Innehållsförteckning för Issue 598 från Sea Angler

WHILE IT SEEMS there has been an increase in the number of people going fishing since the Covid-19 pandemic and it associated lockdowns began, there are many who are concerned about a decline in youngsters getting involved in our sport. The reasons are varied and often complicated, but the finger is often pointed at the rise of computer gaming being a major reason that children appear less active. One angler who wants to do something about it is Jason Scott (pictured above), aka The Eastbourne Fisherman. His story is one of many heart-warming ways that anglers get involved in charity. Indeed, anglers have been organising events to support good causes for many decades, but Jason’s idea really deserves praise. Always someone wanting to make positive changes in the angling community,…

● Stay safe, wear a life jacket. ● Keep noise and artificial light to a minimum. ● Learn to know how far you are casting by the feel of the braid peeling off the reel and by the noise of the lure hitting the water. ● Check the lure before each cast for any weed that might be attached to it. ● Know what speed to retrieve the lure and when to pause it. ● Ensure the reel’s drag is set perfectly before your first cast. ● Land your fish, unhook it, take a picture if you want, measure and weigh it and place it back in the water as safely and efficiently as possible.…

MY STRUGGLE THROUGH THE heavy bank holiday traffic on the M27 to go fishing with my old friend and England teammate Ian Golds seemed a nightmare at the time, but was a mere irritant compared to the real uphill battle he was fighting against cancer. It was August 2019 and a day of mixed emotions, for I was on a mission to see Ian who could raise anyone’s spirits in the worst of times. Looking back with a heavy heart after he lost his courageous fight in April this year at the age of 62, it was the last time we fished side by side for the fun of it. It was away from the match scene, just mates together. In Goldsie’s company, fishing was always extra special. We’d first…

SITUATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF the Mawddach Estuary, this beach offers fishing throughout the year. It is a popular tourist destination and often packed in warm weather between June and September when fishing is best done in the evenings and through the night. The south side of the beach is sand with high dunes in the middle area, then north of here a series of wooden breakwaters dominate the high tide line, and one long groyne runs from high to low water. The beach will generally fish along its full length. SEASONAL SPECIES Summer produces mainly bass, dogfish and flounders, but longer casts find a few thornback rays during May and June. Turbot are caught in the surf, with garfish taken from April to August. In calm weather during…

GETTING THERE Exit the M4 at Junction 35 and drive towards Bridgend. After about four miles turn left for Ogmore and then take a right, also signposted, a few hundred yards down the road. Follow this to the coast and continue through Ogmore-by-Sea heading east to Southerndown beach. At low tide you can walk out to the point across the sand, but at all other times it is a stiff walk over the hill, so travel light. There is a nominal charge to park during the day. Do not leave any valuables in your car, especially if fishing at night. TACKLE SHOP ■ Ewenny Angling Centre, 21 Coychurch Rd Gardens, Bridgend, CF31 3AP, tel: 01656 650604. ■ Keens Tackle and Guns, 117, 119 Bridgend Rd, Aberkenfig, CF32 9AP, tel: 01656…

BASS SHORE ■ Leighton Cauchi, Newport, 8-0*, Cardiff Barrage, May 16 ■ Liam Loveday, Chivenor, 13-0* Saunton Sands, May 26 ■ Luke McNicholas, Wesgate, 7-2*, Reculver, May 8 ■ Shaun Partis, Faversham, 10-5*, River Swale, May 15 BULL HUSS BOAT ■ David Phillips, Barry, 18-0*, Monknash, May 30 ■ Bleddyn Richards, Cardiff, 16-0*, Cardiff, May 15 BULL HUSS SHORE ■ Graham Allen, Peterhead, 10-0*, Loch Linnhe, May 25 ■ Ross Guppy, Torrington, 14-7*, North Devon, April 25 ■ Terry John, Rumney, 15-3*, Mumbles, May 10 ■ Ben Thomas, Plymouth, 12-9*, Cornish rock mark, May 15 ■ James Tipton, St Austell, 14-3*, St Austell, May 7 ■ Ryan White, Brighton, 8-4*, Minehead, May 24 ■ Dan Wood, Thornton-Cleveleys, more than 8-0*, Heysham, April 28 COMMON SKATE BOAT ■ Greg Allison, Saltcoatss,…

UNTIL THE 1970S, COALFISH were a common catch in the western half of the English Channel. The record from 1921 through to 1971 was 23lb 8oz, a fish, typical for the time, caught trolling over rough ground. A big change came in the late 1960s and especially the early 1970s with the advent of rod-and-line wreck fishing using pirks and artificial sandeel lures. The famous pairing of John Trust and Ernie Passmore, skippers of the iconic Our Unity, bounced the record to 26lb 2oz with a fish from a wreck off Lyme Bay, Dorset, in 1971. This triggered a spree of record-breaking wreck coalfish culminating in a gigantic specimen of 30lb 12oz, taken aboard the Plymouth boat June Lipet, skippered by the equally famous JJ McVicar. By 1986 the record…

ON HEARING A STRONG rumour that bass had migrated back to the shallower waters of the South Coast to chase the baitfish, I was keen to book some saltwater fly-fishing. It was a no brainer to choose Chichester harbour, the only Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK that is managed by a harbour authority, but also the base for Paul Haldenwang, of Salty Dog Game Fishing. I met Paul on a typically bustling July afternoon at the Itchenor pontoon dock, located in West Sussex on the eastern shore of Chichester Harbour. Paul has the ideal set up to cater for both the lure and fly angler, operating a 23ft purpose-built Wilson Flyer with centre console and powered by a Yamaha 50hp outboard. The boat is a very stable…

IT WOULD BE FAIR to describe barracuda as a Marmite species, one that anglers either love or hate to catch. Fuelled by a fearsome reputation, this fish is one many hope to catch when they begin their travels to the tropical regions of the world. Certainly when it comes to providing great sport, barracuda tick most boxes. You get explosive strikes, line-stripping runs and even occasional jumps, but the novelty wears off when you have reeled in the head of a bonefish, lost an expensive lure to sharp teeth, and had yet another hard-earned baitfish intended for some other species decimated by a barracuda. Globally there are several species of barracuda, the IGFA maintain records for nine of these. The most widespread is the great barracuda with the record held…

■ 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 send alternative prizes.…

WINNING QUESTION Q I fish an area where there are a lot of bull huss. Why is it that compared to other species I lose so many at the side of the boat before they can be netted? ADRIAN WELLS, EXETER, DEVON DL says: What you have experienced with bull huss (pictured right), also known as greater spotted dogfish, is entirely typical for the species. They hang on to the bait all the way up to the surface, then open their mouth and spit it out. If you want to catch huss, the key pieces of advice are to use relatively small baits, a mackerel head is perfect, and to ensure the hook point remains well exposed. It is important to give the fish time to fully take the bait…

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…

PENN SURFBLASTER III 8000LCEU FIXED-SPOOL REEL RRP: £149.99 IF THERE WAS ONE NOTABLE AND POSITIVE aspect to come out of the global pandemic we’ve all endured during the past two years, for anglers at least, it is the fact that shore fishing has blossomed and seen a huge upsurge in participation. With more people coming into the sport, it also appears to have breathed new life into many of the companies who provide us with quality tackle. The amount of new kit being launched is astonishing and the choice is now vast. For any new shore angler, choosing a perfect reel can be a daunting task. Also, for those who are coming back into the sport after a lengthy lay-off, tackle has certainly changed to varying degrees. Reels especially have…

DAIWA KENZAKI TWO-PIECE SHORE ROD RRP: £199.98 HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU SAT UNDERNEATH your beach shelter, staring up at your rod tip thinking “I love my fishing rod, but… what if”? It’s a given that we’ve undoubtedly got our favourite rods that we use. Carbon wands that deliver our baited rigs with ease and that almost certainly have become an integral part of our daily shore fishing ritual. That said, there are many who are incredibly happy with a certain blank yet can’t help thinking there is something missing to ensure it would be so much better. Is there a perfect shore rod out there to suit everyone? It’s a tough ask, but it’s obviously something that the guys at Gerry’s Fishing, located in Morecambe, Lancashire, have thought about long…

GARMIN PANOPTIX LIVESCOPE RRP: £1,769.99. WITH LIVE, REAL-TIME SCANNING sonar, the Panoptix LiveScope gives users the ability to see all around their boat in three dimensions – forwards, sideways and backwards – allowing anglers to view highly detailed and easy-to-interpret images of structure, bait and fish in real time. Even when the boat is stationary, the active scanning capabilities allow you to see clear and precise movements of fish to help distinguish the difference between the species. LIVESCOPE Similar to other Garmin Panoptix transducers, LiveScope features three modes in one – LiveScope Down, LiveScope Forward and the recently launched LiveScope Perspective – which can all be installed on a trolling motor or the transom (recommended only for LiveScope Forward). Depending on your fishing preferences and techniques, LiveScope can be adjusted…

ATFER WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN eternity, competitive shore fishing has finally resumed after being stuck in limbo for almost two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. With the UK slowly creeping back to some sort of normality, match anglers everywhere are at last beginning to gather on the beaches to compete. One of the big annual events is the North Norfolk Bass Festival, which has been running since 2013 but had to be cancelled last year. Organised by Holt SAC and held on the county’s long shingle bank, the prestigious match attracted an entry of 124 anglers for each of the two days. Competitors travelled from all over the UK with hopes and expectations that the quality of fishing would be good. The venue was split into eight sections starting at…

PENN PLUS MATCH SOUTHERN LEAGUE RND 3 & OPEN Bournemouth, Dorset, 102 anglers In a close finish, the winner was Dan Mogridge, from Fareham, who topped zone B from peg 42 where he finished with five fish for 3-14-0, followed by Darren Newland, from the Isle of Wight, at peg 96 in zone E with six fish for 3-9-0. Third place went to Paul Simmons, from Faversham, with 3-6-0, including the match’s heaviest fish, a 3lb 5oz bass. He was on peg 60 in zone C. Heaviest flatfish was Robbie Gin’s 12oz plaice at peg 32 in zone B. ■ Result: 1 Dan Mogridge, Fareham, 3-14-0 (10pts); 2 Darren Newland, Newport, 3-9-0 (9); 3 Paul Simmons, Faversham, 3-6-0, including heaviest fish, 3-5-0 bass (8); 4 Malcolm Stote, Lymington, 3-2-0…

■ 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…

Your at-a-glance match events planner ●= Penn Sea League Please note that some fixtures may be postponed or changed due to Covid-19 regulations in various parts of the UK. JUNE 26: Chesil League round 2 & open, Chesil Centre, 5pm-10pm, best six matches from eight, booking essential, Dave Lane 07977 132951. 26: Jimmy Smith (All Ireland) open, Wexford beaches, hosted by South Shore SAC, Paul Whelan 00353 (0)851425728. 27: Newport & District SAC open, St Brides, Tony Hart 07530 983667. 27: Filey Brigg AS Foords open, 11am-4pm, heaviest single fish, weigh in by 5pm at Foords Hotel, Queen St, Filey, Adrian Colling 07837 932935. JULY 3: East Anglian Teams of Five open, Orford Island, Rob Tuck 07855 848967. 4: Penarth Holiday open, Penarth, Bob Galley 02920 706995. 4: Dyfed Match…

THERE IS NO guarantee you’ve got black bream lurking on your home patch, but there are a few natural indicators that, if identified, point you in the right direction and give you a real chance of finding some success. Almost everywhere, late June through to early September is the peak for these fish. If you can regularly fish the English Channel coast, especially Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset, or the Channel Islands, catching a black bream off the shore isn’t difficult. In Devon and Cornwall, the bream normally show in April, peak in summer and filter away during October. Along the Welsh coast it is usually the middle of May when they come tighter inshore and they stay until early September, later if the summer weather persists, but the first autumnal…

Essential equipment for lure fishing is a rod, reel, braid, leader, lure clips and lures. After that you need the appropriate fishing clothing, lure bag and boxes, along with accessories such as sunglasses, pliers and fish gripper. There is no need to get bogged down with everything at once. Start with the basic items and keep adding as you go. The two most important things to look for when choosing a lure rod are length and casting weight. A lure rod between 8ft 6in and 9ft 6in is ideal. The weight rating should be something like 7-28g or 10-30g. A 3500 or 4000 size fixed-spool reel is ideal for most lure fishing for bass. The reel should feel light and well-balanced on your rod. Load the reel with braid rather…

KNOWN BY LOCAL ANGLERS AS The Shallows, this part of the seawall on the south bank of the Humber is found behind the Novartis pharmaceutical factory at Grimsby. A popular venue in North East Lincolnshire, especially in the summer, it has shallow water and plenty of mud. If you arrive a couple of hours before the high tide, don’t be deterred by the vast expanse of very soft mud because the tide soon covers the area. Further along the wall to your left, you will see the marsh grass only a few yards out into the water. SEASONAL SPECIES The main species on offer here are flounders, eels, soles, bass, whiting and sometimes cod. Eels and flounders like the marsh grass area because it can hold food for the fish.…

IT ALL BEGAN FOR BABY-BOOMER Keith Arthur, born in 1946, when he found entertainment was a bit different to what’s around now. Post-war delights included building dens in bomb sites in North London where he was raised. His fishing began in the local Finsbury Park lake – after all these years he’s just noticed ‘Fins’ in the name – and Highgate Ponds, part of Hampstead Heath. Keith and his pals, all similar ages, fished together and he’s still best mates with one of them and in touch with a couple of the others as well. Eventually he became a keen and very successful freshwater match angler, but his sea fishing goes back to family holidays to exotic destinations such as Canvey Island in the Thames Estuary and later Exmouth in…

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…

DRIVING A BOAT OFFSHORE in open water and away from any hazards, even at high speed, is straight forward, but it is not quite so easy in busy harbours or marinas. Here you find more challenging situations, such as entering a lock with other boats, reversing into or out of a tight spot or working in a fast-running tide. You need to put into practice the basics of boat handling. It is best to practice these skills in a pressure-free environment, such as somewhere with sheltered water with open berths, pontoons or a dock wall where you can safely come alongside. The ideal place will have enough boating traffic to keep you on your toes, a few navigation buoys to consider, and enough tidal movement to prevent things from being…

WHILE CLEARING OUT a loft the other day, it was hot and dusty work but I consoled myself that I might find some old fishing books – and I did, along with a copy of Sea Angler magazine from 1996. Looking back at old times is something we all do occasionally, but the memory can play tricks, remembering the good stuff and putting the ordinary into a place that’s hard to get to (like in my mum’s loft). That’s one of the reasons why keeping a fishing log is worthwhile. It’s often hard to remember the important things. As I get older I tend to focus more on the good stuff and try to put the other stuff (which just seems to be in the way) to one side. My…

WINNING QUESTION Q I don’t target stingray, but where I fish there is a decent chance I may catch one. What is the safest and best way to handle and release them? STEVE BOOTH, WATERLOOVILLE, HANTS PF says: They must be handled with extreme caution at all times. As their name may suggest, they actually don’t have a sting as such, but located on their thin tail you will notice a short barb pointing upwards. This barb is incredibly sharp and will penetrate or slice human skin incredibly easily and must be avoided at all times to avoid any injury to yourself. You must also be aware that a stingray, once beached, will tend to flick its tail over its body and towards the head as a form of defence.…

Q After some success with dropshot rigs, split shot and jigheads, can you suggest a few other options that work in the UK? JORDAN MEADOWS, BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE DS says: The methods you describe cover 99 per cent of normal situations, but sometimes you need to be specific to get a fish in the net. Try the Tokyo rig. It’s a weight that’s threaded on to some rigid wire and the hook is connected via a clip. This set-up, when used over clean ground, will keep a lure hovering just above the bottom and is killer for flatfish and gurnards. Adjustable sliding weights are also an option. This version of the Caro rig allows you to move the weight and its rubber stops up and down the line without retying every…

SHIMANO BASSTERRA SB90M RRP: £69.99 WHEN I WAS GIVEN THE BASSTERRA 7-30 gram rod to try in my home waters around Alderney, the tackle snob in me did not expect too much with regards to quality and performance, given its low price. My lure rods are usually a lot more expensive than this entry-level rod but, in all honesty, I soon found out that it performed very well, comparable even to some higher-priced blanks that are currently on the market. It was a shame to have received it during a relatively bass devoid month on the island but living here there’s always something to throw a lure at and, let’s be honest, using a lure rod to catch wrasse, mullet or pollack is probably an even better test of how…

■ OVERALL: 1 Rob Tuck, 1+1, 2 points; 2 Darren Bond, 1+1, 2; 3 Mark Rogers, 1+1, 2; 4 Dave Falk, 1+2, 3; 5 Gareth Gardiner, 3+1, 4; 6 George Smith, 2+2, 4; 7 Ralph Crosby, 1+3, 4; 8 Mark Gooch, 2+2, 4; 9 Shane Russell, 1+3, 4; 10 Richard Burt, 2+3, 5. See page 102 & 103 for Penn Sea League points. ■ HEAVIEST FISH: Gareth Gardiner, 8lb 8oz smoothhound. ■ HEAVIEST BASS: Tony Royal, 55cm, 3lb 4oz 10dr. ■ LADIES: 1 Maralyn Wicks; 2 Heather Lindfield; 3 Kay Brown. ■ JUNIORS: 1 Jack Topping; 2 Mark Banham; 3 Brayden Aldous. ■ SHANNOCK QUADS: 1 Team Breakaway; 2 The Maggots; 3 Anyfish Anywhere Asso. ■ MYSTERY PAIRS: Gareth Gardiner & Barry Diaper.…

JULY 2011 ■ Catching your first sea fish is always a good memory, but for Richard Ballam, from Poole, Dorset, it was a fish of a lifetime in the form of an 85lb conger eel while on a boat fishing trip. ■ Staffordshire angler Trevor Digby caught a 65lb tope on a whiting bait while fishing on Charlie Bartlett’s charter boat Mikatcha, out of Aberdovey, Gwynedd. ■ While fishing halfway through the ebb at Hythe’s West Parade, in Kent, Mike Tiley had what he described as 60 minutes of madness. The angler from Longfield, Kent, caught six bass to 14lb 8oz on a two-hook flapper rig with size 2 hooks baited with black lugworms. ■ Richard Fishbourne caught and released a 22lb female turbot during a three-day charter trip in…

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN the feeling you get when a good bass slams your lure, particularly when it is an area that you have found yourself by identifying features on the coastline that you think might hold a decent fish or two. The simplicity, practicality and efficiency of lure fishing is very appealing. There is no need for fresh or frozen bait, nor lugging lots of heavy gear across the rocks or miles up a beach. Basically, all you need when starting off is a rod, reel, waders, a handful of decent lures, and away you go. With the correct tackle and lures, it is watercraft and weather that are vital elements of taking your bass fishing to the next level. Watercraft is an understanding of the environment you…

1. Pliers: Use pliers for cutting braid and unhooking fish. 2. Fish grip: A handheld tool with jaws that open and latch on to the bottom lip of a fish. It then locks it in place allowing for better landing, control, unhooking and release of a fish. A fish grip is very handy if you are wading and the fish cannot be beached. 3. Head torch: Essential when fishing at night. Get a rechargeable version if you can. 4. Sunglasses: Polaroid sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and give enhanced visibility through water. They also protect you from being hit in the eye by a flying lure. 5. Binoculars: Use them while fishing or when scouting the coastline. You’ll see things you’ve never noticed before.…

GETTING THERE From junction 5 of the M180, follow the A180 to Grimsby. At the Pyewipe roundabout, take the first left on to Estate Road No 1. At the end turn right into Woad Lane. At its junction with Moody Lane, there is a road straight ahead to the seawall. Go through an automatic barrier, currently operated by Novartis, and you come to a locked barrier, owned by the Environment Agency. Park on the grass verge, where there is plenty of room, but leave enough space for other vehicles to pass. You can drive along the seawall from Stallingborough. Come off the A180 signposted Immingham and Stallingborough (A1173). Go towards Immingham. At the roundabout go straight down Kiln Lane towards the factories. At the bottom of this road, turn right…

WITCHESPOINT ISHEADLAND located to the east of Southerndown beach and has long been one of the most popular and productive venues in South Wales, especially for rays. Anglers will catch plenty of them during daylight, especially early in the season, but night fishing is almost always best. The problem with fishing at Witches Point at night, though, is the large number of dogfish you will catch. When the doggies are around in such numbers, they devour any bait very quickly long before a ray or any other species gets a chance. Witches Point is potentially one of the most dangerous marks in South Wales; anglers have died fishing here. Under certain conditions waves and swell wash over the point. Never fish here alone or if there is a strong onshore…

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. John Cooledge, Ipswich, Suffolk.  FISH: 22lb spurdog. BAIT: Squid and mackerel. VENUE: Off Felixstowe on Laura III (John Cooledge), Levington. DATE: May 13 Darrell Lupton, Millom, Cumbria.  FISH: 19lb 2oz smoothhound. BAIT: Crab. VENUE: Heysham, Lancashire. DATE: May 19 Jason…

£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.…

FOR MANY YEARS SARN BADRIG and the other reefs in Cardigan Bay have been popular with anglers who know they are hugely productive venues for some of the most sought-after species of fish caught off the coast of West Wales. Throughout the warmer months, fishing for bass and black bream can be prolific, exceptional even, with anglers often catching the sort of quantities of fish that invariably draw dubious looks when the story of their day is later retold. Huss, rays, dogfish and many other species are also caught when fishing over or near these reefs, so it is hardly surprising that this profusion of food attracts apex predators that include huge numbers of tope and an occasional porbeagle shark. The first tope are generally caught at Sarn Badrig in…

SINCE THE EARLY PART OF THE last summer when the lockdown was first eased, it was clear that 2020 was going to be a good year for bass. As bookings were shuffled around to accommodate social distancing and individual requirements, I was more off angling trips for bass than I had done for the last few years. No doubt the fact each angler could keep two sizeable bass made a difference as well. Many of our earlier trips filled that limit in less than an hour so the rest of the trip could be spent targeting other species or just enjoying catch and release bass fishing. Hopefully, we’ll get the same level of sport this summer, although my offshore bass trips extend past the warmest weather and last from the…

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…

Fishing with three hooks is a tactic used for targeting smaller species, such as whiting, with its advantages being a large scent trail and the option of offering a combination of different baits. This paternoster variant is preferred in clear ground rather than rough where extra hooks mean more chance of catching a snag. However, more hooks and baits mean less distance, so to improve the rig’s streamlining you add clips to hold the hooks and baits close to the rig’s body. An increase in range increases your odds of catching something when fish are further out. The system shown in the diagram involves the Breakaway Cascade swivels and a Gemini Rig Clip, but you can use an Impact lead or an Imp clip, which release the hooks as the…

DAIWA SOFTSHELL JACKET RRP: £79.99 This is a multipurpose item of clothing designed for style and crafted for comfort. Available in a choice of red or blue, and in sizes Medium-XXL, the Daiwa Softshell is a versatile option. It can be worn as an outer-layer in summer, a mid-layer in winter, or simply as a casual jacket. Three pockets with water-resistant zips give the jacket some secure weather-resistant storage, while the drawcord hood can be easily adjusted for comfort, or removed altogether in more clement weather. Adjustable cuff straps provide a close fit, while allowing full freedom of movement. ■ Available from Angling Direct, web: anglingdirect.co.uk IMAX EXPERT BOOTS RRP: £69.99 The durable Imax Expert boots are perfect for fishing and provide exceptional comfort, especially during the colder months. Designed…