Sean's First Doggie
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Early days yet, but what lovely fishing weather! Drop us your catch reports after your trip and we'll put them in the Individual Catch Reports section, and anything worthy of note will get a line or two in this section as well. If you have any pictures of you and your catch, we'll publish those aswell! TIGHT LINES......
JULY 2010 My goodness, we appear to be having a bit of a summer for once. The June weather has been just brilliant. Let's hope it continues. The boats at Porlock, Minehead and Watchet reported hardly any wind & weather cancellations - a far cry from early Summer last year. Here we are midway through July, and the weather has been warm enough, but a bit of wind and rain has subdued the angling activity a little. Some boat cancellations, but well worth it as some days got particularly wild - not fun on a boat! When the boats did get out there has been some pretty average fishing. July and August does see a bit of a slow down in the channel. Anyone got a theory on that? Drop us a line here at BCA and we'll collate the responses for a later bulletin. While the charter boats have been generally struggling to get consistent catches, Derek Purvis (Lyn Marie II), out of Porlock Weir seems to have all the luck. His parties have been been having regular good hauls of Black Bream (to 3lb), Blonde Rays (to 24lb), Spotted Rays, Bull Huss (to 14lb), Tope, Smoothies and even some quality summer Cod (to 8lb). Beach Telegraph has heard that a lucky shore angler bagged a 12lb Bass off Blue Anchor Sea Wall, with others getting the odd Conger, Pouting and Doggie. With the holiday season getting under way, this favoured easy fishing venue might produce more notable catches, especially over the bigger tides. The determined Sole anglers seem to be continuing with their successes off Minehead town beach with several good fish being taken to locally dug common lugworm. The hotspot is the stretch in front of the large holiday complex on Warren Road towards the golf club end. Another pleased angler was fishing from Minehead Harbour wall when a 5.5lb Bass took his mackerel and squid combo bait. Minehead Gasworks beach is up to its usual high standard over the low water on spring tides. All sorts of species are being captured. My advice - small but strong hooks, smallish baits to match... and use a lead-lifting device to help avoid snagging the rough ground when retrieiving your cast.... or fish! TIGHT LINES.......
JUNE 2010 The Doggies still dog (!), the catches, but they are gently giving way to the things we want to target at this time of year. The Smoothounds are about in numbers from shore and boat. Bossington beach is a particular favourite for these obliging fighters. Peelerb crab is the killer bait, but it seems that little strips of mackerel and squid are doing just as well. Lilstock beach has produced several Smoothies along with good numbers of Thornback Rays & doggies to keep anglers entertained. Mackerel are about in pretty good numbers west of Porlock Wier to the boats. It doesn't take too long to locate them and fill a bucket or two. They are a bit hit and miss with fast and furious flurries, then nothing for 5 or 10 minutes, then away we go again! Nice juicy fresh Mackerel are also what the Tope are after, and Tope there have been. Specimens of over 40lb are being regularly reported from Porlock Bay westwards. Of course most catches are a more typical 12 to 20lb, but still excellent sport. If you do go after these wonderful fish, please be gentle with them. Don't use stainless steel hooks, don't boat them unless you have to (slip the hook at the side of the boat after a moment or two admiring your catch). If you do need to boat, really do not use a gaff, use a tail loop. Above all be really careful, especially if you are in a small boat. Tope are very powerful, and have incredibly sharp teeth - keep fingers away from the mouth!! TIGHT LINES!
Well this is the month of the Dogfish! Whatever bait you put down (the more expensive the better!), you'll catch Dogfish. I am pretty sure these critters have their annual get together, from all over the world, here in the Bristol Channel. Very occasionally you might get the species you're targetting, but mostly you are going to get yourself a Lesser Spotted Dogfish! The water temperature is definitely much cooler for this time of year, than has been the norm for the last decade or so. This may explain the slow start to the fishing this spring. While the rays have been obliging as usual, (amongst the LSD's!), nothing else seems to be very hungry. The uncharacteristic weather seems to be affecting the catches, but there are a few success stories. Stolford, and Hinkley Point Reef, near Bridgwater, are producing Thornback Rays, small codling and the occasional Dover Sole. A few nice quality Dabs are also showing up for those short casting on to the sandy bits. Minehead, Bossington and Porlock shore anglers are reporting more of the same story, mainly LSD and small bootlace Congers. There have been some Three Bearded Rockling to small worm & fish baits. The boat anglers aren't fairing much better. LSD's hampering all efforts to catch an early season Bass, Black Bream, Smoothound etc. And while the water stays this cold, don't even think of catching a Trigger Fish. Hopefully a bit of sun and a long warm spell may create the conditions for some good fishing as the months go on.
The fishing is starting to improve now. Rays and
Smoothound are showing in numbers.
FEBRUARY 2010 This is always a bit of a quiet time of the year. The Cod are still around but numbers can fluctuate. The last 10 years or so have seen the likelihood of a good bag going down from a certainty, to a bit of a lottery win! Thank goodness that there are always a few hungry rays to bolster the catch. The whiting fishing hasn't been much to talk about either, sadly. This a good time of year to check out your gear, service it as required, and get ready for the splendid Spring, Summer and brilliant Autumn action that will soon be upon us!!
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR CATCH
AND SHARE IT ON THIS SITE.
JANUARY 2010
November 2009 The Sprats and Herring have arrived! On-time this year. Loads fill the sea water intake sieves at an industrial complex on the channel. Unfortunately, this means there is a lot of juicy, fat & fresh, food for the fish that we, the angler, target. Chucking out our manky bits of mackerel & squid, and incredibly expensive worm baits are no match for the abundant, mid-water shoals of naturally placed food. It is no good spiking a dead sprat onto your hook as bait either. If there is live food floating about, why bother with the dead stuff on the bottom. In my experience of over 30 years of fishing in in the Bristol Channel, that is what I reckon the fish say!!!! In conclusion, the odds are stacked against the angler catching the fish of a lifetime, while the sprats and herring are about. On the bright side however, life is all a bit of a lottery, and I am sure there will be the occasional example of winning against the odds. One is a well-smug angler on a boat from Penarth who was the captor of a 17lb+ Cod in a national championship competition - and he didn't even win - poor sod! On a more serious note, the fodder fish are only a real issue for the Cod, Conger, Bass, & big fish anglers. The other fish available will all be slowing down a bit due to the sea temperatures falling, but still might come to targeted fishing techniques. With the increased winter rainfall and storms, the waters will muddy significantly more from now on, especially from Lynmouth Eastwards up towards the River Severn estuary. This is good news for the Sole anglers up around Severn Beach and Aust areas. As we know, Sole are creatures of the night, so very muddy waters make for a 24 hour night! We are very fortunate to have the possibility of catching Sole day or night, here in the Bristol Channel. Let us know how you get on with your sessions from the shore, or afloat. Pictures tell a million words - so all very welcome, please!
OCTOBER 2009 The high point of the years fishing (October is the month with all the summer species, and winter ones returning), was up to its' usual standard. All sorts of species came to the boat & shore anglers, especially those downstream from Minehead. There were some incredible once in a lifetime catches as well. A red mullet to an angler onboard 'Osprey', (skipper Steve Webber, Minehead), and also other rarities.... Gilthead Bream off Ilfracombe, and Tuna off the waters around Lundy. Climate change or just normal: but never realised before? We at BCA tend towards the latter. Many more parties are out to hunt species, rather than fill big bags of heavy cod, conger, pollack, huss, lesser sharks, etc, etc, now. A smattering of codling seems to be rousing the winter anglers into action. A good number of reports of Cod to 4lbs are circulalting amongst the usual Cod marks. Let's hope of a return to some of the good years!
The strong winds from the NE have impacted on the
fishing, however there is a run of Codling at the moment.
AUGUST 2009 July slowly moved into August. The weather hasn't been
great. When the sun came out it was windy, when it wasn't windy it was
raining and miserable. These combinations didn't make for comfortable
fishing conditions....... further reducing catches & catch reports. For
those that managed to get a session in have have some good rewards
though. Nice sized Bass are appearing at many noted marks along the
channel. A five and a half pounder at Lilstock leads the shore caught
list this month. Bossington and Porlock Weir are producing many smallish
Bass to plugs and lures. Most are undersized and have been returned
(very responsibly), but occasionally there's one which provides 'dinner
for two'!!!! Things should rapidly improve for the next 2 or 3 months,
for all species. Then we return to the winter conditions. Whiting are
usually the precursor to the Cod. Cod may be here early this year...
it's about time they do their magic again. Here's hoping anyway!!!
JULY 2009 July has always been a bit hit and miss in the Bristol Channel. This year has been no different! Nothing really remarkable has been reported. The nice Smoothies have still been aruond, Rays have been there for the taking, the flatties have just about pleased the hardy shore anglers..... but it has to be said, it has been sloooowww! This year has seemed a bit sloooooweeer than others though. Even contributor 'Beach Telegraph' hasn't had anything to talk about for once. There's a first! The water temperatures are rising though, so the Black Bream and Triggers should be making an appearance soon. Congers are making a dull session very exciting at places like Blue Anchor and Severn Beach. We've had reports of a 22 pounder at Blue Anchor - a good shore caught fish by any standard! Use the catch reports submission pages to let everyone else know what is & what is not, after your session from shore or boat. Tight lines for now.......... JUNE 2009 Rays a'plenty from shore and boat! Mackerel have arrived as far as White Mark (Minehead), although as usual they are a bit hit and miss. Porlock Bay is producing a wide range of species... many Pollack to 4 or 5lbs, Bull Huss, Bass, Smoothounds, Doggies, Rays, Poor Cod, Pouting... and not least TOPE! Many good size specimens are being taken, usually to a fish bait. Make sure you are using a 200lb+ mono hooklength, the very sharp teeth will cut through anything less. Please be kind to these sharks, and put them back asap. Never use stainless steel hooks as these will remain in the fish forever causing unnessesary suffering. Mild steel hooks rust away very quickly in the salty water, even quicker if taken deeper into the digestive tract juices. A variety of flatties are coming to shore anglers on the sandy/muddy patches of the Stolford area. Many good Sole, Flounder and Dab are taking worm baits. The Bass are always making an occasional very welcome appearance almost anywhwere in the Channel. Congers are waking up to summer, with numerous reports of both shore and boat caught fish adding a bit of excitement to a session. Grey Mullet are frequenting the harbours and river estuarys and creeks.... a light rod, a few slices of bread, and patience are all that are needed to catch these often overlooked species. So far we've only heard of one Garfish this year, but it is only the early days of summer. The number of Cuttlefish and Squid seen in the Channel seems to be far higher this year. These are fodder for a variety of piscatorial predators, so who knows... will this make it a better year for the Bristol Channel? Make sure you let us know how you get on with your fishing sessions. Submit a catch report using the online forms on this page. Pictures are even more welcome... get clicking! MAY 2009
MARCH / APRIL 2009 As usual, it's been the quiet time in the Bristol Channel. Anglers are getting out on the marks, but returns have been grim - only to be expected though to be be really honest. The boats are reporting increasing catches of Smoothound in Porlock Bay, and a smattering of Spurdogs in with them. An observation by skipper Steve Webber is puzzling though. On the ebbing tide the Spurdogs are nearly all handsome adult fish, but on the flooding tide the Spurs were all about half the size of those on the ebb - anyone got a theory for that? Both the shore and boat anglers have had the odd good Cod. We've heard about a nice 8 pounder, again in Porlock Bay, and several 2 to 4 pounders from Minehead Harbour wall over the last big tides. There are loads of small Cod (up to 1lb 'ish), coming to anglers on the upper reaches of the Channel (Clevedon, Portishead, Severn Beach areas). The Ray fishing is also beginning to improve with the onset of spring. The hardy anglers who march off to the outlying reefs around Hinkley Point, are being rewarded with some very nice Thornback Rays. The occasional Bass has featured as well. Spring and Summer are nearly here, so this is a good time to empty the tackle box, clear out the accumulated rubbish and re-stock with all those little bits and pieces. Give the rods and reels a thorough spring clean and service. Be ready for what hopefully will be a nice - not rainy! - summer. As always, let us know how you get on.
FEBRUARY 2009
It seems that there is not much
change from the January report. The sprat and herring shoals are still
about. Cod are still elusive. The cold flood waters stream into the
channel. Tiddlers are the only thing appearing to shake the rod tips.
Some lucky anglers are taking a fish or two to make up a supper, but the
saying 'a bad days fishing is better than any day in
the office' : seems to be the reality check for most anglers. Spring
and summer will be here soon. It's a lottery at the moment! JANUARY 2009 Well the season's still seem to be somewhat mixed-up. Sprats and Herrings are still around in vast numbers. What Cod there may be are having a feast on them, and ignoring the rod & line anglers expensive juicy lug / rag baits. Its' no use trying to use dead Sprats either, I can say that from many attempts over the last 20 years or so. Sprat dead baits are only successful when no live Sprats are around, in my experience. I don't know what to suggest. The unhindered plundering of the 'Irish Box' by our EU partner nations IS clearly having a huge effect on the local fishery. The politics need to be sorted out before it is really too late. There are some good fish coming to anglers however, a prize 25lb Cod last week to an angler on trip from Minehead with Skipper Steve Webber. Some lesser Cod on the same trip made a good day for the anglers... especially considering the scarcity of the species in recent years. There's Whiting in Porlock Bay, with a smattering of other bits & pieces, to keep the rod tips wiggling. The spring and summer run of fish is fast approaching. Something to look forward to anyway.....
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 Wind... torrential rain... gales... freezing temperatures... oh, and the odd good day to go angling!! It seems that winter has arrived a bit earlier this year. Only the brave seem to have been out over the last few weeks. The fish have been providing some sport though, despite the weather. Plenty of Whiting around, with an increasing number of the larger ones appearing. Cod are a bit elusive. Contributor 'Beach Telegraph', provides a possible explanation on the Individual Catch Reports page. Thanks for the info! The charter boat skippers are reporting consistent general catches of the seasons usual suspects, nothing exceptional however. Speaking of Charter skippers, it seems that the Credit Crunch is affecting us anglers as well. They are reporting increased numbers of parties cancelling their bookings, often at short notice. If you are a trip organiser and know that you might not be able to get the anglers because they might not be able to come up with the readies, then please do the honourable thing and give the skipper good notice. He might be able to get another party - get paid - and therefore be able to earn a living, feed his family etc. Most skippers don't ask for deposits, if this sort of behaviour continues, that may change. Any way, TIGHT LINES, and don't forget to send those catch reports if you do get out for a session.
SEPT/OCT 2008
There is some great fishing at the moment, continuing in
the same form as April but better.
As the weather gradually improves so does the fishing,
get the tide and weather right and get out there.
Old reports are now on the Archive page
Your Catch
Not Mentioned? please click the link and drop us an email
Email us here: Catch Reports
Please Email your catch photos to
this address too.
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You can use this form to send in your catch reports
| Date | Place | Name | Catch Details | Photos |
| 21/07/10 | Sand Point | Matthew Vater | Click Here | N/A |
| 29/06/10 | Ogmore | Ross Mather | Click Here | N/A |
| 25/06/10 | Minehead | Brian Fretwell | Click Here | N/A |
| 17/06/10 | Minehead | Neil Cameron | Click Here | N/A |
| 29/05/10 | Minehead | Bruce Strachan | Click Here | N/A |
| 25/05/10 | Shurton | Darren Davis | Click Here | N/A |
| 16/05/10 | Burnham on Sea | Sean Badger | Click Here | Click Here |
| 24/04/10 | Knightstone | Adam Cousins | Click Here | N/A |
| 19/03/10 | Blue Anchor | Dave Palk | Click Here | N/A |
| 02/03/10 | Minehead | Tim Poat (aka Timmy Tope) | Click Here | N/A |
| 13/02/10 | Hinkley Point | Nigel Owst | Click Here | N/A |
| 04/02/10 | Blue Anchor | Andy Burston | Click Here | N/A |
| 27/01/10 | Blue Anchor | Pete Hughes | Click Here | N/A |
| 23/01/10 | Lilstock | Dan Baldwin | Click Here | N/A |
| 19/01/10 | Portishead | Chris Easton | Click Here | N/A |
| 06/01/10 | Shurton | Dan Baldwin | Click Here | N/A |
| 05/01/10 | Minehead | Craig Butler | Click Here | N/A |
| 03/01/10 | Knightstone W-S-M | Darren House | Click Here | N/A |
| 26/12/09 | Lilstock | Dan Baldwin | Click Here | N/A |
| 07/10/09 | Avonmouth | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | N/A |
| 04/10/09 | Knightstone W-S-M | Adam Cousins | Click Here | N/A |
| 04/10/09 | Aust | Phil McCavity | Click Here | N/A |
| 01/10/09 | Minehead | Bruce Strachan | Click Here | Click Here |
| 29/09/09 | Who knows where???????? | Steven Adams | Lost/stolen | Click here |
| 26/09/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | Click Here |
| 22/09/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | Click Here |
| 18/09/09 | Portishead | Wayne Beale | Click Here | N/A |
| 16/09/09 | Burnham on Sea | Paul Ashton | Click Here | Click Here |
| 13/09/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 06/09/09 | Ladye Bay | Wayne Beale | Click Here | N/A |
| 02/09/09 | Knightstone W-S-M | Adam Cousins | Click Here | N/A |
| 21/08/09 | Lilstock | Craig Butler | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/08/09 | Portishead | Rob Williams | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/08/09 | Blue Anchor | Wayne Beale | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/08/09 | Burnham on Sea | Sean Badger | Click Here | Click Here |
| 08/08/09 | Porlock Weir | Keith Wigglesworth | Click here | N/A |
| 08/08/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 07/08/09 | Burnham on Sea | Paul Badger | Click Here | Click Here |
| 05/08/09 | Knightstone W-S-M | Adam Cousins | Click Here | N/A |
| 30/07/09 | Portishead | Wayne Beale | Click Here | Click Here |
| 22/07/09 | Burnham on Sea | Paul Badger | Click Here | Click Here |
| 15/07/09 | Brean Down | Wayne Beale | Click Here | N/A |
| 25/06/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 21/06/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | Click Here |
| 15/06/09 | St Brides | I Taylor | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/06/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 25/05/09 | Off Brean Down | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 23/05/09 | Severn Beach | Dave Stevens | Click Here | N/A |
| 7-10/05/09 | New Passage | Dave Stevens | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/05/09 | Uphill | Martin King | Click Here | N/A |
| 26/04/09 | Porlock Bay | Bruce Strachan | Click Here | N/A |
| 21/04/09 | Lilstock | Dan Baldwin | Click Here | Click Here |
| 16/04/09 | Ladye Bay | Tony Gussin | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/04/09 | Porlock Bay | Dave Stevens | Click Here | N/A |
| 12/04/09 | Minehead | Craig Butler | Click Here | N/A |
| 12/04/09 | St Brides | I Taylor | Click Here | N/A |
| 03/04/09 | Kewstoke | Matt Barnes | Click Here | N/A |
| 21/03/09 | Portishead | Brian Spalding | Click Here | N/A |
| 08/03/09 | Watchet/Minehead | Gary Pryor/Martin Haynes | Click Here | N/A |
| 07/03/09 | Ladye Bay | Brian Spalding | Click Here | N/A |
| 06/03/09 | Ladye Bay | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | Click Here |
| 16/02/09 | Severn Beach | Jason Mountfield | Click Here | N/A |
| 14/02/09 | Portishead Slipway | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | Click Here |
| 12/02/09 | Kingston Seymour | Carpy Colin | Click Here | N/A |
| 03/02/09 | Western Channel | Harvey Moon | Click Here | N/A |
| 02/02/09 | Sudbrook | Shane Ball | Click Here | N/A |
| 30/01/09 | Ladye Bay | Rob Lee | Click Here | N/A |
| 21/01/09 | Battery Point | Steve Hodgkins | Click Here | N/A |
| 20/01/09 | Burnham on Sea | Carpy Colin | Click Here | N/A |
| 13/01/09 | Kingston Seymour | Carpy Colin | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/01/09 | Burnham on Sea | Michael Scoulding | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/01/09 | Portishead | Richard | Click Here | N/A |
| 30/12/08 | Cardiff Foreshore | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 22/12/08 | Portishead | Robert Lee | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/12/08 | Cardiff Foreshore | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 09/12/08 | Somerset Coast | Beach Telegraph | Click Here | N/A |
| 18/11/08 | Minehead | Tom Dibble | Click Here | N/A |
| 07/11/08 | Portishead | Lee T | Click Here | N/A |
| 06/11/08 | Burnham on Sea | Carpy Colin | Click Here | N/A |
| 28/10/08 | Severn Beach | Steve Brough | Click Here | N/A |
| 22/10/08 | Woody Bay | Craig Butler | Click Here | Click Here |
| 19/10/08 | Severn Beach | Steve Brough | Click Here | N/A |
| 04/10/08 | Minehead Town | Craig Butler | Click Here | Click Here |
| 16/10/08 | Kingston Seymour | Carpy Collin | Click Here | N/A |
| 05/10/08 | Sully Island | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 03/10/08 | Severn Beach | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | Click Here |
| 27/09/08 | Ladye Bay | Cod Chaser | Click Here | N/A |
| 22/09/08 | Ladye Bay | Cod Chaser | Click Here | N/A |
| 17/09/08 | Penarth | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 14/09/08 | Old Passage | Maz | Click Here | N/A |
| 13/09/08 | Sand Bay | Mike Bodger | Click Here | Click Here |
| 02/09/08 | Portishead Y.C. | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | Click Here |
| 30/09/08 | Blue Anchor | Rob Williams | Click Here | N/A |
| 23/08/08 | New Passage | Roger | Click Here | N/A |
| 22/08/08 | New Passage | Roger | Click Here | N/A |
| 08/08/08 | Ladye Bay | Roger | Click Here | N/A |
| 06/08/08 | Aberthaw | Andy Meddick | Click Here | Click Here |
| 22/07/08 | Portishead Pier | Harvey Moon | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/07/08 | Kingston Seymour | Harvey Moon | Click Here | N/A |
| 14/07/08 | Severn Beach | Dave Stevens | Click Here | N/A |
| 07/07/08 | Portishead Marina | Ryan Gillson | Click Here | N/A |
| 28/06/08 | New Passage | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | Click Here |
| 15/06/08 | Minehead | Wayne Thomas | Click Here | Click Here |
| 13/06/08 | Cardiff | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 29/05/08 | Ladye Bay | Patrick Hardyman-Richards | Click Here | N/A |
| 18/05/08 | Porlock Bay | Kevin Smith | Click Here | N/A |
| 17/05/08 | Portishead Marina | Chris Robinson | Click Here | N/A |
| 10/05/08 | Porlock Bay | Bruce Strachan | Click Here | Click Here |
| 08/05/08 | Blue Anchor | R.J.Pring | Click Here | N/A |
| 27/04/08 | Minehead | Sue Walker | Click Here | Click Here |
| 18/03/08 | Portishead | Johnny Hodgkins | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/03/08 | Minehead | Albert Hartgen | Click Here | N/A |
| 29/02/08 | Newport | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 27/02/08 | Penarth | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 16/02/08 | Portishead | John Pring | Click Here | N/A |
| 13/02/08 | Portishead | Pete Hughes | Click Here | N/A |
| 12/02/08 | Cardiff | Nathan Davies | Click Here | N/A |
| 15/01/08 | Llangenydd | Andrew Parsons | Click Here | N/A |
Old catch reports
can be found here Archive
From Matthew Vater on 21/07/10
Fished Sand Point (the knuckes). I fished 3 hours
up and one down.
Was a very still muggy day, very overcast. Caught 2 silver eels 6 congers.
Biggest conger was 13.6lb. another was 12.3lb, all the rest were between 7 and
10lb.
Both silvers were caught on rag, and all congers took plain squid. could not get
a
bite on mackerel or sand eel.
Over the past week, have fished 3 times off
Ogmore beach near the river mouth.
Have taken a small thornback on (rag / sandeel), two small school bass (rag) and
two sand dabs (rag). Weather each time has been fine and sunny, with a light
westerly breeze All fish taken on about the top three hours of the incoming
tide......medium surf running.
Have seen other anglers taking school bass... bottom fishing.
Havent seen anything taken on lures. Spent a lot of hours there....fishing is
slow.
From Brian Fretwell on 25/06/10
1/4 - 1/2 mile west of Minehead. close inshore
400yds? depth around 30ft. Wednesday 23rd
June 2010. 07.30 -. mid -Tide Ebbing. A glorious day - flat calm blue sky, gonna
be hot..
(Brown water?) With a few hours to kill before heading up channel to Weston.
Decided to
drown some frozen squid. Immediately LSD followed by another and another. 3
approx 24"
lengths. Decided to leave the fishing as I didn't have barbless hooks and it was
too nice a
day to keep damaging Dogfish lips - 2 broken hooks - it was better to cut
through the hook!.
I guess I'll have to wait until I can get beyond Porlock or get some advice how
to get something
else.
Should I use Peeler or???
Good fishin'
From Neil
Cameron on 17/06/10
Minehead Harbour,17/6/10.
Fished high tide in. Between 8am and 11am.
6 x Dog fish.
3 x Smooth hound.
1 x Cod. 2.1lb.
1 x Small eyed ray. 8.7lb.
From Bruce Strachan on 29/05/10
Fished a club trip on AlyKat on 29/05.
Day started well with light southerly breeze, but ended up a fresh/strong
westerly blow.
Good fishing in Porlock Bay, plenty of Smoothies
up to 10lb to crab baits and a few small Tope.
The last of the flood fished well off Embelle Wood with better Tope to 22lb on
Mackeral fillets.
Fresh Mackeral were caught around the Foreland with some Pollock chasing the feathers as well.
Doggies were at every location but not in plague
numbers as over the past weeks, and a lone
double figure Bull Huss put in an appearance.
All in all a good day despite the windy conditions.
4lb bass caught at shurton barns on Tuesday the 25 of May 2010.
the summer species have finally turned up at
Knightstone I had my first thornback on Saturday
17th April followed by a dogfish on Monday still plenty of codling and whiting I
also had a silver
eel on Wednesday but nice to see the big rods getting bites at last I used to
look forward to
winter on Knightstone but thanks to Spanish and Norwegian trawlers.
I'm now definitely a summer man come on you conger get that rod pumping .......
......... tight lines to all
fished blue anchor 19.3.10.fished 2 up 3 down,
good bites up to high water. caught 3 codling
(biggest 3 pound ) 2 pouting & 4 doggies. using peeler, black lug. Sandeel &
squid. It was a
good early morning session. Sunshine & a bit of cloud. light winds. fished 2
rods.
From Tim Poat (aka Timmy Tope!) on 02/03/10
A day on board Steve Webbers 'Osprey' from Minehead produced loads of Codling. Unfortunately they were too small to keep, most about 6 to 12 inches long. However, I did get two keepers at 5lb 2oz and 4lb 4oz. To the dismay of my mates though, both went back to swim again and grow!. Yes, it's all a bit of a lottery at this time of year! Any day fishing is better than a day at work - so I enjoyed myself!!!!!!!!
From Nigel
Owst on 14/02/10
A group of 5 of us fished 2 hours up, 1 down. Top tide was around 18.50 ish and
was 11.9m.
Very good weather with a cold, breeze from the South. As with the previous 2
weeks we have
fished this venue we had very poor results, with only 4 very small codling being
taken.
Baits used were the usual array of Rag, Squid, Peeler, and mackerel. All of the
fish fell to
scratching rigs baited with only Rag. Other baits weren't touched.
Nice one Curtis Owst for landing 3 of the fish caught.
From Andy Burston on 4th Feb 2010
Took the advantage of combining some time off
with a big tide, and decided to fish Blue Anchor
(high tide about 8.30pm). With enough rag and lug to cover the session,
I set up on the wall at the chalet end. Weather was dry, and nowhere near as
cold as it has been.
Bites came quite regular, but it got quieter just on high tide and a bit after.
I ended up with
7 codlets (biggest about 14"), a small pout and a small whiting.
It's nice to see these small cod, and I hope they come back over the next few
years when
they'll be worth taking home for the pan.
27-01-10 Three of us fished towards broken wall
from Blue Anchor. Medium tide with
a small swell. All big baits almost totally ignored. In total we had 9 tiny
codling on
scratching rigs with either mackerel; squid or worm. Nothing else - no LSD's,
pout
or whiting - most odd.
Back to list
Lilstock over low water sat 23rd. 8 codling best
fish 1lb all on crab . I had 1 thornback ray of 8lbs,
and two small pout. No cod over 3lbs yet on the channel . I just hope this small
cod come back in
the channel next year with 3 or 5lbs on them next year!
From
Chris Easton on 21/01/10
19/01/2010 Portishead fishing from the wood had 4 codling biggest fish at 2
lb. 6 .
All fish fell to crab & black lug on a falling tide using small baits nothing
taking normal size
cod bait .. very foggy weather .not a bad morning. could things be looking up
for the
channel .. he hopes
Fished Shurton 6th Jan 2010 with worm and squid
and snow great cod bait when
you can get it had two small codling 2lb 2.5 lb on the worm.
I fished it up for about 3 hours.
Back to list
Fished Minehead harbour wall on 5/1/10 for a few
hours over high with a couple
of mates we had 12 good Whiting to about a lb and a few small codling to 3/4lb.
A nice few hours fishing sheltering behind the wall from a biting wind.
From
Darren House on 03/01/10
Small codling to 1lb in almost plague proportions alongside pin whiting.
Bigger fish from sand point but low tide venue or expect to lose a lead a
cast on the rough ground.
From Dan
Baldwin on 29/12/09
Two of us fished over high water on the 26th Dec 4hrs up 4hrs down we had worm
and
squid for bait we had 6 small codling to 1lb all went back alive.
No keepers from the shore this year yet. some from the south coast to 8lbs
From Patrick Hardyman-Richards on 07/10/09
Fished at Rockingham near Avonmouth on Sunday
04-10-09.
High tide was at 08.00 and I fished 06.00 till 09.30.
The weather was light breeze, warm and patchy cloud.
I used two beach casters with Pennell pulley rigs and a carp rod with f
lowing trace at around 20yrds.
Baits used were a mix of Rag, Squid and Mackeral.
The carp rod caught most of the fish and two of the the largest fish.
Two Codling as well as Silver eels. The beach casters caught all the Whiting
on rag and squid cocktails.
Total fish caught was 19 7 Codling, 6 Whiting and 6 Snotties.
For some photos
www.lockleazefisherman.
Fishing on Knightstone has slowed a little with
one rod now dedicated to worms
I have still managed 6 conger to 9lbs 6 thornback to 8lbs and a few dogfish on
one rod.
The worm rod taken 65 whiting with only 4 keepers 1 small codling and one
undersize bass
not a bad September brean down and sand point producing better quality fish but
not
many of them a few flounder starting to show from town end of the beach with a
good
helping of school bass.
Back to list
From Phil on
04/10/09
Aust, low water + first 45 mins of flood, Sunday 4/10/09,
lots of anglers there
(following rumours of 4lb codling last week?!), a couple of snotties,
2 tiny whiting to show for it, either on rag or lug/squid tip. Saw one codling
around 2lbs two rods up from me.
From Bruce Strachan on 02/10/09
The A&SC SAC held their open boat competition on
01/10/09 from Minehead.
Alykat, Atlantic Blue & Osprey were Chartered for the event.
A moderate NW breeze made the conditions interesting! However the sun shone.
Of the 17 species across the three boats there were some notable fish caught,
including Tope over 25lbs, Bull Huss at 15lb 8oz, and the best of all a Red
Mullet.
The Red Mullet caught by Simon Norman was weighed
on a set of calibrated scales
the following day at Hartgen's Butchers in Minehead (thanks Albert), it weighed
in at
14oz 4dr or 405g.
That's almost 5oz over the previous boat record for the Bristol Channel.
A claim has gone in to the BCFSA!
A total of 432 fish were caught, most released. A few Pollock kept for the table
Our thanks to the skippers Dave, Mike and Steve for an excellent days sport.
Simon
Norman's record Red Mullet
This is a
one off.........kind of a catch the thief report!
From Steve Adams on 29/09/09.
Please find attached a picture of my stolen jet ski model
Seadoo RXT. As you can see the ski
has a custom paint job that makes it very distinctive and easy to spot.
The ski was stolen from Spain and possibly brought back to the
UK. I have posted the missing
ski on many jet ski web sites and there is a possible sighting at Weston Super
Mare
This year so I would be most grateful if you could pass on the
photo to anyone who you
think may be able to help and also keep a look out for me as it may being kept
in the local area.
I am offering a
£3000 reward for any
information that will lead to the recovery of
my ski so if you can put up a photo on a notice board I would be most grateful.
If you have any information I can be contacted on 07811 333444 or email me at steve.adams@sky.com
I really appreciate any help you can give me with this matter.
Kind regards
Steve Adams
From
Martin King on 28/09/09
Went out Saturday (26/09/09) over the top of a small 8.5 metre neap tide on
island girl from
Uphill as soon as the anchor was down the brean side of the down 5 of the 6 rods
all had fish
on at the same time.
We caught loads of conger, thornbacks and a couple of dogs. as the weather was
so nice we
decided to stay out and come in late on Saturday night.
We steamed off down channel 10 miles to culver sands found a nice gulley and
caught blonde
rays to 15lbs. conger to 16lbs, small eyed rays, doggies and my first ever Bull
Huss which
weighed in just under 10 lbs as you can see from the pics I was very happy to
catch something new.
All fish were caught on squid mackeral and lug . and all were returned to fight
another day.
On returning up to uphill we had to wait at the mouth of the river for the
incoming tide.
And the fish finder was showing shoals of fish , which I take were whiting. they
were only in
6ft of water. we didn't have any bait left , but it proves they are there , you
just got to catch em.
A very pleased Martin
with his first BullHuss
Fished on island girl out of uphill on a big
spring tide, tried the brean side of the down ,
not even a bite, steamed on down to culver sands and as the tide eased fished a
deep
gulley just off the sands .
caught small eyed rays to 10lbs, then Kevin hooked into a big fish but it broke
his line
after 5 mins. 30 minutes later I hooked into what turned out to be a 25 lb
conger on
whole squid.
we fished on and caught more ray and doggies all on squid and one solitary
whiting
on rag. as the tide picked up we headed on back in .
I gutted the conger and guess what , inside was Kevin's hook and bait
that he had lost. now what are the chances of that??.
as you can see from the pics it was a big one as I'm 6 ft 4 ins tall. think I'm
going
to get some bigger scales as mine only go to 25 lb. and it smacked the scales to
that,
so I don't know if it was bigger but as you can see from our smiles we are just
happy
to catch.
Portishead: 9.30 am tide, about 12.6 high.
Fishing with rag and mackeral.
not a lot happening and lots of weed. All we had was a 2lb codling but its
better than nowt.
Roll on the winter months.
Lower Light, Burnham. Sun 13.09.09 8.9 Tide
Fished from low water to High water.
Caught a Sole 2lb 5oz on Rag 2hrs Before High water.
Weather was sunny. Tide was like a mill pond.
Fished on island girl from uphill Saturday and
Sunday, over the top of the tides on both days.
Saturday was a sunny day with a stiff north easterly wind. we fished the brean
side of the
down and caught conger to 12lbs. ray to 8 lbs and just a few dog fish , all
falling to squid or
mackeral, squid taking most of the bigger fish. Sunday weather a bit less windy
giving a flat
calm sea , this time over 20 conger , biggest boated 15 lbs. most around 10lbs.
also lost a
much bigger conger estimated at over 20lbs at the side of the boat ( hook broke)
. also lots
of skate to 10lbs. and yes you guessed a few doggies. all but a few coming to
whole squid baits.
two good trips over neap tides all fish returned except for 6 conger kept to
eat ,
checked the congers stomachs and they had all been eating whiting and small
codling.
Ladye bay, Clevedon. what a waste of bait .we
spent 7 hours off the flat rocks. it was a 13.1
tide, hw was 9.30 ish. All that was caught was a tiny little coddling, between 4
rods.
The tide pull was really bad, lost about 7 leads and loads of leader.
Think we will give this place a wide berth from now on.
Brean Down next week.
Back to list
From Adam
Cousins on 02/09/09
Weston super Mare fishing report for august Knightstone
island slower than last year with 9 thornbacks
11 conger to 11lbs and 14 dogfish plenty of undersize whiting on 3 hook flapper
rigs nice to see a few
early codling 4 fish up to 3lbs and a couple of bass to 3lb 10oz Weston beach
starting to produce 1lb plus
flatties with school bass and silver eels Sandpoint and brean down throwing up
the odd bigger thornback
and conger to mid doubles the boat fishing for august has been a little slow on
last year with one charter
boat only producing 5 dogfish and 2 conger no names mentioned and another trip
with only 14 dogfish in
8 hours sport a lot better in clearer waters of Minehead and Porlock with tope
smoothies and starry hounds
very willing to take the bait along with good numbers of Pollock and good
whiting off Bossington tight lines
for Sept.
I will let you no soon
Back to list
From Rob
Williams on 15/08/09
Hi, me and 2 others fished Portishead battery point last Sunday ( 9th Aug)
9.30am
hw 12.4 meter tide with a s/w wind we used big almost king rag and
lug/squid/mackerel
/peeler/
between 5 rods.
Still it was a lovely day.
Back to list
From
Craig Butler on 21/08/09
Fished Lilstock on 10,8,09 for smoothies as a few good double figure fish had
been in the area so
thought strike while the iron is hot, but they didn't show but had a 5lb 5oz
bass 1st cast for my
efforts on fresh peeler crab .
From Wayne Beale on 10/08/09
9/8/2009 fished blue anchor it was a evening tide about 8.30pm.
we fished 3 up and 3 down using rag worm , squid, and mackeral on 80lb wire
trace.
no bites at all until until bang a 22lb conger, what a beautiful catch.
going back next week for another go.
From Sean Badger on 10/08/09
fished of Burnham on sea at the esplanade and caught a whiting using Ragworm as
bait and a two hook paternoster
rig at the first cast I caught the whiting. What a result .The high tide was at
21.53hrs at a tide at 10.47mtrs
The tide was strong but a sunny day what filled up the beach.
Sean's Whiting
From Keith Wigglesworth on
10/08/09
Fished Porlock Weir, evening of 8/8. Several small enquiries, but not a fish
all evening. Saw one poor cod brought in.
Tried crab (smoothies), worm and squid (anything else!!) without success. A
lovely evening though, spoilt only by the
prat in the ski boat!
Spring tide with a full moon...should've known better really.
went out from uphill on island
girl, steamed down to culver sands and had a mixed bag of Smoothound,
Blonde, Smalleyed and thornbacks, conger and doggies, all on whole squid. a good
days fishing
Fished the evening tide off the
esplanade steps at Burnham on sea on Friday 7/ 8/09. High tide 20.50hrs,height
10.33.
Fished Ragworm on a paternoster rig from 2 hours before high tide. Strong wind
turning the incoming tide into a Bass surf.
Result a small bass about 1 hour before high tide.
.jpg)
Knightstone island Weston Super Mare July
report plenty of undersize whiting 4 thornback to 8lbs
6 conger to 11bs 1 bass 3lb 8oz 4 dogfish the fishing is medium at moment with a
lot better marks
struggling few conger and thornback at sand point and brean down main beach
producing school bass
and a few flounder brean and Berrow beaches producing on evening (dark) tides
manly conger with a
few thornback and odd bass sand bay beach for silver eels and undersize whiting
plus better size school bass
Back to list
From Wayne Beale on 30/07/09
Had a go at Portishead on Sunday. it was a 13.6 tide , high tide was 10.10am.we
fished just up from the light house.
started very slow , then bang a nice little 4 lb conger. 10 mins later my
brother pulled in a 6lb thornback ray ,
also caught 2 very small codling. they were all caught on mackerel. going to try
lady bay next week
From Paul Badger on 22/07/09
Fished from the the wall on the south esplanade at Burnham on sea tonight. Tide
height 11.15mtrs,
high tide 20.06hrs. The fishing was slow, however bingo my son Sean caught his
first fish,
a small flounder using a two hook paternoster rig, size 1 hook baited with rag.
That's one on the scoreboard.
Sean's First Fish......... COOL!
From Wayne
Beale on 16/07/09
15/7/2009. decided to try brean down as we
have never been there before.
We fished at the far end next to the fort on the right hand side by the steps.
We used mackerel and rag. caught 3 conger , 2 at 4lb and 1 at 10lb.
not bad for first time on the down.
Fished Thursday out of uphill on a big spring
tide, tried all the usual places but fishing very slow.
Fished for 14 hours and just caught thornbacks and doggies. cant wait for the
neap tides.
From
Martin King on 23/06/09
Fished on island girl Sunday. had a good day despite it ending up very windy and
rough.
Caught over 60 fish all returned except for one conger, kept for fishcakes.
caught Thornies,
Smalleyed and blonde to 12lb . conger to 15lb and a hard fighting 15lb starry
Smoothound.
And of course doggies how could I nearly forget them lol
"Is Martin King the only one with a computer and a digital
camera?????????????????
Share your angling skill with the other people who visit these pages" - Brooster
From I Taylor (Old Codger) on 15/06/09
Fished St Brides Black Pipe, not a lot being caught. Whiting still about and the
odd Bass.
Drew a blank yesterday, Sunday. So went again Monday had a few bites and
caught
a Mullet about 3 to 4lbs
From
Martin King on 15/06/09
fished on island girl Saturday (13th), out of uphill. first stop just off of
brean down on the brean
side and caught conger doggies and thornbacks on squid and lug. moved off down
channel
as tide eased, and fished the culver sands and caught conger to 15lb. Thornies
,doggies,
small eyed, and some really nice blonde rays to 12lb. tide got too strong then
came back
up and fished brean down again , and caught more of the same in total we had. 24
thornback,
3 Smalleyed, 8 blondes, and 14 conger. between the three of us we don't count
the doggies
but there were loads so all in all a good days fishing
From
Martin King on 25/05/09
Went out from uphill on island girl we fished off brean down and caught small
conger
and dogfish. Then steamed out to steep holm and found more doggies and skate to
9lbs.
Came back in to the brean side of the down and caught 2 bass, but they were only
less
than 2 lbs and a 11lb conger
From Dave
Stevens on 25/05/09
Gareth D and I fished Severn Beach Wall on 23rd May, evening tide-2hrs up to HW
and
1/2hr back. Result 12lb and 3lb conger to myself on mackerel and 5lb conger to
Gareth
on rag/squid, there was another caught some mackerel bait which I gave to a
young
angler 50yds toward Avonmouth on the wall. All fish came within 1/2hrs each side
of HW.
Tight lines Dave S
I fished New Passage with 2 mates on 7th, 8th and
10th of May 2 hrs before
HW and 1/2hr of the ebb using king rag and squid, the result a pin whiting on
each trip-no one caught anything else but another angler had a small conger
on Ammo Sandeel on the Sunday. Not much about at the moment in the upper
Severn.
Tight lines, Dave S
From
Martin King on 14/05/09
fished on island girl out from uphill Sunday 10th may. caught ray and doggies
from Churchill buoy.
Then steamed out to rudder rock off of Steep Holm and caught plenty of doggies
and thornback
ray and a couple of congers. came back in to Brean Down and caught more ray.
All on whole squid bait.
From Bruce Strachan on 26/04/09
Fished 23/04/09 from Minehead on Steve Webber's
'Osprey' his new Kingfisher boat.
Weather was stunning, a rare flat calm day and tides were spot on building
nicely so the
water was pretty clean.
We fished in Porlock bay to start, and quickly picked up Pouting, Poor Cod,
Pollock, Doggies,
Bull Huss, Whiting and I had two small Codling of about a pound.
All of these fell to Mackeral, squid and worm baits.
A single Smoothound of about 7lb succumbed to a crab bait.
As the tide dropped off we moved down Channel to a mark off the Waterfall,
Steve's top
Smoothound mark............ NOT!
The only thing to show up there were plenty of Doggies! They liked the crab too!
As the flood tide increased and it was getting harder to hold bottom Steve took
us back inshore.
A couple a wrasse put in an appearance as did a handful of Pollock, up to about
5lb.
The Pollock put up a great fight for their size on light gear as they cant dive
deep, not in
30ft of water anyway.
Baited feathers took the largest Pollock.
Back to list
From Dan
Baldwin on 21/04/09
fishing at Lilstock for the 1st time this year for Smoothound. Started at 5 00
am no bits on the way down.
Half hour into the flood tide the 1st and last bite a Smoothound of 8lbs on
peeler crab.
Ps good news for the Smoothound season Somerset angling have live crab.
Dan's Smoothie
From Dave
Stevens on 15/04/09
11th April from Watchet on Seafire 374 fish caught mostly LSD's 1 codling
plus Bull Huss up to 17lbs, all in Porlock Bay.
Fished Ladye Bay on 12/04/09, hoping to catch
thornback ray, but no joy. Am still
learning the marks here and perhaps didn't choose the best spot, but once I
realised
my error others had turned up and taken the the better looking places, so I
persevered.
Fished from dead low to an hour after high (in the dark) and did not have a bite
all day,
apart from pesky crabs. Last cast reeled in a tiny whiting. Used rag, peeler,
squid and mackerel.
Pleasant conditions, but obviously no one told the Thornies I was going to put
them back anyway!
Can't win ’em all...
From
Craig Butler on 12/04/09
Fished White Mark on gasworks Minehead 12,4,09 over low water only managed a few
dogs,
guy next to me had a cod 5lb 13oz in great condition, also turbot about
1lb,sizeable whiting
and pout caught by others ,was hoping for a Smalleyed ray but don't seem to be
showing
just yet got to be any day soon though ,the Spotties have been there for a few
weeks
around the 3lb mark
From I Taylor
on 12/04/09
Sunday 12th
Fished the Black Pipe, had a few Whiting none in size, so returned them.
Caught a Conger about 7 to 8lbs, also returned. Fishing has been a bit hit and
miss lately but seems to be improving.
A few other fish being caught by other anglers.
Back to list
From
Brian Spalding on 21/03/09
Fished Battery point Saturday 21st March. High tide 15:00ish neaps.
One whiting - 15 codling, largest about a 1.5lb, all returned.
Majority caught on the rising tide in the two hours after low water.
No activity in the hour before and the hour after high water.
Started catching again 2 hours after high water but by then had run out of
bait and time to pull stumps.
All caught on a single rod with a simple two up flapper rig with 2/0 hooks
using rag or lug, no interest in squid at all.
Other anglers taking many similar small codling also two good sized conger
caught below the little light house.
From Gary Pryor and Martin Haynes on 08/03/09
Arrived on the north coast in the afternoon from
Plymouth for early Sunday
morning fishing session. Warmed up at Watchet pier in the afternoon, drew a
blank but a couple of local guys were pulling in the odd doggy. Left about
5pm and checked out a couple of places but ended up in Minehead for the
nite, caught a small codling near to the lifeboat launch but the SW winds
became the vain in our day!!! Left at 5am,will return again knowing the
channel has got potential.
From Brian Spalding on 08/03/09
Fished Lady bay Sat 07/03/2009 13:00 - 19:00hrs
I took 4 small cod, largest about a pound, all returned. My colleague had one
small cod.
Crabs starting to show and raid bait, two brought in.
I had mixed bait, rag, lug, frozen black lug and squid.
No interest in any hook with squid on. Hooks size 2/0 on pulley rig one two
hooks up flapper
From Patrick
Hardyman-Richards on 06/03/09
Fished Ladye Bay on Wednesday 04-03-09.
High tide was at 11.45, 10.9 metres. Fished 08.15 till 12.00.
Used Lug and rag baits on Pennell Pulleys and 3 hook Paternoster Rigs.
Chilly start then warmed up to a nice day.
Catch was 1 tiny Pouting, 4 small Codling and a 4lb 4oz Thorny. Lost a better
one which might have been the one another fisher caught at between 7lb and 8lbs
(NICE).
Ladye Bay Codling
................and Thornback
Wednesday 11th Feb - Seven Beach
Tide was around 20:40 - two of us fished around an hour and half before and hour
or so after.
Tide was around 13-14 meter.
The weather was cold but fairly calm with a little sleet.
Fished near the slipway.
Had a fairly difficult session as it was our first time night fishing - as we
are both fairly
new to sea fishing - setting up in the dark was an interesting challenge.
We both lost tackle - but a small codling was caught and safely returned - so
all in all a
good learning experience and the evening wasn't a blank
From Patrick
Hardyman-Richards on 14/02/09
Fished Portishead Yacht club Thursday morning 12-02-09.
High tide was at 09.04 and 14.2mtrs.
Ragworm was the bait on size 1 - 3/0 Pennell Pulley rigs.
Water was flat calm, frosty and clear weather.
There was tons of river flood rubbish right across to the Welsh side.
On small Codling was caught between 4 rods.
"at least there is one to
catch!!"
"only a little rubbish to contend with!!"
From Carpy Colin on 12/02/09
Kingston Seymour 11/2/09
3 of us fishing with lug & squid
I had one small codling & lost a proper un
jerry had some good bites but didn't connect
Paul had a nice sized whiting & some decent bites
Looks like there might be a few more cod out there
but it still isn't that good.
Hi all, fished the lower Bristol Channel sat 31st
09,with my mate rick, arrived about 8ish and made our
way to a low water mark, which was a 200 ft drop on a rope, while fishing here
we had two green eels
and two doggies, we then moved to another mark and fished the tide back in,
after an hour rick was
into a nice cod 6 to 7 lbs, then nothing after that, but it was a good days
fishing.
Not much biting at Sudbrook. Just a few small eels and one tiny ling
Fished Ladye Bay Clevedon 3 of us, 5 rods all
together I had two codling mate Ryan B had one codling cuz
had 1 codling all under 1lb but nice to know the cod are coming in.
From
Carpy Colin on 23/01/09.
Burnham on sea, Lower light,
20/01/09 lug & squid
4 small whiting the worms were actually bigger than the fish. RUBBISH.
But I will be out again soon cause you never know
Keep your heads up though boys get out there cause you gotta be in it to win it
and if no one is trying to catch em then how will we know if they are there.
Kingston Seymour 13/01/09
3 anglers not a bite between us not even a little whiting
From Michael Scoulding on 13/01/09
me and two friends fished Burnham on sea <lower light>on
10.1.09,we used fresh lug + frozen black, crabs and squid,
we fished the tide right up and followed it back down to the mud. We had no
bites at all but still enjoyed ourselves,
may try lady bay next weekend, good luck and tight lines
From Richard
on 12/01/09
Boat from Portishead - off middle ground, mid channel and Ladye bay. Saturday
10-01-09.
A group of 8, 10 rods for 8 hours - no one had a bite at all. Used Mackerel,
Squid, Bluey and crab.
Tried various scenting oils and fish oils too. Worst days fishing I have ever
had from a boat.
Where are all the cod?
From
Nathan Davies on 30/12/08
Hi everyone just to report that not much cod has been caught around the channel
but things
are picking up around Cardiff foreshore by cods corner I hope this might help
some of you
chasing the cod this winter, cheers.
Had nothing not even a bite at Portishead battery point were are the cod being caught........
From Nathan Davies on 10/12/08
I fished Cardiff foreshore last night I fished
the beach right next to the monkey pole.
My first cast produced a very lively 2lb codling 1 hour before high tide. Then 2
more
smaller codling on high tide. loads more little bites I put down to small
whiting.
Nothing more caught so packed up and went home for a nice Chinese.
Cheers, keep fishing.
From
Beach Telegraph on 09/12/08
Anglers along the Somerset coast are not seeing too many Cod at the moment.
Not surprising as the Sprat shoals that turn up at this time of the year seem to be hanging
around for several weeks longer than usual. The seawater inlet filters at an industrial
complex on the coast is stuffed full of them, some Herrings as well!!
With all this natural food around it is no wonder we're not catching many of the main
winter target. The physical evidence of their presence is irrefutable also!
The shoals of these cod fodder fish usually turn up October time and are
gone again by mid to end of November. This year seems to be a bumper year.
The local fixed, and drift, netsmen have had some really good catches - when the
weather has allowed them to get them out. I think normal Cod service will be resumed
once the Sprats and Herrings return to their usual Atlantic swims.
From Tom
Dibble on 18/11/08
Fished white mark at low and the wall at high tide on the 1/11, had some good
bites from
White Mark and five average size doggies on whole squid. Come on cod!
From Carpy
Colin on 12/11/08
Burnham on Sea, lower light, 6 November, fishing the low tide up, between 3 of
us we had about
20 whiting & 4 congers 1 each for Paul & Jerry & 2 for me, all on lug & squid
baits, the biggest
conger which fell to my rods was 20lb + all released alive to fight another day.
weather was far
to calm for the cod to turn up but there is always next time.
From Lee T on
08/11/09
Fished Portishead sailing club's slipway on 07/11/08. Wind SW. Fished 2 hrs
before high and 3 hrs down,
2 tiny codling to rag and squid baits no other bites all day, I met with another
angler who was just
leaving and he had 2 codling about 3 lb each.
Fished Severn Beach from the Boulders 28/10/2008.
Caught 2 Codling to 3lbs approx 20 mins
before high water. Both fish fell to Lug baits. Tide was 13.2m with a north/
north easterly wind.
YES, IT WAS COLD!
Fished Woody Bay 6th may ,had a good mixed bag
including this 3lb 6oz Ballan Wrasse on fresh
peeler.
Fished Severn Beach 19/10/08
caught 3 codling to 2.5 pounds and one small snotty. All codling caught on the
flood to rag/lug/squid cocktails.
Snotty on the ebb.
Tide was 12.8 metres good south/westerly wind.
On 4th October 08 fished Minehead beach with a
mate for the sole, and we were reward for our efforts with 3 sole.
Two of them exactly 3lb and one of about a pound , having a 3lber each we were
both happy , this beach has turned
up a lot of good fish in the past year for those who fish it .
The sole were caught using a loop rig with lug and rag.
If you fancy fishing in comfort for a change give Minehead beach a go, you may
be glad you did.
This is a stunning fish for the Bristol Channel and is well over the BCFSA specimen size at 141%! -- Brooster
From Carpy
Colin on 20/10/08
4 of us went out to Kingston Seymour in the evening of the 16th of October,
perfect weather perfect size tide,
for the venue, me and my brother had some very strong bites but the fish seemed
to come of quite easily (probably conger).
I had a nice codling of 3-4lb just before high tide, I also had a smaller
codling on my last cast.
We all had a number of whiting, but we did lose a few fish.
But overall a good night.
From Patrick Hardyman-Richards on 04/10/08
Fished the Severn Beach 03-10-08.
High tide at 10.08, 11.9mtrs.
Using Rag, Lug and Crab.
Three Codling, best around 2 1/2lb, 2 Conger, best just under 10lb and 2
Snotties.
Codling on Rag and Lug Pulley rigs, Conger on Rag only as were the Snotties.
Crab baits weren't touched!!!!!!
Codling caught at 40yrds 1hr to 1/2 an hour before the top of the tide.
Conger out around 60 - 80yrds over the top of the tide. Snotties caught 1 hour
into the ebb.
Some
of the fish caught on this trip.
From Nathan Davies 0n 06/10/08
Fished sully island on Sunday the 5th had a shed
load of whiting 1 every cast.
No cod though but a good day out baits used was rag lug and squid.
Oh and a guy had a 13ib conger Eel on a whole squid.
Back to list
hey I went down blue anchor on holiday for a
week on the 28th aug the fishing was a bit slow at the beginning
of the week but by the end I managed to catch a small thornback about 6pound
and a school bass about 4 pound
both on 2 hole Sandeels on a pennell rig apart from that there was nothing else
around apart from Wighting and
doggys
Fished Ladye Bay again Saturday evening - very
little about, some small whiting, not even a sniff of a codling,
spoke to others there only fish of note was a small conger over high water -
Lovely sunset though,
will try again Wednesday a bit further up the channel
Fished Ladye Bay this morning - Conger about
8-9lbs, 3 codling best 3lb and a few whiting.
Bait blow and frozen black lug. Best codling taken on the ebb.
From Nathan Davies on 18/09/08
fished Penarth beach last night 17/9/08 the tide
was 12.5 metres and no wind at all. the conditions
were great but the fishing was very poor about 20 anglers fishing and nothing
caught. still nice to
be out again I haven't been much due to working away. cant wait until the cod
are here.
From
Mike Bodger on 15/09/08
On Saturday 13 sep 08, myself and my son, Martin, fished the east side of sand bay and
caught two double
figure thornback rays, a large (very heavy) conger and a 1 and half pound
codling. I photographed
them and put them back alive except the codling which was very badly hooked.
Two fine shore
caught thornies.
Fished Old Passage 14-09-08 high water @ 19.52 using Rag and Frozen Black Lug 12.5m metre tide & blanked
From Patrick Hardyman-Richards on 02/09/08
From Roger on
23/08/08
Saturday 23rd August. Another morning at New Passage, couple of bites
then right at the top of the tide I caught a nice 14 inch codling.
From Roger on
22/08/08
Tried New Passage today Friday 22nd August the tide was a flat calm 12.3mtr at
11:23am
there were 7 fishing, 11 rods altogether. And every one blanked. I had my bait
nibbled and
a couple of bites, but it was a warm pleasant day despite no fish.
Back to list
Fished off Ladye Bay Clevedon today, one 10inch Whiting for me, although the guys to my left took a Thornback Ray of about 5lb others blanked. There was about a dozen rods out for this session.
From Andy and Veronica Meddick on 06/08/08
just a days fishing at Aberthaw, running a bit late, very quick walk out, set up 1st,2nd and third cast hit into a smoothy, biggest 12lb 10oz, great day...
hi all, fished Portishead pier last night the 21st arrived 830pm ish we carried on till 3am only one bite all night, had all the usual bait's very poor night, shame as the conditions were spot on, oh well never mind may be next time.
Fished Severn Beach on the 14th with my fishing buddy for 2hrs up to high water using rag only. Resulting in two congers and a small whiting
fished Kingston Seymour Monday 14th high tide was about 10 m, fished 2 hours before and 2 1/2 hours after, we had five rods out with plenty of bait on offer rag, lug, squid, sandeel, mackie. after 15mins we had our first catch a small eel, that was to be the only catch of the day the baits were coming back in untouched not even a nibble from any crabs, oh well never mind we are off again Wednesday but to a different location will keep you up dated. Back to list
From Ryan
Gillson on 07/07/08
5/7/2008 - Portishead Marina.
The wind was up this weekend so I decided to try finding a sheltered spot inside
the marina as opposed to my usual spot on Steamer Pier.
I set up on the dock side in the lee of some tall buildings. I have been told to
leave the ledgering
gear at home and use a float so I put a mackrel/squid cocktail on a 2/0 hook
about 7 feet below a float and being a creature of habit also put squid/mack on
a 3 hook flapper rig and chucked that out to see what would happen.
It was frantic, with in half an hour I had 4 fish on the quay side all
pollack in the
1/2 - 1 lb range. I then had a good size bass to a squid head on the float. It
quietened off for an hour or so but then I had 2 whiting of about 1lb each. A
good day overall. 5 of the seven fish fell to the ledger too, so there you go!
From Patrick Hardyman-Richards on 28/06/08
Fished New Passage near Severn Beach today 28-06-08. Fished from 12.00 till 16.00. High tide at 14.58, height 10.7mtrs. Fished with two of my sons. Good wind blowing so hoped for some luck. First fish was a Conger Eel around 2 lbs. caught by my youngest son. Then a small Snotty was caught by myself, followed by another Conger caught by my eldest son. It was about 7 - 8 lbs.. I then had two more small Conger between 2 and 3 lbs.. All caught before high tide, no bites after the top of the tide.
From Nathan Davies on 13/06/08
I fished Cardiff foreshore last night hoping to catch a bass or two armed with squid rag and crab I prevailed the long walk to the cods corner. First cast a very small school bass second cast a codling nothing until the end of the night and then had a bass of about 2 pound not a bad shesh as I have not been for a while due to working away. Cheers keep on fishing and tight lines everyone.
John Avery of Combe Martin Sea Angling Club landed a new club record smoothound of 20lb 9oz whilst fishing from Steve Webbers Minehead based boat Osprey.
John Avery's 20lb 9oz Smoothound
From Patrick
Hardyman-Richards on 30/05/08
Hi everyone this is my first report to this forum.
I live in Bristol and have fished the Bristol Channel since 1991.
Fished from the ledgers at Ladye Bay yesterday 29-5-08.
Fished from 09.00 till 15.00.
High tide at 14.29.
Baits Rag, Mackerall, Squid and Sand Eel.
First fish was a small Whiting caught at 11.10.
Next fish was a Doggy at 40 yards? to Rag worm.
Caught an other Whiting which swallowed the hook so used it as Bait. Second
Doggy took it again from around 40 yards.
My rod out around 80 to 100 yards only had 2 small whiting and 2 small Pouting.
The 2 Doggies were my biggest fish since November last year???!!!
From Chris Robinson on 22/05/08
From Kevin
Smith on 24/05/08
We fished Porlock Bay and
caught some good Smooth hound, Thornback Ray.
Plenty of dog fish about too. The best fish on the boat was a 15lb bull huss.
Fished for the first time this year on my own
boat, out in Porlock Bay.
A light SE breeze dropped away to nothing and the sun turned its wick up
Flat calm conditions....too good to be true?
The doggies started straight away, both Keith and I matching each other fish for
fish.
I was a bit close in at anchor and the ebb started to drop off. A quick call on
the vhf to Osprey's
skipper Steve Webber confirmed that they were into fish further out and that the
current
was not too strong (not for him anyway). We gave it a bit longer and moved off
into the bay.
The difference was amazing, more of everything.
an almost continuous stream of fish to the boat.
Peeler crab started to pick up Smoothies quite quickly the best was a Starry at
15lb 8oz.
Common Smoothound, Thornback, Pouting, Poor cod, conger made up the rest of the day's catch
Having caught so much the peeler had run out, I
was fishing three crab legs on a 5/0 hook and
the Smoothies still found them, amazing!
All fish were returned alive & kicking!!
My 15lb 8oz Starry Smoothound on peeler
crab.
Keith into another good fish
photo's were on my sony ericsson K800i mobile phone!
THORNBACK RAY 10lbs BLUE ANCHOR BEACH 9.30 P.M MAY 8th LARGE STRIPS OF SQUID
From Sue
Walker on 27/04/08
Stuart's first Thornback Ray
From
Nathan Davies on 27/02/08
I fished on Penarth beach on the 27/02/08 I had 4 whiting and missed a few nice bites. I used 2 rods with a pennell rig baited with rag and lug on the other rod was a 1up 1 down rig with black lug tipped with squid I was hoping for a cod but they just never showed up. going again next weekend I might try sully island or Ogmore deeps. I might try for a conger or that big cod I've been chasing all winter.
from
Nathan Davies on 01/03/08
I fished the black pipe at St brides Newport last night the 29/2/08 I managed 3
whiting and 2 codling 1 was 1lb and the other was 2.3lb all caught on a penell
rig baited with lug worm casted at about 100yrds the cod fishing has been a bit
slow this year. I here it was all the sprats around but still I'm not
complaining
due to my luck recently. cheers everyone keep fishing
From Albert Hartgen on 18/03/08
Managed to get to sea on Sat 15.03.08, aboard 'ORCA'- a windless day at last! My party of 8 anglers from the north of England managed to catch about 30 Bull Huss to 10lb, Whiting, Blonde Ray to 20lb, many LSD's, Codling to 6lb, Pouting, Poor Cod, Smoothounds, other rays etc. They've booked several more trips through the year after this early season experience. Getting better all the time.
from Johnny Hodgkins on 18/03/08
hey peops went down battery point tues 18th march 2008 not a bad days fishin started off with a small codling in morning,then went bit slow but about hour before high tide caught a small baby conger, followed by a 9lb conger just as tide was changeing good days fishing in all
Back to list
From
Andrew Parsons on 15/01/08
3lb 4oz flounder Llangenydd 2007 West Wales
mud worm
Back to list
From Nathan Davies on 12/02/08 Fished Cardiff foreshore on the 12/2/08 from 9am until 3pm had 2 pin whiting and a 2lb codling caught on frozen black lug tipped with squid head . I fished cod corner weather was perfect might try the Ranny on Friday night try for a big cod who knows. Back to list
13.02.08 Fished out of Portishead on a private boat. Fairly big spring tide so water even more dirty than usual. Started on the last of the flood 200 metres down channel from the marina entrance. Three codling in the boat in the first half an hour but weed was horrendous and lifting 10 ounce leads after about two minutes. Moved over to the welsh side and just one more codling for the rest of the trip. The Channel seemed full of floating debris and weed.
8 of us out on castaway out of Portishead out on a 6 hour trip 8 cod to 6lb and thornback to 8lb bait of the day rag and mackerel cocktail lots of missed fish some quite sizeable by the bends in the rods but a good day was had by all skipper and boat was fantastic and no doubt we will be booking again and would recommend to anyone check him out on deepsea.co.uk
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