Issue 181  JUNE 2010

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ANGER OVER BASS FOR CASH

Angry beach anglers are up in arms over reports that rod and line fishermen are taking away far too many bass and selling them on the open market.  They complain that the somewhat belated bass boom along the Norfolk and Suffolk coast has tempted the commercially minded to take advantage of a growing demand for a species that is regarded as high quality seafood in local fish restaurants.  And the latest information on the north Norfolk angling grapevine suggests that the money-driven rodmen have been cashing in by taking away up to 40 prime fish caught on lures cast out from Cromer pier.

At present there are many school bass around the 40cm mark, some of them clear of the 36cm size limit and fit for the pan. However, the specimens being targeted for market are in the 4-6lb range and it is reported that a batch of these were barrowed to the tradesman's entrance of local eateries and exchanged for a handsome three figure cash sum.  The practice of angling for financial reward rather than fun is nowadays frowned on by the recreational side of the sport. And although the Bass Sport Fishing Society has campaigned vigorously to step up bass fishery protection and up the size limit to 45cm for commercial and sporting fishermen this has not been supported so far by the European Fishery Ministers.

At present anglers can retain as many bass as they wish while observing the statutory size limit. A notion that rod and line fishermen should be subject to a quota system was abandoned simply because there was a lack of man power to enforce a regulation that would not be accepted voluntarily.

Even so, in this enlightened 21st century increasing numbers of beach anglers are aware the conservation of most fish species is a major issue and thanks to the BASS campaign more of this sporting species are being returned alive to the North Sea. John Lambert who runs specialised sea fishing tackle and bait counters at his Avenue Angling shops in Norwich and Beccles is himself a dedicated bass angler and concerned about dwindling fish stocks.

He said: “Many of my customers return the great majority of the bass they catch, perhaps taking just one sizable fish for the family table.  “A lot of caring sea fishermen that visit my shops are angry over the reports that some anglers are taking away dozens of fish from North Norfolk beaches and selling them to the catering trade.”  He concluded: “There are reasonable numbers of bass right now feeding on peeler crab but I suspect most of the quality fish will be gone and out of beach casting range within the next few weeks. In the mean time I would urge anglers to treasure the breeding stock for they represent their future sport.”.

The Bass management plan makes seven recommendations to support and conserve the species: A commercial licence for retention, the introduction of a carcass tagging system, bag limits for unlicensed fishermen and anglers, a closed season to protect spawning stock, an increase on minimum landing sizes, no go fishing in nursery areas and further near shore netting restrictions.

Report by Roy Webster

The Individuals Sea Angling Club, ISAC were granted the honour of representing the Angling Trust at the 18th World Shore Championship for Clubs. The 2010 competition attracted 17 teams from 9 nations and was hosted by the Portuguese Federation, FPPD in the Algarve from 1-8 May. The team representing ISAC were Captain; Steve Deathe (Southampton), Ian Dancey (Waterlooville), John Brown (Southampton), Ally Harvey (Warnham), Darren Newlands (Newport) and Team Manager Trevor Sutch (Portchester).

The ISAC team would like to thank their sponsors, Ultramarine, John Parker at the The Tackle Warehouse, George Cunningham of TronixPro, Julian Shambrook of Anyfish Anywhere, Andy Selby of Weymouth Angling Centre, Christchurch Angling Centre and Dave's Tackle Gosport. Most importantly we would like to thank the ISAC membership for their many emails and text messages of support and to Ian Golds, Darren Phillips and Callum Graham for their practice session with the team prior to our departure.

Dinks Ash from Landport, Portsmouth with the 84lb tope he caught on Dave Chapman's Starfish out of Langstone Harbour. The fish was weighed onboard and returned alive to the Solent to breed and get even bigger next year, even though it beat the current record of 82lb 8oz. Dinks is our Shakespeare boat prize winner this month.

Nigel Bowditch managed quite a few Mullet recently, some better than this 8lb 8oz fish. Nigel wins our Shakespeare shore prize this month.

Full competition details here

Sponsored by SAMALITE & ZZIPLEX, Supported by DENNING TACKLE and THE SEA ANGLING NEWS

* Samalite & Zziplex prizes *100% League entry cash payout * Prize Table

Dates Venue Times HW T

12th June Ferrybridge 6.30pm - 11.30pm 19.45 2.1, 17th July Cogden 7pm - 12pm 23.50 1.9, 14th Aug Ferrybridge 7pm - 12pm 22.51 2.2, 4th Sept Cogden 6pm - 11pm 15.14 1.5, 30th Oct Masonic 7pm - 12pm 00.22 1.6, 27th Nov Abbotsbury 6pm - 11pm 22.22 1.6, 11th Dec West Bexington 5pm - 10pm 21.53 1.5

No matches will be cancelled, back up venue to be Preston Beach. Angling Trust rules apply. Payment: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each zone / 1st 2nd 3rd overall. League membership will be limited to 100. Membership to league no later than 20th February 2010. £20.00 to join the league will go to end of season payout along with sponsorship prizes. 100 percent payout. Non league members will not be eligible for the end of year prize table. Match fees £10.00 entry plus £1.00 heaviest fish. Last entry on the night will be 1 hour before the match starts. Pre-book only. Any other information please ring Denning Tackle 01305 783145.

Discount Fishing Tackle supplied by Tacklebargains

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