01524 422146 Fishing FREE POSTAGE OVER
www.gerrysfishing.com £99 MAINLAND UK
Anglers Serving Anglers + LOYALTY POINTS!
Spread the cost with Finance available from 1-5years
Come see us after Covid in our 10’000 sq ft showroom, best display in the UK! GUY COTTON HITRA HEAVY
Also use to make 3 x 0% payments DUTY BIB & BRACE
GUY COTTON TOP SURF SMOCK GUY COTTEN AQUASTAR GUY COTTON AQUASTAR BIB The leisure version of
BREATHABLE TOP FISHING SMOCK AND BRACE the 100000s sold of
Not the cheapest but if you yellow commercials,
want the best this is as good Lightweight easy 10000mm waterproof rating, just tough and last
as it gets! to wear 1000mm Breathability rating of RET <15 for ever!
waterproof rating made loose for ultimate High fitting and no
Unbelievable 25000mm, as ,breathable smock comfort easy to put on & off pockets so no leaks
waterproof as a pair of waders! Has a large chest and take off, Adjustable
pocket and elasticated braces,Self grip from £47.50
Great breathability 5000/ elasticated cuffs ankle strap
m2/24h Neoprene waist and, Large thigh pockets, Front
collar and cuffs zip gusset keeping you fully
This tough smock has front waterproof
cargo pocket and side hand
flap pockets from £99.99 from £99.99
Neoprene waist and, collar
and cuffs
from £234.99
GRUNDENS NEPTUNE LINED THERMAL SMOCK GRUNDENS NEPTUNE SMOCK GRUNDENS NEPTUNE BIB & BRACE RRP £134.99 IMAX OCEANIC
THERMO SUIT
Really tough lined Really tough, 100% 100% Waterproof
100% waterproof waterproof Stain Resistant 100% waterproof
PU-coated polyester PU-coated polyester Interior Chest Pocket Heavy duty nylon shell fabric
100% Waterproof. 100% Waterproof Cargo Pocket Detachable hood with a peak
Snap chest pocket Snap chest pocket Salopettes fitted with strong
Adjustable hem Adjustable hem £89.99
Neoprene cuffs Neoprene cuffs and durable buckles
Thermal lining
£99.99 £89.99 Latest design with new
material for 2021
GP £99.00
TEAM VASS 175 WINTER TEAM VASS NEW CENTURY JACKET AND BIB & BRACE
LINED SMOCK 175 WINTER
LINED BIB & Manufactured to the highest standards using a three-
With a wide collar, tough fastening press-studs and layer construction which consists of a 100% nylon outer, a
a larger hood. This brand new edition 4 version for BRACE fully waterproof and breathable membrane and a 100%
the 2020 winter now comes with some fantastic extra polyester lining. These three layers are bonded together
features including a thermal inner with a comfortable Vass have developed this giving the fabric with a 15000mm hydrostatic head and a
quilted lining and hand warmer pockets for those breathable winter lined bib breathability rating of 5000mpv
extreme winter conditions. Available in Red/Black, Grey/ & brace to go with the Vass
Black and Khaki. winter smock but will be ok Century NG Waterproof Jacket £129.99
with any other Vass product Century NG Bib & Brace £99.95
£94.99-£104.99 designed for Special Offer: Buy together save 5%
warmth and
T. RI-PODS comfort (no AKIOS REELS
pockets so
Double no leaks) Akios Guv X8 Longcast Limited Edition - £129.99
heads and stretchable Only 580g, High Strength Carbon Composite Body /
braces and Rotor, 6+1 Stainless Ball Bearings, Instant Anti-Reverse
cups double System, Long Cast Angled Spool Lip, Powerful Drag
protected System 16kg/35lb, Titanium Coated Roller on Hollow Bail
Extending legs, knees, Arm, Retrieve Ratio 4.6:1 – Up to 90cm of line per turn of
fitted leg lock Colour handle, Two Anodised Aluminium Spools Included – 1 x
double heads Charcoal Deep Spool, 1 x Shallow Spool
sizes
and cups. s-xxxl. Akios Utopia CX8 Fixed Spool - £129.99
Ratio 4.6:1100cm Line Recovery Per Handle,
Gerry’s 6ft Double Head Gerry’s Matchmans Tripod Gerry’s Eco Telescopic 4-6ft from £79.99 TurnQuick Set 16kg Powerful Drag System, Carbon
and Cup £29.99 £39.99 £29.99 Composite Body and Rotor, Slow Oscillation for
Exceptional Line Lay, 6+1 SS Shielded Bearings, Two
Add double Spools – 1 x Deep Spool, 1 x Shallow Spool
bottom cups
Akios Utopia SX8 Fix Spool - £169.99
£9.99 Lightest reel of its kind ever produced 530gm by
Akios! 39lb quick set carbon drag system, Ratio
Ian Golds Standard 6ft Add double Ian Golds 6ft Supermatch 4.6:1, Carbon Body and Rotor, Slow Oscillation, 8+1
£29.99 bottom cups £46.99 Stainless Bearings, Three Spools Included – 1 x Deep,
1 x Shallow, 1 x Shallow Teflon (braid), Two Handles
£9.99
Akios Fury Fix Spool - £69.99
Ian Golds Telescopic Just exceptional value 2 x longcast spools, 4.1-1
4-6ft £31.99 Ratio 6+1 ball bearings, Capacity Deep Spool 400
yds .35mm 15lb Mono (80lb braid),Capacity Shallow
Ian Golds 7ft Supermatch Imax FR Packdown Leeda Icon Tripods 6ft Spool 180yds 0.35mm 15lb Mono
£49.99 £44.99 £34.99
Extending 3.5ft-7.5ft £54.99
Supermatches with top & bottom cups.
Gerry’s sell all the Ian Golds accessories too!
Fishing THE UK'S NUMBER 1 NORWAY SPECIALIST!
Anglers Serving Anglers
F
GERRY’S CAN HELP AND ADVISE WITH ANGLERS THAT SPECIALISE IN NORWAY AND OVERSEAS ANGLING, WE HAVE ANGLERS THAT HAVE BEEN TO
MANY DESTINATIONS JUST CALL 01524-422146 OPTION 1 ASK FOR ADVICE! “ANGLERS SERVING ANGLERS”
Britain’s biggest and best saltwater magazine
www.seaangler.co.uk ESTABLISHED
1972
PLAICE BEST FOR
TACKLE
TanAdCTTOICPSS,PGOETASR
TO FISH NOW Daiwa Air &
Shimano Surf
BAITING Leader rod tests
SKILLS
wSaoWonrtndhir£kIe48rNe0old!
Making fish
work for you ■■■■■EKBLCHXaauaoyirPstwaetiEnkifinggRbsoghwuToliyadniAtirgnihgsNgaehftaaSwenkdrWeeivmgiibghcEiathetRsittsS?
PLUS Squid
trick for cod
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ISSUE 594 March 2021
YOUR CATCHES HALIBUT HUNT AMAZING DEAL
Loads of amazing How to hit the Save £30 on a
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POINGDESTRES.CO.UK MAIL ORDER HOTLINE 02380 510077
ALSLPEOCRIDAELROSFOFEVRER POST & PACKING
£50 NOW POST FREE!
Small items
£4.00
Reels & standard
items £6.00
Rods & larger
items £8.00
Orders will currently
ORDERS OVER £50 take longer than
ARE POST FREE normal to be delivered
SHIMANO TLD LEVER DRAG OUR PRICE
MULTIPLIER REELS
£134.99
TLD 20
rrp £149.99
TLD 15 OUR PRICE TLD 25
OUR PRICE £129.99
£101.99 rrp £139.99
rrp £119.99
Daiwa Tournament Surf Rods DAIWA CROSSCAST SURF SONIK VADER XS PENN SURFBLASTER III
35 SCW 500C QD SHORE RODS 7000 / 8000 LONG CAST
12FT 6 MULTI 13FT 6 MULTI 14FT FIXED
OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE Ideal ‘4x4’ for long NEW The Vader XS Shore Rods 13FT FIXED SPOOL REEL
distance surfcasting. represent fantastic value OUR PRICE
£261.00 £283.50 £247.50 This reel takes the for money, with features
casting performance and quality materials £54.99
rrp £290.00 rrp £315.00 rrp £275.00 to the next level.
15FT
14FT 2 MULTI 16FT FIXED normally reserved OUR PRICE
Available in OUR PRICE OUR PRICE for rods with a
OUR PRICE higher price £79.99
£306.00 £283.50 point. 14FT
£89.99 OUR PRICE
rrp £340.00 rrp £315.00
rrp £99.99 £64.99
Daiwa Air Surf Rods
13FT 6 MULTI SONIK SKS BLACK SHORE RODS The Surfblaster III is a fantastic longcast reel PRICE
OUR PRICE equipped with the best features to make it as O
Featuring powerful, light blanks that will suit every casting ability easily, each rod is individually tailored to
£400.00 offer the perfect ‘all round’ action, making them as effective on clean ground as in heavy terrain. durable and strong as possible.
Available in rrp £450.00 Especially designed for the fanatical surfcasting
angler, the forged and machined aluminum conical
14FT 2 MULTI 15FT 3 FIXED shaped shallow
OUR PRICE OUR PRICE MULTIPLIER RODS FIXED SPOOL RODS spool, combined
7000 8000 with the extra
£425.00 £450.00 12FT 4-6OZ 13FT 4-6OZ 14FT 5-7OZ 12FT 4-6OZ 13FT 4-6OZ 14FT 5-7OZ OUR PRICE OUR PRICE slow oscillation
OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE system, will let
rrp £475.00 rrp £500.00 £125.99 £134.99 you cast further
£79.99 £89.99 £99.99 £79.99 £89.99 £99.99 than ever before.
rrp £139.99 rrp £149.99
BEACH RODS PENN MULTIPLIER REELS ARX NEW IMAX ARX VASS-TEX CHEST WADERS
Multiplier or Fixed Spool Thermo CLOTHING
515 MAG4 NEW Jacket MEGA LITE REELS 700E NOVA HEAVY
Daiwa Tournament OUR PRICE Sizes: S/M/L/XL/XXL DUTY PVC
Hybrid Tip (HT) OUR PRICE If you’re looking for an inexpensive reel to
Surf Rods Available in £149.99 ARX go after larger fish, this is the one! CHEST WADERS
£69.99 Bib &
14FT FIXED 15FT FIXED 525 MAG4 525 Mag 4 Brace MEGA LITE 80 The 700E Nova Heavy
OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE Shown rrp £89.99 OUR PRICE Duty PVC Chest
£270.00 £283.50 £159.99 ARX £64.75 Waders use the high
Thermo quality Vass-Tex 700
rrp £300.00 rrp £315.00 Smock rrp £71.95 smooth PVC outer
with a soft polyester
MEGA LITE 100 reverse that offers
OUR PRICE
slight stretch for
£72.85 comfort but also acts
as a shock absorber
rrp £80.95
on the seams.
ALL NEW CENTURY DAIWA SEALINE ‘SLOSH’ SONIK VADER X
NOW COME WITH MULTIPLIER REEL TELE-SPIN RODS
NEW FUJI TITANIUM
K GUIDES FACTORY A no nonsense, top- Available in 9ft, 10ft & 11ft
drawer performer boasting
BUILT powerful, high-speed
gearing it is excellent for
CENTURY KOMPRESSOR S all shore work.
(RRP £485.00)
O/P £425.00 ‘SLOSH’ 20 ‘SLOSH’ 30 OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE
OUR PRICE OUR PRICE
CENTURY KOMPRESSOR SS £59.99 £59.99 £38FROM .69 £89.99
(RRP £490.00) £79.99 £79.99
£430.00 rrp £79.99 rrp £79.99 rrp £42.99 600 SERIES
rrp £110.00 rrp £110.00 CHEST WADERS
CENTURY TIP TORNADO LD Sizes: S/M/L/XL/XXL/XXXL Sizes: S/M/L/XL/XXL The 600 Series Chest
(RRP £475.00) Waders offer a very
£415.00 DAIWA SUPER KENZAKI high quality wader
BOAT RODS at fantastic value for
CENTURY TT SPORT
(RRP £490.00) Legendary in their versatility, 7FT6 6-12LB money.
£430.00 each rod is noticeably light and 7FT6 12-20LB
7FT6 20-30LB OUR PRICE
CENTURY TT MATCH balanced with substantial 7FT6 30-50LB
(RRP £450.00) power in reserve, and OUR PRICE £58.95
£393.50 transmits remarkable
feel with a degree £124.99 NEW CENTURY
CENTURY TT SUPER MATCH of sensitivity that GRAPHEX RODS
(RRP £485.00) magnifies all that rrp £150.00
£425.00 is going on
under the 8FT 6-15LB
PRICE MATCH AVAILABLE water. OUR PRICE
CALL 023 8051 0077
FOR DETAILS SHAKESPEARE AGILITY VASS TEAM £124.99
SURF 80 FIXED SPOOL REEL 175 WINTER JACKET
rrp £150.00
The Agility Surf 80
offers fantastic value for Features include:- ceramic guides MATCH SUPER MATCH SPORT
money with a total of • Powerful, 2 piece, premium throughout for use OUR PRICE OUR PRICE OUR PRICE
eight bearings, anodized with mono or braid
aluminium spool and carbon blank • Fuji DPS reel seat with £485.00 £499.00 £520.00
corrosion resistant body. • Sensitive tip action for aluminium hoods
• Fuji GRC butt gimbal rrp £555.00 rrp £570.00 rrp £595.00
OUR PRICE improved bite detection
• V-Joint technology
£56.99 • Specially designed EVA
rrp £66.99 Powerlift fore grip for
improved handling and
SONIK SKS BLACK 8000 comfor t
SURF FIXED • EVA rear Grip
SPOOL REEL • Fuji ‘O’ ring Zirconium
The SKS Black 8000 Available in 6000SQ.FT5J3MMIN2S7
Surf reel is a full-sized M, L, XL,
surf reel which has been XXL, XXXL SHOWROOM
designed to meet the
requirements of the UK PFORSETE
beach angler.
OUR PRICE The Team Vass 175 Winter UNIT 11, SOUTHAMPTON TRADE PARK, THIRD AVENUE, SOUTHAMPTON, SO15 0AD
OUR PRICE Jacket is based on the
£119.99 incredibly successful 175 CALL THE ORDER HOTLINE 02380 510077
£39.99 Winter Smock and features
rrp £129.99 several improved features. OR VISIT POINGDESTRES.CO.UK
find us on facebook.com/Poingdestres FAX: 02380 773841
LCOMESeaAngler [email protected]
Editor Cliff Brown, 01733 395123
Email: [email protected]
Features Editor
Paul Fenech, 01733H3O53W38T2O CONTACT US: EDITORIAL
[email protected]: [email protected]:EDITORIAL
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protected]@ldvr:iivMCC0ledt/[email protected],,:lssunaag0oel1pHha.322na55ieatsdra5.ifwn2icllm6uvv0eordnaase.efooEskati,eppnn.chh4neaiicu1-e.eet1r9lvic73rauHcee:kko2ik33f,lyhLeodee22n4owdllnenk,nor.ttaiso.uoodrUasaklAe7kKaaI4-vs2rvgpreivkoTbUo,esdlr,lkponlllcsSnKac14iikoMlloree,wli0rtep([email protected]@M3eel3ryeeseniou0diswwcn22-teei,avo0fel77esy11e,,ela44nnmkl4rr7cn.LcelMsnnrLiEh.nd...cps8aeuaMT,llytociip5a2nmomlo8iWnap::Mlfflttsstauuw.leKe6lc5rrpsneuuintsnd.h)cleWWkstla::sctohto23,728eb88nnseressga44ec:ssCtrOOai88nSlelyddsdphbrsk(aremOEddeLoffgeeeht4hp1oo:SSedi8tkeoey44./.Yolekossr7eeeei:t-ilr:434ebbp.dieeum.Ieb–ckkccssa9lsu0rlauoniki7ihelol(tp7n7d4cLexTntrrrriinysiurl0eps8iyllfll77..l11e0/:enise8ffUdees(eantyaiIyrroosttnppe.i,u7::sMMd35lsbfissseeopobc7a1eeldFFnooNdeeteeerra)n79sm3t11.c,0ta8tneneemb5UGneskiMssiikt0.ffg2cr::esone.iii9lfeg-see7lt55,ldvuekns1rcrrKooMoysWcedlcd6niato/4g99ll.sdynn22ierrrsaffnao1866keoeh9ty–hell7optsshe/y8iiSnsumm7o.i-ysrKKKtssannuei2Koroor/noaasimD95s5YerfMvvoo.oeec,oooe07a)1orccryi11y0.hnle47wiiamshoasl,.aa.Sspseiiudaia3oi,onue4tttM0br.00kbcck88yh4teml.)notNuoerlsii2ud5TuMP552ee.ubbtug7reee2ai0neeeea,lnsuss4caaiisluelnErrnnooscio,i3skolatgkpt:.sa2:he,5l7lailev4MaAAsen,epndMMcdJoggsk-ysle9e1ke3sreo,rpae2dalhlstr00vvpaaoprr.aibl5n99o,11/lleeK1al7o,dde0rul:e.psoeWWWd.7teeiprrddddBgcaudds/ea:enywit2rer71,4nyrek::seMhhd.raSKly4Wn5ird5y:ii.sosts,,cyeheauDyebkyeWr:oiu2.8n11enhhsTr4esiiOb8d,,atnnedBB7FfkpPPeaoSe1aa4pGedsrinreym4’ddrocab55FLLsskie,osslasni7haHHkSWlrrr5ayi71ttielfastsrololtopdtduDMyusegaau.lyFrvoioeinefiir31Ceo5d9chhiiivyyi/sfdi:hTTrMMisateeelltt5eesdnbciin..s9hln2erfpb6xArggCClaase-iromtftostaannKyhponh,,re..eailltvoneors7ccFMcya--e1isdtiiosechrsihdlll/ratt0,n8m.asebffwnryti5febuehhiii.eetlluys4ccaoeeSfdno::Bi.rellfnnhot:FFhhMpiseMtAoa,MogmvTaayoooi0vainergpaat9ob1,meill.dlCCkrAtWWn5Whn7olrdood++gghtodaattsr:hcd:nahecdrrddigiprr,auulhtost1enhEirbe,oeenBnll+sPelrNlatooConnndc5de,Losyia..iidheHffrpowaefo33tnttodtdhe,ai1rddssrraa3iyeoneehiyCuuT,,Melyhhd/eios.l,.norreraePl8gCoddiani.cc5,n.liiralun-;mLLcf55-eitetod..nlardlogcsmme,deeumfpeWaadhilafc3eo:lnFrh6hmgr,kktdkidhh1myolrllafpeiu,laCWoo+girtd33vuosateddhKttDae0dAr2uobiipyyuhn/nocrltton.oilr,yht.niiiiguwnnfii3l3peocaridosreuteehaur,lleettceccaLrr,,cosdaFcemeehoLd5llre.,fm8ddmncletentareeomyitkkmuz.sknnxheYrsslruslrao8Ke3dderi/yblaitescno-Sincia;;an6rmneaiecirtle4cPte,seyetf,l,,rldaneihealniken3spoodfoespsltouncoene;ai,8dehsffrimton,htsrdn5cyoetnet,e0h)ognd.,fes,
CfolrIifS’ymfoABuCcrtooonwhefienndl,djeoendystiiutntochhrtehriaesniisssepuvleee.nnStt,pyrweoahfdigcrthehaetwshoordreamanodnbgoyaotuCfirUTOSClsfiouuKvrhffilbreielrcnBsrnefusgrrdnweesocstteawe.oossbvUnumess,SbrueieatsAdbergcie:ssstrhiceouprrtbtivtpisoipctcniseroi:opnt/KpDeIeffrmtea/ioaflvtiasotaaseaeriamcPyldnhrynrosMyopeuo:ot:eoprer0dlosprciDicildtanh1yi.iantot,9ketaponyaekeol5rOePpeul:afls9irfhns0s.oyieacktoee5ev0evuereci:rys4at4apil1itt.no3se-4chydnr8tsepqo7toOo([email protected]ffis0au.:r8k/l7icce)d/ekes-wloars1r7/tweea9a.y7gstuwv.a5c7e.durkokrd-p9.eyubi/[email protected].’/.sFct4podir7.raoiuvmtkaanocpyr/eo-plisinocfyaliocyrnyom/uactaionneomfaoiul or ur
BiFhsotastrcpuckseu:i//ss/SsthouAemeNlspec.rkasenelsrbveeiyc.oecrosd.ueuprkepdohrte, rpele: hatstepvsis:/it/: shop.kelsey.co.uk/
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 3
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 587 Customer service and subscription postal address: 3
CONTENTS Cover picture: Chis Clark
– see page 6
10 www.facebook.com/seaanglermag
@TheSeaAngler
@seaanglermag
CONTENTS
Issue 594 March 2021
ON SALE MARCH 4 - 30
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AND GET A FREE
BEANIE HAT –
SEE PAGE 17
SHORE ANGLER 58 38
6 THE SPICE
YOUR FISHING 28 MISSION
OF LIFE 26 HOPE FOR ACCOMPLISHED
There are loads of fish, not only THE FUTURE Your latest specimen catches.
plaice, to catch at Shell Bay.
Are common skate back in 34 YOUNG RODS
10 ACE FOR PLAICE the Bristol Channel? Great angling achievements
Great venues to try in Kent. by our younger readers.
14 EASY TACTICS 37 MY FISHING
FOR FLATFISH DIARY
Tracking down the prolific Junior rod Harley Thompson’s
flounders of Humberston Creek. fishing adventures.
18 BAIT BOX 38 OUT THERE
How, where and when to catch The place for the magical moments
more with fish baits. from your fishing sessions.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
22 THOUGHTS OF…
How cod angler Peter Lee is
passing on his skills.
18
26
4
SEA SCHOOL TACKLE
64 Q&A 78 FIRST LOOK
Eight pages of expert answers. Great gear to check out in
the tackle shops right now.
73 CASTING
How to hurl big lead weights. 80 THE KIT
YOU NEED
74 FLUORO
KNOTS Top selections for plaice.
Two great lure knots to try. 82 LIGHT &
ADAPTABLE
75 DO FISH
SEE LINE? Long-term test on Shimano’s
flagship shore rod.
Discover the best colours.
83 TITAN SUIT
88 Pedigree fishing clothing.
84 READER OFFER
How to save £30 on a
Leeda Icon fixed-spool reel.
85 COMPETITION
Win a Sonik Gravity X HT rod
and AVX 10000 reel, worth £480
86 BREATH OF
FRESH AIR
A user’s verdict on fishing with
the Daiwa Air Surf rod.
88 SALVAGE
HUNTERS
John Holden’s advice on delving
into the world of classic reels.
92 BOAT STORE
Preview of the latest products
for anglers going afloat.
BOAT ANGLER REGULARS
94 TEN MINUTES
44 SWITCHING 56 OBAN
ROLES OPPORTUNITY WITH…
From Arms Park to There’s some great fishing with Shore international Ben Price
charter boat skipper. a new skipper of a famous boat. recalls early trips with a fishing
rod strapped to his cycle.
48 SMALL-BOAT
SERIES PART 5 96 BASS & TIDES
The appliance of science.
How to use VHF radio.
97 MAKE YOUR
50 HUNTING 58 SEVEN-POINT CATCH COUNT
HALIBUT CODLING PLAN
How to help a national project.
Advice for finding Norway’s Be ready for the spring run.
best monster fish marks. 98 TIME MACHINE
A look back through every 10
54 DOUBLE UP 61 GO LIGHT years of our archives.
FOR COD FOR BLUES
Turn small squid into large baits. 99 CALENDAR
Another superb species for Keep your fishing up to date
your angling bucket list. with Sea Angler.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 5
SHORE ANGLER Words and
photography by
AtnhSgbehleeesaralcslnhBodaanyyt CHRIS CLARK
A brace of SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
plaice for
Chris Clark
6
THE SPICE
While popular
for its plaice
OF LIFEfishing,Shell
Bay is an
all-year venue W
offering plenty of species, few sea angling tides recommended during busy periods. ere
of variety… venues can match Shell Bay is a very good reason why this relatively shallow,
on the very eastern tip of the sandy and inconspicuous venue is so productive
Studland Peninsula on the throughout the yearly cycle. It may be shallow
Isle of Purbeck, but as an added bonus there are for the first 200 metres but the depth drops
fish to be caught throughout the year. While this away sharply into the main shipping channel
800-metre stretch of shoreline provides some heading into Poole Harbour, meaning at night
superb fishing, a knowledge of local tidal there is a chance of landing some superb fish
conditions is crucial to maximise your catch rate. including conger eels and rays.
Located on the southern side of the During January and February just a few
chain ferry slipway at Studland, this is an flounders show by day, along with pouting and
exceptionally easy venue to locate and there whiting at night, but by the middle of March
is free roadside parking just past the ferry plaice start to make their presence felt. Fish
payment booths or alternatively there is topping 3lb are a real possibility. Plaice remain
a National Trust car park with a wooden active here until the autumn.
walkway to the beach. roughout the summer and early autumn
Being east facing, the beach is sheltered a wide range of species are available. During
from the prevailing south-westerly our trip last September we recorded 10 species
wind. e venue gets very shallow including gilthead bream, wrasse, flatties, bass
to the south and, as a result, I favour and garfish, but at night virtually anything is
fishing directly in from of the walkway on the cards especially at night when congers,
access point. Again this whole area rays and hefty smoothhounds can feature. On
is extremely popular during the this occasion we were fishing relatively light in
summer months with night an attempt to see how many species, including
plaice, we could record during daylight.
asdpAdeegcdiilettsohlteihsated
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 7
SHORE ANGLER
TACKLE & TACTICS 10 TOP TIPS FOR CATCHING PLAICE
1 Plaice are usually caught in daylight, 5Two or three-hook
Ideally you need an intermediate ebb tide. particularly when the sky is overcast, flapper rigs with
We were fishing from one hour before high, but also in bright sunshine. 18-inch hooklengths
when the tide slackens, and the first four hours are ideal for medium
of the ebb. During the flood there is a very 2Top places to find them are the range, but for long
strong right to left tidal pull. Weed can be corners of beaches, gullies, shallow range go for a clipped
troublesome too, especially on bigger tides, so sandbanks, sandy bays, the edge of weed version, such as the
fishing close along this stretch often enhances beds, the line between shingle and sand, loop rig, with the
your catch rate for smaller species while mussel beds, clean sand among rough hooklengths no longer
reducing the risk of weed clogging the baits. patches, deeper holes in estuaries, and than 14 inches.
We cast out mostly at short range, around 50 close to harbour mooring chains covered
metres, just on the edge of the weed bank that in mussels. 6A good hook choice is a size 2 or 4
extends for the next 100 metres before the Aberdeen pattern.
drop-off into the channel. 3Smaller neap tides producing a
lighter flow of water are often 7If you want beads on the hook
For such close-range fishing our tackle was favoured for plaice fishing in harbours, snoods, a black and green
simple; basically a fairly light rod with good estuaries and from rock ledges, but on combination works near mussel beds,
bite detection, a medium size fixed-spool reel open beaches try rising medium-sized while orange and green mixture can be
loaded with 15lb mono mainline along with a tides running up to bigger springs. used elsewhere.
tapered shockleader. e rig was a three-hook
paternoster, fished two-up and one-down, 4If casting distance is required, try 8If you struggle for bites, try
with 2ft hooklengths made with 15lb mono. a 14-15ft continental rod, rated switching to lighter fluorocarbon
4-6oz, and a 7500 fixed-spool reel loaded hooklengths, say 12-15lb.
e top snood had a pop-up and a size 6 with 20lb braid and a 60lb shockleader.
wormer hook baited with mackerel, while Otherwise a 12-13ft beach rod will suffice. 9Besides ragworms, plaice will take
the others were armed with size 4 Kamasan In harbours or some estuaries, you lug, mussels and peeler crabs.
B940M hooks baited with ragworms. When might be able to use a light bass rod and
fishing mainly at close range three-ounce 5000-sized multiplier loaded with 15lb 10Fill the shank and bend of the
plain weights are more than adequate but grip line and a 25lb shockleader. hooks with the bait, making sure
weights are required when casting at range the hook point is clear.
along this stretch of shoreline.
Within a few minutes of casting out, my rod
tip was soon nodding when a small pollack
took the sliver of mackerel presented on the
popped-up hook. Moments later the rod tip
showed signs of life again. On this occasion it
A last cast sole
for Chris
cLlauwb rreeSnctocerevd’se
red mullet
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
was a double shot of small Baillon’s wrasse, Steve caught NEED TO KNOW
which was quite a surprise, followed by a a plaice on
nicely marked but small gilthead bream on my his first cast GETTING
next cast. e venue was certainly living up to THERE
its fishy reputation. fish because we had set out to target plaice and Situated just
to see how many other species we could catch south of the
Shortly after landing that gilthead, my pal in a few hours . Our tally was 10 species, and Sandbanks
Steve Lawrence arrived and promptly beached that red mullet for Steve was a real bonus. For chain ferry on
one of the main target species, a nicely marked those heading to this stretch during March and the Studland
plaice, on his first cast. It was not huge but a April there is a very good chance of landing side, this is a
good average size for this venue. e plaice some decent plaice. A three-pounder, possibly very easy venue
took a ragworm on a size 4 hook fished below even a four, is a real possibility as the red spots to locate with
the lead weight. I then had a purple patch and make their way into Poole Harbour. plenty of free roadside parking.
caught a reasonably size ballan wrasse for the
area and my first plaice of the evening, which Here are three things to remember – TACKLE SHOP
was followed by a double shot of really decent ragworms are all you require for these early ■ Swanage Angling Centre,
plaice. is venue rarely disappoints. session red spots; casting within 50 metres of 6 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NT,
the shoreline here often produces more fish tel: 01929 424989.
Only a few minutes after landing the plaice, and less weed; and avoid the busy daylight
several school bass put in an appearance and period in summer when the beach becomes
provided some great sport on the light gear. crowded with holidaymakers. ■
Bass never know when to throw in the towel.
While I was having fun with the bass Steve
retrieved a tail-walking garfish during dusk,
which had taken a small sliver of mackerel on
his top hook with a pop-up. It’s a great system
for catching a few bonus fish.
With the last rays of sunlight disappearing
over the horizon I caught a slightly better bass
before Steve had a really good bite resulting
in a cracking red mullet that tipped the scales
to 1lb 2oz, which smashed his club’s shore-
caught record. Again a ragworm presented
on a size 4 hook fished below the weight
did the trick. It was a superb-looking fish
and really made the evening. With the light
rapidly fading we were thinking of making
a hasty retreat to catch the last ferry back to
Sandbanks but not before we both caught
several pouting. On my last cast I caught a sole
to underline the venue’s genuine potential.
On this occasion we did not catch any large
The kit
you need
for plaice –
see page
80
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 9
SHORE ANGLER Words and
photography by
WESLEY SHRUBSOLE
ACE FORDOWNYOURWAY
PLAICE
These popular flatfish are among a
host of species caught from the beaches
between Folkestone and Dungeness…
The shingle beach SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
at Sandgate
10
T - Folkestone Warren GREAT SEA ANG LING VENUES ● GREAT SEA ANG
coastline of the Strait of ianhntataodYhnvtoadbehutoIetrrtaobheitonleeafiffssUnstieghdKsrhihntogre
Dover between Folkestone LING VENUES ●
and the huge expanse of soPpnleaeciocieefsmahraeenrey
shingle at Dungeness has
many fishing venues popular
throughout the year, with
one of the area’s highlights
being the superb plaice fishing.
e area spans a distance of about 25 miles,
starting at Folkestone which grew from a
small fishing village once the harbour was
constructed in the early part of the 19th
century and became an important port. To the
west is Hythe featuring the famous Princes
Parade match fishing venue, and then you
come to the Romney Marsh wetland, which
includes the Denge Marsh near Lydd, and the
famous fast-flowing water of Dungeness Point.
FOLKESTONE
Starting at the eastern end of Folkestone, the
first venue is e Warren, an area of cliffs
facing East Wear Bay. e beach here offers
mixed ground and the possibility to
collect bait, such as blow lug, white
ragworms and crabs when in season.
Fishing is from concrete walls and
the beach, with access by road
as far as the campsite. From
there, it is a long walk
to some of the known
marks but not too far to
the first apron. When
The beach at Folkestone Sands
fishing this apron, be aware that on high tides Past the harbour arm is Folkestone beach, an
the water will wash over the top so keep tackle expanse of shingle approximately one mile long
well back from the edge. and very underrated. Deep water close in and
rocky ground produces bass, wrasse, conger eels
Summer species here are bass to lures and and black bream in summer while winter gives
crab baits, with soles, dabs and dogfish present, bass, dogfish, codling, large pout and conger
along with some smoothhounds and plaice. eels. ere are car parks and on street parking
Winter species are whiting, pout, dabs and available. Fishing is usually best in a south-
always a chance of a codling. You can fish close westerly wind. ere is no need for distance
and at range, with the best time being during a casting at this beach.
south-west wind. You do get some shelter from
the harbour arm, which has been closed due to From the end of Folkestone beach to
Covid-19 restrictions. Sandgate, there are man-made structures and
breakwaters that in summer give bass and
As you look west, the shoreline becomes wrasse to float-fished baits, while broken rock
rockier around to Folkestone sands. is is a and reefs make up the underwater features.
shallow venue that is rarely fished other than Parking is limited and long walks are necessary.
by local anglers. Bass, flounders and occasional Use peeler crab baits in season.
codling are caught.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 11
SHORE ANGLER
SANDGATE & HYTHE Casting out at TahteDbuonagtesnaersesa
Dymchurch
Sandgate is three miles of steep beach, Match time on
including the castle and esplanade, with to deepen until the Lifeboat Station where a Princes Parade
broken ground and a good selection of species good surf can produce bass are in numbers.
in summer and winter. You should get From this point onwards is the Dungeness south-east blow, quantities of shellfish are
thornback rays, plaice, dabs, bass, silver eels, estate (closed during the Covid-19 lockdown), washed on to these beaches. In winter hordes
congers, whiting, pout and codling here. It is where from the Dungeness Lifeboat Station of whiting make it difficult to keep a bait in the
worth checking out this venue on a big low to the fishing boats there is deep water from water for very long.
tide because you will be able to spot where it a steep shelving beach. Tidal flow here is
changes from very rocky to broken rock the strong on both the ebb and high water. is e Diamond and Galloways are the final
further you go towards Hythe. is probably the last area to catch soles and venues, both being shallow sand and featuring a
plaice as beyond this they become quite rare strong tide. Black lug can be found on big tides.
At the end of Sandgate esplanade you come with dogfish, whiting, bass and codling more Both venues produce bass during a good surf
to Princes Parade, a well-known venue that likely. ere are snags but mainly lost tackle and were renowned for their sole fishing. It is
hosts large competitions of over 200 anglers. and rope. Once past Fisherman’s Road, there a long walk to the Diamond, while Galloways
is parking opposite the locked gate off the has a small car park although you need to cross
e shingle beach is a mile long with mainly estate road. For access through the locked gate a firing range so check the shooting times. ■
clean ground with the occasional snag. One and more parking, check out the Dungeness
substantial snag is located left of the white Angling Association website. Further down NEED TO KNOW
shelter about a quarter of the way along the the estate road and nearer the new lighthouse
beach. e other is to the left of the double is the Britannia pub and old lighthouse, where GETTING
slipway. ough smaller in size this snag will parking is available. THERE
take end tackle time after time. Folkestone is off
At Dungeness, which is one of the largest the M20, with
Summer species are thornback rays, plaice, expanses of shingle in England, and shelters access on the
mackerel, garfish, eels, whiting and pouting. the low-lying Romney Marsh, you will find A259 to the area
Winter will see whiting, dogfish, a few rays, the Lighthouse and Point, which features a big from Hythe to
dabs, codling and bass. A good blow from the tidal flow meaning seven ounce lead weights New Romney,
south followed by a northerly wind improves are the norm. Although this venue seems to from where the
catches here. Shellfish baits can be collected be past its glory days, there are still some large B2075 takes you
after a big storm. fish caught. Parking is available, but expect to Lydd.
long walks over the shingle. Behind the power TACKLE SHOP
After this, the Western Parade and station the water is shallower but strong tides ■ Folkestone Angling, 12 Tontine St,
Fisherman’s Beach off shallower but clean are still evident. Summer species include plaice, Folkestone, CT20 1JU,
ground and same species. Parking is good smoothhounds, bass and eels. After any good tel: 01303 253881.
at all three venues and is currently free from ■ M&M Fishing Tackle, Battery Rd,
October until April. Lydd-on-Sea, tel: 01797 320789.
■ Mick’s Tackle, 1 Thirlstone Terrace,
At the end of Fisherman’s Beach, you arrive Dymchurch Rd, Hythe, CT21 6LB,
at the Hythe military firing ranges, which tel: 01303 266334.
extend for about three miles and can only be ■ Seagull Fishing Tackle,
fished when they are not in use. Times of firing 4 The Parade, Greatstone, TN28 8NP,
are posted at both ends of the beach. Parking tel: 01797 366837.
is not good, so expect long walks. ere are
some white ragworms, lugworms and razorfish
collected here on the big low tides.
ROMNEY MARSH
From the end of the ranges there are the
shallow, sandy beaches of Dymchurch,
St Mary’s Bay and New Romney. ese
produce smoothhounds, bass, flounders and
whiting in summer. Beware of the summer
crowds, which mean that the best angling is
after dark. Some good Dover soles are caught
at short range, but big casts get you into the
deeper water. It is a good area for finding black
lugworms and some shellfish. e water at
these beaches always has colour due to the
sand and shallow water. e best fishing is
during a good surf.
e area from Littlestone to Greatstone
provide very similar fishing and bait collecting
opportunities, but the water does not start
Fishing times
are limited at the
Hythe firing ranges
12 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
SCAN WITH MOBILE TAKES THE ROUGH WITH
PHONE FOR MORE THE SMOOTH
INFORMATION
THE BULLS EYE 9120
Fishing over rough ground is a tough challenge. It tests your confidence and
tackle to the limit, and is exactly what the BULLS EYE 9120 was made for.
Ultra tough HAGANE Body and Gearing provide the strength and power,
X-Ship creates the smoothness and a massively powerful 3.5:1 retrieve keeps you
in total control. It also casts brilliantly. The BULLS EYE 9120, the tough just got tougher.
IMAGE Reel - Bulls Eye 9120
Rod - Nexave Rough Ground
Line - Speedmaster Surf
SHORE ANGLER Words and
photography by
TONY BURMAN
EASY TACTICS
FOR OBLIGING
FLATFISH LINGVENUES●
How to track down the flounders at GREAT SEA ANGianhntataodYhnvtoadbehutoIetrrtaobheitonleeafiffssUnstieghdKsrhihntogreGREAT SEA ANG
Humberston Creek, where big fish
are caught right now Bait consisted of bluey, rag and lug
F , LING VENUES ●
first fish they catch is probably
a flounder. These obliging Do this by pulling your mainline several times
flatties turn up when other to move the bait slightly. You will see the line
species won’t play ball, but go slack, normally until the tidal movement
how do you increase your tightens it up again or your rod tip moves as
chances of catching more of another fish is tricked by the movement and
takes the bait. When using a two or three-
hook rig and trying to catch more than one
them? One way, and I am fish after a first bite, just give the mainline
being serious, is to go flounder tracking. Let me a quick tug which can sometimes result in
explain how it’s done. another fish. is ploy can make all the
is involves visiting the beach at low water difference when match fishing.
and looking for tell-tale marks in the sand.
You may see indentations where these flatfish
TACKLE & BAITpreviously buried themselves in the mud while
waiting for food. ese features gives you an I put this into practice in January in the
idea where the flounders have been, usually just middle of the Covid-19 lockdown at a
outside a gulley or on a sand bar. local mark in North Lincolnshire. My
Before one match I went for a walk at the friend Jack Barlow and I decided to
venue to see where the flounders had been on try the creek at Humberston, where
the tide before. I was able to discover where the biggest flatties are caught between
to cast and this information resulted in me January and March. Humberston Creek
catching quite a few fish while other anglers is at the seaward point of the Louth
were hurling their bait further than where the Canal, which runs for 11 miles from
fish had been. at is, though, only one step in Louth to Tetney Haven at the mouth of the
trying to catch this angler-friendly flatty. Humber, where the RSPB Tetney Marshes
Bait, of course, is very important. In winter
when there is reduced crab activity you’ll find
worms, both lug and rag, often tipped with
a sliver of fish, will catch plenty of flounders.
Harbour rag (maddies) or small king
ragworms can be very good, especially if the
fishing is hard going. When the water gets a
bit warmer, the crabs get more active and you
start to get your bait stripped by them. Now
you should remove the fish tip and use only
worms to produce more bites and reduce the
bait-robbing crab activity. In the summer the
best bait will be a crab, with half or a quarter
of a peeler the perfect size. On some days a
cocktail of crab and maddies can be a winning
combination. Feed the maddies up the hook
over the shank and let them dangle over the
crab bait or whip them into the crab.
Flounders seem to be lazy and just wait in Fishing from the
bottom of the steps
the sand or mud for a meal to come along, so
a neat tactic is to annoy them to get a reaction.
14 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 Double shots were
commonplace as
the tide ebbed
15
SHORE ANGLER
A flounder for best just under 40cm, but instead of getting
Jack Barlow single fish we were getting double shots
on most casts. When using lighter rods it
Another flounder certainly makes the rod bend when you hook
hits the sand two decent flounders. Often we would cast out
and not even have chance to re-bait before the
Nature Reserve and Humber Mouth Yacht Use light tackle for catching flounders rod tip was bouncing all over the place as the
Club are located. is is a few minutes’ drive braid indicated every movement.
from our homes. clipped-down version because you are not
casting far at this venue. Our bait selection was On some occasions the tide can be quite
e tidal height was possibly a little big for lug, rag, and bluey, so the hooks were Kamasan strong, which is why Jack favours a light grip
the venue, but with the weather apparently B940M Aberdeen Match in size 4. weight to slow the movement of the rig. You
getting worse later in the week it was decided also find that the fish hook themselves. I
to go while it was still fine. We fished towards PLENTY OF BITES always take a variety of plain and grip leads in
the mouth of the creek (the Cleethorpes end). different shapes and sizes from one ounce to
To ensure social distancing, I fished from the Jack had the first bite and missed it, but soon five. I know some anglers even go to six ounces
top on the grass, while Jack got to the bottom my rod was bouncing around and the first fish when the tide run is at its worse. I find casting
of the steps and fished on the concrete plinth. was soon lifted up the side of the wall. It was a up the tide helps. You will feel the lead weight
We started fishing at high tide and there was smaller one of around 28cm but it was a start. trundling along and then suddenly the tip
little run so a three ounce pyramid weight Next Jack was into a fish again. His rod was springs into action and another fish is hooked.
was fine. bending nicely and then, just as he was about
to bring the fish in, the rod tip lunged and After about three hours of fishing we decided
For flounder fishing I use a continental rod bent heavily into something before springing to call it a day. We both landed more than
and smaller fixed-spool reel loaded with braid back. A seal then appeared. e flounder 20 fish, which was a very good session. e
and a tapered mono leader. I find the braid escaped, just! creek fishes well for most of the year but the
is ideal at the creek, especially if the tide is best times are January, February and then the
running. If I am fishing further down the river, By only casting 30 to 40 yards into the deeper summer. If you get a chance, have a look at low
I use monofilament line. My rig was a simple parts of the creek, I was getting a fish on most water and you will see where to cast. If you fish
two-hook job with the main body consisting of casts; what I call steady fishing. en about too far out you will be out of the creek and on
40lb Drennan Greased Weasel, which is ample two hours after high tide the water started to the sandbanks. e lower height tides are best,
for a lead weight of four ounces or less. For go out of the creek and the flow increased to in fact the lower the better. On this session we
the top hooklength, I use a Tronixpro Quick create a bit of run. is resulted in more bites, fished the tide going down but last year a few
Rig (consisting of a rubber stop, two clear at a quicker pace and they were certainly more of the matches I fished here were from three
beds and a swivel trapped between them and positive. e flounders were also bigger, the hours up to high water and one down.
another rubber stop) with the bottom snood a
free-running affair (the line going through the In summer while you are fishing for flatfish,
lead link swivel followed by a bead and tied to you will also get occasional bass. Anglers
a small swivel, to which I attach good length of fishing for bass here last year caught them
12lb fluorocarbon line). I prefer fluorocarbon up to 7lb. One angler, Andrew Hutson,
line for my hooklengths because it does not decided to fly-fish into the creek off one of the
stretch as much and tends not to twist. While sandbanks and had great fun with the bass. ■
I avoid bling on my hooklengths, other anglers
favour beads, sequins or other types of bait NEED TO KNOW
stops. ere is no need for the rig to be a
GETTING
16 THERE
To get to the
creek, head
along Anthony’s
Bank Road
towards Thorpe
Park Holiday
Centre in
Humberston
(DN35 0PW). Go past the site
and you will see a car park on
the left-hand side (be aware that
this could be closed during Covid
restrictions). Alternatively, drive to
the Humberston Fitties where you
will see several walkways off the road
leading to Fitties Beach and the creek.
Please park sensibly and do not block
access for the residents.
TACKLE SHOP
■ Anglers and Danglers,
96 Haycroft Avenue, Grimsby,
DN31 2DP, tel: 07758 12131.
■ Trading Post, 141 Hainton Avenue,
Grimsby, DN32 9LF, tel: 01472 345376.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
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SHORE ANGLER Words and
photography by
MIKE THRUSSELL
BAITPART THREE
BOX
How, where & when
THE FISH
FANTASTIC
Mackerel, bluey, sandeels
and squid are the mainstay of
many anglers’ bait selection
MACKEREL Its universal success is due to Secure a
the high oil content that emits a long strip
Over the full 12-month calendar year, steady stream of food scent into the with bait elastic
mackerel is probably the most consistent sea tide. It also appeals to both predatory fish
angling bait used nationwide. Some anglers and to scavengers. Mackerel is taken by fish in SPECIES
choose to catch and freeze their own, though almost every fishing situation you can think
blast frozen mackerel is available in most of, ranging from legering over rough ground to Mackerel baits fished from the shore will
tackle shops all year. float fishing off a man-made structure and all consistently take all the rays, along with
boat fishing situations from flatfish to sharks. tope, bream, bull huss, pollack, conger eels,
If you’re new to sea fishing and not sure which bass, flounders, dabs, garfish, mullet, dogfish,
bait to try, then this is a good starting point. trigger fish, whiting and a host of mini
species such as the tiny wrasse, sea scorpions,
xxxxxxx SEASON shannies and tompot blennies.
xxxxxxx
xMxxaxcxkxerxel is a versatile and popular bait As a bait, it works for the whole year but the Offshore, this bait is equally successful
18 mackerel shoals move inshore in April and catching almost everything out there,
stay until October generally, so the inshore fish including brill and turbot, sharks, common
are accustomed to feeding on mackerel during skate, conger eels, all the rays, bull huss,
these peak months. However, due to that high wrasse, pollack, coalfish, cod, haddock, ling,
oil content, it is also very effective in winter in whiting and dabs, as well as the rarer species
both gin-clear seas and when the sea is carrying such as stone bass, megrim and hake.
colour after rough weather.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
Use a craft knife to create the thin strips BLUEY
is is the Pacific saury and
SIMPLE STORAGE looks like a heavy garfish. It
was originally imported as a
If you decide to catch your own, then you long-line bait into Norway and
need to take a cool box with you. As you Iceland and was consequently
feather them up, place them straight in the recognised as a successful rod
cool box, ideally either on ice packs, or loose and line bait. Now popular
ice. Keeping fresh mackerel cold is vital to here in the UK, it is called
their freshness prior to freezing. When you bluey due to its colour.
get home, wash them in clean tap water, dry
them on kitchen roll, put them in pairs into It is an extremely oily fish
fully sealable bags, remove as much air as you that seems to take longer
can, then seal the bag and place them straight to wash out than mackerel
into the freezer. e time lapse between baits of a similar size. Bluey
catching and freezing needs to be minimal for is readily available as a frozen
the best results. bait in most good tackle shops
throughout the year. It is not
For short-session fishing frozen mackerel as versatile in the species it will
can be carried in a small cool box with a single catch as mackerel, but it is effective
ice pack. is will keep them frozen for most for bigger predators.
of even a hot day if the cool box is a good
make. For longer trips, if you can’t replace SEASON Use a
your bait from a shop on a daily basis, then Pennell rig
use a bigger cool box with ice on the bottom, Another bait that will catch fish during any for big baits
a layer of frozen mackerel, another layer of ice month of the year, it is very effective in areas
or ice packs and so on until the box is full. is where there is some tide run due to its ability SIMPLE STORAGE
will store for two to three days if you keep the to give off scent for longer. As the scent
box out of the sun. In both cases put what is spreads further, it allows more ground to You are buying it frozen, so for short-
not being used immediately back into the box be covered and induces fish in from further session fishing keep it in a cool box with
to keep it fresh. afield than mackerel, making it very effective ice packs and take out only what you need
in coloured seas during the winter. for immediate use. Even when buying from
You can also buy fairly fresh mackerel from a tackle shop for your freezer, take your
some supermarkets and fish shops. What you SPECIES cool box to keep it fully frozen during the
need to look for is that the eye is fresh and journey home.
clear, the gills are bright red, and, most of all, Bluey is more selective in what it catches
the fish smells of the sea. If the fish has lost its than mackerel and less effective at catching PRESENTATION
colour and gone grey, if the eyes are dull and smaller species, but will take dabs, whiting
opaque and it smells literally of fish, it is past and the occasional flounder. It is more It works in small strips or as third or half
its best. e fresher the fish is, the better it will consistent for rays, congers, bull huss, ling fillets wrapped in a few turns of bait elastic if
fish in most circumstances. and spurdogs, both from the shore and boat. you’re targeting smaller fish. For bigger rays,
It is also one fish bait that will take cod, congers and huss, cut a body section between
PRESENTATION especially when shore fishing in Norway or three and four inches long. Pass the hook
Iceland, but also in the UK. in through the top of the bait and bring the
For smaller species when fishing from boat hook fully in and out stitching style until the
and shore, thin strips, the white belly being hook point exits from the base of the bait.
best, cut between one inch and three inches Now wrap well with bait elastic to secure it
long and no more than a half an inch wide to the hook for casting.
covers many options. Pass the hook point
and hook through from the flesh side once Stitch the hook through a body section A bluey bait ready for casting
to allow the strip to fish lengthways. is
presents the strip naturally whether you’re A large bluey bait engulfed by a cod Bluey and lug make a good combination
shore leger fishing or boat drift fishing. 19
For casting, take the hook fully through
from the skin side and bring it back through
from the flesh side at the base of the bait. Use
thin baiting elastic and wrap the mackerel into
a neat thin shape leaving a small flap to move
freely below the hook.
For bigger predators like rays, huss and
congers, a three- to four-inch length of fillet
with the hook passed fully through from the
skin side, then back through from the flesh
side at the base sees the hook support the
fillet, which is then wrapped securely with
bait elastic for casting. Half-body sections
or whole heads work well for bigger conger
eels when fishing breakwaters and from rock
ledges into deep water, and also for big bass.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
SHORE ANGLER
A sandeel SPECIES PRESENTATION
rigged for Using a sandeel from the shore is
float fishing excellent for small-eyed and spotted For smaller species, you can fillet smaller
rays, bull huss, pollack, coalfish and sandeels. Use these little fillets on smaller size
SANDEELS bass, and in small strips for smaller 6 or 4 hooks by passing the hook once through
species such as turbot, flounders, from the flesh side, which presents a moving
Sandeels are a staple part of the diet for a great dabs and school bass. strip that imitates a small fish. Otherwise, cut
number of fish resident both inshore and Offshore, launce will take body sections about an inch to two inches long
offshore. ey are common throughout the most bottom-feeding species and feed the hook down through from the top
UK waters and readily available as a frozen bait including wrasse, cod, ling, and bring it out near the base of the bait, then
in most tackle shops and sometimes as a live pollack, coalfish, haddock, as bind with bait elastic to add casting strength.
bait. e largest is the launce sandeel growing well as bull huss, rays, turbot,
to at least 10 inches and more, with several plaice and brill. A whole sandeel is best used with the head and
smaller species being found inshore averaging SIMPLE STORAGE tail fin removed. Pass the hook in through the tail
three to six inches in length. Live sandeels can be put in fresh end and slide the sandeel round the bend and up
sea water with an aerator to keep the hook shank to leave it vertical on the hook
It is one of our most versatile baits for legering, them oxygenated. is will keep with the point exiting at the head end. Again, add
float fishing or when worked slowly through the them alive for a few hours, but there a few turns of bait elastic to secure. You can bulk
water on spinning gear. will be constant losses. Alternatively, up this bait by adding another sandeel as a splint
put ice packs in the bottom of a cool box, alongside the first.
SEASON add a thickly layered cloth dampened with
sea water over the top of the ice to insulate Bigger sandeels should be cut into body sections
Its natural season is from April to October the sandeels, place the sandeels on this and two to four-inches long with the hook passed
when it forms small to large shoals and is add another sea-dampened cloth over the top down the length of the bait to leave the hook point
common both inshore and offshore, especially of the sandeels. Retaining them very cold and clear, with bait elastic added.
in estuaries and over inshore reef systems. is damp lengthens the time you can keep them
bait will catch fish all year but can become area fresh and lively. For float fishing with a whole small sandeel, pass
sensitive in the winter, being good in one place To freeze fresh sandeels, place them in the hook through the nose or mouth, bringing the
and less so in another. It is most effective over sealable bags or use a vacuum sealer. Put them hook through, and nick the hook in and out of the
clean sand, but bigger launce can be very good in suitable numbers for single sessions and flank about midway down the body to leave the
over rough ground, too. get them as fast as possible into the freezer. hook point clear.
Removing all the air helps avoid freezer burn.
xxxMxaxkxexsure the hook For short-session fishing, frozen sandeels SQUID
xxxpxoxinxtxis left clear need to be kept in either a good insulated bait
xxxxxxx wallet, or better still, a proper cool box with A highly effective bait over the full calendar
ice packs added. Again, only remove what you year, it is readily available in most tackle
need immediately and keep the wallet or box in shops, but also from fish markets, wet fish
a cool shady place. e eels will stay frozen in shops and even some supermarkets. It is sold
a cool box for days with good ice packs during frozen in packs for short sessions, and in 1lb
prolonged trips. and 5lb boxes. In real terms it is a relatively
cheap bait that no angler should be without.
A sandeel with the head and tail removed
ere are several types. Bleached
Californian squid for the domestic market,
which is the commonest, unwashed squid
which is said to carry more scent, and
small Japonica squid, individual squid
little more than two inches or so
long. ey all work very well.
SEASON
ere seems little scent
from a squid, but the fish
have no trouble finding
it. It works throughout
the year. e Californian
squid is white with the
skin removed and is easily
seen in clear water, but in
coloured seas there is ample
scent for predators to follow
the scent trail all the way to the
bait. e smaller Japonica squid
is much the same. e unwashed
squid has more scent and works
well at night and in coloured seas.
If a squid looks pink in the flesh, then it
is far from fresh, and though it will still catch
fish it is not likely to be as effective as a fresh
one.
20 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
SPECIES TEAM VASS 350
WINTER JACKET
A good bait in smaller strips for dabs, RRP £126.95
dogfish, bream, whiting and gurnards,
also smaller wrasse such as cuckoo and Plaice wWTEIiANlMlTEtVRaAkSSMeSO35C0K
corkwings. It really comes into its own raRgRPw£o10r9m.95s
when used as a bigger bait and targets huss,
congers, cod, bass, rays, spurdogs, ling and
smoothhounds.
SIMPLE STORAGE Whole squid can be fished on a Pennell rig TEAM VASS 350
Put the squid and an ice pack in a cool box WINTER BIB &
Frozen packs of squid keep for a year or BRACE
more in the freezer. e 1lb and 5lb packs RRP £87.95
though, need to be initially semi-thawed
to split the squid. Place three squid into a (New Edition 4)
sealable or vacuum-packed bag, and then
re-freeze until needed. VASS-TEX 600
CHEST WADER
For short and long sessions, put the frozen RRP £58.95
squid into a cool box with ice packs and keep RRP £72.95
the box cool. ey will keep for several days
like this if not constantly opened. For short- STUDDED
session fishing, again use small ice packs and
keep the squid in an insulated wallet or a VR376
small cool box and as always, only take out VASS ‘FLEECE LINED’
what is needed right away. RIBBED BEANIE
RRP £14.95
PRESENTATION
COLS: GREY OR
To cut small neat strips of squid, say from BROWN
an inch to three or four inches, remove the
head and slice the body of the squid up the 40L Internal Sealed VASS Dry
full length to open it like a book. Remove Storage area with RuckSack
the guts and the backbone. Using the edge large Separated Edition 3
of a knife, scrape the thin skin off the squid pocket Waterproof
to leave a flat white body section, which can RRP £69.98
Rod holders
Remove the for example Comfort Straps with
number you need only multi adjustment
for a session
large front
External Wet
Pocket
Adjustable Velcro
Fastening looped Strap
(On each side of bag)
Stretch Mesh Waist Strap &
Pockets each side Quick Release
Buckle
Secure the bait with elastic for casting VASS
NEOPRENE
be cut neatly and thinly to imitate small fish. BOOT &
Pass the hook through the bait once at one end WADER LINERS
to maximise movement.
RRP £17.95
Half-body sections can be pushed round the
hook and secured with bait elastic. However, if VASS R BOOT
you leave the head dangling when using a whole
squid, fish like bass, congers, rays and huss can RRP £47.95
nip off the head and miss the hook. To avoid RRP £58.95 STUDDED
this, pass the hook into the top of the squid’s
xxxxxxx body then push the squid down and round the
xxxxxxx bend of the hook and fully up the shank so that
xxxxxxx the hook exits at the base of the body. Now
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 bend the head back to lay alongside the body
and bind it with bait elastic.
Bigger squid (over four inches long) are best
fished on a two-hook Pennell rig with the top
hook nicked into the upper end of the body. ■
21
SHORE ANGLER Words by
JOE WHYTE
At 14lb-plus, O S’
it was a cod anglers in recent times
personal best is Peter Lee, originally
22 from Hong Kong and now
a restaurateur in Paisley,
where he runs his family
business, the highly-
regarded and long-standing Kwang Tung.
He learned his fishing skills from some
of the leading cod fishers on the east coast
of Scotland – people like Rab Gallagher,
Stewart Falconer and Paul Mottram. He
is carrying on the tradition himself and
passing on some of his hard-earned tips
and knowledge to a small and select band of
‘students’ who are learning the ropes from an
angler and mentor who for over two decades
has put in the miles, the hours, the research
and (only very occasionally) the blank
sessions to gain a wealth of expert knowledge.
In November Peter bagged a personal best
cod of 14lb-plus cod on a trip to Arbroath
where he does much of his fishing. Like many
top rods, Pete will help out anyone with
advice, but, like many successful anglers,
don’t expect him to put you on a spot that will
produce. He’s spent years perfecting his skills
and know-how and some of these marks are
closely guarded to prevent the nonsense of
litter and over-fishing.
Pete is as passionate about food and
cooking as he is about hunting the big fish.
An afternoon spent with Pete will see him
produce his home baking and talk you
through some of his favourite recipes. As a
chef with a reputation as high as his own, he
will have you salivating at the prospect of salt
and chilli cod or steamed bass with ginger.
Passing a couple of hours with Pete is always
a pleasure.
Q Tell me about that personal
best cod.
PL: Oh, what a fish! I was north of
Arbroath, on my own, just three days after
my dad (the much-loved Man Choy Lee) had
passed away. I wanted to get out and clear
my head and get my thoughts together over
what had happened. I had moved over a
couple of different marks, and eventually
got to the last spot. Before this I’d bagged a
couple of wee ones so I just said to myself,
‘Last shot here’, and stuck on a huge bait, a
peeler and a cart wing. and whacked it out.
I was ready for home. Five minutes later I
was rewarded with a nice eight-pounder.
I messaged Denise (his wife) to get ready,
dinner is served and had final chuck with
two peelers and a cart wing.
Two minutes later, the rod doubles over,
the tripod is on the ground which I was
thankfully near, maybe five metres, as I’d
moved my gear back with he flooding tide.
I grabbed the rod, which was bent right
over, felt that the fish was on and I’m
pumping it off the seabed. That’s one of the
main things, always get the fish into mid-
water if you can and then take your time,
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
WCeOlcoDme tAo tCheEworld of
PETER LEE
Having learned his cod fishing skills
from some of the very best in Scotland,
this angler and culinary wizard is
carrying on the tradition by passing
on his hard-earned knowledge…
Q What was your bWigeg’lel rnpeeladtae
previous best?
PL: My best fish before this
was a 12-pounder. I was out
fishing with (local legend)
Rab Gallagher and we were
on another mark which I’d never fished
before and I fished this particular gully.
Like any good teacher, Rab had put me on few times with other people and didn’t do
the prime spot and after three casts into too well but I thought, this is a nice bloke,
the gully I’d had two doubles, a ten and he deserves a chance, just like me. Other
then a twelve and then we were off. Quite people took me under their wing and taught
a feat, three casts and two doubles. me and I’m really grateful for that.
I took Ryan out a couple of nights,
walking different marks, gave him some
QIt’s not that easy at the time ideas about what to do and why we do them
though, is it? and I tried to explain why he should cast
PL: A lot of less-experienced anglers in a certain direction, what the lie of the
Two cod of 14lb and 8lb in one session would panic knowing that they were into seabed is and why gullies and features are
playing it and pumping it in. I knew it was a a good fish and are in too much of a hurry important. I always think it’s important
good fish, but I had no idea how big. to retrieve it. Always take your time, to realise how cod feed in the gullies and
I get it in, close to the shore, and back off because with cod, they aren’t going to run. alleyways between rocks. Paul Mottram
the drag and watch the swell, using the As long as you hold it and it is well hooked, who mentored me explained that, like a
swell to put the fish on to a rock ledge. A lot it’s not going to come off. The last bit, the person walking round obstacles rather
of people will lose big fish right at the last critical point, is when it’s near the shore. than through them, a cod will do the
minute. When the swell pulls the fish down, Always try and use the swell to bring in same. You need to have your bait in a clear
you can’t match that quick enough and the the fish. Of course, my heart was racing, alleyway that the cod will visit.
fish is left dangling. You’ve got to back off but it’s important to try and slow it down. On one of those trips, Ryan got a 2lb
the drag – the sea will always be a winner. codling and was over the moon. His next
was 4lb 7oz and he was made up. I caught
I watched the swell for the right moment Q Tell me about some of nothing, but the joy was putting a new
and popped the fish on to a rock and I just the people you’ve been angler into some fish. I passed on some tips
dragged it up to my stance. Holy moly! I helping out. and he’s got a new PB, a new friendship and
knew it was a big fish but my scales weren’t
working. I took it up to a friend’s place PL: I have been mentoring a new angler, is grateful for the chance.
(Paul Mottram – more of him later – and he Ryan Pringle, who only started fishing Note: Since then, Ryan beat his PB with
weighed it, 14lb, bang, new PB! for cod in September. He’d been out a another Pete-inspired nine-pounder.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
23
Q How did you get interested
in sea fishing?
PL: A couple of close friends from Paisley Q Do you enjoy any other types Looks good, Peter’s salt
fished the east coast and one of them of fishing? and chilli cod
showed me a 3lb fish and I was amazed.
This led to me going fishing with a few PL: I like trout fishing in the summer, with Q Are you a fan of expensive
guys, in particular David Lettham who was a pal of mine called Bill Greer. He’s retired fishing tackle?
the one who really put me on the path that now but has fished all of his life, well before
I’m on now. Through him I met Stewart my time. He’d stopped for about a decade as PL: I’m not what I would call well-off but,
Falconer and you could not meet a better he had his own business but first time back, like all anglers, I do like a good quality rod.
guy; he’s been really helpful to me and after a lot of encouragement, he fished In recent weeks I’ve been using older rods
others over the years. When I introduced the Lake of Montieth and when that first again and it was good to get a feel for what
him to Ryan he said: ‘Yeah, Pete, over to you fish took his fly, that was him hooked again I enjoyed about them. Yeah, the latest and
to do the teaching now.’ completely. It’s hard to explain to people what greatest are great but sometimes the tool
fishing does to us, the rush, the pleasure, the for the job is all you need. For cod fishing,
As regards teaching people, I always buzz. In the current climate, it’s a great thing you obviously want a rod with a bit of beef
say to the guys that I’ve been mentoring for the state of mind. Coronavirus has taken in it. The reel and end tackle and knowledge
that every time you go out you will learn quite a toll on people’s mental health and it’s a are much more important than the latest
something – conditions and times to fish great thing for the mind. I mean, golf, music, rod. You don’t need a tournament rod
certain marks. It’s like a big jigsaw puzzle whatever, but it’s fishing for me. because it’s not huge casting for cod fishing
and you have to piece it together sometimes most of the time; it’s 40, 50-yard chucks and
to find out how an area fishes on a certain you need a rod that will lift the fish off the
day and weather. You have to be on the deck and cope with rough ground.
right mark, at the right time with the right
swell, but, of course, sometimes the fish
confound you by doing the opposite of
what you think. It’s that particular day, the
bait you use, the conditions. It’s quite basic
really but at the same time also very hard
to understand.
It’s always good to try and think like a
fish. If things aren’t working and the bites
aren’t there, try and think where the fish
would be; maybe coloured water in a big sea
but in a calm area. You need to remember if
the sea is raging, a cod won’t sit there as it
is expending energy; it’ll sit in a back eddy
where food will collect, where feeding is
easy, rather than chasing a meal in white
water. I’ve approached marks that have
produced before but have looked at the
swell and thought that won’t fish despite
the good conditions. Sometimes it doesn’t
work like that! It’s important to analyse the
mark and move if need be. There’s no point
persevering with a spot that won’t fish,
even if you’ve caught there at other times.
Q Do you keep notes or a
diary of previous trips?
PL: Some of the guys who mentored me
would tell me to keep a diary but I have
never actually done it as I think fishing
now is different from even 10, 15 years ago.
I wish I had the knowledge I have now
when I started because there were more
fish about then, but, you know, it’s all a
learning curve. A diary would be handy
but I don’t think it’s the be-all and end-all.
I think having a good knowledge of things
like moon phases, wind and swell direction
and even air pressure play a huge part in
being successful or not. I always try to
be safety conscious too; I’ve had a couple
of close ones but once you’ve had a fright
you battle on, move to another mark or go
home. I prefer fishing with friends but I do
fish alone a fair bit.”
24
QWhat are your thoughts From about 14, I started working in the TBRITAANND NEW
about bait choice? restaurant after school and eventually RANGE
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PL: I think bait has changed a lot over has really boomed. We are all really close- Titan™
the years. For a long time peeler crab was knit; my staff are like family, too. Exeat 25 Waterproof
the thing and now cart seems to be the Breathable Salopettes &
choice for lots of guys. All baits have their Q You seem very passionate
days. You have to look at and learn from about food and cooking. Smock from
the marks. A beach will generally fish Do you have any recipe tips? £114.99 each
better using worm-based cocktail baits
and a rocky mark better with crab, cart or PL: Sometimes the experimental things are Titan™
mussels. If you think about it, what is the the best when cooking. Since lockdown, Original Hooded
natural food that will be there? I’ll go out I’ve been learning about baking. It’s always
with four or five different baits; you don’t great to learn new things. We’d tried salt 100% Cotton
need a huge selection. It’s what works on and chilli with various foods but trying it Smock £39.99
the day at that mark. with fish, wow, brilliant! Cooking with a
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crazy to me; maybe if you are match fishing, jump out. It’s a traditional Chinese way of
yes, fresh all day long, but hunting cod, cooking a whole fish and it is delicious. I’m
they are not that fussy. As long as the bait not a regular bass angler though, but I’ve
is fresh enough, it’ll work. As long as it’s had a bit of success, again fishing with guys
good quality, frozen is fine. who know their way around the marks. ■
I once found a pebble in a cod’s stomach, Titan Matchman™
which shows that they are sucking up Tackle & Bait
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25
YOUR FISHING READER STORY Words by Photography
James by Guntars
Madsen Zukovski
Hope for ThefrCboeTmAsTtBHofiUHuEsrEhrGIiEenRSagHNds!EetrTo,sries
the future
Does bass ace’s common skate signal a
comeback in the Bristol Channel?
GwbuaitsnhstaoBrfrs2it‘1Galbirnu5’suo’bzZigugkeosvtski Nowadays, anglers fishing A welcome
the lochs in Scotland target arrival in the
M common skate from both Bristol Channel
remember the story boat and shore. ere have
in this magazine last been some amazing captures, even during all the other
year about Guntars particularly from the shore fishless sessions in the colder
Zukovski’s massive with skate in excess of 200lb winter months.
21lb 5oz record- recorded. Scotland it seems
breaking bass. Now isn’t the only place they Guntars classes himself as a
the specimen angler has caught another specimen hunter these days and he
special fish, this time a blue skate in the early can be caught. For back doesn’t mess about with small
hours of Friday January 22. in December, Jamie Steward, baits very often. You may
from North Devon, landed an remember he caught the
Common skate (Dipturus batis), now 8lb 5oz common skate and won giant bass on a whole
known as the Flossada or blue skate, are the Bristol Channel fish of the mackerel bait and in
the largest skate in the world and were month online competition. this session he used
once abundant from the North Sea to the Imagine the surprise of the big double squid baits
Mediterranean. ey were very common organisers only three weeks (see page 60) presented
around the United Kingdom coastline, later when another common on a Pennell pulley rig
including the Bristol Channel which skate was landed from the with size 7/0 hooks. He
boasted several major skate fisheries up was casting these baits out to
to the end of the 19th century. A serious shores of the Bristol Channel, a good distance, using his Century
decline of the species was seen in the this time by Guntars Zukovski, Fireblade rod and Penn 525 Casting
early 20th century when stocks may have who is originally from Latvia and now Special multiplier loaded with 25lb
dropped by 40 per cent. In the 1970s lives in Bridgwater, Somerset. One superb monofilament line. To cope with the fierce
this particular species of common skate fish is a fluke perhaps, but two? tidal rise and fall in this area, 6-7oz grip
was declared commercially extinct and weights are recommended in order to keep
subsequently added to the list of critically SPECIMEN SESSION bait nailed on the seabed.
endangered species.
Guntars, known as Gruu, decided to head SURPRISE FISH
out for another one of his regular fishing
sessions on the reefs around Somerset. Two hours passed without a bite and then
Having lived in the UK for 10 years, he at around 5.15am, one hour before low
has been a sea angler for the last six. On tide, Guntars noticed some movement on
this occasion he finished work at 2am his rod. A very slow and solid pull down on
and aimed to wet his first line at around his rod tip got him excited. He waited, the
3.15am. Low tide was at 6.15am and tip came back up slowly and then went back
the plan was to fish three hours down to down again in similar fashion. e current
low water and one hour back up on the
flooding tide.
Since Christmas, fishing had been
particularly tough for everyone in this
area of the Bristol Channel, and Guntars
admitted his many hours of fishing in
January had produced very little reward.
e slump came after a good spell in
December, most notably catching two fine
cod, with the biggest hitting the scales at a
new personal best weight of 11lb 2oz. It is
nights like that which kept him motivated,
26 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
Jamie Stecwoamrmd’son8lsbk5aotze coiGndrDtuoeuc11eclambub2geohrzt
had slackened at this point so there was the skate in a deep rock pool before
no slack line and the tip kept going over weighing it and taking photographs.
on the second bite. He grabbed the rod, Interestingly, while recovering,
steadily leaned into the fish and began to the skate regurgitated its dinner,
wind his reel handle. consisting of four whiting and a
small codling. It certainly hadn’t
e fish didn’t put up any fight and been going hungry. As is so often the
Guntars described the retrieve as winding case with many specimen hunters,
in a dead weight. Most disappointingly, especially those who are out in the
the fish didn’t even kite from side to side middle of winter at stupid o’clock,
as it got closer into the shoreline. At first Guntars was again fishing alone.
glance he thought it was a big thornback He did his best to take a couple of
ray and was understandably shocked selfies on his mobile and then took
when he saw otherwise.
a video of him weighing the skate
He had seen photographs of Daniel before its release. She weighed in
Stewart’s common skate caught in at 15lb 3oz and that’s the biggest
common skate I’ve seen recorded
December, so once his fish came into in the Bristol Channel so far this century.
clear sight he knew straight away
what he’d caught and couldn’t SPECIES INCREASE
believe his luck. By this point
he had a beaming smile and Up to this point in time, no-one would
was extremely excited to see a admit to targeting common skate in
common skate on the rocks the Bristol Channel, but now we have
before him. seen two caught from the shore in
Guntars cares about the quick succession the mind does start
wellbeing of all the fish to wonder. Will we see a revival with
he catches, so he rested this species of skate? Only time will tell
but some people may say it’s extremely
unlikely due to general commercial
pressure on fish stocks. ere is some
hope, especially when you look at some
of the closures of commercial fisheries
in the Bristol Channel and how that has
made a massive difference to some of the
fish populations. e general amount
of rays has increased since the closure
of the commercial fisheries in Devon.
In addition, most anglers now practice
a really good catch and release policy.
It’s worth noting the increasing number
of blonde rays caught from the Bristol
Channel coasts of England and Wales,
which has been mind blowing. Perhaps
we’ll see a few more being caught in the
huge waterway very soon. ■
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 27
YOUR FISHING CATCHES
MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED
Catch a specimen fish to stand a chance of winning some great lines from Sufix
F Paul Castle,
mono, braid and fluorocarbon from Southsea,
Sufix by catching a great fish? In our
catch competition, your target is to Hampshire.
catch one over the weight given on FISH: 22lb 4oz
our nominated species list. If you do, enter our spurdog. BAIT:
contest and you automatically stand a chance of Mackerel flapper
winning either our shore or boat bundle. on a flowing trace.
VENUE: 30 miles
Each issue we award a superb Sufix package to off Portsmouth.
the captor of the best shore fish and best boat- DATE: February 6
caught fish, both chosen on merit.
ere is no choice of prize which is awarded at
our discretion.
Harrison Catania, Newport, Isle of Wight. MONTHLY WINNERS:
FISH: 3lb 4oz flounder. BAIT: Ragworms on two- SHORE: Harrison Catania, Newport,
hook flapper rig. VENUE: River Medina.
DATE: January 27 3-4 flounder
BOAT: Paul Castle, 22lb 4oz spurdog
Brad Chapman, Guisborough,
North Yorkshire. FISH: 11lb 2oz cod.
BAIT: Lug and black lug on a
Pennell pulley rig.
VENUE: Runswick Bay.
DATE: January 22
Peter Dudgeon, Romsey, Hampshire. Maty Leigh, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear.
FISH: 65lb conger eel. BAIT: Squid. FISH: 14lb cod. BAIT: Cart wing on a pulley rig.
VENUE: Private boat out of Gosport. VENUE: Seaham, County Durham.
DATE: January 23 DATE: January 24
28 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
In association with
Tyler Wild, Durham, County Durham. Cameron Holmes, Skelton-in-Cleveland, North
FISH: 7lb 2oz cod. BAIT: Yellowtail lug and cart. Yorkshire. FISH: 7lb 3oz cod. BAIT: Black lug
VENUE: Tynemouth pier, Tyne & Wear. and blow lug on Pennell pulley rig. VENUE:
DATE: January 23 Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire. DATE: January 24
David Mcrorie, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear.
FISH: 14lb 4oz cod. BAIT: Squid and razorfish on
a pulley rig. VENUE: Northumberland.
DATE: January 29
Mikey Mellor, Guisborough, North Yorkshire.
FISH: 7lb 7oz cod. BAIT: Cart wing and squid on
Pennell pulley rig. VENUE: Staithes area.
DATE: January 28
Marc Boggust, Poole, Dorset. Craig Everettt, Holyhead, Anglesey. Robert Baillie, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries &
FISH: 2lb+ plaice. BAIT: Frozen black lugworm FISH: Double-figure bull huss. BAIT: Mackerel Galloway. FISH: 10lb 15oz thornback ray.
on up and over rig. VENUE: Sandbanks, Poole, on a conger rig. VENUE: Holyhead. BAIT: Bluey and squid on Pennell pulley rig.
Dorset. DATE: January 28 DATE: February 5. VENUE: Dumfries & Galloway. DATE: January 24
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 59714
29
YOUR FISHING CATCHES
Warwick Salzer, Weymouth, Dorset.
FISH: 3lb 11oz flounder. BAIT: Frozen crab
on a running leger. VENUE: Moored boat in
Weymouth harbour. DATE: January 27
Wayne Lord, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Barry Chambers, Plymouth, Devon. FISH: 2lb 4oz 8dr flounder. BAIT: Ragworm on running leger.
Galloway. FISH: 11lb 6oz 8dr thornback ray. VENUE: Private boat in River Tamar. DATE: January 4
BAIT: Bluey and squid on a drop-down pulley
rig. VENUE: Balcary. DATE: January 24
TARGET HITTERS! FLATFISH BOAT
MONTHLY WINNERS: 7-7, Staithes, Jan 28 ■ Barry Chambers, Plymouth,
BASS SHORE ■ Scott Patterson, Edinburgh,
■ Nathan Francis, Llanelli, 2-4-8 flounder,
7-8, East Lothian, Feb 8 River Tamar, Jan 4
8-0+*, Cold Knap, Nov 22 ■ Tyler Wild, Durham, 7-2, ■ Warwick Salzer, Weymouth,
BULL HUSS 3-11 flounder*, Weymouth
■ Craig Everett, Holyhead, Tynemouth pier, Jan 23 harbour, Jan 27.
■ Darren Willemars, RAY SHORE
10lb+*, Holyhead, Feb 5 ■ Robert Baillie, Kirkcudbright,
Rattray, 12-0, Arbroath 10-15 thornback*, Dumfries &
harbour, Feb 1 Galloway, Jan 24
■ Ross Baxter, Newport, 11-8
COD SHORE CONGER BOAT undulate* & 13-8 thornback*, Ross Baxter, Newport, Isle of Wight.
■ Brad Chapman, Guisborough, ■ Peter Dudgeon, Romsey, Yarmouth pier, Jan 3 & 31 FISH: 11lb 8oz undulate ray & 13lb 8oz thornback.
■ Billy Evans, Plymouth, 4-0 BAIT: Squid and Bluey on a pulley rig.
11-2, Runswick Bay, Jan 22 65lb*, Gosport, Jan 23. spotted*, Devon, Feb 5 VENUE: Yarmouth pier. DATE: January 3 and 31
■ Cameron Holmes, Skelton, 7-3, ■ Kaine Stray, Gosport, 40lb*, ■ Wayne Lord, Kirkcudbright,
11-6-8 thornback*, Balcary, SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
Runswick Bay, Jan 24 Gosport, Jan 23 Jan 24
■ Tom Jenkinson, Brae, 23-0*, FLATFISH SHORE SHARK BOAT
■ Oliver Brown, Eastbourne, ■ Paul Castle, Southsea,
Hellister, Feb 13 22-4 spurdog*,
■ Matty Leigh, Sunderland, 14-0, 3-13 plaice, Langney Portsmouth, Feb 6
Point, Feb 6
Seaham, Jan 23 ■ Scott Brown, Eastbourne, 3-9
■ Alastair McDonald, Cleadon, plaice, Langney Point, Feb 6
■ Marc Boggust, Poole, 2-0+
9-0, South Shields pier, Feb 9 plaice*, Sandbanks, Jan 28
■ John McQueen, Nafferton ■ Harrison Catania, Newport,
3-4 flounder*, River Medina,
Farm, 9-4, Northumberland, Jan 27
Feb 3
■ Cam Milne, Arbroath, 8-14,
Arbroath harbour, Feb 8.
■ Mikey Mellor, Guisborough,
30
In association with
MMIISSSISOINORNECORD HOLDERS
RECORD
HOLDERS
John McQueen, Nafferton Farm, Cam Milne, Arbroath, Angus. BASS POLLACK
Northumberland. FISH: 9lb 4oz cod. BAIT: Squid FISH: 8lb 14oz cod. BAIT: Mackerel, hermit crab ■ Shore: 19lb 13oz 8dr ■ Shore: 18lb 4oz
and cart wings. VENUE: Tynemouth area. and cart cocktail on Pennell pulley rig. John Locker Chris Griffin
DATE: February 3 VENUE: Arbroath harbour. DATE: February 8. ■ Boat: 19lb 4oz ■ Boat: 27lb 1oz
Wayne Milton Barry James
Billy Evans, Plymouth, Devon. BLACK BREAM BLONDE RAY
FISH: 4lb spotted ray. BAIT: Herring, squid and ■ Shore: 5lb 5oz 1dr ■ Shore: 31lb
bluey cocktail on up and over rig. C Le Monnier Gary Tucker
VENUE: Local beach. DATE: February 5 ■ Boat: 6lb 6oz ■ Boat: 39lb 10oz
Scott Brown, Eastbourne, East Sussex. Tony Heart S Underwood
FISH: 3lb 9oz plaice. BAIT: Frozen lugworm on COUCH’S BREAM COMMON SKATE
a two-up, one-down rig. VENUE: Langney Point, ■ Shore: 2lb 15oz 1dr ■ Shore: 232lb
Eastbourne. DATE: February 6 Lynton Carre Lew Marsden
■ Boat: 7lb Becky ■ Boat: 249lb
Alastair McDonald, Cleadon, Tyne & Wear. Darren Willemars, Rattray, Perth & Kinross. Lee Hodges Hans Dykman
FISH: 9lb cod. BAIT: Yellowtail lug on Pennell FISH: 12lb cod. BAIT: Dirty squid and mussels on GILTHEAD BREAM CUCKOO RAY
pulley rig, VENUE: South Shields pier. a Pennell pulley rig. VENUE: Arbroath harbour. ■ Shore: 9lb 8oz ■ Shore: 4lb 11oz
DATE: February 9 DATE: February 1 Scott Smy Kevin Hughes
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 ■ Boat: 10lb 2oz ■ Boat: 5lb 8oz
Roger Simcox L Longmore
PANDORA’S BREAM EAGLE RAY
■ Shore: 1lb 2oz ■ Shore: 102lb
Baz Wheater Ray Lewis
RAY’S BREAM ELECTRIC RAY
■ Shore: 6lb 1oz ■ Boat: 52lb
Jordan Colwell Chris Wood
RED BREAM MARBLED RAY
■ Boat: 6lb 4oz ■ Shore: 11lb 1oz 5dr
Patrick Meegan Pierre Garrick
BRILL ■ Boat: 21lb 7oz 12dr
■ Shore: 6lb 12oz David Bree
Mark Griggs SMALL-EYED RAY
■ Boat: 13lb 10oz ■ Shore: 17lb 8oz
Tony Hayward M Robertson
TURBOT ■ Boat: 21lb
■ Shore: 20lb 2oz Dave Lynes
Eddy Barham SPOTTED RAY
■ Boat: 32lb 1oz ■ Shore: 7lb 14oz
Steve Scally Liam Warder
BULL HUSS ■ Boat: 8lb 4oz
■ Shore: 21lb 9oz Neil Buckett
M Urquhart STINGRAY
■ Boat: 23lb ■ Shore: 75lb 4oz
D Nicholson Ed Spring
COD ■ Boat: 69lb 8oz
■ Shore: 32lb John Styles
Adrian Lloyd THORNBACK RAY
■ Boat: 43lb 9oz ■ Shore: 22lb 11oz 10dr
Chris Proctor Mike Johnson
CONGER EEL ■ Boat: 24lb 11oz
■ Shore: 66lb 8oz Gary Mewdell
Andy Eke UNDULATE RAY
■ Boat: 109lb 8oz ■ Shore: 20lb 1oz
Roger Beer Steve Harder
DAB ■ Boat: 25lb 2oz
■ Shore: 2lb 4oz 12dr Scott Russell
Jason Tucker ANGEL SHARK
■ Boat: 1lb 15oz ■ Boat: 54lb
Sean McCaffrey John Johnson
FLOUNDER BLUE SHARK
■ Shore: 4lb 14oz 8dr ■ Boat: 253lb
Paul Blehs James Fellows
■ Boat: 5lb 3oz 14dr MAKO SHARK
Philip Dawson ■ Shore: 194lb 4oz
DOVER SOLE Andrew Griffith
■ Shore: 5lb 5oz PORBEAGLE SHARK
Phil Troke ■ Boat: 484lb 8oz
■ Boat: 4lb 6oz Chris Bett
M Le-Moignan THRESHER SHARK
HALIBUT ■ Boat: 350lb
■ Boat: 56lb 12oz Bob Smith
Peter Strickson SMOOTHHOUND
LEMON SOLE ■ Shore: 28lb 10oz
■ Boat: 3lb 3oz Steve Cullen
G Newcombe ■ Boat: 30lb
MEGRIM Trevor Knight
■ Boat: 2lb 14oz SPURDOG
Philip Lewis ■ Shore: 18lb 14oz
PLAICE William Roche
■ Shore: 6lb 11oz ■ Boat: 27lb 3oz
Martin Coates Paul Westawa
■ Boat: 8lb 0oz 8dr TOPE
M Mowbray ■ Shore: 66lb 10oz
LING Michael Bell
■ Shore: 18lb 11oz ■ Boat: 86lb
Ross McKay David Cook
■ Boat: 88lb 6oz 8dr BALLAN WRASSE
Gareth Laurenson ■ Shore: 9lb 4oz
GOLDEN GREY MULLET Darren Swift
■ Shore: 3lb 8oz 8dr ■ Boat: 9lb
D Woolcombe Glen Carter
■ Boat: 4lb 11oz CUCKOO WRASSE
Stephan Martini ■ Shore: 1lb 13oz
MULLET Joe Edward
■ Shore: 11lb 8oz ■ Boat: 2lb 4oz
Glenn Lane D Glendenning
■ Boat: 11lb WHITE SKATE
Chris Harris ■ Boat: 160lb
Pete Hammersley
31
YOUR FISHING CATCHES
Tom Jenkinson, Brae, Shetland. FISH: 23lb cod. Scott Patterson, Edinburgh. FISH: 7lb 8oz cod. Nathan Francis, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.
BAIT: Cart and mussels on a Pennell pulley rig. BAIT: Mackerel, mussels and cart on a Pennell FISH: 8lb+ bass. BAIT: King ragworms.
VENUE: Hellister. DATE: February 13 pulley. VENUE: East Lothian. DATE: February 8 VENUE: Cold Knap, Barry. DATE: November 22
ENTRY FORM YOUR MISSION TARGETS... Send us your
entries and win
Name Age Catch a fish on this list at the weight or above some great prizes
Address in your region to qualify for the chance to win
prizes in our Mission catch competition. ■ The winner of the shore category
will receive three spools of Tritanium
To enter, send us the details requested on the 0.35mm mono, three spools of 80lb Zippy
entry form (left) and email that information and Shockleader, two spools of 20lb Advance
your picture to [email protected] Fluorocarbon and a single spool of 30lb
131 G-Core Braid, worth £129 in total.
Postcode Bass SHORE BOAT
Tel Black bream 7lb 9lb ■ The winner of the boat category
Email Red bream 2lb 3lb receives two spools of 50lb Advance
Type of fish Couch's & 2lb 3lb Superline Braid and two spools of 80lbs
Caught at Pandora's bream 1lb 8oz 1lb 8oz Zippy Shockleader, worth £154 in total.
Weight Gilthead bream 4lb 4lb
Date caught Ray's bream 3lb 3lb
Bait/Rig Brill 3lb 5lb
Bull huss 8lb 12lb
Caught from: shore ■ boat ■ Cod 7lb 10lb
Conger 20lb 40lb
Boat name Dab & megrim 1lb 1lb
Dover/lemon sole 2lb 2lb
Skipper Flounder 2lb 2lb
Ling 5lb 19lb
Port Mullet 4lb 5lb
My fish was returned ■ Golden grey mullet 2lb 2lb
was not returned ■ Plaice 2lb 4lb
Pollack/coalfish 6lb 12lb
We no longer accept postal entries. Common skate 60lb 100lb
Please email all the details required Blonde ray 12lb 17lb
above to Sea Angler magazine: Thornback ray 9lb 14lb
[email protected] Small-eyed/undulate 7lb 11lb
Ray (other) 3lb 5lb
Mark the subject on your email: MISSION ENTRY Sting/eagle ray 20lb 25lb
Smoothhound 10lb 14lb
Spurdog 7lb 11lb
Tope 27lb 35lb
Trigger fish 2lb 3lb
Turbot 10lb 13lb
Wrasse (ballan) 4lb 4lb
Wrasse (other) 1lb 1lb
Blue shark - 60lb
Porbeagle/thresher - 100lb
THE RULES...
■ Only fish caught since February 2021 are eligible. ■ We must see a picture of the fish.
■ We may refuse an entry. ■ Enter by email only (please include all of the information
requested on the form, left) to [email protected]
■ Prizes as stated (Sufix reserves the right to send alternatives).
■ No correspondence will be entered into.
32 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
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YOUR FISHING CATCHES
YOUNG RODS
Sea Angler’s celebration of the great angling
achievements of its younger readers
MWONINTNHELRY While fishing the Loughor
Estuary, six-year-old
Cadi-Lynn Rees, from
Swansea, caught four
flounders, the best 1lb, and
her three-year-old brother
Tom landed three.
▲ Nine-year-old Lacey Ryan, of Holyhead, Anglesey, recently had successful fishing ▲ This 7lb 9oz cod was a ▲ Four-year-old
sessions on the island. Her catches include this conger eel , several bull huss to 10lb, as personal best for 12-year- Jackson Ryan shows off
well as adding a thornback ray and whiting. Lacey is one of our prize winners. old Paddy Farrier, of one of three whiting he
Walker, Tyne & Wear, and caught from a mark in
Her brother Riley (picture inset), aged eight, has been fishing on the island with some the heaviest fish caught Swansea. He fished a
success too, catching congers on mackerel baits, and his other species include gurnards, during an East End SAC two-hook flapper rig baited
bull huss, plaice and pouting. roving match. He was with strips of mackerel.
fishing at Haven Rocks,
Tynemouth.
▲ Four-year-old Jack Doak caught a string of small ▲ On her first fishing trip,
pollack and then a 48cm bass on mackerel feathers eight-year-old Sophie
while boat fishing off Walney Island, Cumbria. Roberts, of Bangor,
34 Gwynedd, caught this
whiting on black lug. She
was shore fishing on the
local Menai Strait with
dad Liam.
Two-year-old
Jaxson Bassett joined his
dad and uncle for a short
session targeting wrasse
and, with a little help to
steady his rod, reeled this
little ballan wrasse up a
rock face at Ilfracombe,
North Devon. It was his
second fish and he is keen
to catch more.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
In association with
When Matt Robins,
skipper of Atlantis, out of
Newquay, Cornwall, took
his daughter Rosie (9) and
son Charlie (6) out on his
boat they caught six cod in
half an hour.
Black lug tipped with
squid produced a first ray,
this 3lb 13oz thornback,
for nine-year-old
Kynon Whiting, from
Newport, while fishing at
the Ogmore Deeps.
▲ Ruby-Grace Cormack,
aged 12, from Minster,
Isle of Sheppey, caught
this flounder on squid at
Leysdown, Kent.
This was a first bass nsdaaeSm.tHeeandeiOld@saWonykfodeTtulahOsrdeepEdyciNrca.ecttTsuocsEhr.uaeRtnkso,d
for eight-year-old
Harry Kitson, who
caught it on a ragworm
bait while fishing the
North Antrim coast
with his dad Jonathan
and older brother Lewis.
The young angler from
Newtownabbey also
caught two turbot at the
same time.
Fourteen-year-old Sticky black lugworms
Dylan Byrne from are a recognised bait for
St Austell, Cornwall, dabs and they worked for
boated this 70lb conger 12-year-old Elysia Weston,
eel, a personal best, on a from Dover, Kent. She
half mackerel bait during caught this one on a two-
a charter trip on Aquila, hook flapper rig at nearby
out of Mevagissey, in July Sandwich Bay.
last year.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 MWOINNTNHERLY
▲ This black bream was a first fish for Ralph Stimpson,
from Pagham, West Sussex, who caught it while fishing
his local beach last summer. He was eight at the time.
35
Poppy Carpenter,
from Jersey, had her first
fishing trip last summer
and caught this garfish,
which her dad Paul said
was “almost as long as she
is tall”. Poppy, who was
fishing at Gorey pier, was
three at the time.
Six-year-old ▲ This was a first codling Kaiden Nicklin, who is
Zachary Vowden, for seven-year-old two and a half, fished the
from Plymouth, James Eades, from River Wear in Sunderland
Devon, used a Withernsea. He caught where he caught his first
two-hook flapper the 1lb fish on a pulley fish, a whiting, on his new
rig and strips of rig baited with squid and rod. He used a two-hook
mackerel to catch mussels while fishing flapper rig baited with a
this 1lb 2oz whiting the local Middle Beach. peeler crab tipped off
at a local mark. He was using an Anyfish with mackerel.
Anywhere Six & Bait rod
and an Abu multiplier.
▲ Six-year-old Mason Fair, from Edinburgh, caught and Five-year-old
released a codling and flounder at a local mark. He fished Baxter Nichols
crab and lug baits on a two-hook flapper rig with size 1 caught this
hooks. “He’s already looking forward to the crabs peeling 2lb 8oz ballan
so he can get his hands into the tyres again,” said his wrasse on a
grandad Karl McNicholl. ragworm while
fishing on his
local beach at
Beer, Devon.
▲ Tyler Rogers, aged 12,
from Newcastle, with his
first catch, a flounder in
September when fishing
the River Tyne. He used
a two-hook flapper rig
baited with rag and lug.
▲ Four-year-old Teddy Miller, from South Shields, Tyne ▲ While fishing at £25 TACKLE
& Wear, landed this flatfish at the local walkway on the Doniford, Somerset, VOUCHER
River Tyne. It is the first fish he has landed himself. 10-year-old Josh Allen, WINNERS
36 from Watchet, and his dad
Gary shared a catch of five Fishingmegastore.com awards a £25 voucher
cod to 7lb 3oz. Josh caught prize to each of two winners - the youngster
this two-pounder on a with the best shore fish and another with the top
squid and cart bait. boat catch. The winners can use the voucher to
select tackle from Fishingmegastore.com which
is based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
The bites came
thick and fast
MY FISHING DIARY
ADVENTURES OF A JUNIOR SHORE ANGLER
Nine-year-old Tyneside angler Harley Thompson
gives an account of his latest shore fishing trip…
Lfcrruoagzb,esrnaagpreeaengldreerat a variety of other species too. Plenty of pegged bwaleagrnTrecehseaemdtcftaoualdlnclbkionulnegt
baits on the matches are held here on the River Tyne and
Tyne many zones are won from the area we had chosen
to fish. With the tides dropping off, I decided to
D C- use a long two-up rig loaded with a combination
restrictions, any travelling to of ragworms, lugworms, frozen peeler crab and
go fishing was strictly off tipped-off with Bluey.
limits. My school was closed
and the fishing around these A cast of 40 to 50 yards is more than enough to
parts hadn’t been particularly catch most fish from here, so I flicked out my baited
good either. Thanks to a rig, mended the mainline and poured myself a cup
break in some bad weather, dad and I decided to of hot chocolate before settling down and hoping
venture to a mark near to home on the for a bite. It wasn’t long before my rod tip showed
River Tyne. signs of a small fish. It gave typical small thumps on
the rod tip suggesting it was an undersized codling.
e best tactic on this estuary is to fish three After 15 minutes I retrieved my rig to see a nice
hours of the flood tide. As I sat in our camper double-shot of small codling appear on the surface.
van (well away from other anglers), I was hoping I changed to my spare rig and cast back out, then
to catch codling and flounders, but, due to a lot released the fish back to the water.
of fresh water filling the river, neither of us was
expecting to catch much. However, it meant we Again, my rod tip started bouncing away on
could try out our new fishing gear that we the railing within minutes of casting out. I
received for Christmas. rebaited my spare rig and waited for a better bite.
With our freshly dug lugworms wrapped in e bite never progressed so I brought it in with
paper, some ragworms and frozen peeler crabs, another small codling attached. It appeared the
we headed down to a mark at Walker. is venue session was going to be a busy one. ree hours
can throw some big codling at times, along with passed and almost every cast resulted in double-
shots of small codling, making for great sport on
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 my balanced tackle. As I write, I’m keeping my
fingers crossed that restrictions ease soon so I can
go travelling to other productive venues. I hope
you all stay safe in the meantime.. ■
HARLEY’S TOP TIP
Always check the size of tides and whether it is flooding or ebbing
because certain venues will produce better catches on some sizes or
particular periods of the tide.
37
OUT THERE
Memorable moments from your latest sessions WIN A PACK OF
DRAGON BAITS
BAIT BATTLE POPULAR: RAGWORMS
WINNER STATIONS: Before lockdown,
It’s hard work Balcary Flat Rock The best two pictures, selected
battling with a in Dumfries & by the Sea Angler team, will
230lb porbeagle Galloway was a earn the sender 1lb of rag,
shark as John popular venue for worth £15 plus p&p, from
Monteith anglers visiting farmed bait specialist,
discovered from the North Dragon Baits.
during a boat trip East. Here Ian
in the Pentland Cowey shows off a Please include your name and
Firth. He was 6lb 4oz thornback address when submitting your
fishing on Eun Na ray caught there on photograph to sa.ed@kelsey.
Mara, skippered a bluey and squid co.uk.
by Chris Bennett, cocktail. The angler
out of Scrabster. from Gateshead The company supplies the
The fish took a also landed a 9lb 4oz trade, organisations, fishing
freelined live cod. bull huss. clubs and individual anglers
direct from its farm in
South Wales. Contact Dragon
Baits, tel: 01639 894111.
Email: [email protected]
Web: dragonbaits.co.uk
AT LAST: Novice boat anglers David Tingley and his NEW SKIPPER: Rio Brown, from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, bought
work colleagues from Wokingham, Berks, finally got himself a boat last summer and got it painted. “I’m so happy to be able to
out on their boat trip last year after cancellations get out fishing and catch many different species,” said 14-year-old Rio.
due to the weather and the pandemic.
“We’re from a small refurbishment company and
novices at boat fishing. We went out on the Meerkat
from Weymouth, with skipper Ryan Casey. From the
moment we got on the boat we felt at home and in
good hands. We have never had such a good day and
have already rebooked,” said David.
ILLUMINATING: The lights of the AT THE DOUBLE: Squid baits were the JOINT EFFORT: Kayak anglers Ged and
riverside buildings in Liverpool glow key to success for Kevin Ryan when he Jacqui Underwood from Dorset shared
as local lad Daniel Smith displays a 3lb caught these cod of 13lb and 11lb while in catching this bass, estimated at 12lb,
8oz cod, caught on an up-and-over rig fishing in the Bristol Channel. Kevin while lure fishing near Lake Pier, Poole.
baited with whole squid while fishing fishes from his own Warrior 150 boat “It was a joint effort and very exciting.
the River Mersey. out of Cardiff. Proud to say we released it,” said Jacqui.
38
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
FULL HOUSE: Not the biggest fish EARLY RISER: Fishing an early morning PADDLE POWER: While kayak fishing
caught before the latest lockdown, session at the Gasworks beach in off Seaford in December, Richard Boyd,
but William Johnson was happy to be Minehead, Somerset, is local angler of Hassocks, West Sussex, landed two
out fishing. The angler from Sychdyn, Dave Rowson, from North Curry. codling on salted lug.
Flintshire, used a homemade three-hook
flapper rig to catch this full house of
whiting at Llandudno North Shore.
MARINA GLOW: Milford Haven angler BAY OF PLENTY: It’s great getting out
Daniel Hancock took this colourful with family and friends on a boat trip,
picture while night fishing at his local especially when the tope are active.
marina. “I caught a few whiting but Sean Trowlen, of Cushendall, County
nothing big,” he said. “Just nice to be Antrim, took his Orkney Fastliner 19
out with the rod.” out at Red Bay, Northern Ireland, and
found plenty of fish during two days of
fishing. Here his son James is releasing
his first tope, while Sean and his pal
Charles Hendron watch.
BAIT
WINNER
NIGHT HUNTER: Waiting for a bite on
his local coastline is Barry Nevins, of
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. The Boxing
Day session produced plenty of codling
to 5lb on crab baits.
WHEEL DEAL: Starting fishing when SUNRISE: Dawn at East Halton on the south bank of the EbmyaFilacyeobuorsoiSak.EmeaNmdgeDe@sssUk,aSeldgYseet:eOays.iUlecRsao,.aPunnHakglOomeTrerOamGnaRdgAaPddHrSess to:
you are only 20 months old has its Humber captured by Dave McDonald. “A beautiful morning,
benefits – a comfortable seat in your which produced a few fat dabs,” said the angler from Ulceby,
buggy. Ollie Cave is pictured at the fish North Lincolnshire.
dock in Holyhead, Anglesey, where
he caught his first fish, a tiny whiting, 39
aided by dad Dave.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
E+OE Prices subject to change. Goods subject to availability
E+OE Prices subject to change. Goods subject to availability
BOAT ANGLER
18 PAGES OF ADVICE, TIPS AND TACTICS FOR FISHING AFLOAT
SWITCHING
ROLES
From a career in rugby,
Darren Ryan made the big
conversion to life as
a charter boat skipper
H
what professional rugby A proud Darren
players do when their capped for Wales
competitive playing days as an under 19
finally come to an end? international
Some, of course, remain
involved in the sport by codes. He signed for
Aberavon Fighting Irish,
formed in 2003, and was
working as coaching soon capped for Wales. It
staff, while a few of the highest profile stars wasn’t long before he came to
become media pundits or match reporters. at the attention of the big Rugby
still leaves many who have to decide what to do League sides in the north of the
with the rest of their lives; players such as England. Following a successful trial
Darren Ryan. period at St Helens, Darren almost signed a
Darren, who lives in Cardiff, began his career contract, but family commitments brought him
playing rugby union, being capped four times back to Cardiff, where he returned to Union
for the Wales Under 19 team. He was good and played seven successful seasons in the
enough to play professionally, but at the time number 12 shirt for Cardiff Blues, one of the
there was more money to be earned playing four professional regional teams in Wales and
Rugby League rather than Union, and like based at the famous Cardiff Arms Park.
many good players of his era Darren switched ese days you’ll find Darren at the helm
Sea Leopard in the SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
lock at Cardiff Bay
44
Words and
photography by
DAVE LEWIS
Dseaarlroetfnoagtpihvpeerosbvahaiitsl
1Ds2ta)artrarJecankml(enesusWmHaboleoerks
Natasha Jenkins of Sea Leopard, his immaculate charter boat.
and skipper Darren Having always been a keen sea angler, the
switch to becoming a full-time charter skipper
Ryan tackle a when his rugby playing days came to an end was
thornback ray little more than a seamless transition. He’s now
running a successful business with a strong base
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 of customers.
CLUB OUTING
Sea Leopard is berthed on the River Ely, which
flows into Cardiff Bay, and on a recent trip
while waiting to lock out through the Cardiff
Bay Barrage, I am sure that on more than one
occasion I spotted Darren looking longingly
at the impressive profile of the Cardiff
Millennium Stadium, which dominates the
city skyline when viewed from ‘ e Bay’.
Darren has several of his former rugby
teammates, including some of the biggest names
in the game, keen to join him for a day fishing
too, but for this trip the day’s crew consisted of
members of the Lady Hookers, a fishing club
rather than rugby players.
Based in South Wales and essentially an all-
female group, the club has an impressive 40
members and was the brainchild of 29-year-old
Natasha Jenkins from Briton Ferry in South
Wales. A trainee teacher, entrepreneur and
part-time model, prior to the first lockdown
45
BOAT ANGLER
A double shot of dogfish for Charlotte FISHING VARIETY Juicy lbuoegn‘w–draoesgatfiedsdyh’
Bullen, who also caught some strap eels to
Soon we arrived at a patch of mixed ground
her leisure time typically involved riding where various species of ray, along with
performance motorbikes on track days. Now, conger eels and, when they are around, cod
increasingly you’ll find her fishing throughout are caught. Once again, the first few casts
South Wales, both from the shore and afloat. produced more bait-robbing dogfish. ey
You may remember her from when she featured are what you might call a Marmite species,
in Sea Angler issue 588 during a beach session one that anglers either love or hate. Of course,
near Porthcawl. many match anglers love their readiness to be
caught, novice anglers too, but I can’t abide
At the time the club booked the boat, the them. Like so many other boat anglers based
first run of winter cod appeared to be gathering in South Wales, the novelty of catching lots
some momentum at the eastern end of the of dogfish, even on such tough days, has long
Bristol Channel. Darren’s crews had caught ceased to exist.
some very nice fish including low doubles, but
as we boarded the boat our enthusiasm was Finally, Tasha hooked a better fish. e bend
tempered when the skipper informed us that in her rod confirmed that, whatever it was, it
the weather had changed in recent days and was noticeably bigger than a dogfish. While
very few cod were showing. demonstrating the patience of so many female
anglers, she worked her fish closer to the boat.
On the way to fish our first mark to the west of For a few moments we even speculated that
Barry I watched with interest as Natasha rigged she might have hooked a cod. Eventually,
her tackle and started to bait a hooklength with the spiralling of the line at the point where it
some freshly dug lugworms. When I offered entered the murky brown water indicated a
to help out, she said: “I have done this before, ray. It was not surprise when Darren reached
I’m doing fine thanks, I’m just a little slow, but out with the landing net and secured the first
I’ll get there. I really want to learn how to do thornback ray of the day.
everything for myself.” Fair play, I thought.
roughout the rest of the day
en I had a quiet chuckle to myself when I variety came in the form a few
remembered the response from a reader who, strap congers, another Bristol
following the publication of the last article, had Channel staple that appear to be
contacted the editor saying Natasha wasn’t a doing very well. Darren had been
real angler and the magazine had only printed monitoring both social media and
the article because she was a model. Well, the VHF and these confirmed that
whoever you were, I really wish you had been nobody was doing any better than
here to watch them fishing. us; indeed, we were catching more
than most. It was one of those days.
Fairly quickly the first rod tips started to
indicate bites, but not the positive ‘two nods for Currently back in lockdown, like
a cod’ that we wanted but rather the persistent anglers throughout the country I am
worrying rattle of nuisance dogfish that like champing at the bit to get out fishing.
nothing better than to decimate a lovingly
prepared bait. Of course, it’s always nice to get e Lady Hookers have more trips
a few bites at the start of a day’s fishing, but the booked on Sea Leopard, and I have
novelty quickly wears off when bite after bite been invited to join them. ■
results in little more than yet another squirming
green-eyed dogfish. It’s particularly irksome NatJaCushlhiLaeaarDJldoeaytnvtHkeisioBnoousfklatelenhrnsde,
when you remember how much you had paid
for your bait. e first mark produced nothing
more than dogfish, and after an hour Darren
decided to move the boat to another area.
46 SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
Natasha prepares to TOP NORTH NORWAY SEA FISHING CENTRES
release a thornback
NORWAY
Booking for 2021 / 2022
Anglers World Holidays have spent years researching coastal sea
fishing in North Norway. Tromsø is the gateway to a scenic region in
the far north and is renowned for its world class sea fishing.
Contact us for details on our featured destinations or visit our
website to find out more: anglersworld.tv/sea-fishing/norway/
BBoeokQinugickN!ow
NEED TO KNOW Skjervøy, Torsvåg and Xlyngen
■ Boat: To book a charter aboard Sea Leopard, contact SELLING OUT FAST - TALK TO US ABOUT
Darren Ryan, tel: 07729 228797 or find him on Facebook SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2021 & ALL 2022
(Darren Ryan Sea Leopard Charter).
■ Club: If you are a female sea angler, either novice or Skjervøy offers great value world-class sea fishing.
experienced, who would like to join the Lady Hookers, Merryfisher Marlin boats, big cod, coalfish, halibut, haddock
based in South Wales, get in touch with Tasha. She also and wolf fish. Scenic Fjord location.
produces personalised clothing , including the Lady
Hookers’ products seen in this article. Torsvåg is the Halibut capital of Norway plus big cod,
■ Email: [email protected] squid on to the haddock, massive coalfish and wolf fish. Great value
■ Web:www.facebbooottko.cmomh/oPorketotyf-yino-PurrinPte-1n15n0e6ll12r4ig02. 52605 apartments, houses and well maintained arvor boats. Just over
2 hours from Tromsø airport.
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
Xlyngen is a superb sheltered sea fishing centre for cod,
halibut, coalfish and haddock. Located way above the Arctic
Circle deep in north Norway’s most prolific sea fishing waters.
Visit our blog for real reports on these and
other top angling destinations anglersworld.info
Feature videos available at our channel
www.youtube.com/anglersworldlive
VISIT: ANGLERSWORLD.TV/SEA-FISHING/NORWAY/
47
BOAT ANGLER Words and –OSNMPWEAWANRLETSLRE5-RSBIHOEIASP:T
photography by
DAVE LEWIS
How to
use VHF radio
Help is at hand to master the correct procedures
A - nearest training centre can be found on the A fixed marine radio is the best option
should carry a marine VHF Royal Yachting Association (RYA) website. SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594
radio, yet some anglers
rarely use them even Most radio courses start off with a
though being familiar with demonstration of basic VHF radio procedures
the equipment is essential and protocol, which ensures everyone is familiar
in an emergency. ere is with the correct method of transmitting and
even a surprising number of receiving simple messages. You will learn the
people who are too shy to use their device unless correct use of the words ‘over’ and ‘out’, which
absolutely necessary. is is far from ideal. should never be used together as ‘over and out’.
Marine VHF radio comes in two forms, e course will also cover the correct use of
either a fixed set, which is best, or a removable high and low power, which is something many
handheld, which is better than nothing. e VHF users who have not attended a course fail
best solution is to carry both to ensure you have to understand.
a backup and, of course, it is important to use
them. All small-boat owners really should carry Here’s a typical example of a VHF radio
a VHF radio aboard their vessels. conversation between a private angling boat and
my nearest HM Coastguard station:
Having a VHF radio is one thing, but,
whenever it is used, at least one person onboard “Swansea Coastguard, Swansea Coastguard,
must hold a Marine Radio Operator Certificate Swansea Coastguard, Alison calling Swansea
of Competence (Short Range Certificate), Coastguard, over”.
which is issued by the RYA on behalf of the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency. ere “Alison, this is Swansea Coastguard, go to
are many RYA-approved training centres Channel 67, over.”
around the country and obtaining an operator
certificate requires attending a one-day course, “Swansea Coastguard, this is Alison on
followed by a basic procedural test. Once issued Channel 67. How do you receive me now,
the certificate lasts for life. Details of your over?”
48 “Alison, this is Swansea Coastguard receiving
you loud and clear. Pass your message over.”
“Swansea Coastguard this is Alison, a 16ft
private angling boat. We have two persons on
board and have just launched at Knab Rock The certification course is informal but gives you all the necessary radio procedures
and will be fishing inshore off the south Gower
coast, mostly in the area off ree Cliffs. ETA A registered radio will get a unique MMSI The red button transmits a distress signal
back at Swansea is approximately 1900.”
clearly defined procedure to follow in the event by a protective clear plastic cover. If you lift the
“Alison all received, have a good day, Swansea of transmitting or receiving a Mayday, or other cover and press the red button for five seconds,
Coastguard out.” high-priority transmissions such as Pan-Pan or the set transmits a distress signal that will sound
Securite. If you run your own craft or regularly an audible alarm on all sets in the vicinity that
“ anks Swansea Coastguard, we’ll be crew aboard a friend’s boat, it is important to receive the signal. Apart from transmitting your
standing by on Channel 16, Alison out.” learn the correct use of these procedures. MMSI number, the set will provide your exact
position in latitude and longitude, which clearly
is simple, concise, yet informative exchange, Another fundamental difference with DSC is a significant advantage in any situation where,
amended to your own boat and activity, should is the way in which a user transmits a distress by definition, you are in grave and imminent
be carried out every time you use your boat, call. In addition to sending the signal verbally, danger and require immediate assistance.
though unfortunately this is far from the case. each designated set features a red distress
Apart from ensuring your safety in the event of button, which is protected from accidental use e RYA course is held on an informal yet
an emergency, using your boat’s radio to contact highly informative basis, with everyone having
the Coastguard at the start of each day confirms the opportunity to practice all key procedures
that not only is your onboard VHF receiving, to the point where, by the end of the day, they
but also that it is transmitting efficiently too. will be able to use a DSC VHF with a suitable
standard of proficiency. A brief written test at
HM Coastguard recommends that all the day’s conclusion ensured that all essential
recreational boat users download the RYA knowledge has been absorbed. ■
SafeTrx app. A web-based version of this
tracking system is also available on its website.
It replaces the CG66 scheme.
DSC & MMSI
Most modern marine VHF radios are the
DSC (Digital Selective Calling) variety.
Interfaced with your boat’s GPS system, there
are several fundamental differences between a
DSC set and an ordinary VHF. Firstly, DSC
sets can be used by utilising Channel 70 to
send a digital signal to three distinct recipients
– all stations (just like a normal VHF radio),
to a pre-selected group of stations (for example
club boats) or to an individual station (for
example a friend’s boat). is greatly reduces
unnecessary radio traffic on Channel 16, which
is a designated distress channel.
Once a new radio is registered with the Ofcom
Licensing Centre (OLC), it will be allocated a
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), a
unique nine-digit number that, in effect, is that
set/boat’s telephone number. It’s an excellent
system that you will learn to use correctly by
attending the RYA course.
e correct procedures for transmitting an
emergency call (or Mayday) are the key elements
of the day’s course. Originally, many radio
terms were transmitted in French, and Mayday
originates from M’aidez (help me). ere is a
Inform the For details of your nearest RYA training
Coastguard centre and to enrol on a VHF course,
when you visit www.rya.org.uk
depart and To register a new VHF set or for more
return licensing information, visit
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 594 www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing
49
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