Innehållsförteckning för Issue 612 från Sea Angler

ISSUE 612 AUGUST 2022 The arrival of warm water species in summer is always my favourite time of the fishing year. Each year I plan to tick another bunch of species or techniques off my wish list, but rarely do I get the opportunity to make it happen. The various species of bream are some of my favourite summer visitors. Not only do they tend to look amazing, but they fight hard and taste great too. What’s not to like? This month we bring you some of the best summer fishing that the UK has to offer and we begin on page eight with a familiar face to the world of athletics and coarse fishing, Dean Macey, who, after 45 years of living next to the sea on Canvey Island…

During the summer months, thousands of anglers will adorn the coastline around the UK, blasting out sets of feathers on heavy rods to catch mackerel. While this is a very effective technique for catching large quantities, wielding a beachcaster for hours on end is tiring and will provide little sport. However, by scaling down the tackle you use, a mackerel can put a serious bend in your rod. As a relatively easy-to-catch species, often available in vast numbers, mackerel are overlooked by many anglers and only targeted by those who either want them to eat or use as bait. However, for me, mackerel can provide Britain’s equivalent to tuna fishing, albeit slightly scaled-down. But, if mackerel were much harder to catch, surely they would be one of the most prized…

Wrecks close to shore have a great deal more to offer than you might think; prime examples being the two that date back to the First and Second World Wars lying in Bigbury Bay at the midway point between Plymouth and Salcombe. THE PERSIER The 5,600-ton SS Persier, launched in 1918, was one of the ships at Dunkirk but in 1945 was torpedoed off the Devon coast. Attempts to beach her and save the cargo failed and she sank in 100ft of water close to the mouth of the Erme Estuary. The torpedo stopped her engines but amazingly they were restarted by a depth charge explosion and then, with the crew taken off, she crept away into the darkness. She was not seen again until in 1969 when divers, acting…

TALES FROM THE TIDELINE Nothing. Not a tap, a tremble or a tremor. I’ve been here for two hours already and there’s not even the slightest indication that a fish is even in the area. That’s fine though; it’s a beautiful evening and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now. Absent-mindedly, I glance up again at one of the rod tips and allow my eyes to follow the yellow arc of my line down into the water. There! No, not a bite, but a definite shift. As I stare at where my line enters the shallows, something is sparked off deep in the memory. I blink, focus and, as I continue to stare, I begin to picture a small band of silhouettes scanning back and forth across the sand…

WHERE TO FISH BOAT Situated approximately midway along the South Wales coastline Swansea Bay and its surrounding area have long been associated with boat angling, a tradition that continues to this day. Within very short travel distances from the marina lock gates boats can be fishing a wide range of different marks, targeting a multitude of different species. This is a venue that has something to offer all sea anglers. GREEN GROUNDS The nearest mark of note are the Green Grounds, a patch of broken ground located towards the western, Mumbles end of the bay; conveniently marked by the SWIGG (South West Inner Green Grounds) south cardinal buoy. Boat mostly fish here at anchor, both on the flood and the ebb tide. Traditionally the SWIGG used to be…

Grey mullet, particularly thin-lipped mullet, can often be caught during the summer months on baited spinners. Various versions of these spinners can be bought but it is also pretty straightforward to adapt a conventional spinner and create your own. The addition of the bait is essential in order to entice the thin-lips, and harbour rag (maddies) or a section of king rag is the best bait to use. The combination of the fluttering spoon on the spinner and the scent of the ragworms often proves irresistible and may pick up other species such as flounder and sea trout. This example uses the Zebco Mullet Spinner. Step-by-step 1. Tie your mainline to the crimped wire loop on the spinner using a grinner knot. The knot and wire loop can then be…

More than 10 years ago a new beach rod with a staggering price tag of £1,000 came on the scene. It was the Grauvell Teklon Surf Competition II, which was like a multiple kit because there was another section, called a carrier, for fitting any of three smaller tips and two match tips. Made of ultra-high modulus 72-ton carbon in four conical layers, the Spanish company’s rod came in 4250 (14ft) or 4500 (15ft) versions. It was fitted with top quality Fuji low rider guides and screw-winch reel seat. Rated for casting lead weights of three ounces to eight ounces (100-250g), the rod was very well made but was it worth it? It got the glowing approval of some top international match anglers as the rod to use with fixed-spool…

In the previous issue of Sea Angler we discussed that the Bass Fishery Management Plan (BFMP) is a front-runner in the post-Brexit era of UK fisheries management, so at this time it is very topical, with stakeholder opinions being sought via Policy Lab who are conducting the first phases of the consultation and stakeholder engagement process. Our position is that we first of all need a concerted effort to rebuild bass stocks to where they were before commercial overfishing caused the decline in the bass spawning stock; reducing it to the lowest levels within living memory and causing the imposition of some stringent management measures to save the bass spawning stocks from collapse. So let’s take a look at one of the spawning stock misconceptions to look out for and…

JUNE 26: REELFUN LEAGUE AND OPEN SERIES, ROUND 6 Littleton, 35 anglers ■ Result: 1st Dan Parker 3 fish 12lb 10oz (Not registered), 2nd Dave Shore 1 fish 9lb 2oz (Not registered), 3rd Paul Stanley Bristol 1 fish 6lb 5oz (2). 23-25: RAMSEY WEEK IOM 34 anglers ■ Result: A tough start with Mediterranean like conditions meant quite a few anglers struggled until the last half hour of the match as the light faded and the dogfish switched into feeding mode. As expected Dogmill’s fished better with a low draw being favourite. At the end of day 1; Shane Russell and Ben Richards led the way with their zone wins. Day two was fished at Stone Boat, with conditions vastly different, a southerly wind and overcast skies. Ben Richards won…

If I had to get into the conversation about which summer species I like to catch the most, I’d get into a list of very subjective criteria that probably wouldn’t mean a whole lot to most people out there. We’re very fortunate in the UK that this influx of fish through the warmer months gives us an incredible variety of species to target. People who inhabit places like Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands are luckier still; their geographical locations cause some rarer species to frequent their shores. Black bream are a beautiful species to catch with the sun warming your face. I can remember being a child in the 1980s sitting on the rocks with my father, enjoying the afternoon sun and watching him catch them cast after…

WESTERN & EASTERN KINGS Many big conger were caught from the Devil’s Point, including the UK record fish of 68½lb, so its closure due to subsidence is a loss. However, 100 yards to the east of the closed off area begins a half mile of opportunity from the Western and Eastern Kings rock shoreline where there is easy access and deep water at your feet. Conger begin to search for food once the light starts to fade and there is not much to choose between a neap flood or ebbing tide in this area. Another option is the concrete surround of the open-air swimming pool. It does flood out on a big spring tide, but it is a simply a question of moving back with the water. Eastward of the…

CATCHES FANCY WINNING A NEW ROD AND REEL COMBO from Okuma 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 prize. Each issue we award a superb Okuma package to the captor of the best shore fish and best boat-caught fish, both chosen on merit. Prizes are awarded at our discretion and Okuma reserves the right to send alternative prizes. Roger Munro, Swansea Fish: 13lb 2oz, bull huss Bait: King ragworm & squid cocktail Venue: Mumbles, Swansea Date: 13/6/2022 Jason Carter, Eastbourne Fish: 14lb 1oz, smoothhound Bait: Peeler Venue: Eastbourne pier Date: 27/05/22 Robert Hillier, Fareham…

Finding somewhere where boat angling pressure is generally minimal is just about impossible nowadays. But there are still a handful of areas in the UK that exist where rod and line, and commercial fishing activity, is limited. Little oasis of ground where fish stocks remain good and varied. Such a place is Caernarfon Bay in North Wales. The name ‘Caernarfon’ loosely means Fortress in Arfon, more likely attributed to the famous Caernarfon Castle first constructed in the 10th century, but it aptly describes the character of the bay itself. The lack of immediate ports south of Caernarfon and right down the west and southwest side of the Llyn Peninsula means boat access is restricted so general fishing pressure is light. The main charter boat access is from Holyhead on Anglesey,…

Throughout the tropics anglers encounter several species of mackerel; that is, species from the genus Scombridae. The encounter is usually brief, consisting of a splash of white water followed by the loss of a lure. The three most commonly caught species which we are going to look at here are the sierra mackerel, the cero mackerel and the Spanish mackerel; all of which have razor sharp teeth. Be careful, even the smallest fish can all too easily inflict nasty injuries to careless fingers! SIERRA The sierra mackerel, Scomberomorus sierra, also known as the Mexican sierra, is found in in the eastern Pacific Ocean ranging from southern California to Chile. This is the species anglers catch when fishing at destinations such as Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico. The IGFA record for…

SAVE £158! OFFER £44.99 RRP: £94.97 SAVE: £49.99 FISHEAGLE Q8 8000 SURF REEL ■ Sturdy pre-loaded fixed spool reel the 8000 is ideal for beachcasters and surf rods. ■ Adjustable front drag ■ Preloaded with quality mono ■ Ball bearing ■ Sure grip handle FISHEAGLE SARACEN BEACH ROD 12FT 2-4OZ This is the two piece 12ft 2-4oz version of the best selling Saracen beach rods which are sturdy, reliable and solid bits of kit. ■ Designed to offer unbeatable value for money, ideal for the occasional angler or beginner. ■ Suitable for general beach fishing but also capable of fishing in mixed ground and from offshore structures. ■ Lightweight with good actions for detecting bites and for casting. ■ A proper fishing rod that is an…

Seadra Aqua-Drop Slow Jigs have been designed specifically for bass, but of course these beautifully finished lures will prove to be the downfall of many other species, wherever in the world they are used. The Seadra Aqua-Drop range is available in four different sizes, 100, 130, 160 and 200g. Colours include Cotton Candy, Blue/White, Holo Silver, White Pearl and both blue and green mackerel. Each lure comes ready rigged with a pair of the correct size assist hooks, which are attached to a solid stainless-steel ring. The leader at the end of your usually braided line, either fluorocarbon or monofilament, should be tied directly to the solid ring to create an incredibly strong link between leader and hooks. The actual lure is attached to the solid ring using a stainless-steel…

RESEARCH I start by doing my research and finding out which venue I’m going to fish. When I’ve established this I research what the target species are, the state of tide we are going to be fishing and what the best bait is going to be. I call people around the country to get this information. As you get involved in the match circuit and travel around the country to matches you get to make friends and acquaintances with other anglers. That all adds into the arsenal about finding out about other venues. Once you’ve got contacts, which is quite easy if you show an interest and passion, then most people are happy to share information with you. RIGS & BAIT I’ve got the knowledge and experience now to know…

● = Penn Sea League JULY ● PENN PLUS 23-24: North East River Tyne Two day open Saturday 9-1pm/ Sunday 9.30-1.30pm, 18cm size limit, pegged and zoned. Contact Neil: 07816 401879 or Gav: 07956 180689 ● 23: Ipswich Sea Anglers summer open, River Alde 6-11pm, £20 entry, SAMF weight measure, except whiting and bass 27cm, everything else over 18cm. Pre-book only Matt LF: 07810 564399 or Rob Tuck: 07855 848967 ● 23: North Wales Teams of five and open, Talacre 2-6pm. Pre-book with Ben Price: 07393 201284, benplumb1992@gmail.com ● 24: SAMF GB Summer League, Hessle foreshore 2.30-6.30, meet at 1.30-2pm, £20 all in straight measure everything counts, pre-book only, 40 pegs. Brett: 07834 559265 ● 31: Welsh FSA East Region Shore League round 5 & Open, Llantwit Major. Contact Steve…

It was fishing that really got me into photography many years ago, and it’s photography which continues to fascinate me just as much as fishing. The two things are completely inseparable in my world, and while I accept that this may not be the case for you, judging by the sheer numbers of fishing related photos I see on social media, or being submitted to a magazine like Sea Angler, I would guess that the majority of you here enjoy taking photos of your fishing. This might be the fish you catch, a friend of yours fishing, some of the fishing tackle you are using or simply the location where you are fishing because it looks so good. In this new series we are going to look at the photography…

Being a world heritage site with spectacular towering rugged cliffs and stunning scenery draws me back time after time to marks along the Purbeck coastline; it truly is a magical location. There are a number of well documented marks which have relatively easy access such as Dancing Ledge, Winspit and Seacombe, but the majority of other marks are lofty perches not really suitable for float or lure fishing. For the adventurous there are a few other hidden gems which allow fishing at sea level although access is often difficult and should only be approached with an experienced guide. During mid August the adrenalin was certainly flowing as I was heading to Blackers; a marked tucked away which is rarely visited by anglers and for good reason. It is a venue…

Located in the north-east corner of Swansea Bay, sandwiched between the mouths of the River Neath and the River Afon, Aberavon Beach is a venue that has something to offer all anglers. Aside from very good fishing, access is extremely easy with car parking available right alongside the beach, which extends for three miles, faces south-west, and where fish are caught throughout its length. You can catch fish here at all stages of any tide, but of course there are a few local hot spots. As is usually the case when planning to fish a new venue it would be advantageous on your first trip to arrive around low water, allowing you to identify subtle features such as gullies, sand bars and patches of rougher ground. TACTICS & SPECIES Most…

The best of the best just got better’, that’s the claim I was seeing on my social media from Garmin about their new LiveScope Plus live scanning sonar. The footage accompanying this claim was very clearly the hull of a sunken ship with the railing of the deck clearly visible – an earily clear view of an old concrete barge, as it turned out, now home to bream. bass, conger and plenty of other fish species that could be identified with a similar level of clarity. But how much better can this technology get? After all, boat anglers are blessed with a bewildering array of products and new technology that helps them to see below the water with ever more clarity. Sea Angler was keen to find out. I didn’t…

The fishing method I’m going to detail in this article is how to efficiently fish with soft plastic lures from an anchored boat. With patience and attention to detail, if the bass are there and feeding, results are almost guaranteed. It evolved over the last two seasons to cope with some of the problems we were facing at Ramsgate. For the last decade we were getting good bass catches, with several doubles each season, using either live baits or mackerel sections. The last few years, however, has seen huge amounts of dogfish which have been a problem with bottom fished baits, so live baits became the first choice. Last year the mackerel started showing in late May but by June catches became more and more difficult and catching even enough…

COX & RAWLE DONGLE RIGS These rigs feature some of the highest quality components, including the Mutsu circle hooks, stainless steel swivels and impact release clips. A dongle allows you to firmly attach a bait beneath a single circle hook for distance casting and this mechanism works together perfectly with circle hook technology. If you believe in a good catch and release policy, we recommend giving the Cox and Rawle dongle rigs a try. ■ Sizes available: 2/O - 6/O ■ Highest quality components ■ Featuring the new dongle clip ■ RRP: £3.75 SHAKESPEARE MACKEREL FEATHER: COLOURED Shakespeare SALT rigs cover the majority of European sea fishing from both shore and boat. All rigs have been developed in cooperation with top sea anglers and contain rigs for every saltwater challenge.…

For 10 years the amazing IMA Hound 125F Glide has been my go-to hard lure for rough conditions and strong winds. Known simply as the Hound Glide, I knew from day one, and my first bass on this lure, that I had something special in my hands when I was able to put the lure near to a rock I had never reached with a regular minnow-type hard lure. The fact that a 6lb bass then jumped on the lure really made my day, and the Hound Glide has been a staple part of my bass fishing ever since. The biggest bass I have ever seen caught was taken on a Hound Glide over in Ireland in a strong run of current at the mouth of an estuary. ACTION The…

EVENTS The competition began in September 1968 and was organised by 10 participating clubs. Torbay being a prime holiday area, and with angling being a very popular pastime, hotel owners were swift to realise that such an event would have immense appeal to visitors who came from all parts of the country, and therefore they donated many trophies. Coarse anglers from the Midlands made the most of the opportunity to catch, what was for them, a wide range of unusual species and maybe pay for the holiday with the winning fish. Charter boat angling with electronics, which had begun three years previously, guaranteed spectacular catches for those who boarded boats such as Our Unity, Ko I Nor, Girl Alison, Freebooter, Saltwind of Dart and The Breadwinner. Initially, the majority of…