Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Sea Angler

Welcome to the April issue of Sea Angler. This month we’re focusing in on species hunting. UK anglers are lucky enough to be able to target a huge variety of different fish species due to the nature of our seas being on the cusp of the warmer Atlantic currents in the South West and the colder North Sea waters in the north. This variety, as you will read in this issue, stretches from the mini Connemara clingfish on the South Coast to the giant common skates of Scottish and Irish waters. For those of you who like a challenge, Ben Bassett provides his top tips (starting on page 12) on how to win shore-based species hunts while Josh Pickett explains (page 18) how to target the elusive (and potentially match-winning!) clingfish.…

Clasped upside-down on the roof of a submerged cave is a creature which seemingly defies gravity. It has a built-in suction cup adapted from specialised pelvic fins, which are so powerful, you’d think they were chemically bonded to the rock. Its red iris and luminescent orange cheeks are glowing from the few streaks of sun rays which reach through the crags, lighting up its counterfeit zebra-striped flanks, and banded lips which break up their outline. This piscine peculiarity is not alone, some of its specie are dark bronze in colour, others green and unmarked, and several are covered in small, white backwards facing dashes along their back, which appear to look like folded down spines, reminiscent of some pufferfish, deterring predators – a great example of aposematic cheating when a…

Right, let’s just pop the gear down here,” Geoff grunted, bundling his bucket and seatbox onto the beach. Steve came bounding back from the water’s edge. “Brilliant! I can’t believe this is finally happening. I’ve been looking forward to today for ages!” Steve’s broad grin split his face as he bounced around like a cocker spaniel. “Woah there! Hold your horses!” Geoff called out as Steve, all of six foot two and 16 stone, was reduced now to an enthusiastic kid as he stood expectantly in front of Geoff. In fact, he’d been bubbling over with excitement ever since he’d heard around work that Geoff was an angler. Geoff thought back to that day now, as he lowered his rod holdall onto the seat box. It was halfway through the…

Good Times Bad Times the title of the first track on Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut album. It was also the opening number of their legendary 2007 reunion concerts at the O2 Arena which, surprisingly, was the only occasion it was played in its entirety live. So, you are probably asking, just what does this fascinating nugget of rock trivia have to do with sea angling? To which the answer is precisely nothing, aside from the fact that when John Paul Jones wrote these lyrics this writer was making the first casts of what subsequently evolved into a life of angling, not to mention the fact that at the moment the song is stuck firmly inside his head! This article is about the good times and the bad times all anglers…

Remember an article we published a year ago (Issue 633, A Kick in the Pollacks) about the decision by the government to close the commercial pollack fishery in the Channel and the threat of future restrictions on pollack fishing for anglers? Well, 12 months on and after much lobbying from angling groups the Fisheries Minister has supported a voluntary code of conduct, the Pollack Pact, for anglers fishing for pollack. Following this there is an ongoing review of the effectiveness of these measures with plans to be revealed very soon. The government has indicated that if anglers haven’t demonstrated adherence to a voluntary code, then we could be discussing enforceable measures. The commercial fishery is still closed with only a bycatch allowance; all eyes are on us as recreational anglers.…

Our experts solve your fishing problems As always, I’ve been busy during the past month, but you wouldn’t expect anything less of me now, would you? First on the shingle was the adult beginners group. With some still hibernating there were only four that joined me for a session catching several dabs which, for most, was a new species and an opportunity for me to talk to them about the differences between dabs, flounder and plaice. I find many anglers have problems identifying these at times, especially when the fish are small. You gotta love the trick of holding a translucent dab up to the light! The following Friday saw me back on the beach with two young lads, Dylan and Max. They’ve been out with me before and caught…

INSHORE FISHES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND (LIN BALDOCK & FRANCES DIPPER, 2023) A beautifully put together book and the most modern on this list, we can recommend it as our top identification guide for all sea anglers. The beautiful underwater photography really sets this book apart from the others. Trying to work out what you have caught, or maybe want to catch, can sometimes be daunting, but the authors here have done a remarkable job in conveying the details without becoming overly scientific. Certainly the one to beat in the UK. Josh says, “A book with so much to say, but told in a wonderfully concise manner, not a word on the page is wasted; with plenty of useful keys, gorgeous photographs of fishes in their respective biotopes, and is…

If there’s one thing every British angler knows it’s that the weather can change in an instant. One minute you’re in glorious sunshine; the next, you’re caught in a torrential downpour with the wind howling around you. For the last two full seasons aboard Squidward 3 we’ve been putting Mustang Survival high-performance technical marine clothing and safety gear to the test in some of the worst conditions the UK can throw at us - and it has never let us down. Whether we’re chasing cod and tope offshore, casting for bass and rays from the beach or spending long days out on the water with the family, one thing had become clear: Mustang Survival gear is built for anglers who don’t let the weather decide their day. Founded in 1967,…

After a series of cold fronts and windy days I just had to get afloat, so I booked a half day on the Party boat ‘Florida Fisherman’ out from Madeira Beach. With me was Dan, from Ohio, who was also keen to get afloat. We wanted to book a whole day on Hubbard’s large boat they use for all day trips, but it was out of the water for an annual service and paint job. This would not be the first time I had been on one of these trips and I knew it would mean sharing the boat with up to 40 anglers, including families and young children. When the Americans go fishing, they all go! After an hour sailing into the Gulf of ‘America’ as Mr Trump has…

Only those who have scored 2 or more are featured HOW IT WORKS Points are awarded based on the number of anglers fishing an open match registered for the Angling Trust Sea League and go to the top 10 per cent of anglers (limited to 20 anglers), zone winners and heaviest fish. League scoring runs from January to December and the top 45 highest point scorers each year are invited to the Sea League Grand Final hosted the following season. New for 2025 - the best Lady and Junior, alongside the season’s most improved angler, will also earn an invite to the final. Along the way are some fabulous Asso and Anyfish Anywhere monthly prizes awarded to the best points scorers/catches, with over £10,000 worth of tackle to be won…

I have something of a reputation for knowing how to catch good bass. It used to be just local: people who’d seen me on the shore, rod thumping, or customers in the tackle shops forlornly asking if anyone was doing any good these days. Since the publication of “The Song of the Solitary Bass Fisher” my 15 minutes of angling fame has trickled around the country, and quite a few holidaymakers pitch up in our charity shop looking for tips and local knowledge. Often they’ve learned my whereabouts from our first rate local independent book shop, The Edge of the World Books, and been steered in my direction; possibly by someone who thought, “If you must keep banging on about fish, at least go and inflict your endless waffle on…

Times have certainly changed since I joined Combe Martin Sea Angling Club back in 1973 at the age of 12. The following year the club set its minimum age to 13 as I was its youngest member. Looking back, it is hard to believe that, as juniors, we actually took part in the running of the club; in 1974 the club had 49 members 20 of them junior members under 16-years of age. During the 1970s society was very different and health and safety was based upon common sense. There were no criminal records checks for club officials; the old guys in the club were in their thirties or forties! They would pick us up each week, bundling us and our gear into their cars, dropping us off close to…

Your first instinct is to cast out as far as you can. It’s a perception that there are more fish the deeper the water is. This even applies to piers and breakwaters where you see some anglers distance casting putting baits out onto clean ground that holds far fewer fish. We’ve all done it! Fish need protection, cover and a consistent food supply, and that’s exactly what the structure of our piers and breakwaters provide. Our catches will be far better if we understand how man-made structure attracts and holds fish. PIERS Piers come in a few different formats but traditionally are built with supporting legs of timber or metal. These typically see the tide push left to right or right to left through them. This flow of tide creates…

If you are reading this, you are likely aware of how popular fishing for colossal common skate has become. They are arguably one of the most captivating and attainable ‘ton-up’ species that you can target in our waters. The experience and buzz of hooking into such a formidable fish is a unique experience, but not for the faint of heart! This guide is merely a snippet of my own personal insights, gathered from years of experience and, much to my wife’s dismay, my utter obsession with targeting these colossal flatfish. While I have made this as comprehensive as possible, this is certainly not exhaustive; there is always more to learn about how you can advance and improve practices and tactics when it comes to fishing. I will preface this with…

Recent years have seen an increase in the numbers of different species of bream that can be targeted around the UK, but it is the black bream, Spondyliosoma cantharus, that remains both the most widespread and most commonly caught. Black bream are found at depths down to 600ft, but most are caught in much shallower water. In some areas black bream can be caught from the shore. Like all species of bream, blacks are a hugely popular species with anglers who appreciate their spirited fight, especially when caught on light tackle. They also happen to be one of the finest eating fish we have in our seas. The average size of black bream caught by boat anglers in most areas is probably 1-3lb, smaller if shore fishing; but in certain…

Over the years I have been fortunate to have met and fished with lots of celebrities including actors, sportsmen, well known TV personalities and rock stars. I feel privileged to have met and fished on several occasions with Stuart Cable, who sadly passed away in June 2010 at just 40 years of age. Stuart was the original drummer with top Welsh rock band The Stereophonics, the band which has sold a staggering six million records including several number one albums and numerous hit singles. It was Stuart’s solid drum rhythms that formed the backbone of many of the band’s biggest hits, including classics like Have a Nice Day, The Bartender and the Thief and Handbags and Glad Rags. At the time we fished Stuart had left the band and was…

I love multi-tools, and these new scissors from Seadra are perfectly designed for the roving angler who doesn’t want to carry multiple tools: these compact razor-sharp scissors are equally comfortable trimming braid, mono, and even preparing small baits. DESIGN First and foremost, the ergonomic design of the Seadra Eco Scissors offers a comfortable grip that is perfect in my modest sized hands. The non-slip plastic coated material on the handles is handy, considering we spend most of our time covered in fish and squid juice when out and about! A rather innovative feature is the built-in hook sharpener integrated into the handle. This compact addition is a thoughtful touch that allows you to quickly touch-up your hook points on the go. I love the fact that I don’t need to…

STAINLESS STEEL AUXILIARY OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET It’s always advisable to carry a spare engine just in case, and using a spare engine bracket allows you to keep a spare outboard on your boat without taking up deck or storage space. This bracket is constructed from stainless steel 304 and comes with a plastic pad. It has a two-position adjustment and fixing bolts and installation instructions are included. ■ RRP £99.99 ■ www.4boats.co.uk HANSSON INSHORE FLARE PACK This flare pack (two red handheld flares and two hand smokes) is for use when you are staying less than three miles from land, to raise alarm and pinpoint your position by night or day. It's packaged in a water-resistant and compact plastic bottle that is portable and easy to stow. ■ RRP: £94.95…

The Angling Trust Sea League trophy remains in Kent after Deal-based Tom Wells won the 2025 final fished at Cumbrian mark Silloth – 12 months after friend and close neighbour Saul Page was crowned champion. Tom racked up 228 points in the four-hour match fished on the promenade in cold and gloomy conditions, but he certainly didn’t have it all his own way: just 14 points behind on 214 was Essex angler rod Rob Tuck and another Kent man, Nathan Elliott, bagging third spot on 119 points. With new sponsors Anyfish Anywhere and Asso, Silloth welcomed the event and the 45 assembled anglers who had qualified from around the country, all targeting small flounder, dabs and whiting, with these fish making up the bulk of new champion Tom’s final 14…

APRIL • 5: Anglesey Match Anglers 2025 summer league; Match 1, pegged on the inside of the breakwater, fishing 7pm-11pm. 6 matches where your best 5 out of 6 scores will count. Each match will be fished as an open as well with cash payouts on the day. Each open will be £22 entry, £2 going to junior fund George Smith is running, entry to the league will be £30 per angler which has to be paid before the first match. All matches will be straight measure with a 15cm minimum size limit. All dogs 50cm, rays measured nose to tail, mackerel, herring, launce, shads or sea trout do not count. No white rag, No braid except for the match over the back of the breakwater. All matches will qualify…

Species hunting has never been more popular in sea angling, and I should know: I am one of the anglers who runs the UK’s biggest LRF species hunt competition, The Big Lerf. My partner in crime Rich Salter and I have witnessed consistent growth and interest in our event and other events, whilst also being a keen practitioner of competitions myself– when I get a chance. This has given me a perfect insight into how you win these events, and this guide will hopefully give you a chance of beating the best. There are many forms of species hunt competitions, these could be lure only, fly only, shore or boat based, or all disciplines. My experience is from shore using lures, but this guide should be helpful to anyone looking…

Arriving at Farnborough’s International Exhibition Centre, the sea of men in green and camouflage left no doubt you were at a fishing show dominated by carp angling enthusiasts! Boilies, bivvies and bite alarms have never appealed to me but the 2025 Big One Show was featuring a sea angling village for the very first time and Sea Angler was there to fly the flag for our beloved sport. Situating the Village next to the main stage proved to be a winning move as the crowds of coarse and carp anglers flocking to see their heroes’ talks couldn’t resist taking a look at the saltwater tackle and gear on display from brands such as Penn, Tuna Gear, Mustang Survival, Xtratuf, Warrior Boats and Lazy Lures. Two of the Suzuki sponsored fishing…

Last month I revealed just how good the plaice fishing can be over in Norway, especially when using the Garmin Boating App with Navionics charts. However, there is one flatfish that everybody wants to catch from Norwegian water – the mighty halibut. My last trip to Sandland Brygge in northern Norway was my sixteenth venture to the magical country, and after many years of trying I had my heart set on boating a big halibut. Sandland offers a really good shot at a big fish, with many over 100lb being caught there each year. Would this be my year? Only time would tell. MY MISSION I’ve caught loads of halibut off Norway over the years, but never anything over 60lb. I’ve seen a handful of 100lb beauties caught, and I…

ASK THE EXPERTS When sending your question, please remember to include your name and address CHRIS KENNEDY Chris is a specimen hunting specialist based on Sark and answers shore fishing questions. DAVID MITCHELL David is Sea Angler’s editor and is an expert on sea angling policy and conservation . BEN BASSETT The Plymouth angler and blogger will provide answers on the sport of light rock fishing (LRF), the go-anywhere tactic. DAVE LEWIS Based in Newport, South Wales, our contributing editor Dave answers boat fishing questions. HENRY GILBEY Angler, blogger and photojournalist Henry, based in Cornwall, is our lure expert. BRIAN PASK Brian is a qualified sea angling coach and casting tutor who works with young people and experienced anglers to improve their fishing skills. SHORE ANGLING Q I am looking…