen yet another example of politicians across Europe failing to do anything other than manage the continued decline of our precious fish stocks."
British Record (rod-caught) Fish Committee Announces New Records and Notable Fish The BRFC met at Fishmongers’ Hall, London, on 4th December 2014. Present were: Mike Heylin OBE (Chairman), Nick Simmonds (Secretary), Oliver Crimmen (Scientific Advisor, Natural History Museum), Nigel Hewlett (Scientific Advisor, Environment Agency), David Rowe (Angling Trust – marine specialist), Keith Speer (Angling Trust – freshwater specialist) and Andrew Nellist (Angling Trust – freshwater specialist)
The following claims were ratified by the committee as new records: Species
Record weight
Captor’s name
Date caught & venue
Previous record
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)
4lb 8oz (2.041kg) Shore-caught record
David Backler
14/05/2014 Orford Ness
4lb 0oz 7dr
Black-faced blenny (Tripterygion delaisi)
2.95 grams Nina Frapple Mini-species record
18/06/2012
N/A
Greater Weever (Trachinus draco)
1lb 9oz 6dr (722 grams)
Paul Robinson
Porthtowan, Cornwall
1lb 8oz 10dr
Thin-lipped mullet (Liza ramada)
6lb 15oz (3.147kg) Boat-caught record
Gerald Gavey
19/07/2014
6lb 9oz 6dr
Thin-lipped mullet (Liza ramada)
6lb 15oz (3.147kg) Equal boat-caught record
Derek Kane
27/07/2014
Notes from the meeting: *The Committee would like to take the opportunity to remind readers that anglers are invited to submit claims for fish to be included on the Notable Fish List. *The Notable Fish List has been established to record exceptional captures of sea fish when it is not possible to accurately verify the weight of the fish. *This may be because the fish has been caught and returned from a boat, or as in the case of Craig Mackay's skate, is too big to weigh on the shore when the fish is to be returned alive, in which case the dimensions of the fish are taken and the weight estimated. *The Committee would also like to remind readers that claims are invited to establish DNA verified records for roach, rudd and crucian carp. *Claims may submitted at the following or greater weights: Roach - 3lb 12oz; Rudd - 3lb 12oz; Crucian Carp - 4lb 8oz. *An angler catching such a fish should remove one scale from the fish from the area between the lateral line and the dorsal fin. *The scale should be cut in half using a clean blade and one half sent to the BRFC for testing, while the captor should retain the other half. *The Committee is not intending to withdraw the currently recorded records for these species and will maintain record listings for fish identified from photographic evidence only and also for fish whose identification has additionally been verified by DNA test. *The Committee would also like to advise readers that in the event of the capture of a potential record fish, the captor should first contact the British Record (rod-caught) Fish Committee without delay. *Captors of potential record fish should contact the Secretary, Nick Simmonds, at the Angling Trust, on 01568 620447 or by email at brfc@anglingtrust.net Nick will record the details of the capture and advise the claimant on progressing the claim.
Waters Warm, and Cod Catch Ebbs in Maine By Michael Wines And Jess Bidgood Portland, Me. — In the vast gulf that arcs from Massachusetts’s shores to Canada’s Bay of Fundy, cod was once king. It paid for fishermen’s boats, fed their families and put their children through college. In one halcyon year in the mid-1980s, the codfish catch reached 25,000 tons. Today, the cod population has collapsed. Last month, regulators effectively banned fishing for six months while they pondered what to do, and next year, fishermen will be allowed to catch just a quarter of what they could before the ban. But a fix may not be easy. The Gulf of Maine’s waters are warming — faster than almost any ocean waters on earth, scientists say — and fish are voting with their fins for cooler places to live. That is upending an ecosystem and the fishing industry that depends on it. “Stocks are not necessarily showing up in the places that they have in the past,” said Meredith Mendelson, the deputy commissioner for Maine’s Department of Marine Resources, which regulates fisheries. “We’re seeing movement of stocks often north and eastward.” Regulators this month canceled the Maine shrimp catch for the second straight year, in no small part because shrimp are fleeing for colder climes. Maine lobsters are booming, but even so, the most productive lobster fishery has shifted as much as 50 miles up the coast in the last 40 years. Black sea bass, southerly fish seldom seen here before, have become so common that this year, Maine officials moved to regulate their catch. Blue crab, a signature species in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, are turning up off Portland. In decades past, the gulf had warmed on average by about one degree every 21 years. In the last decade, the average has been one degree every two years. “What we’re experiencing is a warming that very few ocean ecosystems have ever experienced,” said Andrew J. Pershing, the chief scientific officer for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute here. A warmer ocean is not merely a matter of comfort or discomfort for creatures that dwell there. Scientists suspect that some species struggle to spawn when the temperature fluctuates. Others may spawn at the wrong time when food is scarce. Freshwater from melting arctic glaciers may be altering levels of minerals crucial to plankton, the base of the gulf’s food chain.
6lb 9oz 6dr There is a human toll as well. Cod-fishing restrictions have ravaged, at least temporarily, the community of day boats — the ones owned by small-business fishermen, with smaller boats and incomes than corporate trawler fleets — that defined New England for centuries.
The following fish was added to The Notable Fish List: Species
Weight / measurement
Captor
Date & place
Common Skate (Raja batis)
Estimated 226lb (Length 87 inches, wingspan 74 inches) Shore-caught
Craig Mackay
15/06/2014 East coast of Scotland
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 25
“They’ve been tied up at the wharf since Nov. 13,” the day of the cod-fishing ban, said Angela A. Sanfilippo, the president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association. The group is handing out $100 food vouchers to newly indigent fishermen. “A good amount of our industry just became poor people,” she said. Joe Orlando, 60, who fishes from a Gloucester, Mass., base, said the effect of the ban was terrifying.“It’s completely, completely over,” he said. “I got a house, kids, payments.” But many other fishermen do not blame climate change. They blame the regulators, calling the moratorium cruel and needless, because they say their latest cod catches are actually better than in recent years. More than a few talk of a conspiracy between scientists and
environmentalists to manufacture a fishing crisis that will justify their jobs. Scientists say the truth is more prosaic: Although the gulf is generally warming — 2012 was the hottest year on record — the last year was cooler, and kinder to cod. Moreover, the gulf’s remaining cod have congregated in deeper, colder waters in southern Maine and Massachusetts, where their abundance masks their scarcity elsewhere. “A fisherman’s job isn’t to get an unbiased estimate of abundance. It’s to catch fish,” said Michael Fogarty, the chief of the ecosystem assessment program at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that monitors sea life. “The world they see is a different world than we see in the surveys.” That said, much about warming’s effect on the gulf remains unclear. Years of overfishing have winnowed some fish populations, muddling efforts to measure climate change’s impact. Fishermen, scientists and regulators often disagree over whether the current changes are temporary or the new normal. And in fact, the latest warming is not unprecedented. Weather records document a steady, if slow warming of the region’s waters since the 1850s, and a 50- to-70-year climatic cycle set off unusual ocean warming in the 1950s. A similar cycle is believed to be heating up the northwest Atlantic today. But scientists say those cyclical effects are now being turbocharged by human-caused climate change. The gulf has been at least two degrees warmer than its historical 50-degree average in each of the last five years. In 2012, it measured four degrees higher, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If that is a clear win for sea bass, and a loss for cod, the consequences for some species are not so easily tallied. Take lobster, Maine’s iconic seafood. Thirty years ago, the best lobstering was in Knox County, the center of Maine’s ragged seacoast. Today, the lobstering powerhouses are places like Stonington, an island town two counties closer to the Canadian border. “We did pretty good lobstering — better than the guys down east,” said Mark Brewer, 43, from Boothbay, in the southern half of the state, referring to his hauls 20 years ago. “Now they control all the lobsters.” Not all, actually, for the lobster catch has skyrocketed across the gulf. Last year, lobstermen hauled in more than 63,000 tons — more than three times what they caught just 20 years ago. “We’ve had record years, year after year after year, just growing and growing,” said Chris Radley, 40, who has lobstered for 18 years on Vinalhaven, a tiny island in midcoast Maine. “This amount of lobsters we’re seeing, I don’t think there’s ever been.” One reason may be that lobsters migrate from deep to shallow waters in the spring when the temperature rises; because the gulf warms earlier than in the past, lobsters spend more time close to shore, where they can be trapped. Scientists also suspect that warming has driven away predators. But warm water is also conducive to a bacterial infection that strikes lobsters’ shells. Shell disease is not a problem now in the gulf, but it lurks. The record warmth in 2012 led to an outbreak off the Maine coast, and the infection has sped the collapse of lobster populations farther south. “It makes lobsters really ugly — like something that crawled out of the walking dead,” said Dr. Pershing, of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. “It doesn’t kill them outright, but it does make them much less valuable, and it slows reproduction.” Scientists are not yet predicting that Maine lobsters will go the way of the cod. But they say the very idea should prompt the fishermen and regulators alike to plan for change before it arrives.
26 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
TRONIX PRO / DEVON BAITS
Sea Angling News, January 2015
THIS MONTHS FEATURED BAITS
SANDEELS
UNWASHED SQUID
MINI BLUEYS
MINI MAC'S
Sea Angling News, January 2015
FIXTURES / SNOWBEE
MATCH PLANNER ISAC 2014 – East Hampshire League R12 – Saturday 13th December at StokesBay, Gosport from 2-7pm Venues may be amended at short notice due to weather and other beach conditions. For further details contact ISAC on 07786-962540 or at www.isacangler.co.uk
Veals Winter League 2014 Date Sun Nov 30th Sun Dec 7th Tues Dec 9th
Book-In 10:15am 5:00pm 6.15pm
Fishing Venue 11:15am - 3:15pm Aust 6:00pm - 10:100pm Littleton 7:15pm - 11:15pm Littleton
Best 6 from 8 Matches Last 2 Matches at Littleton All matches pegged 1 Rod 3 Hooks NO WHITES OR MADDIES £50 League Entry / Best 6 matches from 7 Optional Pools on Day 100% PAYOUT PLUS PRIZES PRE-BOOK ONLY TO FISH AS OPEN’S £12 entry all in (Includes Zone, Pool & G/Peg Steve Tel: 0117 9260790
Bognor Regis Amateur Angling Society open beach competitions bognor regis amateur angling society open beach competition sun 5 april 2015 0930 to 1430 to 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 oap / junior pools flat £1.00 round £1.00 penn points cash prize subject to entry tel john small 07799 762377 after 5pm
2014 Chesil League 6th Dec Chesil Centre 4-9pm Booking on commences 2 hours before match start time and finishes 1 hour before match start time In the event of adverse weather conditions, the back-up venue of Preston beach will be used League Membership £25.00 (paid out as EOS awards) Match entry £15.00 (split as follows) £12 zone cash prizes £1 HF pool (each zone) £1 Overall match winner pool Pre-book only, contact: Dave 07977132951, Ant: 07729830478, Ian 07736004714
Rovers Tackle 2014 Matches 2014 Pegged Thursday Evening Matches Measure @ Return, Entry Fee £7 Payout 3 Longest Bags – Longest Fish – 50% 30% & 20% Only One Prize Per Angler Per Section Flat/Round Fish – One- Off £5 Payment Longest Flatfish And Roundfish Of Series – Eels/Garfish Excluded Fishing 8pm – 11.30pm - Peg Numbers Drawn In The Shop Pre- Book Only – Latest 5pm On The Day Date Venue High Tide December 4 Lee-On-Solent 9.39 Pm
All Anglers Fish At Their Own Risk Pembroke & District Angling Club, Haven Angling Group, Neyland & Osprey Sea Angling Clubs Present the
12th ANNUAL AIR AMBULANCE OPEN AT AMROTH on
SUNDAY 4th JANUARY Fishing from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM 1st Prize £200 PLUS OTHER PRIZES ALL PRIZES FOR HEAVIEST BAG (Flounder only) ENTRY £5.00 + £1.00 POOL FOR HEAVIEST FLOUNDER Also Team of 2 pool, £2 per angler, both to weigh in GRAND RAFFLE ON THE DAY WITH MANY PRIZES BOOK – IN FROM 8:30 AM AT AMROTH ARMS (By Kind Permission of Mr Roger Harris) SCALES CLOSE 3:00PM PROMPT PENN 2015 SEA LEAGUE POINTS CONTACT JOHN O’CONNOR ON 01437 563552 Fishing between markers only. No rod stand on beach, except stewards, until the angler has booked in. The Committee reserve the right to refuse entry & in disputes, their decision will be final
Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com 27
28 Email: editor@seaanglingnews.com
RESULTS / TACKLE SHOPS DIRECTORY
Sea Angling News, January 2015
TACKLE SHOPS DIRECTORY ALDERNEY ALDERNEY ANGLING 32 Victoria St., Alderney GY9 3TA Tel/Fax: 01481 824884 Mob: 07781 130304 Email: mark@alderneyangling.com Website: www.alderneyangling.com
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
DORSET BOURNEMOUTH FISHING LODGE, 904 Wimborne Rd., Moordown, Bournemouth BH92DW Tel. 01202 514345 www.bournemouthfishinglodge.co.uk 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 Fax 01305-788881 ABBOTSBURY FISHING TACKLE Rodden Row, Abbotsbury Weymouth DT3 4JL Tel 01305 871199. Delivery service to beach available. WESSEX TACKLE & GUNS 321 Wimbourne Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 3DH 01202 668 244 CHESIL BAIT N TACKLE 77 Portland Road Wyke Regis, Weymouth Dorset DT4 9BE Tel: 01305 766222, www.chesilbaitntackle.co.uk CASTAWAYS 76-78 Ashley Road, Parkstone Poole BH14 9BN Tel: 01202 739 202 CASTAWAYS 85 Coles Avenue, hamworthy Poole BH15 4HJ Tel: 01202 674 596 SEA FISHING POOLE, Fishermans Dock, Poole, BH15 1HJ Tel: 01202 679666 / 07891 669489
ESSEX COLCHESTER BAIT & TACKLE, Harwich Road Colchester CO4 3DQ Tel: 01206 860649 www.colchesterbaittackle.co.uk
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 KINGS PET SUPPLIES & FISHING TACKLE, 3 Middle Park Way, Havant, Hants PQ9 4AB Tel. 02392 478899 Mob. 07738291772 LONI’S ANGLING CENTRE 119-123 Old Milton Road, New Milton, Hants BH25 6DP Tel. 01425 616323 MANNINGS FISHING TACKLE 33a London Road, Widley, Waterlooville PO7 5AS Tel/Fax 02392 373073 ROVERS FISHING TACKLE 178a West St., Fareham, Hants PO16 0EQ Tel. 01329 220354 Fax 01329 829040 roverstackle@yahoo.co.uk LYMINGTON FISHING TACKLE Chrystals of Lymington, 27 b, St Thomas St,Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9NE Tel. 01590 689203 POINGDESTRES Unit 11, Southampton Trade Park, Third Avenue, Southampton, Millbrook SO15 0LE 023 8077 2958 www.poingdestres.co.uk
KENT DOLPHIN ANGLING CENTRE 11-13 Queens St. Gravesend. 01474 355440 JOHN'S TACKLE 26 Dover Rd. Deal CT14 7JW 01304 389859 SEAGULL FISHING TACKLE 4 The Parade, Greatstone, Romney Marsh. 01797 366837 THE ANGLERS DEN 10 Franklin Road, Gillingham Tel. 01634 852180 ANGLERS REST 42 Park View Road Welling DA16 1RT Tel: 020 8303 3155
SOMERSET VEALS FISHING TACKLE, Brunel Rooms, Unity St. Bristol, BS2 0JP. 01179 260790 THEYERS 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 FISHING TACKLE WAREHOUSE Unit 1 Warne Park Warne Rd Weston-super-Mare Somerset BS23 3TP Tel: 01934 782407 WESTON ANGLING CENTRE 25A Locking Road, W-S-M, North Somerset, BS23 3BY 01934 631140 email: westonanglingcenter@hotmail.co.uk CADBURY ANGLING Cadbury Garden Centre Smallway Congresbury Smallway North Somerset BS49 5AA Tel: 01934 875733, cadbury.angling@g-l.co.uk | www.cadburyangling.co.uk
SUSSEX
FRESH BLACK LUGWORM £24 PER 100 PLUS NEXT DAY DELIVERY
TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME ALL BAIT DUG ON DAY OF POSTAGE CALL NICK MAY
01424 717082
ALDWICK ANGLING, 25 Nyewood Lane, Aldwick PO21 2QB Tel/Fax 01243 829054 www.aldwickangling.com HOOK LINE & SINKER, 54 Sackville Road, Bexhill-on-Sea. Tel. Steve 01424 733211 www.hls-fishing-tackle.co.uk NEWHAVEN ANGLER Unit 2, Villandry, West Quay, Newhaven BN9 9GB 01273 512186 SQUIRES FISHING TACKLE 25, Southwick Square, Southwick, West Sussex Tel: 01273 592903 THE ANGLERS DEN 6 North Road, Pevensey Bay, East Sussex BN24 6AY Tel: 01323-460441 TROPIKOI - Aquatic and Angling Centre, Chalcraft Lane, Bognor Regis PO21 5UA Tel/Fax: 01243 842660 LAGOON BAIT& TACKLE, 327 Kingsway, BN3 4LD Brighton - Email: Lagoonbaithove@gmail.com
THAMES ESTUARY BRIAN DEAN FISHING TACKLE 46 Pallister Road Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1PG 01255 425992
WALES TELBOY’S TACKLE Amlwch, Anglesey Tel. 01407 832965 www.telboystackle.co.uk ANGLESEY BAIT CENTRE Gallows Point, Anglesey, LL58 8YL Tel: 01248 810009 All advertising shops are automatically included, but any other shop wishing to be listed can be for just £20 per month. This will give you your shop's name, address and phone/fax number and a bundle of the Sea Angling News each month.
PHONE : 07764150648 OR EMAIL: EDITOR@SEAANGLINGNEWS.COM