Innehållsförteckning för Issue 597 från Sea Angler

MANY OF YOU WILL know that Ian Golds (right), one of Britain’s best match anglers and the producer of a range of superb items of tackle, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Goldsy, who lived in Hampshire, approached his mortality with a mixture of fortitude and an unfailing sense of humour. A proud Englishman, who had represented his country in shore match fishing on many occasions, it was fitting that his death was announced on St George’s Day. Some things in sea angling really stick in your mind and, for me, one particular day with Ian certainly stands out. I can picture him now using a plastic bottle as a float and hauling out wrasse on his way to victory in the 2001 Penn Sea League final at…

Flatfish is a term often bestowed on the stingray, but it is incorrect because all rays belong to the genus of sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii) and form a subclass of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes). Cartilaginous fish form a group of free-swimming vertebrates, of which their skeleton consists of cartilage. In this respect they differ from nearly of all species of fish, which are ray-finned. The stingray has a flattened and kite-shaped body. Being a bottom-feeder, its nostrils, gills and mouth are all located on the underside, which is bright white with a distinct dark edge. The blow holes and eyes are on top of the fish, which, depending on the bottom types it lives on, ranges from grey/brown to olive green. The tail of the stingray is quite long, one and…

GETTING THERE Travelling west, leave the M4 at junction 37 for the A4229 to Porthcawl/ Pyle. At the roundabout take the A4229 for Porthcawl. Esso petrol station in front, take the third exit on to Pyle Road. At the next roundabout take the first exit (A4106) for the Trecco Bay before turning right into Newton Nottage Road. At the T junction, turn left and follow the road to its junction with the Globe Inn. Turn right and at the roundabout take the first exit into New Road. Take the next right to St John’s Drive and the Trecco Bay Holiday Park is just ahead. It has a free car park only a three-minute walk from the mark. TACKLE SHOP ■ Ewenny Angling Supplies, 21 Coychurch Rd Gardens, Bridgend, CF31 3AP,…

LOCATED AT KILNSEA, A HAMLET two miles south of Easington and just before Spurn Head, you’ll find Chalky Point on the north bank of the Humber Estuary. The fishing is from the rock-lined, raised bank of the estuary’s flood defences. It is a shallow mark fished only at high water and best on bigger tides (at least a 5.5 metres on the Bridlington scale). The incoming tide floods over the estuary mud and reaches Chalky Point about two hours before high water. SEASONAL SPECIES The ground consists of silt-covered estuary mud, probably best known for its year-round flattie fishing along with spring and summer school bass. Some local angling clubs use this very productive mark in their summer league matches because it produces large numbers of dabs and flounders. Big…

FANCY WINNING SOME QUALITY mono, braid and fluorocarbon from Sufix by catching a great fish? In our catch competition, your target is to catch one over the weight given on our nominated species list. If you do, enter our contest and you automatically stand a chance of winning either our shore or boat bundle. Each issue we award a superb Sufix package 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. Josh Harrison, Cardiff.  FISH: 10lb ling. BAIT: Joey mackerel on a pulley rig. VENUE: Oban, Scotland. DATE: April 23 Finnan Williams, Crumlin, Newport.  FISH: 3lb 4oz spotted ray. BAIT: Bluey and squid on a Pennell pulley rig. VENUE: Porthcawl Pier.…

Entry by email only to sa.ed@kelsey.co.uk Please supply these details: angler’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, type of fish, weight of fish, where caught, date caught, bait/rig, whether caught from shore or boat, if from charter boat, give name of boat, port and skipper. Please state if the fish was retained or returned. YOUR MISSION TARGETS... Catch a fish on this list at the weight or above in your region to qualify for the chance to win prizes in our Mission catch competition. To enter, send us the details requested on the entry form (left) and email that information and your picture to sa.ed@kelsey.co.uk Send us your entries and win some great prizes ■ The winner of the shore category will receive three spools of Tritanium 0.35mm mono, three spools…

ONE OF THE HARDEST-FIGHTING fish caught off the coast of the UK and Ireland, especially when boated on light tackle, the tope is often found at inshore reefs or in large tidal estuaries. Depending on where you are fishing, the average size of most tope caught afloat is probably between 10-30lb but much bigger specimens are caught in many areas, especially in spring when big females move inshore to give birth. At such times it is possible to catch fish weighing more than 60lb. Tope are widely distributed, with UK hot spots including The Wash, Thames Estuary, The Solent, the north coast of Cornwall, Bristol Channel, Cardigan Bay, Isle of Man, and Luce Bay in Scotland. Although the majority are caught in very shallow water, at other times they are…

Our running leger rig (shown below) is based on those used around the Thames Estuary for many years. I still prefer a one foot length of wire crimped to a size 10/0 circle hook (I wouldn’t fish without circle hooks now), a swivel at the other end attached to five feet of 100lb mono, which acts as a rubbing trace, and with another swivel to attach it to the mainline/leader. The lead weight is on a swivel clip. Put a bead on the leader above this lead carrier and tie a stop knot a couple of feet above the trace. This creates a bolt rig to help the fish self-hook on the circle hook. This rig is also fish friendly because the tope won’t trail a lead weight behind it…

EXPLOITING THE POWER OF A boat’s engine to assist the recovery of an anchor using what is known as an Alderney Ring is a very effective technique. It can save you a lot of hard work if your vessel is not equipped with a winch, but failure to follow the correct procedures can lead to the rapid swamping and probable sinking of your craft. In all honesty, this is not really a technique you can learn about safely from reading a fishing magazine, but each year I see more and more small-boat anglers using the method. If nothing else, reading this will highlight a few safety issues. If you attempt this, I strongly suggest you ask someone who has mastered the necessary skills to demonstrate it to you and let…

WINNING QUESTION Q Are the crabs caught by children from harbour walls the same crabs that go on to become peelers? If so, could I catch my own to use as bait? PHIL GRANT, NEWARK, NOTTS PF says: In short, the answer is yes. In fact, all shore crabs will moult and shed their shells in order to grow at some point, but there are a couple of things to consider before you rush off to your nearest harbour with a crab line and bucket. First of all, when shore crabs begin their moulting process, they will stop feeding, so targeting them with a crab line and bait will prove to be difficult. The best way to collect peelers is to search among the weed on rocks, harbour walls or…

PENN PLUS Holt SAC Rocket House open Salthouse, Norfolk, 39 anglers Seven of the top 10 places went to anglers in zone B with venue regular Mike Watts, of Ely, catching 24 fish for 524 points at peg 38. His catch included a 43cm bass, the event’s heaviest roundfish, and 23 dabs. Second was Neil Cutler, from Gateshead, with 22 dabs and a pouting for 493 points from peg 37, followed by George Smith, of Grimsby, with 22 fish (17 dabs, four bass and a whiting) for 463 points at peg 33. It was a competitive match with 415 fish recorded from the two zones, with some anglers struggling to find numbers of fish. Top angler from zone A was Nathan Elliott, from Dover, with 22 fish (19 dabs, a…

WHEN LURE FISHING FOR BASS on my favourite offshore reef I often encounter commercial fishermen who are also casting plugs. All the fish I catch are put back, but all theirs thrown into fish boxes. If they see me return a good bass over the side of my small boat they invariably shake their heads in disbelief. To them I am throwing banknotes over the side, but to me I’m maintaining a resource for the potential delight of anglers in future. The sight of a sizable bass ghosting into the inky depths when released brings me pleasure – and not only for the look of incomprehension on the face of the watching commercial fisherman. The satisfaction I gain comes largely from a belief that my actions are, in some immeasurable…

THE SHINGLE BAN THAT STRETCHES east from Weybourne all the way to Blakeney Point in North Norfolk produces plenty of decent sport throughout the year. What is more you’ll have plenty of space, which is one reason why it is a popular match venue. Facing into the North Sea and west of The Wash, the area is split into several sections that include Weybourne, Kelling, Salthouse and Cley. During the summer the shingle can be very busy with anglers casting feathers in search of mackerel. May weed can be a problem here in early summer too. The horrid stuff clings to your mainline and often masks baited hooks. There will be whiting in the autumn and winter, along with a few cod. Be warned, the area has plenty of seals.…

NESTLING ALONG THE WESTERN fringe of Dorset, the popular fishing destination of Seatown is located midway between West Bay and Lyme Regis. A small stream flows out to the right of the adjacent car park and the favoured fishing area is approximately 300-400 metres to the left under the cliff. This is a shelving shingle beach, where the further you walk to the left the rougher the seabed becomes. Very often the venue springs into life for bigger species 24 hours after a south-westerly blow when the water is coloured, but be warned the beach can be dangerous if there is a big swell running. SEASONAL SPECIES Being one of Dorset’s most westerly venues, it often comes alive several weeks prior to the rest of the county’s beaches with a…

GETTING THERE From Patrington, take the B1445 to Easington. Once through Easington, you are on Seaside Road where you turn right on to Firtholme Road. Drive towards Spurn until the Crown and Anchor pub on Easington Road (HU12 0UB). There is room to park off the road. It’s short walk to the mark. Across the road from the pub is a flood defence wall with black railings. To your right, across the bay, follow the small beach until you see the raised bank. The part where the bank bends at the end of the bay is Chalky Point. Alternatively, go back down the Easington road about 100 yards or so and, on the left after the hotel, is a metal gate and track that follows the Humber bank. Walk past…

BASS BOAT ■ Luke McKell, Holbury, 10-0*, Isle of Wight, May 1 BASS SHORE ■ Evie Gallagher, Hooe, 8-13*, Plymouth, April 8 ■ Mark James, Margam, 9-11*, Neath river, April 14 ■ Daniel Jones, Trebanog, 10-0*, Sker Rocks, April 25 ■ Harry Templeman, Newton Abbot, 8-6*, Bristol Channel, April 17 BULL HUSS BOAT ■ Sean Jackson, Silsden, 14-0*, Fleetwood, April 19 ■ Joe Koloska, Bridgwater, 16-9*, Watchet, April 17 ■ Kev Madeley, Paignton, 11-9*, Torbay, April 24 ■ Kevin Marples, Leeds, 12lb*, Pwllheli, April 25 BULL HUSS SHORE ■ Matilda Björklund, Plymouth, 10-8*, Cornwall, April 16 ■ Anthony Brown, Haverfordwest, 11-8* & 11-11*, Pembrokeshire, April 20 COD BOAT ■ Paul Soames, Claydon, 14-8, Felixstowe, April 18 COMMON SKATE BOAT ■ David McMillan, Unst, 187lb*, Shetland, April 25 COMMON SKATE SHORE…

£25 TACKLE VOUCHER WINNERS 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.…

THE SOUTH COAST SHOULD BE alive with flatfish now. Plaice can show up in huge numbers early in the season, with some days producing in excess of 40 fish per boat. Those early fish tend to be a bit skinny after spawning, so if it’s fat, juicy eating fish you’re after, the best time to concentrate your efforts is from late August right through October. This is the time when plaice are at their best, having fed well during the summer. May is a great time to target turbot and brill on the many sandbanks off the south coast, so what are you waiting for? TARGET PLAICE Targeting these spring flatfish, whether they be plaice, turbot or brill, it a fairly simple affair. However, there are a few tips and…

NORMAN DUNLOP, BELFAST BORN, now retired in Dublin, spent 31 years (1978-2009) as the National Sea Angling Advisor for the former Central Fisheries Board, and finally Inland Fisheries Ireland. Part of his remit was to identify and catalogue the sea angling opportunities throughout the country. The long-term aim was to collate as much information as possible that would then be used to encourage anglers from overseas to visit Ireland and create angling tourism. Q Was it a family influence that got you into fishing, or someone else? ND: It was my grandfather who introduced me to fishing when I was six. I remember my first acquaintances with sea sickness, but my abiding memory is of boating a cod almost as big as myself. I guess that must have been during…

PAUL FENECH Shore angler and tackle expert Paul is here to solve your shore angling problems. MARK CRAME Suffolk-based Mark gets a thrill from fishing afloat on a kayak. Send him your kayaking queries. DAN SISSONS The Portsmouth angler 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 and photo-journalist Henry, based in Cornwall, will answer questions on lure angling. HOW TO ASK A US QUESTION ■ Email: sa.ed@kelsey. co.uk or online: www. facebook.com/ seaanglermag…

The paternoster is the basis of many sea angling rigs, where up to three hook snoods are fitted to the main body line. Rigs where the hooklengths hang freely from the swivels are called flappers, while those allowing the hooks to be fitted on to cascade swivels or similar are known as clipped rigs. The latter are considered best for distance casting and protect the bait better during its journey through the air before hitting the water. The three-hook flapper, shown here, is a versatile choice and often considered a scratching or catch-anything rig. Hook sizes can vary with, say, size 4, 3, 2 and 1 fine-wire versions for the likes of flounders, dabs and whiting, but stepping up to size 1, 1/0 or even 2/0 for coalfish and codling.…

■ 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: sa.ed@kelsey.co.uk MONTHLY WINNER…

OPINIONS DIFFER ABOUT whether or not stingrays hibernate in our coastal waters, but the fact is they like warmth so it comes as no surprise that the best months to catch them are June, July and August. They can be caught on sandbanks that dry out at low tide or retain a minimal depth of water. When the water finds its way back to the sun-warmed areas at high tide, these rays will forage here for food. When the water ebbs they will leave the bank, probably waiting in the deeper waters for the next tide. It is a valid theory because boat anglers tend to catch them in deeper water. Where a sandbank holds a minimum of three metres of water, the rays can stay there regardless of the…

WITH THE SMOOTHHOUNDS now back inshore it reminds me how last summer was a particularly prolific season for this popular shark species in South Wales and how I was fortunate enough to be part of some amazing action. My aim had been to beat my personal best as well as catching a big ray. One particular session at Newton Point, which is at Porthcawl, turned out to be one of the most memorable I may have in my life. I’m normally lucky because the hounds turn up just when my college term ends and I can go straight to my caravan, which is a two-minute walk from Newton Point, and stay all summer for the full six weeks’ holiday. This is a low tide mark, where you fish three hours…

THOSE SHORE ANGLERS WHO WANT to catch thornback rays or smoothhounds, with the chance of a bonus bass, should visit this area of Kent’s north coast. At Reculver, two areas close to the towers can produce good rays and smoothhounds. Around a mile away towards Herne Bay is the promenade outside the Kings Hall, a Victorian building that hosts concerts and other events. The fishing here is also over broken ground and the water is shallow so a big cast will come in handy. Anglers with limited mobility may prefer the small pier called Neptune’s Arm at the end of the promenade at Herne Bay because there is nearby parking. There is limited space though, particularly if local anglers are doing well here and it gets busy. This pier offers…

WITH FISHING GOING WELL for rays and smoothhounds on the Holderness Coast, my wife Melanie and youngest son Henry were keen to try their luck. Unfortunately, the weather forecast of strong easterly winds had almost written off our chances. These are not the conditions favoured on this part of the East Yorkshire coast, yet there was hardly a breath of wind only 45 minutes away where we live just outside Hull. The tree tops were hardly moving. With lunch over, I was being pushed to make a decision. With a few crabs that needed using or freezing, I decided to drive to the coast and check out Easington. If the conditions were unfavourable, my backup plan was to try for bass in the River Humber. It was the end of…

BASS ■ Shore: 19lb 13oz 8dr John 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: 7lb Becky Lee Hodges 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 BULL HUSS ■ Shore: 21lb 9oz M Urquhart ■ Boat: 23lb D Nicholson BALLAN WRASSE ■ Shore: 9lb 4oz Darren Swift ■ Boat: 9lb Glen Carter CUCKOO WRASSE ■ Shore: 1lb 13oz Joe Edward…

IN THE PAST THE THAMES ESTUARY built up a reputation for producing big tope thanks to the likes of top skipper John Rawle who, with Bob Cox, put this area on the map with many great catches including record-breaking fish. When I say the Thames Estuary, of course I mean the area that includes the Blackwater and Colne where Bradwell and my base at Mersea Island are located. Growing up knowing records had been broken on my doorstep helped to capture my imagination and drove me in search of big fish. When I started chartering, I was keen to see my anglers share in some great sport. Luckily, at the time there were good catches of tope to keep them satisfied. There were lots of boats and word would get…

The best method for catching turbot and brill on the drift is with a 3ft trace and size 4/0 hook with either half a fillet of mackerel or a even whole fillet if the water is coloured. The tactic is to drag the rig and heavy lead weight over the ripples of a sandbank. If you really want to catch a big brill, then try dragging a sandeel or launce flapper bait – they absolutely love them, especially if you can catch some fresh before fishing. As far as rods and reels go for this type of fishing, you need to go with a 12lb or 20lb-class set up. Either a fixed-spool reel or small multiplier loaded with 30lb braid is ideal. For the most part you’ll be using lead…

OF ALL OF THE MANY SPECIES OF trevally caught in the tropical seas around the world, the bluefin variety is undoubtedly the most beautiful. One of the more common species, the bluefin trevally is also one of the most widespread, being widely distributed throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region from the coast of East Africa to Central America. Easily recognised by the electric-blue fins and numerous blue and black spots that pepper its sides, this species inhabits inshore environments, such as bays, lagoons and shallow reefs, as well as deeper offshore reefs and the edges of atolls. In most areas the average size of bluefin trevally caught by anglers is probably between 5lb to 15lb, but fish weighing more than 15lb are commonly caught in some places. The International Game Fish…

Each month we’ll award a prize to the best shore, boat and lure/LRF question. ■ The shore winner receives two spools of Sufix Tritanium Neon Orange 0.35mm mainline, two spools of 80lb Sufix Zippy Shockleader and two spools of Sufix Shock Max 0.18mm-0.50mm tapered shockleader worth £52. ■ The boat winner receives a 300m spool of Sufix 50lb X8 Stealth Green braid and a 250m spool of Sufix 50lb Matrix Pro braid worth £53. ■ The lure/LRF winner receives five of the new Rapala MaxRap lures worth £65 To view the full range of Sufix and Rapala products, visit: www.sufixfishing.fishing and www.rapala.co.uk T&Cs: * One prize per winning question will be chosen by the editor. Prizes cannot be exchanged and no correspondence will be looked into. We reserve the right to…

Contains clear, concise, easy to follow step-by-step knot-tying illustrations by Andy Steer of recommended sea fishing/big game fishing knots and set-ups. This publication should help you to gain a solid base of reliable, tried and tested knots, enabling you to land more fish. It will also help you protect the environment and save money by losing less tackle. Disclaimer: No responsibility in any way is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.Paperback:www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9071747271/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_9M.MFbWMHPV9SeBook:www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00S72QYX0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FK.MFbZ4TKN89…

DAIWA CROSSCAST SURF 35 SCW 5000C QD FIXED-SPOOL REEL RRP: £99.99 TACLE ITEMS INVARIABLY CHANGE WITH the times, especially rods and reels, and with modern technology continuously moving forward at pace, then they become more efficient and dependable. One particular item that’s definitely caused a stir in shore angling circles in recent times is the fixed-spool reel. Once frowned upon as a reel for novices, this simple piece of tackle has certainly gained a resurgence among anglers and ultimately claimed its status as a firm favourite. One company that appears to be keeping up with anglers’ demands is Daiwa. This major player never seems to rest and is constantly on the ball when it comes to quality, price and performance. It’s accepted that some of its high-end kit can be…

ABOUT TO YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS getting back into sea angling, I discovered a local club, The Corinthians SAC, in Glasgow. Billy Buckley and Iain Graham, whose names will be familiar to those who fish matches, were two of its leading lights. Having found a club for myself and my then pre-teen son Keir, we both learned a lot thanks to their experience and inspirational qualities. Meeting other club members, we enjoyed the banter and good-natured ribbing, which was a highlight of those early years back on the sea angling scene. I met some great people who remain close friends too. Our experiences were very much driven by the club, which has now closed, and the influence of Billy, who is an international match angler and now a team…

JUNE 2011 ■ Somerset boat angler Johnny Francis, from Clevedon, caught a 35lb ling while fishing aboard the Samuel Irvine, skippered by Ian Noble, out of Dartmouth, Devon. ■ When Swansea small-boat angler Hugh Davies caught his first spurdog it tipped the scales at 16lb 10oz. He boated it on a double squid bait while fishing at anchor in Swansea Bay. ■ Dorset tackle company Fladen Fishing UK agreed to a £5,000 sponsorship deal with the England team competing in the CIPS World Boat Championships in Italy. ■ Shore angler Nathan Jubb caught a 19lb 14oz blonde ray during a session in Ladye Bay. The angler from Bristol was fishing for cod with a Pennell pulley rig baited with crab when the big ray took his bait just before high…