Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 568 i Sea Angler

A STRONG TIDE FLOWS AT THE European Open Beach Championship, and it’s not just from the murky water of the North Sea. It’s a wave of emotion that seems to seep into every pore of its very existence. When East Yorkshire council employee Paul Roggeman founded the event in 1994, as the British Open Beach Championship, his aim was to bring some much-needed out-of-season trade to the local coastline. Paul passed away in 2015, and his showpiece, now boasting a £35,000 prize fund, was named after him from 2016, but his legacy is something extremely powerful. It attracts more than 1,400 anglers, who descend on the Holderness Coast to fish the main weekend event, while several hundred take part in the Friday warm-up, called the Flattie Bash. It has become…

MY FISHING IN DECEMBER and January is normally reserved for seeking bass and flounders. Having bagged up on cod in August and September, it hadn’t really crossed my mind to head to Dorset’s Chesil Beach. That said, it was hard to ignore the reports of rays along the eastern end of Chesil. I had endured several fruitless bass hunts on The Solent and, more recently, a couple of poor flounder sessions at Poole Harbour, so the thought of hooking and playing a monster at one of my most reliable marks was more appealing than ever. Three of us decided early in the week, with tides and conditions looking favourable, that we’d give in to the temptation and head for ‘The Big Beach’. The week at work dragged, as they normally…

Winning on all four days saw Spain leave the other 17 teams in the shadows as they stormed to victory in the 36th World Shore Angling Championships. At the World Games in South Africa, it was Ireland who got closest, with silver from 15 day points, featuring second, seventh, fourth and second. England were sixth, Wales 10th and Scotland 14th out of 18 teams Best-placed individual was Ireland’s Willie Weir in eighth. In the 27th World Ladies Shore Angling Champs, Spain also won the team event. There was a fourth-place finish for England, with Ireland in ninth out of 12 teams. The best-placed individual was England’s Kimberley Lawn in seventh. In the 2nd World Shore Angling Pairs, there was an individual pairs bronze medal for Stuart Withyman and Sea Angler…

MARCH 2009 ■ While fishing off South Wales on a private boat, Philip Cocker, of Monmouthshire, caught a 25lb 4oz cod. The angler, from Shirenewton, was fishing off Penarth when the fish took his squid and ragworm cocktail bait. ■ Dave Rice, from Sussex, got among the English Channel’s big cod when he caught a 22-pounder. Dave, who used a squid and worm bait, was fishing on Paul Dyer’s Brighton Diver. ■ Anglers who tried to fish illegally in Sunderland Port were being warned they could face hefty fines for trespassing on the South Docks estate. It followed a series of incidents where anglers had been caught flouting port rules and fishing out-of-bounds areas. The ban was for health and safety and security reasons. ■ Rob Hockley, of Freshwater, Isle…

BASS ■ Shore: 19lb 13oz 8dr John S Locker ■ Boat: 19lb 4oz Wayne Milton BLACK BREAM ■ Shore: 5lb 5oz 1dr C Le Monnier ■ Boat: 6lb 6oz Tony Heart COUCH’S BREAM ■ Shore: 2lb 15oz 1dr Lynton Carre ■ Boat: 6lb 9oz 7dr Ray Fallaize GILTHEAD BREAM ■ Shore: 9lb 8oz Scott Smy ■ Boat: 10lb 2oz Roger Simcox PANDORA’S BREAM ■ Shore: 1lb 2oz Baz Wheater RAY’S BREAM ■ Shore: 6lb 1oz Jordan Colwell RED BREAM ■ Boat: 6lb 4oz Patrick Meegan BRILL ■ Shore: 6lb 12oz Mark Griggs ■ Boat: 13lb 10oz Tony Hayward TURBOT ■ Shore: 20lb 2oz Eddy Barham ■ Boat: 32lb 1oz Steve Scally BULL HUSS ■ Shore: 21lb 9oz M Urquhart ■ Boat: 23lb D Nicholson COD ■ Shore: 32lb Adrian Lloyd…

CHARTER BOATS ■ Fen Duke works Lady Gail II as part of Broadside Boat Charters with Andy Truelove, who skippers Atlantic Blue. In addition to shark trips throughout the summer, these two boats can be booked for inshore trips of varying lengths, starting from taster sessions. Inshore tope fishing and reef fishing around the prolific Hats and Barrels Reef are two trips that I am keen to join this year. Accommodation can be arranged near Dale, the boat’s summer base. For more information, tel: 07768 935681. ■ Web: www.broadsidedale.co.uk ■ Facebook: Broadside Boat Charter. TACKLE SHOP ■ Anglers Corner in Milford Haven is open seven days a week. Contact Martin or Sandra Thompson, tel: 01646 698899.…

Ever wondered if your boat or kayak is properly kitted out for use at sea? There’s an easy way to find out with Advice Onboard, a free service provided by the RNLI. This replaces Sea Check (the name was changed because people thought it was an MoT-type inspection) and is provided by the RNLI’s Community Safety Team. These trained volunteers are supported by a full-time team at the RNLI’s headquarters in Poole. The service is available for any leisure craft up to 13.7 metres long, and there is no lower size limit, so it includes small inflatables and kayaks. While the RNLI cannot do this for larger or commercial craft, it is able to offer specific advice, for example on lifejackets, for owners of such craft. HOW IT WORKS An…

IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I SET OUT WITH the intention of catching a huge marlin, many years in fact. So, when charter captain To Neves invited me over to Madeira for a few days, I was more than happy to take him up on his offer. I’d heard numerous stories over the years, and seen the reports all over social media from some really big names in the world of marlin fishing, recording catches of truly monstrous blue marlin out of the port of Calheta, in Madeira. The fact that one of the world’s most successful billfish captains, Frothy De Silva, decides to spend his summer season working from the port really says it all. With big billfish on my mind, I swiftly booked two flights for my friend…

Q: Can I use a reel loaded with braided mainline with a stiff beach rod, or would mono be better? DAVE RICHARDSON, SUNDERLAND, TYNE AND WEAR PF says: There are many anglers who prefer to use a powerful beach rod coupled with a fixed-spool reel loaded with braid. They are achieving incredible distances with this type of set-up, too. I’d advise using a mono shockleader (braid is not a shockleader) and wear a casting glove or leather fingerstall for protection. Q: I want to start making my own lead weights. How do I start, and is it expensive? OLIVER VALLIS, SALTDEAN, E SUSSEX PF says: First of all, unless you know what you’re doing, moulding your own lead weights can be incredibly dangerous. In addition to that, molten lead can…

Q: Could you suggest a pair of chest waders suitable for rough conditions that cost less than £100? JAMES VALLIS, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX HG says: A year ago I’d have said yes, but with what I know now through testing with the RNLI, I am going to say no. Cheaper waders tend to be boot-footed rubber ones, and they are lethal if you end up in the sea. Buy an auto-inflate lifejacket instead, and save up for breathable waist waders that you wear with separate boots – not perfect, but a whole lot better than your options for under £100. Q: Do you prefer surface lures with a rattle in them? JOHN HARRISON, ABERDEEN HG says: Nearly all my surface lures make some kind of rattling noise when I work…

Post to… Berkley X9 Braid competition, Sea Angler magazine, H Bauer Publishing, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 6EA. ■ H Bauer Publishing, publisher of Sea Angler, may also from time to time contact you by post, email or phone. Please tick if you do not wish to be contacted by us or carefully selected partner organisations ■ We will communicate with you from time to time with relevant promotions from H Bauer Publishing, publisher of Sea Angler. You can of course unsubscribe at any time and your details will never be passed on to other organisations.…

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON TO THE biggest fishing event of 2019. More than 20,000 anglers are predicted to attend the massive tackle spectacular on Saturday and Sunday March 23 and 24, with all the biggest names in fishing signed up to reveal their new gear for the season ahead. In addition to more stands, this year’s show will see the introduction of new entertainment areas, including a Lure Live area, the John Wilson Legends Theatre – complete with its own indoor lake - and the Angling Times Social Theatre hosted by Keith Arthur, where the stars of the sport will be on hand to share their secrets. Britain’s best anglers, TV stars and fishing personalities will form an unprecedented lineup at the Big One Show at the Farnborough International Exhibition…

CLEARLY A VESSEL THAT HAS BEEN designed with fishing in mind, the Merry Fisher Marlin 605 is from the extensive and evolving range of boats manufactured by French company Jeanneau. I’ve always found the design, build and finish of these boats to be superb, which must be a reason why they hold their value. The Marlin 605 is no exception, and is certainly one of the very best trailerable fishing boats I have seen. She features an asymmetric forward cabin that is offset to port, leaving a broad walkway along the starboard side from the cockpit through to the bow. The cabin can be left open, enclosed by canvas or, for maximum security, fitted with patio-style glass doors. The spacious cockpit is large enough for three anglers to fish in…

MARCH 8: Tony’s Tackle Eastbourne Individual League rnd 1, Langney Point, 9am-2pm, £10 all-in (paid by Thursday before match), pegged, four matches, catch & release, lug, rag and fish baits only, 01323 731388. 8: PF Sea League rnd 3, Eastney, measure & release, £20 league membership, £10 match entry, (£12.50 non-member), Lock, Stock and Tackle 02392 812 478. • 9: Ardrossan & District SAC open, Loch Fyne, 5pm-10pm, register 3.15pm-4.15pm at Oyster Bar car park, measure and return 20cm, two hooks only, minimum size 4 hooks, £20 entry, limited pegs, book only, Stuart Ballantyne 07742 716173 or Stuart Miller 07868 732891. • 10: North Norfolk National Sea League rnd 6 & open, Bacton, Tony 07780 793141 or thomasamt@btinternet.com. • 10: Kent Flounder League rnd 3, Seasalter, 2.30pm-5pm, register from 10am…

THE 31ST IRISH WINTER SHORE ANGLING FESTIVAL East Wexford beaches, Ireland, 360 anglers Against a host of top anglers from the UK and Ireland, it was Irish international Paul Whelan (above) who won the three days. Having finished second in this event in 2018 and winning in 2017, the angler from Ballybrack, Dublin, fished superbly to score three zone wins, each worth 30 points, to finish with the perfect total of 90 points. Runner-up Ben Arnold, of Worthing, improved on his third-placed finish in 2018, gaining two seconds and a first to earn 88 points, while Ged Stevens, of Barrow, had a first, second and third for 87. Day 1 winner was Shay O’Neill, of Dublin, with 736pts, with Paul Whelan second on 642 and Daniel Crump, of Barry, in…

THE INTERCOM CRACKLED AS the SAS Airways Boeing 737 swung swiftly on to the arrivals gate – “Welcome to Bodo”. My short two-hour hop from Heathrow to Oslo, plus a further two-hour flight up the Norwegian west coast, had been pleasant and on time, and I was glad to be back. While scanning the revolving baggage carousel for my luggage, I glanced up at the arrivals screen and noticed that the aircraft carrying my fishing buddies for the week, had also touched down, also on schedule. No delays, no hiccups, no dramas... things seemed to be going to plan. I heard distant laughter, and a few moments later Tony Dean and Kane Wood-Brignall, from Kent, accompanied by Tyne and Wear anglers Ryan Thompson and his lad Harley, eventually appeared. All…

■ This is the largest sea angling festival in the UK, and biggest three-day beach fishing competition in Europe. ■ The event’s association with the Sand le Mere Holiday Village at Tunstall began in 2013. The park hosts approximately 1,000 anglers. Originally, the HQ was at Bridlington. ■ The first 500 two-day ticket holders received a goody bag, filled with freebies from, among others, Fladen, Sea Angler and Yuki. ■ Junior winner overall was Josh Wilson, of Hedon, with 0.860kg. Best flatfish prize went to Brad Morris, of Redcar, with a 0.545kg flounder, caught at Aldbrough. Top lady was Cheryl Robinson, of Nafferton, with 0.445kg. Overseas winner was Tomas Noerring, from Germany, with 1.880kg. ■ Pairs winners were Steve I’Anson and Martin Wilding, and the top team consisted of Jordan…

THE COLDEST WATER TEMPERATURES of the year can have a dramatic effect on the species of fish to be found and their the behaviour. While shallower water has lost much of the weed that is so prevalent in summer, winter storms have changed the way the marks fish compared to at other times of the year. Throughout this period, my fishing is concentrated on finding sheltered water away from the effects of winter storms. Alternatively, I’ll seek out deep-water venues where temperature changes are much more gradual. Finding marks that combine these two elements, such as harbours, docks and – here in Scotland – sea lochs, offers me the best chance of finding fish and keeping catching through the winter. My main big-fish species are pollack and cod, but I…

A charter party on Matt Forrester’s Silver Halo, out of Torquay, found plenty of pollack on the wrecks. Fishing with mainly Sidewinder lures, Mike Wallis (right), of Cirencester, caught a 16lb 8oz fish, while David Foyle (below), of Exeter, had a best of 14lb 8oz. Also getting among the fish was John Sherlock, from Newton Abbot. Mike and David also caught pollack of 10lb 10oz and 7lb 14oz on the same drift. Mike added a 2lb 4oz cuckoo wrasse, too, on a weedless minnow, and David also caught a cod. Skipper Matt (below) was fishing a wreck 90 minutes out of Torquay, but only 20 miles from Salcombe. On a previous trip he caught a 14lb 4oz pollack on a Nami Cobra 220g lure.…

THE LITTLE RIVER WAS BLACK, THERE was no getting away from it. As black as coal which, as it turned out, it was. Coal dust from the local pit washery several miles upstream was being dumped into the river; you couldn’t see the bottom in an inch of water. Every now and then, a dead or dying fish would break the surface. Trout, salmon par, minnows and grayling littered the banks, all suffocating, their once-red gills now choked black with the silt. I will admit that the sight brought tears to the eyes of local anglers, myself included. Our local angling club had about 40 members, with an annual subscription that would, in today’s money, pay for a top-end spinning rod, with no change. What we lacked in numbers and…

BASS SHORE Raymond Gifford, Pontypridd, 10-7-8, Barry John Nellthorpe, Southampton, 7-3, Woolston Matthew Phillips, Goodwick, 8-3*, Milford Haven FLATFISH SHORE David Cobb, Bournemouth, 3-1 Dover sole, Sandbanks Steven Osborne, Yeovil, 2-0-8*, Poole John Richardson, Gosport, 2-6 flounder*, Poole RAY SHORE Ben Daniel, New Milton, 16-7 undulate, Milford-on-Sea Andrew Davies, Caerphilly, 24-2 blonde*, Barry Steven Gatland, Modbury, 6-12 spotted, Modbury Bobby Goldsmith, Ashford, 9-2 thornback, Hythe Mark Jones, Pontypridd, 201-8 common skate, Highlands John Locker, Truro, 10-11 thornback*, Falmouth Matthew Mizen, Weymouth, 24-3 blonde, Chesil Beach Kyle Sibbald, Workington, 10-3 thornback*, Whitehaven RAY BOAT Mark Nixon, Houghton Conquest, 13-8 small-eyed*, Minehead SHARK SHORE Derwyn Jones, Conwy, 10-0 bull huss, Menai Strait Christopher Noctor, Killybegs, 8-8 bull huss*, Clew Bay Jack Page, Burton, 10-4 bull huss*, Holyhead breakwater Steve Vosper, Plymouth, 10-11…

Fishingmegastore.com awards a £25 voucher prize to each of two winners - the youngster with the best shore fish and another with the top boat catch. The winners can use the voucher to select tackle from Fishingmegastore.com which is based in Glasgow and Edinburgh. ■ HOW TO ENTER: We prefer digital photographs sent by email to paul.fenech@bauermedia.co.uk Please include the details listed on the form (right). Prints can be sent by post with the form.…

IF YOU WENT BACK TEN OR SO YEARS AND talked to any local angler in Whitby, the word ‘uptiding’ would have probably drawn a blank face. Nowadays, though, most anglers in the area can’t get enough of the method for catching cod. A lot has changed in recent years in the North East with regard to how anglers and skippers approach their fishing, and if there’s one place in the country where you can guarantee to catch cod it’s Whitby. During the summer, anglers use 12lb-class boat rods or 10-40g lure rods and reels loaded with braid to catch cod and ling on shads, artificial eels and single squid baits fished on the drift. Gone are the days of 50lb-class gear and buckets full of pirks. Perhaps the biggest change…

To fish on Dream Catcher, skippered by To Neves, tel: 00351 965 861 261. Email: info@madeirabiggame.com  Web: www.madeirabiggame.com OTHER BOATS There are many fishing boats out of Calheta. Here are some of the most popular: ■ Blue Makaira, Mark Rideout, tel: 07860 297415. ■ Flipper II, Andy Scott, tel: 00351 961 321 984. ■ Pesca Grossa, Frothy De Silva, tel: 00351 962 278 500. ■ Razzin Hell, Charlie Smith, tel: 00351 962 648 776. ■ Sorted, Howard Williams, tel: 07977 537584. ■ For more info on Fronteira Lures, visit: http://fronteira-amostras.com…

■ Contrary to what some others say, I don’t find zip bags good enough for long-term storage of bait. It’s hard to get all the air out, the zips all too often fail, and they can leak at the zip too during the early freezing process. ■ Having the ability to vac pack offers other bonuses. Fresh, unused bait at the end of a session can be brought home and frozen down for future use. This saves money and helps preserve future bait stocks by minimising waste. ■ The other big bonus is that any eating fish you bring home can be vac packed for freshness and frozen too. Once filleted, I just drain off any moisture first, but then cut the bag a bit longer than I need as…

PAUL FENECH Sea Angler’s features and tackle editor Paul is here to solve your shore angling problems. DAVE LEWIS Based in Newport, South Wales, our contributing editor Dave answers boat fishing questions. MARK CRAME Suffolk-based Mark gets a thrill from fishing afloat on a kayak. Send him your kayaking queries. HENRY GILBEY Angler and photo-journalist Henry, based in Cornwall, will answer questions on lure angling. ADAM KIRBY & DAN SISSONS The Portsmouth-based duo fish ultra-light from shore and boat. They’ll provide answers on light rock fishing (LRF), the go-anywhere tactic where size of fish is secondary to the fun of catching them.…

Q: There is a metal plate fitted to my boat that gives the maximum size engine, the number of people the boat is designed for, plus the letter ‘D’. What does the letter mean? JAMES STEVENS, HULL, EAST YORKS DL says: The Letter donates the sort of area in which your boat is designed to be used. D is classified as sheltered waters, including lakes and rivers, where winds up to Force 4 along with wave heights up to 0.5 metres may be experienced. Most private sea angling boats are rated Category C, inshore. You can find more information online if you Google Boat CE Regulations. Q: I often read of using baited feathers, but why can I rarely find feathers in tackle shops? ED MILLIGAN, EYE, SUFFOLK DL says:…

■ NAME: Ian Ashcroft ■ HOME: Union Mills, Isle of Man ■ LATEST BUY: Harrison Torrix P2 ■ PRICE: £250 Ian purchased his latest rod as a blank online and had it built professionally. “Being 75 years old, I needed a rod that was slim, extremely light and had a nice user-friendly through-action. This rod really does suit my style of fishing and I’m extremely happy with its performance,” he said. ■ NAME: Rob Tuck ■ HOME: Clacton, Essex ■ LATEST BUY: Frozen sandeels ■ PRICE: £2.50 Match angler Rob always has a selection of frozen baits when he competes on the open circuit. He relies on Breakaway Tackle, in Ipswich, to provide him with all his favourites from Devon Baits. “The quality is fantastic and it never seems to…

THE Big One Show organisers have confirmed that the parking problems of last year’s Farnborough event – the first to be held in the new, purpose-built exhibition centre – have been overcome. This year there are an additional 2,100 spaces, including room for over 1,000 vehicles on the grassed area by the entrance to the show. Importantly, the car park used last year, which involved a 35-minute walk for some visitors, will not be used. Instead, organisers have secured spaces at all car parks closest to the halls, the furthest just an 11-minute stroll away. To make the trip from car to show even easier, the number of buggies and minibuses to transport visitors and their purchases has been doubled. A new ‘Shop & Drop’ facility inside the show will…

Billed as the richest shark tournament in Europe, the Ballycotton Big Fish, takes place from September 12-15. The international four-day catch and release shark fishing tournament, based in County Cork, Ireland, offers €250,000 prize money, including €150,000 prize for the longest shark, and €20,000 for the longest shark each day. Entry fee is €5,000, which includes a skipper and boat for four days, packed lunch each day, a limited supply of frozen mackerel bait, welcome dinner and closing party, and transport for each entrant to and from the accommodation to each pier each day. The rules allow for a different name (entrants must be 18 and over) for each of the days under one entry fee, working out at €1250 per person. For more details, visit www.theballycottonbigfish.com.…

MEMORIAL WIN ■ Mick Wright, of Hornsea, won the Mark Loudon Memorial Open on the East Yorkshire coast with a 2.45kg cod caught at Aldbrough. Second was Steve Barron with a 2.25kg cod from Hilston. The event raised £900 for TCU Sheffield. HEAVIEST COD ■ Ian Crombie’s 7lb 3oz cod was the biggest after the five rounds of Mike and Chris’s Winter Heaviest Cod League. Runner-up was Colin Holmes with a 6lb 15oz fish. Winner of round 5 was Stuart Cresswell with a bag weight of 31-9-0. MATCH SWITCH ■ The opening round of the Samalite Chesil League was switched from Portland to Preston. Winner was Mike Groves, with five fish for 177cm in zone A, with Dan Bristow taking six fish for 164cm. His catch included a 54cm conger…

■ With £10,000 in tackle prizes spread over the two divisions, points, based on entries, are awarded to the top three, section winners and captors of the largest fish caught in each designated Penn match. Penn also awards a prize of a Spinfisher fixed-spool reel to the angler scoring the most  points in matches shown in each issue. If there is a tie, the winner will be the angler whose total is from the greatest number of results and is then chosen on merit by the editor. An angler can win only one reel during the year. To win a prize you must be registered with the Penn Sea League – supply your name, address, phone and email. Send fixtures, results and league registration by email to: cliff.brown@bauermedia.co.uk…

MY FINGERS WERE SOON NUMB as I de-iced the car windscreen in the early hours of a January morning, but it hardly mattered in the circumstances. A little discomfort was a mere inconvenience. For my emotions and adrenalin were flowing freely because I was heading out to pick up old England teammate Ian Golds. Not much more than six months prior to our adventure, Ian, a highly respected former stalwart of the England shore team (most recently as manager) and also famous for his superb range of rod-rest tripods, had received some devastating news. Ian, perhaps Portsmouth’s finest ever angler, was diagnosed with an incurable illness, which sent shockwaves through the sea angling world. Typical of Goldsie, though – but unlike the vast majority of folk, including myself, who would…

ONE OF THE LATEST MEMBERS of my Sea Angling Adventures team is Dan Bassett, who I know through Seaview Angling tackle shop, in Plymouth, and for his passion for sea fishing. Having started his fishing obsession at the age of four, he was fortunate to be surrounded by some superb anglers around the South West – not least his dad, Bill. Over the years Dan has gathered a vast amount of knowledge of the area’s marks. His main passion is mullet fishing and he’s had some fantastic results, including a 6lb 2oz thick-lipped and a 4lb 1oz thin-lipped. He’s also caught plaice to 4lb from the shingle beaches. In recent years he has sought a 40lb conger eel from the shore and, with a current personal best of 32lb 11oz,…

■ A yellowtail lug and Bluey combination on a Pennell pulley rig with size 3/0 hooks produced a 6lb 8oz cod for Stewart Herd, of Newcastle upon Tyne, while fishing at Hartlepool. ■ Marc Wright caught two common skate, weighing 190lb and 121lb during a charter trip out of Lochgilphead, Argyll. The angler, from Woodford Bridge, caught them on February 2 while fishing aboard Paul Timoney’s Seadog Charters, out of Ardfern. He fished two mackerel on a size 12/0 hook and with pieces of mackerel threaded up the line. ■ Bass record holder John Locker, of Truro, Cornwall, fished a local mark and caught a 10lb 11oz thornback ray on fresh mackerel.…

FANCY WINNING TACKLE FROM SHIMANO by catching a fish? Your target is to catch one over the weight given on our nominated species list. If you do, you automatically win a Mission Accomplished badge, as well as being in with the chance of winning a great monthly tackle prize. Each issue we award a superb Shimano reel to the captor of the best shore fish and best boat-caught fish, both chosen on merit. There is no choice of prize, which is awarded at our discretion. Dave Colclough, Poole, Dorset. Fish: 14lb 8oz bull huss. Bait: Squid and mackerel. Venue: Mistress Linda (Phil Higgins), Poole, Dorset. Date: Feb 3. Steve Vosper, Plymouth, Devon. Fish: 10lb 11oz bull huss. Bait: Mackerel on a pulley rig. Venue: Slapton Sands, Devon. Date: Feb 8.…

■ Only fish caught since February 2019 are eligible. ■ We must see a picture of the fish. We may refuse an entry. ■ You can claim one badge per species in an issue. ■ A further badge can be awarded in future only if you set a new personal best. ■ Enter by post using the coupon; by email (please include information requested on the postal form) to paul.fenech@bauermedia.co.uk ■ Prizes are as stated (Shimano reserves the right to send alternatives). ■ No correspondence will be entered into.…

Wrap two black lug together with bait elastic, then whip them to a whole squid. Pass the point of the bottom hook through the tail (thin) end of the squid. Now you pull the point out of the squid bait so that it looks something like this. Holding on to the bend of the hook, and then pull the entire hook out of the bait. Place point of the hook into the exit hole you just made and repeat the process. Finish off by passing the point of the hook between the eyes of the squid bait. Holding the bait, gently pull hooklength to remove loops of line so bait sits straight. To secure top hook of the Pennell, wrap hooklength around it three or four times. Pass hookpoint through…

■ 1 Get some training for your activity. ■ 2 Check weather and tides for the duration of your trip. ■ 3 Tell someone where you’re going, what time you’ll be back and ensure they know who to contact if you don’t return when stated. They should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. This is where the Safe Trx app is so important. ■ 4 Maintain your engine in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing schedule. Know how to carry out simple maintenance tasks. ■ 5 Carry sufficient fuel for your trip. As a minimum, follow the ‘thirds rule,’ which is a third to get there, a third to get back, plus a third in reserve. ■ 6 Carry an effective means of calling for help. The GG66 scheme is…

This year the Bristol Channel has seen a massive invasion of one of the country’s most sought-after species – cod. Not only do anglers crave the head-nodding, dogged fight of these shoaling fish, they also seek them out for culinary purposes. Commercial activity removes hundreds of tonnes every year for human consumption throughout the country, but as far as natural predators are concerned, a mature cod does not really have any, except for the obvious attrition that Nature dictates, especially in younger fish. In more than 40 years of charter angling in the Bristol Channel, I have never seen so many young fish. From the beginning of December 2018, both charter vessels and private boats have been taking large catches, with more than 100 fish a boat not unusual. Sadly,…

THERE are numerous soft plastic lures now available in tackle shops, and using them is simple when rigged with a weighted hook. By ensuring the hook point sits parallel to the body or just inside the lure, you can avoid snagging on the likes of weed, hence the term ‘fishing weedless’. Here, the diagram shows a soft needle lure (the 110mm, 11g Pirate Lures Baby Treats), developed for early-season, shallow-reef bass fishing, being hooked on a size 5/0 weighted worm hook attached to a 0.30mm fluorocarbon leader using an size 8 HTO lure link. Its aerodynamic shape and weight gives the lure excellent casting properties. Pirate Lures: www.piratelures.com STEP BY STEP 1 The hook eye should exit the blunt end and the curve should be level with the middle of…

Q: With Isome worms, does it ruin the action if you break bits off? COLIN MULBERRY, FIFE, SCOTLAND AK & DS say: The genius of both Marukyu and Gulp! Sandworm imitations is the scent and, to a lesser degree, the detailed moulding. While both will work as a static bait, it’s the action that you impart to the worm that gets the fish interested. Whether that’s twitching a complete Isome worm on a drop shot rig, or flicking a section of worm on a small jighead, the design does very little. No need to worry about ruining them. Q: If you could choose only one lure for LRF, what would it be? GORDON EVES, TRURO, CORNWALL AK & DS say: In terms of sheer numbers of fish, go for a…

LET’S face it, not a lot can compete with the incredible strength and durability that a braided mainline can offer. This super-strong weaved fibre is now used by shore and boat anglers everywhere, as well as lure anglers, yearning for improved casting accuracy and more hook-ups. Boat anglers love the fact that braid helps them to stay in total contact with what’s going on below them. Every single tap and pluck from inquisitive fish is registered immediately, helping to increase catch rates. Even in a strong running tide, braid will simply cut through the current, preventing your rig from being dragged perilously close to a reef or structure. Shore anglers are also benefiting, especially with longer casting distances. The thin diameter that braid offers enables baited rigs and lures to…

AFTER a long winter you can almost smell spring in the air, and the first of those bass lure sessions is just around the corner. This month’s offer from the Fishing Megastore is a quality D-Wave combo package from Daiwa. The deal includes a two-piece 11ft rod. Rated at 1-3oz and built around a powerful carbon blank, it’s equipped with aluminum oxide guides, stainless steel hooded reel seat, plus durable classic EVA foam hand grips. Completing the outfit is the D-Wave saltwater 5000B spinning reel. It’s packed with power and has a really dependable front drag system, plus a super-smooth ball-bearing drive and Twist Buster II line roller – the spool is even loaded with line, ready for you to head off straight to your nearest bass mark. Normally, this…

Taking over the two giant halls at the easily-accessed Warwickshire location, it’s all systems go for The Big One Stoneleigh in April. Sat Nav: CV8 2LG Date: Sat & Sun April 13/14, 2019 Location: NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. Follow signs for National Agricultural Centre or NAC Stoneleigh Park from the A46 and pick up the yellow signs directing you to Stoneleigh Park Main Entrance on the B4113. Opening times: Advance ticket holders can enter the event at 9am on both days. Tickets on the door are sold from 9.30am. The event closes at 5pm on Saturday, 4.30pm on the Sunday.…

Designed for use with kicker motors, this new autopilot system from Garmin offers a whole host of features. It’s designed for boats with small petrol outboard motors up to 20 horsepower. Using the autopilot helps maintain heading hold and route to keep you on course — even against wind, waves or heavy current. It’s perfect for trolling lures inshore for bass. The kit includes a convenient floating handheld remote control with a bright, sunlight-readable display. You can easily fine-tune the autopilot throttle setting with the touch of a button to quickly drop to idle speed when netting a fish (great for single anglers). It’s easy to install and integrate with the included GHC 20 autopilot display. Also integrates with compatible Garmin chartplotters or NMEA 2000® network-compatible GPS system. This unit…

Sea angling bosses in Scotland have launched a recruiting drive, looking for fresh faces to build a strong pool for matches later this summer. Mike Horn, president of the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers, wants to hear from experienced anglers, and beginners who want to learn a new sport. Scotland hopes to field both men’s and ladies’ teams in the Home International this summer, being held in Ireland. Contact Ian Napier, of the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers, tel: 01592 591882 or 07905 501283.…

■ Aberdeen Thistle SAC open, Stonehaven to Aberdeen, 27 anglers: 1 Tony Watters, Aberdeen, 2 codling, 1.40kg (2pts); 2 G Connolly, 2, 1.34kg (1); 3 D Tate, 1, 1.24kg. ■ Asso Five Man League rnd 1 of 4 & open, Hastings & St Leonards beaches, East Sussex, 38 anglers: 1 Neville Breeding, Haywards Heath, 4 fish, 2-12-8, including heaviest fish, 1-4-0 dogfish (3pts); 2 Sam Sampson, Brighton 5, 2-6-2 (2); 3 Graham King, Kent, 3, 1-10-5 (1). Asso Five Man League rnd 2 & open, Hastings & St Leonards beaches, Feb 9, cancelled due to bad weather. ■ Bispham Angling Sea League rnd 2 open, Five Bar Gate, Cleveleys, Lancs, 33 anglers: 1 George Smith, Grimsby, 205cm (3pts); 2 Paul Witkowski, Fleetwood, 192cm (2); 3 Dave Hutchinson, Blackpool, 137cm (1).…