ALDERNEY* BRIGHTON* BRISTOL CHANNEL* CHESIL* DARTMOUTH* EAST SUSSEX* HAMPSHIRE* HUMBER TO THAMES* KENT* NORTH EAST* NORTH THAMES ESTUARY* PLYMOUTH BOAT* POOLE* SCOTLAND* WALES* WEST SUSSEX* WEST WIGHT* WEYMOUTH*
ALDERNEY REPORT by Mark Harding
If Normans paper relied on my report this month it would be a very thin paper indeed! If you're not familiar with Alderney and its idyllic little paradise in the English Channel then it would be hard to understand how you can have such a fantastic fishing venue whereby hardly anyone goes fishing! It's amazing. Christmas shuts the door on most of the activity and Spring opens it again, where does everyone go? There is a stack of fish about, mainly Bass, as demonstrated by the local netters filling their boots. Operating in small boats close to the island they work when the weather allows, watching them it is clear there is a lot of fish around the island. I guess we are lucky to have so few people here so as the fish stocks continue to be strong so it does enable us anglers to catch and enjoy our sport.
Bass are prolific at the moment with local rods able to catch well in to double figures the amount of fish. As January disappears and February progresses the average size of the fish drops away but as an example 23 fish were landed by one rod a few days before this report, all under 4lb. Last month most of these would have been 2lb 8oz to possibly 7lb. Worms are your best choice of bait legered on pulley rigs or up and over rigs. Squid baits will test your patience knowing there is plenty of Bass swimming by but it will pick out the bigger specimens and it will also pick out any Smoothies around. Plugging for Bass though has died a thousand deaths much to the annoyance of the purists with many blank sessions. Normally we find that soft lures are better than hard plugs. Pearl Storm shads, Savage Gear sandeels and Sidewinders all work. Having said all that the best Bass since my last report was a beauty of 12lb 14oz which fell to local angler Frank Cusado on a plug! Frank is known for his big fish exploits but even this shore caught fish was a tremendous surprise.
Elsewhere there have been Sole caught throughout the month in amongst catches of small Bream, Pout, Pollack and Poor Cod. The very odd Red Mullet and Codling have been caught. Reports one night of Tope smashing in to squid baits off the Breakwater but the anglers didn't have the right gear to land them. A missed opportunity that sounds like. No doubt these visits from the Tope are more frequent than they appear to be, as mentioned before most fishing marks including this easily accessible venue being laid empty most of the time instead of having a dozen or so rods along its 800m. Small Eyeds are normally well worth targeting at this time of year too. Alderney is renowned for its Mullet fishing in the Winter but they really are down on usual numbers, very hard to spot fish at the moment.
Next month hopefully we'll see one or two efforts regards the boat fishing if the weather allows. There may well be some early Turbot on the banks, there will be Tope on the usual marks or the other option is to get on to the wrecks close to the island for some winter Pollacking.
A reminder regards the Alderney Angling Festival to be held 2nd-9th October this year. Details available through the shop on 01481 824884 or email mark@alderneyangling.com. Take a look at my site too as this week there is a Committee meeting so anything new I will update here on www.alderneyangling.com by the time this report makes print.
Bookings in general are going well for this year so once again many thanks to those of you that take the time and trouble to choose Alderney as your angling destination. You can be sure of a warm welcome and cross fingers some excellent fishing.
BRIGHTON MARINA BREAKWATERS by Dave Grinham
Returns next month
BRIGHTON MARINA BOATMAN'S ASSOCIATION By Alan Edwards "Royal Eagle"
Don't worry, the summer is just around the corner! and all the fishing that brings. On the few days we have been able to get out the fishing is still up to standard, with plenty of good cod around, and still not having to travel far for them either. Some very nice flatties have started to show as well. The whiting have been not so good this season, and for that matter the doggies have been absent from the count. As l write this some boats are venturing out on to the deep water wrecks for the first time on the hunt for pollack, watch for the report next month with an update. If you can't get a trip sorted then please call me on 07840 057471, and if l can't help, l'll find you a boat that can.
We were enjoying great fishing on Duke IV early in Jan with a fish a chuck, Whiting, Pout and Dogs and amongst all this the Cod. They seemed to be very mobile, here one day somewhere else the next. A strong tide stream was when you got the Cod. The smaller fish would slow off and then up comes a Cod then maybe a couple more then back to the smaller stuff, the tide slacken's so we move find a bit more tide and we are back amongst the Cod. Keeps the fishing interesting and we are lucky here at Ramsgate with the English Channel meeting the Thames Estuary and the North Sea on our doorstep there is always a good tide somewhere. Lug and Squid the bait of choice with whole Squid next. Then the sprats moved in! I have never seen them so thick! The sounder would show a constant line of them around 15 feet below the surface and at times the screen would show them as the seabed so thick are they in places.
With all this fodder around its hardly surprising that the Cod along with everything else has come up in the water to feed on them, totally ignoring our baits. The fish I think, are here but we cant catch much at the moment. The upside of this situation is that the fish are having a good feed and putting on weight so we can look forward to some good Codding when the sprats move on, this should be anytime now! Where do all those sprats go the rest of the year?
Plenty of spent Skate purse’s on the beach so the Skate must be here, although we are only getting the odd one. The weather hasn't helped either, with the water temps dropping to around 41'f. Skate will move into the area in large numbers throughout Feb and March and good catches are possible. They are still an ‘at risk species’ so its good policy to return what’s not required in particular the females, every little helps as they say!
March will also be the start of our spring run of Cod and if last year’s was anything to go by should be a good one. They should stay around through April, then gradually move offshore to the wrecks. The Bass, Hounds along with all our summer fish will be heading our way by now So to sum up, once the Sprats move out we should have some excellent spring fishing to look forward to, so dust off your rods and get down here, do some fishing!
Check out our website www.fishingramsgate.com for a trip out on Duke IV.
WEST SUSSEX REPORT By Mike Perfect
Returns next month
LITTLEHAMPTON REPORT by Neil French
Returns next month
www.spiritofarun.co.uk neil@bandelectronics.co.uk Tel 01243 582299, Mob. 07831 848561, Fax 01243 585294
WEST WIGHT REPORT by Arthur Savage
Returns next month
DARTMOUTH REPORT By Mike Concannon
FISHY CONTEMPLATION
Sea angling during this Winter has turned out to be rather a hit or miss affair, with strong winds still keeping many private and charter boats on their moorings. The occasional day when the winds abated allowed them to get to sea, but that has far too often coincided with very small, or exceptionally high tides, which are not the most conducive conditions for successful wreck fishing in mid-Channel. Sometimes those calm days have unexpectedly materialised from nowhere on a mid-week day, when boats were not booked.
Shore angling has fared little better. I have received unprecedented levels of Emails and 'phone calls from pals who have tried their luck on the beaches, only to find their lines quickly fouled by loose floating seaweed, or washed back in, further along the beach, by a combination of wind and tide.
Please can we have a long calm sultry Summer, to compensate and let us all enjoy our sport to the full?
It occurs to me that the Pollack, caught from the mid-Channel wrecks, which I have seen during this Winter have been fine fit fish, but generally not of the great size we have become used to in previous seasons. A 17 lb Pollack has been an exceptionally good fish this season on rod and line. We have seen very few bigger fish of 20 lbs plus this year.
We used to see Cod of 30 lbs plus, but though there have been more Cod in evidence for the past couple of seasons, their year class size is generally far smaller. Many of the Cod which have been caught by rod and line anglers over the past couple of seasons have been in the 7 to 14 lb class.
It does beg the question whether Pollack are lately suffering the same fate as Cod? After all, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Gordon Ramsey, to name but two, did champion Pollack as the new Cod, on their celebrity chef TV programmes. Pollack now sells in the fishmongers, for a similar price to Cod.
I really hope that this is a "blip" on the horizon and not the direct result of commercial over-fishing decimating the once prolific stocks. We have local Trawlers and Gill Netters working hard in our local area. We even have a pair of big Gill Netting boats out of Grimsby, working our waters off our South Devon coastline as I write this. All of these boats brave far rougher seas than anglers in private or charter boats could ever contemplate. These commercial fishing interests, have businesses to run and mortgages to pay.
Our marine resources are undoubtedly finite. If they are removed faster than they can successfully reproduce, then we are heading for yet another melt down. The early signs of this with Bass, were that the general stock of fish was smaller in size. Those big fit BASS in the peak of breeding condition are far less often seen, yet organisations such as CEFAS, the scientific arm of DEFRA, reported to the Minister, that Bass is a "sustainable biomass". Is our hard fighting Winter Pollack going the same way?
Yes, the Marine Bill is now UK Law and will provide the legal framework within which projects will move to the Statute book. Europe is introducing changes to its Common Fisheries Policy. DEFRA has consulted on "The way forward", to state its fisheries policy for the next 20 years. Some Trawlers are just starting to use more environmentally nets.
Natural England is in the early stages of protecting selected marine reef habitats of particular scientific interest. In the South West, the "Finding Sanctuary" project is close to completion of its data collection stage. Soon its working group, derived from all branches and persuasions of marine stakeholders, will contemplate where marine species and habitats should be better protected. It will present the result of those deliberations to the Minister in 2010.
The former local Sea Fisheries Committees will hopefully include a broader spectrum of representation, with members drawn from the scientific and recreational sectors. The balance should change, but will it? Do we need more ACTION NOW? Have the various deliberations been laboured too much for far too long?
Enough of my soliloquy. Let's go angling.
WINTER POLLACK
"Samuel Irvin 3" mid-Channel Wreck Pollack - Sunday 17th January, I spent a really excellent day afloat, with some great friends whose company I thoroughly enjoy, fishing the mid-Channel wrecks out of Dartmouth, aboard Ian Noble's local charter boat, the big white and blue Blyth 33 catamaran, "Samuel Irvin 3". With the recent weather problems and the trauma of moving house, it was the first time I had been to sea for all of 3 months. I realised today just how much I have missed my angling and the many friendships that it brings. The sea conditions were uncomfortable lumpy, but it really didn't matter. We were perfectly safe. So what's a modicum of discomfort, compared to a day blowing away the cobwebs in the best company any man could ever wish for?
We fished a big wreck in 240 feet of water and the lads were straight into good quality fish, Pollack interspersed with an occasional Pout. The preferred lure seemed to be 4 or 6 inch "Sidewinder" soft lures, in blue, white or green. These were not huge fish, but were primarily big silver fresh run Winter Pollack, which gave an excellent account of themselves on reasonably light tackle.
John Hernaman, from Saunton, was quickly into fish which typically ranged between 6 lbs and 16 lbs. John caught most of his fish on the 4 inch "Sidewinder." A new pal, Mike "The Pigeon" Parker, from Maesteg, in South Wales, also soon got into some excellent fish, which included several fine Pollack. It must have been easy, even though I only managed to fish for two drifts, as I was kept busy taking photos and helping the other guys to net their fish alongside the boat. I did manage to catch a beautiful hard fighting Pollack, which greedily seized my blue coloured 6 inch "Sidewinder" as I was still lowering it towards the wreck. It was not a huge fish, perhaps 12 or 14 pounds in weight, but it certainly gave a rough, tough, account of itself, as it made repeated headlong dives towards the wreck, which lay rusting on the ocean floor.
As the run of the tide slowed towards slack water in late morning, so did the eagerness of the fish to feed. We moved on to another wreck, where we joined Dave Harrison's Dartmouth charter boat, "Gemini" and Owen Mallia's charter boat, "Outlaw of Dartmouth" who were already fishing the mark. The breeze was against the tide after it turned which slowed our drift and made it less than simple to present a lure effectively. You guessed it, we were in Pouting City.
Fortunately, the tide picked up, the breeze eased a little, and the Pollack began to feed. Dennis Grady, from Maesteg, was quickly into several fine Pollack, including this example. This kept everyone amused and generated lots of good humoured "mickey taking", as Dennis had snoozed up until this point. Brian Dean from Torquay fished from the front Port bow position on the boat and caught his fair share of good quality Pollack, including this, his best fish of the day, which was hooked on a white 6 inch "Sidewinder" soft lure.
Geoff Whitmore from Croyde, is another long-time angling pal, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. Geoff normally out-fishes most others on the boat, but today was not his day. His beautiful Penn boat rod snapped as he hooked a Pollack. Geoff was mortified, so I lent him my rod and reel, rather than struggle to get a boat rod out of its storage bay, deep in the hull of Ian's big catamaran on such a sloppy sea. Geoff persevered, despite my tackle, and his very silly hat, he was eventually rewarded with a fine Pollack. It wasn't big, but it was beautiful as it glinted in the late afternoon sunlight, and most importantly, it was his.
All too soon, the light of late afternoon began to fade. Ian called out, "last drift" and everyone reeled in at its conclusion. Tired but very happy, we headed back to Dartmouth, where we disembarked in darkness. I had certainly forgotten what Winter Pollacking involves. My appetite has been re-awakened. I look forward to getting out to sea again before too long, weather permitting, to do it all over again. Thanks Ian for being a great "Skipper" and thank you lads for your excellent company and companionship.
"Outlaw of Dartmouth" mid-Channel Wreck Pollack - Email received today from Owen Mallia, who charters his Vigilante 33, "Outlaw" out of Dartmouth. Here's what Owen wrote: As you are undoubtedly aware, as our boats were practically neighbours for the majority of the day, we too were out and about on Sunday 17th January on "Outlaw", trying to catch a good day out angling, in between all of the poor weather of late. Unfortunately three of our original party from the West Midlands called me at 5.am, broken down on the M5, waiting for their fate with the AA, so my best wishes go out to them, hope to see you safely down here soon guys.
Although the wind conditions could have been kinder at first, the day improved throughout and the bright sunlight was a welcome reminder that when you do get the sun out at sea, it really makes all the difference and improves everyone's morale, irrespective of the fishing! Talking of which ...... Today was one of those steady days that never really 'took off'. The wind and opposite tides were mildly challenging for us to obtain a text book drift, but with a little common sense, we were able to provide a good days sport, for those that were able to join us. We did expect an improvement once the ebb tide started to run harder, but somebody forgot to tell the fish! Thankfully all of our party had their own moment of brilliance and each one of them managed to connect with one or two larger fish, in addition to catching many new 'Winter' fish that were in beautiful condition, ranging from 8lbs - 14lbs.
Allan Painter and Carl Jones, the two lads who joined us from Caldicot in Wales, were in fine form and upheld a very competitive spirit with one another throughout the day. It's still undecided whether Carl or Allan took the coveted 'Pouting King' trophy back over the Severn Bridge, but just to uphold their dignity, I took some photos of them, with some of the fine Pollack they also hooked up with. Thank you to the anglers, who joined us today for an entertaining day out on Outlaw of Dartmouth, can't wait to go again.
"Gemini" Pollack - Saturday 23rd January, Dave Harrison was at sea, fishing the mid-Channel wrecks with a party of anglers from Blandford SAC, aboard his Dartmouth charter boat, his big orange coloured hulled Blyth 33 catamaran, "Gemini". Dave Emailed several photos of the lads, who enjoyed another successful day amongst those Winter Pollack, which were partial to "Sidewinder" and "Shad" style soft lures.
Brixham SAC "Silver Sea" Pollack - Sunday 31st January, laid low with bronchitis, I missed out on a trip with the lads from Brixham SAC, aboard "Silver Sea", chartering out of Brixham, Skippered by local RNLI Torbay Lifeboat Coxswain, Mark Criddle, who is also a member of Brixham SAC. My good pal, Jason Upham, kindly sent a fishy tale and piccies of the day afloat. Here's what Jason wrote: We had a Brixham SAC club charter trip, with Mark Criddle, aboard "Silver Sea", to fish the mid-Channel wrecks, despite an absentee. It was a good day with plenty of banter. The best fish was a Pollack of 16-5-1, which fell to Graham Dryer's rod. This takes the "1st specimen of the year from boat" trophy in the club. Also on the boat was Jason Hemmings, who caught several nice Pollack on an orange "Sidewinder" lure. Jason added, this was a 'bugger', as I told him on the way out that orange probably wouldn't work.
"Happy Days" Pollack - Email received Sunday 31st January, from my pal, Aaron Lidstone, who charters his Starfish "Happy Days", out of Dartmouth. Here's what Aaron said: I've been out to sea with the Saltash Mad Lads, fishing the mid-Channel wrecks today. It was a steady old day really, with a nice few Pollack, although the size was well down on recent trips and the best fish were just about double-figures, to maybe 12 lbs. The fish were not committing suicide today though and we would catch 4 fish one drift then 3 drifts for nothing, strange. Hopefully things will be on the up next trip, with the best fishing still to come. All our fish were caught on "Eddystone jelly" soft lures.
DARTMOUTH SUNSET
"Sunset" is a new Dartmouth charter boat. My good pal Jim Davis, used to own "Outlaw". ("Outlaw" is now owned and Skippered by Own Mallia, and still offers excellent angling charters out of Dartmouth - you can see his advertisement and read of his recent exploits on these pages).
Jim has bought himself a spectacular new boat, "Sunset", which he intends to charter out of Dartmouth, commencing at Easter 2010. "Sunset" is a very big boat indeed. She is a "Trader 41", fitted with a pair of 420 HP Caterpillar diesels. When built new, just a couple of years ago, she cost in excess of £280,000. She really is a very special USA built and designed sport angling boat, with plenty of room aboard. Very smart. Jim is presently in the process of having her coded by the Marine & Coastguard Agency, for charter use. Jim has promised to update us on progress and availability and cost of trips in due course. You will probably need to dig fairly deep into your pockets to charter her with a group of friends, as Jim's prime market is corporate entertainment on this very up-market powerful craft.
"SALTWIND" SOLD
For the past couple of years, Lloyd Saunders has been advertising his Dartmouth charter boat, "Saltwind of Dart" for sale on www.findafishingboat.co.uk . I note that she no longer appears for sale on that site. Word of mouth rumours which are presently circulating, suggest that she has been sold to Dave Riddels, a local pleasure boat operator, who will use her for wild life viewing tours and some fishing, from alongside the Embankment at Dartmouth.
Read Mike Concannon's full Dartmouth report with photos in this month's SAN
HAMPSHIRE COASTAL REPORT By Allan Watson
Well what a couple of months we've had, plenty of bites to be had but a lot of them are what you'd call nuisance fish, small whiting, flounders and immature bass but at least it keeps the rod tips moving. Everyone's looking for a plaice next month and as long as the weather improves the bigger bass should start to show.
Allan's Marine Silver Anniversary Open
Yes, this will be the Allans Marine Open and run by the usual group of anglers. I was hoping that news would not get out before I could verify all arrangements properly e.g. council etc. However:
The date will be 21 Mar 1000-1500.
100% payout Cash and prizes plus anything else I can get my hands on. First prize subject to entry but will be £1000 and other as usual if all 200 pegs taken.
Entry will be £15.00 plus £5.00 Optional Pool.
200 Pegs/5 zones.
Venue: Stokes Bay(40), Browndown (80), Lee on the Solent (80). Pegs for those with genuine disabilities will provided close to parking in all zones, SAMF Rules measure and return to weight, fish over 45 cm excluding Smuts/Dogs (will still use chart) will be weighed.
SAMF Masters Qualifier and Penn Points (subject to confirmation)
Gosport and District Angling Club have kindly allowed us the use of their club for booking in and presentation. There will be a raffle and food will available at the book in.
Pre book through Allans Marine only 02392671833
For those Eastney fans that may think to criticise the venues: All of the proposed beaches (even the far end of Lee) have always been as good if not better than Eastney for Plaice and nowhere is the fishing as bad as certain parts of the previous venue. In addition, if there is any colour in the water we could be in danger of a proper fishing match rather than the usual lottery. It would have been nice to have kept the venue the same but it was just not possible.
Rovers Stoke Bay Open 22 pegs
A mixture of flounder, bass, rockling and whiting kept the rod tips moving in the latest Rovers match at Stokes Bay and Mick Goodger returned 220cms of fish to win the match with Darren Phillips runner up with 198cms and Chris Clark in third spot with 132cms. Longest fish of the match was Darren Phillips’ flounder of 32 cms while Tony Methuens 28cm whiting was runner up.
Southsea SAC
Fogarty Cup
Although there were no cod landed on this match there were bags of pout and whiting and Doug Gray landed 8lbs 10ozs to win this one with Tim Warren runner up with 8lbs 3ozs fishing by the Nab and Culver. Although the cod have thinned out a little there are some great pollack and whiting to be caught and some anglers think they taste just as nice as cod.
Foster Cup "Heaviest single Flounder"
15 Anglers in heavy frosty conditions fished various harbour / creek locations around Solent and found it a real hard task with only a single returned by Mark Farley weighing 1lb 3ozs. The next match is the plaice competition on April 18th so fingers crossed a few spotties turn up.
PLYMOUTH BOAT REPORT By Geordie Dickson
The angling and commercial fleet have been informed by Sutton Harbour Holdings that they have been told by H.M.C that the practice of claiming back the fuel duty for these boats was to stop as from 10/1/2010, and that these boats would be required to claim the duty back from H.M.C direct.
Basically this means that at the pump the skipper has to pay an extra 10.8p per ltr for his fuel and then claim it back. One proviso is that before he can do this he has to be owed £250, with the possibility that this amount might be increased to £500. We all know just how long it takes to get any back payment out of a government organisation, so I doubt if we will get any repayment for quite a few months and at a time when most boats require every penny that they can get. So why change a system which has worked for years?
Seems to me that they are just causing more paperwork for themselves and for the boat industry, or is it in order that they can accumulate large amounts of cash into their coffers, even if only for a short time? Just think of large trawlers which take on thousands of ltrs of fuel each trip, add to this all the other commercial and angling boats in the country and you will see that the amount must be mind boggling.
Smaller more economical boats are even worse off as they will take much longer to accumulate the £250 refund and if this increases to £500 will have a hump on their backs when paid. Just hope I get a visit from my M.P before the next election.
Let’s now get down to the matter in hand and see what has been happening down this neck of the woods.
Now that the weather is on the up and we are seeing more days when it is possible to get to sea, the boats which are still on the water have been finding the fishing to be hard work. The Mackerel shoals have for some reason disappeared from both inshore and offshore grounds, so anglers are warned to bring bait with them until the Mackerel return.
The wreck fishing has been very patchy with boats having to move quite a bit to find any fish. But we must be aware that the fish are now spawning, and when they are at that state of life they have other things on their minds. There are fish to be caught as we have proved on C-Cheeta on the last two trips, but one must be prepared to go the distance. Valentines Day saw us fishing a wreck in Hurds deep and although the best fish was a Pollack of only 17 lbs, most of the 100+ fish catch were around the 14-15 lb mark. Garry Johns from Western –S-Mare who had organised the trip told me that the party had really enjoyed the trip and that some of the members who ran their own boats in the Bristol channel were very impressed with the boat and the fishing they had. So much so that they are coming back next week to have another go, subject to the conditions
Malc Jones' Sea Angler is in the shed at the moment undergoing her winter fit out. He tells me that he has laid a new deck and has removed the aft seat to give his anglers more room and that the cold weather has been a nightmare with curing times but they are nearly there now.
Ian Holman’s Bounty is being replaced by a 33’ Evolution, the present boat has served him well over the years and he thinks its time to move on to a bigger boat offering his passengers more space. Roy Strevens new boat, a 9-mtr catamaran that he fitted out himself, is now operational and has completed her first trips, and I think Roy is quite pleased with her.
Over weekend of the 24th and 25th of July the Plymouth Boatmen will be running a two day Conger Competition and I now have the full details. Boats involved are Tamesis, Sea Angler, Bounty, Crusader, Mirage, Secret Star, and C-Cheeta. Boats will carry only a total of 7 anglers each day allowing plenty of room. Wrecks or reef up to 35 miles out will be targeted, the skipper deciding were to go on the day.
With a first prize on offer of £1,000, second prize of £500 and a third prize of £250 you will require booking early, as there are only 57 places available. Interested parties and individuals should contact MALCOLM JONES on 07977097690 for entry forms
I’m away for 32 days as from the 23rd of March, the other half is taking me on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean for 14 days with a break in Miami before joining another Cruise, crossing the Atlantic, calling in at the Azores, Madeira, Portugal, and Spain before docking at Southampton on 25th of April.
I’ve arranged for Malcolm Jones to stand in for me for the April issue so let’s hope the weather is a lot warmer then.
EAST SUSSEX REPORT by Kevin Morgan
ANDERIDA CLUB
On Wednesday 13th January Anderida held a club match in Pevensey Bay, the weather was cold and still and after the snow fishing turned out to be very difficult. The winner with two flounders for a weight of 2lb 4 ½ oz was Steve Dell, also winning the biggest fish prize with a flounder of 1lb 5oz. Second with a single flounder of 1lb was John Lee and third Ian Mostram with a flounder for 9 ¼ oz. The heaviest round fish was a ling of 3 ¾ oz for Marco Marsiglia. Unfortunately there were nine blanks out of twenty anglers.
On Saturday 13th February Anderida Club held an evening beach match in Pevensey Bay, with 23 anglers fishing including 4 juniors. The winner fishing her first ever beach match was ten year old Abbie Vine. Abbie caught a flounder and three rockling for 1lb 12 ½ oz, including the biggest fish, a flounder of 1lb 4 ½ oz. Second with a whiting, dab and rockling was Paul King with 1lb 10oz. Third Marco Marsiglia with 1lb 3oz and fourth Macaulay King with 1lb. The heaviest round was a whiting of 6 ½ oz for Marco Marsiglia.
Ian Golds prize winner, Abbie Vine with winning flounder Full SAN competition details here
EASTBOURNE ANGLING CLUB
On Sunday 31st January The E.A.A. Club held a match with first prize sponsored by Steve Domsalla building. The winner of A zone and over-all winner was Martin Sherwin with 1lb 10oz, Martin won £250 plus £40 pools money. Second in A zone was Richard Cowderoy with 1lb 7oz, and third Ian Hopper with 1lb 4oz. B zone winner Colin Carey with 1lb 7oz, won £100 plus £40 pools. Second in B zone Gerald Sargeant with 1lb 3oz and third, Brin Homewood also with 1lb 3oz but less fish. The heaviest flatfish was a flounder of 10oz shared between Ian Hopper and Tom Jarrett. The heaviest round fish was a 10oz whiting for Dave Basterfield.
DAIWA EASTBOURNE SEA LEAGUE
On Thursday 14th January The 4th Daiwa Eastbourne 5 man league was fished, again the fishing proving very difficult. A Section 1st Luke Grote with 11 ½ oz (Tony's Tackle), 2nd Paul Parsons (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 8 ½ oz. B Section 1st Nick May 11 ¼ oz ( Zziplex Match team), 2nd Steve Dell 7 ½ oz (Anderida B). C Section 1st Ian Hopper (Anglers Den) 14 ½ oz( Anglers Den), 2nd Steve Gatehouse 14 oz (The Terminus). D section 1st Martin Sherwin 1lb 8oz (Anglers Den Piscatorials), 2nd Tony Waters 8 ¼ oz (Tony's Tackle). E section 1st Dave Dawson 12oz (Anglers Den), 2nd Phil Ollif 7oz (Zziplex match team). On the day the top team were Anglers Den with 43 points, second Tony's Tackle 40 points and third Anglers Den Piscatorials with 33 points. Over-all The leaders are Zziplex Match Team with 154 points, second Anglers Den with 152 points, third Anglers Den Piscatorials with 148 and fourth Tony's Tackle with 142.
On Thursday 28th January The 5th round of The Daiwa Eastbourne league was fished in Pevensey Bay. A zone winner James Cowley (Anderida B) with 1lb 7 ¼ oz, second Paul Parsons (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 1lb 6 ¾ oz. B zone winner Kevin Morgan (Anglers Den) 1lb 14oz, second Jamie Morgan (Anderida A) 1lb 9oz. C zone winner Ian Hopper (Anglers Den) 1lb 5oz, second Phil Taylor (Anderida A) 15oz. D zone winner Martin Sherwin (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 2lb 1oz, second Keith Hesling (Anderida A) 1lb 7oz. E zone winner Gerald Sargeant (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 1lb 4oz, second Tony Kirrage (Tonys Tackle) 14oz. The biggest fish winning a Daiwa reel was a 9 ¼ oz whiting for Ian Hopper. On the day Anglers Den Piscatorials won with 42 points, second Anglers Den with 40 points and joint third Zziplex Match and Anderida A with 39 points. With one match to go 3 points separate the top three in the league, Zziplex match with 193, Anglers Den 192, Anglers Den Piscatorials 190 and fourth Tonys Tackle with 167.
The sixth and final Daiwa and Eastbourne sea league match took place on Sunday 7th February, with three teams all within 3 points going into the last match. A zone 1st Glyn Morgan ( Anglers Den) 1lb 13 ½ oz, joint 2nd Budge Booker (Anderida All stars) and Paul Parsons (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 13 ½ oz. B zone 1st Steve Dell (Anderida All stars) 2lb 3oz, 2nd Kevin Morgan (Anglers Den) 1lb 6 ¼ oz, 3rd Jamie Morgan (Anderida A) 15 ½ oz. C zone 1st Brett Green (Zziplex Match) 1lb 10oz, 2nd Ian Hopper (Anglers Den) 1lb 2oz, 3rd Macaulay King( Anderida All stars) 10 ½ oz. D zone 1st Joe Plumstead (Zziplex Match) 1lb 11 ½ oz, 2nd Jim Whippy (The Terminus) 1lb ½ oz, 3rd Martin Sherwin (Anglers Den Piscatorials) 1lb. E zone 1st Nick May (Zziplex Match) 2lb 2oz, 2nd Barry McWilton (Anderida A) 1lb 15 ½ oz, 3rd Paul Cox (Anderida All stars) 1lb 9 ½ oz. The majority of the fish caught were dabs and rockling with some whiting and two flounders. The biggest fish winning the Daiwa Mag reel was a dab of 12oz for Nick May.
The top team on the day were Anglers Den with 42 points, 2nd Zziplex match with 40 points and joint 3rd Anderida All stars and Anglers Den Piscatorials with 35 points. After a very close series of six matches the league winners with 234 points were Anglers Den, 2nd Zziplex Match 233 points, 3rd Anglers Den Piscatorials 225 points, 4th Tonys Tackle 194 points and 5th Anderida A 160 points.
THE EASTBOURNE NOMADS
The first Slater Cup on Friday 15th January was the first Nomads competition of 2010, with 14 anglers fishing. The winner Trevor Rooney landed 3 flounders and 4 ling for 2lb 12oz 2dr, including the heaviest flatfish a flounder of 15oz. Second was Ian Hopper with 2lb 5oz 2dr and third Luke Grote with 2lb 3oz 4dr. Luke also caught the heaviest round fish a whiting of 10oz 6dr.
On Sunday 17th January The Nomads fished the officers cup at the end of the bungalows in Pevensey Bay, with 23 anglers fishing and 16 weighing in. The winner with 4 flounders for 4lb 8oz was Steve Frost, including a new club record fish of 2lb 2oz 8drm. Second place went to Phil Chapman with a flounder and dab for 2lb 13oz 8dr and third Dan Wood with whiting and a flounder for 2lb 8oz 8dr. Dan also with the biggest round fish, a whiting of 11oz 12dr.
On Friday 29th January The Eastbourne Nomads fished the first Nomads Cup at Langney point. The winner Richard Cowderoy managed dabs, whiting and ling for 2lb 14oz. Second was Steve Domsalla with 1lb 11oz 6dr and third Steve Frost with 1lb 9oz 6dr. The heaviest round was a whiting of 10oz 8dr for Richard Cowderoy and the heaviest flatfish a dab of 6oz 6dr for Steve Domsalla.
THE TERMINUS
The Terminus first match of the season was fished on Sunday 17th January at Langney Point. The winner Paul Parsons landed Whiting and dabs for 6lb 6oz. Second was Phil Metcalf with 4lb 12oz, third Mark Underhill with 4lb 8oz and fourth John Ryder with 3lb 10oz.
On Saturday 30th January The Terminus club held a beach competition, fishing from 19.30 until 23.30 in Pevensey Bay. The winner Kevin Morgan caught 18 rockling for a weight of 3lb 4oz. Second was John Clark with two whiting and rockling for 1lb 6 ½ oz and third Fred Puttick with 1lb 6oz. On Sunday 14th February The Terminus club held beach match with 18 anglers fishing in flat calm conditions. Fishing was very slow but Mark Underhill managed 4 dabs for 14oz. Second with a plaice and a dab for 11 ½ oz was Phil Metcalf and with 9 ½ oz in third Paul Parsons. The heaviest flatfish was a plaice of 8 ½ oz for Phil Metcalf with John Clark catching a 5oz whiting for the heaviest round.
SOUTH COAST BOUNTY HUNTERS
This is a new club formed as a society to fish for pools money, with their matches based at Seaford. Full details are available on the website at www.southcoastbountyhunters.webeden.co.uk
The first match at Seaford on January 30th saw K Henshaw win with 3lb 11oz, joint second were D. Neave and M Marlow with 1lb 2 ¾ oz. The second match was won by K Cheeseman with 2lb 3oz of pout and rockling, second K Henshaw with 1lb 15oz and third. D Neave with 1lb 14oz.
Full SAN competition details here
BOAT REPORT FOR NORTH THAMES ESTUARY AND PORTS OF BRIGHTLINGSEA, WEST MERSEA & BRADWELL by Lee Bolingbroke
Unfortunately I have not got much to report this month as the cod fishing has been pretty dire for the first time in about ten years. We are still catching a few but looking in my diary for the 19th February last year we caught over fifty cod/codling, this year same day, similar tides, we struggled to catch eight codling. The reason, big shoals of sprats and with the cold weather they are just not moving away and cod we are managing to catch are stuffed with them. With milder weather forecast, if you can believe our forecasts, the sprat shoals will move away and it will all happen very quickly, temperature is the trigger for most of nature, including fish and I still think we will get a good spring run of fish.
In fact, only today Gloria B, Terry Bolingbroke’s boat based in Brightlingsea caught several bigger cod of ten and nine pounds, the biggest fish for several weeks but these fish were stuffed with sprats, we need the sprats gone and the cod feeding back on the sea bed were our baits are. We tried a distant mark today hoping for some early skate but failed to catch any, we really need that little climb in water temperature.
On a completely different note I went on my holidays to Grenada in January meeting up with a friend of mine and many readers would have fished with him for Bass from Southwold, Stewart Smalley, now living in Grenada.
I spent a very pleasant day out on Stewart’s boat Waywood Wind and caught my first trophy fish, a fantastic Dorado of forty pounds, we also had two marlin takes but was unable to hook up with them, a very enjoyable day out was had with Stewart and any angler visiting Grenada I can recommend booking a day out with him, you can contact him from the UK at stewart@grenadafishing.com.
THE HUMBER TO THE THAMES by Ray Power
Well the weather and the lack of fish has put paid to most anglers keenness to venture out fishing. All shops reporting some of the worse trade for years and with very few fish being caught even when anglers make the effort, it makes a very poor start to the year. However we have found that after a proper winter with sea temperatures down to what they should be at this time of the year, which is below 6c across most of the North Sea and of course in the shallow waters near the coast often it has been only 1 or 2c.
I have heard over the last couple of days that at last a few of the spring run of codling has just started to show from one or two of the Suffolk beaches. As the fish in the autumn were of spawning size, they all took the bus to the deeper waters of the North Sea. Reports of a few cod between 1lb to 4lb, over the last few days has at last given hope that the spring run is at last on its way. I feel that spring could well be late this year, so even more welcome when it finally gets here. As soon as the water starts to warm up, boat anglers should start to land some thornbacks in between the codling.
Beach marks in the Thames have been very poor with just the odd flounder. Suffolk beaches have produced a few dabs over the last few weeks. The more sandy beaches of Sizewell and Southwold have been the better options with small hooks.
Basically the fishing can only go one way and that is better, anglers really need some nicer sunny weather to relax into. It seems the days when anglers went regardless of fish and weather are over, this will eventually lead to even less tackle shops. With the way the country is and the lack of money, this alone will mean less shops to buy from.
We have already been forced to close our shop, however we are still supplying bait from home. Many anglers haven’t even fished since we shut down, but we are still supplying clients all over the country, so spread the word……
WEYMOUTH REPORT By Paul Whittall
I understand from the email and texts from my fellow skippers and angling customers that it's cold back home in England. Just when it seems the temperatures are going to improve, down they go again……….it's not nice, then? Reminds me of the famous lines in Bill Murphy's film 'Groundhog Day'……You want a prediction about the weather…. I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life. OK, it's a bit grim then BUT I have received some reports of good fishing. Once again I'd like to thank Steve Parker for his write ups on fishing with skipper Dave Pitman out of Weymouth. (Take a look at the www.deepsea.co.uk angling forum….24th Jan) which will in turn give you a link to Steve's own web site www.madpolka.co.uk.
I emailed Steve and he kindly gave me permission to refer to his website in this month's report. It makes great reading as it is written by an angler for anglers and he has provided a lot of very useful and sound tips on rigs and methods.
Whilst it's better for you to read the reports for yourself, the essential point is that the winter fishing is lively with whiting mainly in the 2lb range along with dogfish and pouts. However, there are a few very good sized whiting in amongst the catch with a 3.5lb specimen weighed in followed by an even better one at 4lb 15oz on the boat scales……read the story yourselves..it's good! The Weymouth charter boats have taken the opportunity to get to sea when weather allows with the inshore fishing also producing conger, rays and a few cod up to 8lb.
Offshore wrecking trips have started to take place with anglers aboard Colin Penny's Flamer reporting 'plenty of fish with multiple takes right from the first drift'. Double figure fish were the norm with the best weighing in at 16.5lbs. The reports show that there were no particular favourite lures with jelly worms, sidewinders, red gills and shads all working.
It's great to hear of such catches and the obvious enthusiasm of the anglers who hope that this first excellent trip is the sign of a good wrecking season this year. (Well, wrecking was very good last year and the year before with plenty of cod…..) February through to end of April is the best time to try for the 'winter' Pollack. Ling often appear in mid March but don't expect the cod until mid May. Yes, there is always a CHANCE of a stray early season cod but I am referring to the return (if it happens this year, of course) of the summer cod.
Good Luck to All you brave and hardy souls out there...for my sins I am just off to Phuket airport to meet Clem Carter, skipper of Wild Frontier, and 3 other of my angling customers. We will be heading off to the Similan Islands next week. If you're interested, just look up the Similans on your computer and see what they are all about.
I've found a boat that will take up to 6 of us on a 3 day liveaboard trip for £1,200….that's by miles the best deal I can find…many boats want that much per day!! A report on this will follow next month. Many skippers are finding gaps in their year's programme for 2010. For the first time since I have been doing the Alderney trips, there are spaces on trips…so it's well worth asking your skipper or taking a good look at his we site…this could be the year YOU get to make that Channel Island trip you have always promised yourself! Thank you to all of you going to Weymouth and supporting the skippers in what is another very hard winter...good luck with your fishing, lads, and don't worry…the weather will all come good on the weekend of 20th March 'cos I will be back!!!!!'
BRISTOL CHANNEL REPORT by Dave Roberts, AlyKat
Still one or two cod showing with fish to 17lb14oz reported from "Osprey" skippered by Steve Webber. Though not brilliant, this year has shown more cod than the previous three or four years. Whiting still providing sport with some fine fish to around the three pound mark. Again, these fish are better than last year both in numbers and size. Offshore grounds fairly quiet at present with conger gone to ground after recent cold snaps. I have yet to find a spurdog which is unusual as these fish usually invade the Channel at this time of year in their hundreds. I suppose they're going to be late as is the case with most species these days. Martyn Pratt from Bristol took a fine blonde of 18lb in a mixed inshore bag. Kevin Norman from TOR SAC took a nice thorny of 12lb whilst his mate from the same club Andy Bickle managed a nice cod and a few decent whiting.
Hopefully, the "late" trend will continue and provide us with some big cod into February, we'll have to wait and see. Minehead boats as always on www.deepsea.co.uk and bristolchannelangling.co.uk
BRISTOL SHORE REPORT by Jansen Teakle
The endless run of freezing weather appears to finally be coming to a close, for now anyway, and more anglers are getting out on the coast in pursuit of something fishy. Those fishing with worm baits targeting the elusive codling are reporting larger numbers of small fish up and down the channel, by small we are talking 10" as supposed to a couple of pounds, indeed it was only recently I discovered just to what extent the plague proportions had reached during a Flounder sortie on Weston town beach. A relatively calm day with a gentle onshore breeze found me armed with some light tackle, a selection of local worm baits and an air of confidence in finding a flat or two. Barely ten minutes in, the tip slowly pulled over before rising and giving a little slack. Another ten minutes past before my curiosity got the better of me and my enthusiasm was soon dashed as a double shot of tiny codling slid over the sand. This frustrating pattern continued for the next three hours and I left the beach having accounted for, at a guess, between twenty and thirty tiny Codling and not one Flounder.
Every year around this time there is talk of these tiny codling returning the following year providing us with some half tidy sport, most have come to accept that this is now rarely the case, but I for one will keep an open mind on the potential for next season as if just half of these immature Codling make it back, the channel could be the place to be come the Autumn. The irony of this tale is that just a few days later whilst fishing from a rock ledge into deep water with squid baited 5/0 Pennell's, first cast saw a small Flounder winched up the rock face.
Elsewhere, there was a reported smattering of sizeable Codling from Sandpoint as well as the Ladye Bay area of Clevedon, but these were rare fish and the general consensus is that the fishing remains poor. The cold snap has certainly prevented any chance of an early ray season, although by the time you are reading this there may be a few showing from mid channel reef marks.
Further down channel, the tiny Codling have shown, but not in the same numbers as marks north of Burnham. Even the dogfish are scarce, just one of these was enough to take the top spot at a recent Blackdown open contested between Blue Anchor and Minehead! Minehead itself has the potential to give up a big blonde at this time of year and with the lack of dogfish to hinder things this could be as good a time as any.
Seaswest SAC member Pete Critchell recently landed a spotted ray of 4lb 8oz from this area, his only bite of the day but just short of the area specimen size. Other than this, reports from the lower channel are thin on the ground, as those seeking out the Huss and eels that should be there are facing disappointing blanks. Having said that, it will be the anglers putting in the hours that will have those long blank sessions eventually rewarded.
The channel does indeed remain poor, though a little consolation can be had in the knowing that it is not alone at this time of year and is not until the weather warms a little that thing will show signs of improvement. Fingers crossed that this will be sooner rather than later and I will have something a little meatier to contribute to next month's paper!
POOLE REPORT By Steve Porter
Usually at this time of the year, I'd be writing things like, "It's time to take a break from the fishing and get your tackle serviced ready for the coming season". Well, as it turns out this year, if you are taking a break, then you are missing out some very good sport. Certainly the inshore fishing has slowed down considerably during the past month. Flounder catches dropped off a little earlier than usual and whilst some are still being caught, reports of spawned fish suggest that these fish are returning to the harbour.
Out in the bay, whiting are still being encountered as at the middle of February, but these are now mainly small fish. Cod have become rare on rod and line but are still being encountered in commercial nets. For boats venturing offshore, the fishing is excellent with good catches of blonde rays. Conger also feature, plus pollack, ling, and spurdog. Some larger whiting are also still being caught offshore. Sadly, the offshore fishing is very tide restrictive so boats are limited to just the neap tides. Our last three trips on Trueblue all resulted in over 20 blonde rays being landed with one day producing 41 between just 7 anglers. This was our best days fishing for them since last September. Most of the fish are of good size with several well over 20lb. Hopefully these good results will continue and may even improve as spurdogs and pollack begin to feature more in the catch.
Poole's two day shark event planned for August 23rd and 24th is gathering pace. The event has now attracted six boats. We do now have a prize for the angler catching the largest shark. Shakespeare have kindly agreed to donate a rod and reel. In addition, Stainless Steve Engineering is designing and fabricating a trophy for the skipper of the top boat. To enter this informal competition just book any boat from West Wight though to Swanage and tell the skipper you want to be in the competition. Your skipper will then contact me for details. There is no entry fee this year for the competition. You just pay your skipper his agreed charter rate. You can fish on just one day of the event or both.
In January I was invited by Poole Small Boats Angling Club to a presentation by Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust. I came away with the feeling that every angler should join. The Angling Trust is our only voice when it comes to tackling issues that confront us such as conservation, protection of our sport and many more. Membership is just £20 per year and whilst every subscription helps in raising the funds needed to fight our course, it is also important for the Angling Trust to be able to boast a large membership. Angling is the UK's largest participant sport but with the current membership of the Angling Trust at just a few thousand, it may appear that the majority of anglers have no interested in safeguarding or improving our future. Anyway, I've ranted on enough. Visit their website and make your own mind up. www.anglingtrust.net.
Steve Porter, Owner / Skipper of the Shakespeare sponsored boat Trueblue.
Blonde Ray, Gerald Freeman, Trueblue
CHESIL REPORT by Heggy
Returns next month
Ladies - Wales needs you!
The qualifier matches for the WFSA Ladies Sea Angling Team start in April and we are looking for new competitors to come and join us. To be eligible to compete you need to be born in Wales or have lived in Wales for 3 years or have Welsh parents or grandparents.
If you have limited match fishing experience then don't worry we will be holding a series of training sessions which will help you to learn new skills and develop existing skills. We are looking for people who are able to work as part of a team and who are willing to learn and develop their fishing skills - a full training programme can be provided to support you.
This years selection process will form the team for 2011 when the team will travel to Italy for the World Championships. If you would like to find out more or have a chat about the selection process then please call Helen Pearce on 01970 820063 or email helenpearce@toucansurf.com.
Helen Pearce, Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers, Ladies Team Manager.
WFSA REPORT
Personal Members’ match 31-1-10. Cold Knap
A bright crisp day with a Westerly wind did not seem to dull the appetite of anglers as it was the first match of 2010 in the PM league for this year.
A good turnout resulted in a close run match between Stephen Griffiths (Pontypridd), Richard Poole (Bargoed) and Mike Dixon (Taffs Well).
Stephan Griffiths took 1st Place just beating Richard Poole by 2cm; Mike Dixon was 10cm behind him taking 3rd place.
Most fish caught were Codling and Whiting just - size but all fish caught were returned as is the practice of catch, measure and release at all PM matches.
Junior winner was Gregory Morgan from Ogmore Vale.
The picture is of a 3lb Haddock that would have broken the current Welsh record but unfortunately he gave the fish away without taking a picture alongside a measure that would have given enough information to claim the record. The captors name was Dia Neil. As with all record claims to the WFSA there is no need to kill the fish, providing a picture is taken alongside a measuring stick and witnessed that is all that is required. Claim forms can be downloaded from www.wfsa.org.uk
Mike Dixon WFSA. Press Officer
SCOTLAND REPORT By Barry Scholes
Returns next month
NORTH EAST by Nigel Proctor
Hi Everyone,
I'm Nigel Proctor and I've been foolish enough to accept Normans request to take on the role of NE correspondent in Sea Angling News, so I hope over the forthcoming weeks and months you'll send me all your club match results, catch reports, news items and any photographs and stories you'd like to share with other like minded anglers throughout the UK and I'll try and do them justice.
So who am I? Well, I'm based in Hull, and fish predominantly the Holderness beaches and occasionally the rock edges around Scarborough and even more occasionally up to Whitby, I'm into boat angling (in a big way) and fish from Bridlington up to Whitby (although not as frequently as I'd like). I'm also a marine biologist, so if you come across any strange species or have any marine/estuarine related queries, please drop me a line with descriptions or preferably a photo.
Norman tells me the boundaries for the North East are the Humber to the Scottish Border, so clearly I'd need input from as many sources as is possible, it's difficult knowing what's going on, on the Holderness coast at times, never mind having to account for an additional 160 - 170 miles, so I hope you'll bear with me and drop me frequent e-mails and updates with regard to your activities and catches.
In return, I'll try and keep you up to date with what's going on in 'our neck of the woods' and there is plenty, I will not be getting all political on you, so you needn't worry about that, but there are a number of issues in the pipeline such as the initiation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ's). This is the process set up by the Labour government to try and implement conservation zones in the North Sea, which may be fully protected, may have no restrictions or alternatively may have restrictions of some form. Net gain, the title of the North Sea project, follows on from a similar series of projects in the South East (Balanced Seas), South West (Finding Sanctuary) and the Irish Sea, which is strangely called 'the Irish Sea Conservation Zones' (I hope they have a little more imagination when they come to consider the impacts of their zones on sea angling). I guess the real question is, to what extent will we be affected? At this moment in time, nobody knows, but one thing for sure, it isn't going to be a painless process for sea anglers.
There is also the change from Sea Fisheries Committees (SFC's) to Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA's) of which we have two in our region, the Northumberland SFC and the North Eastern SFC. The changes in the way these management bodies are run may be minimal, however, it is likely that the number of members appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be reduced, whilst the number of councillors may be increased. This will mean a lower order of representation and potentially poor knowledge base of local fisheries, notwithstanding the potential for increased environmental commitments of already overburdened staff, leading to a lower order of enforcement. Well, it's a very short and sweet introduction; hopefully next month will see a bit more flesh on the bones, and hopefully a massive improvement in the fishing, because Lord knows it can't get any worse..... Can it?
Finally, I'd like to say a big thank you, on behalf of anglers in the NE, to Sam Harris for all his hard work and reports during his stint as NE correspondent, and in the hope that Sam will continue to make available any information, news and club match reports he receives. Unfortunately, due to travelling around a lot, I will be unable to take verbal reports, however, written items and club match reports/results can be sent to nigelpms@yahoo.co.uk
MORE REPORTS & PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE SAN EVERY MONTH
We welcome your letters, emails and photographs. Write to The Editor, Sea Angling News, 27 Lower Bere Wood, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7NQ Tel. 02392 265445
More
Discount Fishing Tackle Offers from
Tacklebargains
|
||
*SEA ANGLING BOOKSHOP *FRESHWATER/COARSE FISHING SECTION
***** FISHING GAMES + PC SOFTWARE *****
Where to Sea Fish in Britain and Ireland (John Bailey's Fishing Guides)
The Sea Angler's step-by-step guide to rigs and baits Great Salmon and Sea Trout Loughs of Ireland
© Sea Angling News