Archive

Some of the old reports from the site......

Click Here for Your Old individual reports

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 circulating amongst the usual Cod marks. Let's hope of a return to some of
the good years!

SEPTEMBER 2009

The strong winds from the NE have impacted on the fishing, however there is a run of Codling at the moment.
The late summer species are still about in the lower channel. Some Sole to the very keen who are prepared to
put in the time to find them!
Plenty to go for, this is a great time of year to try for anything. Loads of species to target.
Bream, Triggers, Bass, Sole, are the more exotic. Whiting, Codling and lots of Conger are coming to notice now as
well.

 

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 around, 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, Smoothound's, 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 hook length, 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 unnecessary 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 anywhere 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 estuaries 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

If you want to catch a Ray from the shore, now's the time. Blue Anchor and Minehead have produced
Good Blonde and Smalleyed Ray's in the past week, the building tides have favoured the larger fish.
Blondes at White Mark and Gasworks, along with more Doggies than you can cope with.
Bossington is worth a go for Smoothound, after dark is more productive. Bull Huss at Porlock Weir
along with the chance of Smoothound. Again lots of Doggies to keep you entertained!!!!
The Boats have had good catches of Ray and Smoothies, the fishing is improving along with the
weather.
Don't forget your crab and Sandeel baits.

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
Update.... good numbers of rays, blondes and small eyed, on the lower channel marks, and small conger.
Codling the further up channel you go. Try Aust, New Passage and Severn Beach. A few doubles to Minehead boats, but not many!
Still a few mackeral in the cleaner water, on smaller tides, down channel. Bass around but patchy, not in any numbers.
Water temp still up, not putting of the whiting though, some good sized fish and some big shoals too.
Sole to 3lb from Minehead town beach after dark.

Slow to get going as the majority of the summer species seem to have turned up later than normal.
There are better numbers of Trigger's and Black Bream showing up. The Mackeral didn't seem to arrive in huge numbers as
normal but there are still some to be found in the lower reaches of the Channel.
Good numbers of Smoothound around, the best bait by far is crab, hardbacks seem to do just as well as the peelers, still.
There are quite a few Codling turning up as well as good sized whiting! Lets hope it's a good winter for catching both.
Minehead and Dunster beaches are best on the bigger tides, if you fancy a try for them.



MAY/JUNE 2008

There are some mackeral showing in the lower reaches of the Channel, a bit later than last year( Up as far as Minehead
being caught from the Gasworks beach in front of the lifeboat station).
The other sport remains good with some small bream around in the Porlock Bay area.
Plenty of good Smoothound's to crab baits...... Hardback green shore crabs seem to be out fishing the peeler, so go and catch your
bait and save a fortune on peelers, which are about 80p each at the moment!!!!!

There is some great fishing at the moment, continuing in the same form as April but better.
Big Huss, superb Smoothound sport, Conger, Tope, and the increasing numbers of the summer species
starting to show as the water temperature increases. You may have to put up with a plague of LSD's but it's worth it in the end.
Sandeel will find the ray's as will peeler for the Smoothound's

As the weather gradually improves so does the fishing, get the tide and weather right and get out there.







MARCH/APRIL 2008
Fishing has started to pick up again with good size and numbers of Bull Huss, Conger, plenty of LSD's and
some large Tope! to the charter boats. Shore catches are mostly LSD's to the western end of the channel
and the occasional ray. Some flounder small Codling further upstream, again with the occasional ray.


 

FEBRUARY 2008
Not the greatest fishing, some cod, whiting and congers to be found.
Not huge and not in great numbers.

NOVEMBER 2007
All of the summer visitors have now left, the water is still quite warm and could do with cooling
down a bit more. Some Cod around but not lots!
Conger, Whiting and LSD's seem to be the comp anglers mainstay at the moment.



SEPTEMBER 2007
Still a good selection of the summer species around. The winter visitors are also showing, good run of
autumn Codling in the upper Channel  with the odd one lower down, Whiting are starting to show as well.
There are mackeral to be found if you can get out to them and Triggers to the western end of the channel.
If the weather settles there should be some good sport to be had from both shore and boat.


AUGUST 2007
Triggers showing down the Channel along with Tope. The Mackeral are back too. Some Sole if you are
prepared to put in the time to target them.
Pollock and Black Bream will add to the summer sport if you can get the weather to go out and fish.
Boats from Minehead have taken a few early Codling!

Stop Press  ......  Bream to 4lb and Triggers to 3lb, in good numbers.  Loads of conger from most marks.

JUNE 2007
Patchy action all round. The mainstays at the moment seem to be Smoothound and Rays. The mackeral are
hard to find.
Conger are on the increase and there are no end of LSD's to keep you entertained!
Some Bass around but not in huge numbers. Pollock sport has not kicked off yet and the remaining summer
species have yet to show.

APRIL2007
Still a few cod around, plenty of Skate and thousands of Doggies.

There have been some large Tope caught up to 30lb, so there should be some mackeral about for them to eat.
Though probably at the western end of the Channel.


FEBRUARY 2007

COD COD COD COD, oh and COD.
A good run of Cod at the moment on both shore and boat.
Two superb specimens taken at Warren Bay Nr Watchet to a private boat one at 23lb the other at 34lb (have a look here)
good numbers of fish around the 6lb mark from the shore and boat make the prospects for these spring
tides very good.
Hinkley to Lilstock are worth a try with good bags in double figures being caught from the shore.

With the current cold snap and calm weather making it a great time to get out there, with the good
 prospect of something to take home for tea.


NOVEMBER 2006
Codling are patchy with a few doubles from the boats, smaller shore specimens are
also few in number. Conger seem to be abundant from both boat and shore, and are making up the
competition winning scores. LSD's also around in good numbers!


OCTOBER 2006
There are fish out there to catch..........
Very recent good numbers of Codling and Whiting are giving both shore and boat anglers
something to smile about, about time too!
There are some very nice Sole around to have a try for as well as the Bass which still seem to holding on.
Prolific numbers of Conger showing now. The recent Bristol Channel Fed match was won
with congers.
We know the fish are being caught, but reports sent in are are thin on the ground. 

AUGUST 2006

We are currently on our summer hols!  Please keep sending your catch reports -
we will update the site when we get back. We are hearing that the LSD's seem to
have almost disappeared, and also that there are large numbers of juvenile Black Bream
coming in from Porlock Bay & westwards. Global warming or just that we have finally realised
that all is not just big Conger and Ling? There's a debate! - why not let the world know
of your thoughts on this subject at Bristolchannelangling.co.uk?
Use the feedback links to give your opinions.

Digital cameras are so cheap and so good these days - all anglers should have one in their
tackle boxes to capture their days efforts. All (angling and suitable!!!), submissions to the
site will be published. Get your face and catch on the web via bristolchannelangling.co.uk.

Updates as soon as the Aftersun Lotion has been rubbed in!

Please share your catch info with others, reports sent in are dwindling fast!

JULY 2006
As good if not better than June, same species about. Good numbers of Bass
showing to the Portishead boats. Worth trying the top end of the channel for Sole and Bass
as well as the fickle Mullet (if you have the patience!) The warm water/weather bringing
them very close to shore.
Ray's in good numbers are still being caught, with quality Blonde's amongst
them. Pollock and Black Bream in the Porlock Bay, and west of, areas.
Mackerel abound in the very clear water, keeping the Tope interested.
Yet again LSD's in epidemic numbers will become a nuisance :-(
Not had a report of Triggers yet.

Please share your catch info with others, reports sent in are dwindling fast!
 

June 2006
Good selection of different species to look out for. Good regular catches
of Tope, Smoothies and Black Bream.
Tope to 30lb are not uncommon to fresh caught Mackeral baits.
Don't forget crab bait for the Smoothies!

May 2006
Things are much improved, good catches of Ray, all species, numerous LSD's
good Conger and occasional Cod!
Black Beam and Mackeral are showing west of Porlock, Tope and smoothound showing
too.

March and April
pretty dire all round

February 2006

Come on the Cod.......Time for a large one?
A sudden flurry of mid sized Codling and Cod (6lb - 10lb) have started to show in the last week or so.
Fingers crossed for a good last show before they disappear for the spring.


January 2006

A generally poor month, the odd large Cod and not much else

December 2005
The cooler weather has prompted the start of some better fishing, numbers of
Cod caught are increasing inshore, to both shore and boat anglers.
The Cod vary in size between 6 to 9lb on average, with only a few exceptions.
Good numbers of plump Whiting are also showing in most catches.
Large numbers of Spurdog's are to be found offshore.

July 2005
This is a great time to get out fishing in the Bristol Channel.
All the summer species are about and it's up to you what you want to target.
If you can get down to some clearer water you will be spoiled for choice of the tactics and tackle to use and what to fish for.
Tope are top of the list at the moment. some fine 30-40lb fish are being caught. the smaller
tides allowing them to come further up the channel after the Mackerel etc. Large Bull Huss will
also take you Tope baits. Plenty of Smoothound too
There are some good shoals of Black Bream in the Porlock Bay area with fish to 3lb being taken.
Hopefully the weather will be a little more settled. Some great sport to be had.
Have a great summers fishing.......don't forget your camera!!


June 2005
June proved to be a bit hit and miss. The summer species coming and going with the amount
of rain running into the Channel possibly affecting sport.

 May 2005
A good number of Rays are present at the moment both to boat and shore angler. Deeper water
in the Channel will hold some late Spurdog's, while inshore the target species of Bullhuss, Smoothound
and LSD's can be expected.
Top baits at the moment are Sandeel, Mackerel and Squid.

December 2004
Not the best way to end the year. Shore sport is very poor with only a few Cod around.
Whiting are patchy, but the boats have been getting some good sized shoals.
A few LSD's to keep the shore angler going and not much else.

Seasons greetings to you all, thanks for your catch reports over the past 12 months.
Let's hope the New Year brings a drastic improvement :-) you never know !!

November 2004
GRIM, so far. There are few Cod to be found, best bet is the Clevedon to Aust section
with Severn Beach faring the best so far.
Catches to the west end of the Channel are mostly Whiting and Conger and a few Ray's
Shore sport is poor, the recent Blue Anchor to Minehead match produced only a few fish,
again Whiting and Congers featured. No Cod!! and a single Bass of 10lb
Charter Skippers are faring no better. If its Cod you're after you may have a long wait.
 

October 2004
Lousy weather and almost continuous rain have not encouraged the hardy souls to get
their tackle out for the Cod season. Those that have braved the elements have been
rewarded with some good sport. Cod sessions have produced the odd large fish in the
10 to 15lb range from both boat and shore. Squid seems to be the top bait at the moment.
There are loads of small Conger and a sudden swarm of LSD's to contend with before
the Cod even get a look in on your bait.
Some excellent Ray catches in the usual marks, as well as flatties from mid channel
shore marks.

September 2004
The Codling have arrived! Shore marks have started to produce small Codling in good
numbers. Loads of LSD's and Conger to 10lb can be expected.
One of the best times for sea angling, a large number of different species to be targeted.
Mackerel and Black Bream shoals are patchy at the moment, but there are good Tope specimens
about. Trigger fish are around in good numbers along the western venues, and are great sport
on light tackle. Squid heads are the top bait at the moment.
Black Bream catches are hit and miss, Porlock Bay is the best bet for them.
Don't forget to try for some Bass too.

July 2004
Good numbers of Mackeral are showing in the clearer water towards Porlock Bay. This
has the result of bringing the predators along too. Good Tope and Smoothound catches
have resulted. Good numbers of Ray and Bull Huss still showing.
The best fishing by far has been for Pollock, fish of 15 to 18lb showing in good numbers
on the wreck marks.
Black Bream and Triggers have yet to show up, hopefully if the weather warms up and the
sun shines it will bring them up the channel.
Shore Marks: Try for Bass and Rays at Shurton and Lilstock reefs or Huss and Smoothies
at Bossington.

May 2004
It's getting warmer and more settled, and the fish are returning. There are a few Cod
appearing in boat catches, but most catches feature Rays quite heavily. Some large
Smoothound from the Porlock Bay area and good sport from very late showing Spurdog.
(Global Warming?)
Shore catches are mostly LSD's and some strap Conger. Late Whiting and some good size
Flounder from the Burnham and Brean beaches.

March 2004
February and March, so far were badly effected by the weather. Many of the boat charters were
cancelled. The catches when they did get out have not been very good.
The Cod have all but gone, and it would seem this winter was the worst season for them for some time.
Whiting are spent now and are migrating out of the Channel. They are being replaced slowly by the
various Ray species which are now being targeted.
Bring on the warmer weather !

January 2004
Not the best start to the New Year, some large Cod around but not there in numbers to be relied on.
Solitary large Cod seem to be cropping up along the whole Bristol Channel coast to both shore and
boat anglers. There are very few smaller Cod or Codling (not a good sign!). Some Whiting still showing
along with Conger. LSD's are fewer in number. A good sized Ray will still make your day, and can    
still be targeted though they will take most Cod baits.

December 2003
Not the best Cod fishing month on record. There have been some good fish in the 10-15lb range
but they have been very hard to find the boat skippers trying their best with not much success.
Shore anglers have not seen any kind of run to the Cod and there are very few smaller fish around.
It does not look promising for the future. This winter so far has to be one of the worst for Cod ever.
Conger and LSD's are still prolific and will make up the most of all catches at the moment.
There are still Ray's to be found, mostly from the boats. Again the Whiting are around but not
in great numbers. 

November 2003
The Cod that appeared early in the season have all but disappeared. The boats are picking up a
few but it is very hit and miss. Hardly any Cod from the shore.
Whiting are showing in numbers with LSD's making up catches. There are not that many
Pouting around and only a few Conger from the shore. Good ray sport from the shore and boats.
The winter seems to be slow to start as is the winter fishing.

October 2003
The start of the month has seen good sized Cod coming in, most boats showing some Cod
between 8 and 12lb. Other species still about as the water is still quite warm, no hard frosts yet!
Earlier Whiting have been missing from recent catches, but there is still a good variety of fish
to catch.
WHITING update: good 2lb+ fish, in large numbers from Porlock Bay 14/10/03. Conger becoming
prolific, all sizes to 30lb+

September 2003
Catch reports will resume in the normal manner after the summer holidays.

There are some good Thornbacks from both boat and shore marks and an early appearance
of Cod. There are even double figure Cod being caught from Minehead. Bass and Black Bream
can be targeted along with the shoals of Whiting which are also now present in Porlock Bay.
Prospects are very good for varied sport from a wide variety of species.
This is probably the best time to get out there and fish.
Ps, Fancy a Trigger Fish? Give Porlock Bay a try, both shore or boat.

June 2003
A good selection of Rays to be had at most of the usual marks. Some Tope and good size
Smoothound as well. A few Bass are being caught from shore marks with some Sole in the
upper reaches of the Channel. Conger are coming back on the scene and the Doggie plague
continues, both from boat and shore. There are Mackerel to the boats as far up as Minehead,
as the water has been very clear. Wrecks at the lower end have not been that good to date,
the Pollack have not been found in good numbers yet.

MAY 2003
Quite a few of the boat trips were badly affected by poor weather, resulting in many
cancellations. The usual Ray marks couldn't be reached and most trips staying inshore
on the English side. Catches were down on previous years. A few large Blonde Rays did
show going over 20lb. The lack of rain allowed the water to clear early and the Mackerel
showed up to Bossington/Hurlstone Point. The other summer species have yet to show.
Some Smoothound and Bull Huss around to keep things lively. Though very few Conger.
The Doggie epidemic continues

April 2003
Some excellent Ray sport from boats and shore marks like Hinkley and Lilstock reefs
Bull Huss are showing early to the boats at the bottom end of the Channel as
are some Bass! There are a few Cod hanging on, the biggest around 10lb.
A good chance of a real mixed bag. It will be an interesting month.
 

March 2003
So far pretty much the same theme as Feb, Whiting, LSD's, Rays, and some Cod
but not a lot. The boats can expect the same, and are going out a long way to find
them. Some Ling to 10lb starting to show around Blue Anchor.
The Whiting are starting to thin out now and are slowly being replaced by Pouting.

February 2003
Where are all the Cod? There are only mature fish showing, none of the 3 to 6lb
gang that usually turn up. Still some good Whiting showing, and some Rays.
Shore prospects are for the occasional lunker Cod, some smaller Whiting, LSD's
and the odd Ray at usual marks. Fingers crossed for a spring run of Cod.
 

January 2003
Update 21/01: Cod catches are patchy, with only a few fish per trip on
the boats. Some very good specimens to 30lb. Blue Anchor has produced
large shore caught Cod this season over spring tides. Both boat and shore
for lots of good Whiting and more LSD's than you can handle. A few
Thornback rays to keep up the interest. A couple of reports of Haddock,
one nearly Seven pounds from the Burnham area. Quite a rare fish for
these waters.

The cold weather has improved the catches along the Channel in general.
Minehead to Blue Anchor shore marks are producing Cod in the 15-20lb
range. Boats likewise with a few larger ones. Whiting are filling in when
there is a gap between the Cod, with some large (for this Channel) fish
at the Doniford outfall. A potential Bristol Channel record Whiting was
captured at this mark.
Tight Lines in 2003!

December 2002
Update: Better shore catches along the channel, with good whiting and
small Codling. Boats are getting better sport with Cod, some large 30's
if you are very lucky.
Not a very good start to the month, very few Cod to both boat and shore.
To date(12/12/02) things have started to improve, boats especially, with
some good Cod to 20lb. The run of strong easterly winds has curbed some
trips and put the fish off. Shore catches are a bit patchy some Cod to 8lb
with some nice sized Whiting. LSD's as usual and some flounder from
Burnham eastwards.

November 2002
  An average month so far. More Codling along the upper part of the Channel,
where prospects are quite good. Some good size Whiting and strap Conger to make
up the catches.
Burnham is a good prospect for some decent sized Flounder.

Update: The Cod are few and far between at this time (21/11), but there are
some very good numbers of Bass coming to the boats (Minehead/ Porlock),
between 20 and 30 per boat are not uncommon. Not bad for this time of year.
An incredible 8 1/2lb Halibut was caught by the skipper of Minehead boat,
Defiant, Albert Hartgen.

October 2002
There is a steady progression of Cod up the Channel, with some good specimens
coming at the Yacht Club slip at Burnham. Lilstock reefs are good to with some
Codling and numerous strap Conger. There are lots of small Conger around at
this time. Rays are still about and can be caught from the shore (try Blue Anchor).
Boat sport is good, still a good mix of species. There are patchy numbers of Cod
and very few Whiting, this should improve though!

September 2002
August was a fairly bland month but September looks set to be a great month
There are good Bass in numbers, and the Cod have already started to show
again in good numbers, lots of good fish in the 6 to 10lb bracket.
Strap conger  from the shore with some LSD's can be expected. 
Pollock showed well from lower Channel marks.
Some amazing catches of note, a 52lb ( Fifty Two) Monk Fish to a very young
lady on board Dave Roberts' Aly Kat, and an unconfirmed 45lb (Forty Five)
Blue Shark at Blue Anchor on board Fulmar with Steve Pilbrow.
 

Update:
July finished as a pretty dismal month all round. The shore fishing dropped
right off, as did the inshore boat sport. The boats that had trips down channel
did quite well with good Pollack showing on wrecks.
There was a noticeable lack of Mackerel and Black Bream. The Tope did not
venture far up the channel either, probably due to the lack of Mackerel.
Fingers crossed for August!

JULY 2002
So far pretty much the same as June, still waiting for the rest of the summer
species to show.
Some good Thornies from the Weston beaches, though the shore fishing
seems to be a bit harder at the start of this month, so far.
The next set of springs should help improve things w/e 12th + 13th.

JUNE 2002
If you can tear yourself away from the TV for World Cup, then the fishing is
good on both the shore and the boats. Bass catches are getting better mostly
towards the top end of the Channel, with Tope and Smoothound sport at the
lower end.
Good numbers of Ray, all types. Sizes are excellent, we think there
will be some Bristol Channel records broken this summer, both boat and shore.

Shore species are showing well, a recent competition produced 10 different
species. Triggers and Black Bream have yet to show.
More photo's have been sent in, please keep them coming.
Bossington and Porlock for good Smoothound from the shore

MAY 2002
Ray and Tope sport are the name of the game now. The charter boats are
having between 50 and 60 Ray on a good trip, mostly Small Eyed and Thornies.
Tope to 45lb have been caught and released this month so far 9/05.
Smoothound are also showing in good numbers as are the Bull Huss
Shore sport is mostly LSD's with Pout and Conger at the moment. There
are Bass around but not in large numbers yet.

April 2002
As normal this time of year can be a bit hit and miss. There are some very
good Rays around, especially blondes, from both the boat and shore(12lb7oz
blonde from Gasworks, Minehead), Thornbacks are around in good numbers too.
There are still some good cod in the 15-20lb range if your lucky, and they will
take Sandeel.
The most influential factor seems to be the weather at the moment. An easterly
blow will knock the fishing on the head overnight, "you should have been here
yesterday", springs to mind......
Smoothies are starting to appear so don't forget some peeler crab, but the top
bait will be Sandeel for the Rays.
The number of LSD's is in epidemic proportions, and can be a bit frustrating
if you are not getting other species, and they are taking your expensive peelers!

March 2002
This month has started in the same way February finished. There are
still Cod being caught, the largest 24lb on Osprey w/e 9-10/03/02 though
the numbers are dropping. A run of smaller codling is now appearing at most
marks both boat and shore.
The strap Conger are waking up for the spring!!
A large number of charter trips have been lost at weekends recently due
to bad weather, so keep your fingers crossed for this month.
Good numbers of Ray are starting to come in on most trips.
A Coalfish of about 1lb was taken from the harbour wall at Minehead
W/e 2-3/03 the first for a very long time!

February 2002
Whiting are showing in good numbers and some very good sized fish
especially from the shore(22/02/02).
There are still some good Cod being caught at the moment. The boats
are producing the larger specimens, and it is about this time of the
season a 30 lb fish appears (but hasn't yet). You also stand a good chance
of some specimen sized Ray's, both Blondes and Thornbacks.....
Shore sport is mostly codling 3-5lb, but the Whiting are the most predominant
target species backed up with LSD's. The occasional bigger strap conger
just to get the heart pumping too....

January 2002
Not bad prospects, some of the shore Cod are a bit hit and miss but the boats
are doing very well. Some excellent fish to 28lb being caught. The chances of
a 30lb+ specimen are pretty good.
Whiting sport around the channel is very good, again some big whiting coming
from the shore. The LSD's are around in good numbers too. So all in all
the chances of a blank session are quite small.

December 2001
With the water cooling down now the numerous small Conger are not as prolific
as a few weeks ago. This allows the Cod to locate your bait, hopefully! Lots
of small codling around, and the occasional double.
There are some good shoals of Herring , causing the Cod to feed mid water.
Whiting action is good with some 2lb+fish to be had.
There must have been a doggie explosion, there are loads, both from boat
and shore.
There is a good chance of a 20lb+ Cod with several in the last week (11-18/12/01)

November 2001
Get out there this weekend 17/18th good evening tides and pretty good weather,
there is every chance of an excellent session. The boats are picking up good
bags of Cod, and there are some good Whiting around. Lots of LSD's from
most shore marks with some Whiting too.
If you're lucky a good sized Cod 10+lbs but there seem to be a lot of smaller
ones about. Boat skippers reporting a lot of mid water fish, probably chasing
Sprat shoals when these go the Cod fishing should improve greatly.
Top bait: Black Lug, frozen is working as well, or some times better than
the fresh.

The weekend 10-11/11/01 was superb, with good numbers of Cod being caught along
the channel. Larger Whiting showing in the upper parts from Weston and above
There are good numbers of Cod, Codling and Whiting to be had, some of the Cod will be
good doubles. There are still a lot of small Conger to be had from both boat and shore.
Lug, Squid and Mackerel are the top baits at the moment.
Wrap up warm and have a good weekend session.

October 2001
The Cod season has started and there have already been some good size fish in the
upper reaches 9-14lb are not uncommon.
The shore prospects for this month are very good. Plenty of LSD's and Whiting around.
Burnham and Berrow are well worth a try if you want some Cod.
Lilstock reefs are showing some Rays (w/e 13/10/01)
34lb conger from Dunster Beach (w/e 21/10/01)
Blue Anchor wall producing three double figure cod (w/e 21/10/01)

The boats are also into the Cod, and are also getting some decent size Whiting big
enough to keep to eat. They are also catching a varied mix of fish, Ray's and
Smoothound still feature well, there is a glut of Conger in the 20-30lb (w/e
13/10/01). all the mini species are showing well too. The occasional large Bass are
not uncommon.
Minehead Boats with cod to 16lb (w/e 2/10/01)

August & September2001
Some exotics around, Triggers, Sun fish to liven up the prospects. Good numbers
of Smoothies
both common and starry. Bass popping up all over as well as some Sole at the
upper end of the Channel. A surprise for this time of year, quite a few Cod
turning up in boat catches. One of 15lb in a boat competition on  23/09/01.
That same comp produced 17 different species, not at all bad for this time of year

July2001
Good prospects this month, the Tope are starting to show at the western end of 
the channel. There are Mackerel up to the Porlock Bay area. All the summer
species are present, with the chance of some good ray.
 
June 2001

Fishing is very good all the summer species are present in good numbers,
the smoothound action has slowed slightly. Bream are up as far as Porlock Bay, 
in the 2-3 lb bracket, as are the Mackerel so there is plenty of fresh bait to
be had.(15/06/01)
Rag, Mackerel and Squid are the top baits at the moment.
Have a look at July's Sea Angler for a write up on a recent Ray trip.

May 2001

WOW.....this month is off to a flying start, more fish than you know what to 
do with.
Rays of all types and some really good sized Small Eyed and Blondes. 
There are Spurdogs and Smoothounds in good sizes....they know how to 
fight. The recent round of the BCFSA boat competition was won by an angler 
with 12 different species.

The winning skipper for that competition, Mike Dyer on ATLANTIC BLUE
had 16 species on his boat,
an excellent effort for this time of year........things can only get better, the 
Tope should be here soon!!
Stay Tuned..

               YOUR OLD REPORTS
 

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

28/12/07	Blue Anchor	Pete Hughes	Click Here	N/A
26/11/07	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
01/11/07	Redwick	Nathan Davies	Click Here	N/A
12/10/07	Severn Beach	Steve Garratt	Click Here	Click Here
07/10/07	Portishead	Hans	Click Here	Click Here
05/10/07	Severn Beach	Steve Garratt	Click Here	Click Here
25/09/07	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
21/09/07	Dunster	Tom Power	Click Here	N/A
21/09/07	Portishead	Hans	Click Here	Click Here
18/09/07	Watchet ?	Damian McSweeney	Click Here	N/A
16/09/07	Minehead	Susan Walker	Click Here	Click Here
09/09/07	Minehead	Cathy Murtagh	Click Here	N/A
09/09/07	Burnham on Sea	John Pring	Click Here	Click Here
03/019/07	Littleton -u- Severn	John Clifford	Click Here	N/A
31/08/07	Somerset ????	Jake Bishop	Click Here	Click Here
08/07/07	Portishead	Tony Sampson	Click Here	Click Here
24/04/07	Minehead	Rupert Ellis	Click Here	Click Here
22/04/07	Minehead	Grant Dennis	Click Here	N/A
23/02/07	Shurton	Tony Searle	Click Here	N/A
17/02/07	Minehead	Kevin Hendy	Click Here	N/A
16/02/07	Blue Anchor + Dunster	Dave Swan	Click Here	N/A
09/02/07	Ladye Bay	Mark	Click Here	N/A
07/02/07	Shurton	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
01/02/07	Watchet	Scott Smy	Click Here	Click Here
23/11/06	Burnham	Vic Brooks	Click Here	Click Here
14/11/06	Severn Beach	Andy Brock	Click Here	N/A
07/10/06	Aust	Steve Garratt	Click Here	N/A
09/07/06	Minehead	Geoff Clarke	Click Here	Click Here
20/06/06	Minehead	Mike Spiller	Click Here	Click Here
22/04/06	Minehead	Geoff Clarke	Click Here	Click Here
17/02/06	Minehead	Paul Sawyer	Click Here	N/A
06/02/06	Newport Deeps	D Evans	Click Here	N/A
03/02/06	All over the place	Shaun Gatting	Click Here	N/A
19/01/06	Minehead	Darren	Click Here	N/A
19/12/05	Minehead	Glenn Pow	Click Here	N/A
15/12/05	Watermouth	Dave Lees	Click Here	N/A
14-15/12/05	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
01/12/05	Watchet	Ste Kenny	Click Here	N/A
25/11/05	Clevedon Pier	Phil Daw	Click Here	Click Here
19/11/05	Minehead	Geoff Clarke	Click Here	Click Here
04/11/05	Dunster	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
26/10/05	Ladye Bay	Paul Boys	Click Here	N/A
18/08/05	Minehead	Geoff Clarke	Click Here	Click Here
25/07/05	Porlock	Stephen Marley	Click Here	N/A
16/07/05	Clevedon Pier	Shane Luffman	Click Here	N/A
10/07/05	Sand Point	Gavin Draycott	Click Here	N/A
20/06/05	Ilfracombe	Chris Taylor	Click Here	Click Here
18-19/06/05	Clevedon Pier	Berkeley Garage	Click Here	N/A
10/06/05	Minehead	Geoff Clark	Click Here	Click Here
22/05/05	Watermouth	Andy Wilks	Click Here	Click Here
15/05/05	Battery Point	James Harding	Click Here	N/A
10/05/05	Minehead	Geoff Clark	Click Here	Click Here
19/01/05	Cardiff	Adrian Barter	Click Here	Click Here
15/01/05	Ladye Bay	Bert	Click Here	N/A
06/01/05	Huntspill Wall	Dave Seedorf	Click Here	Click Here
04/01/05	Kingston Seymour	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
03/01/05	Watermouth	Andy Wilks	Click Here	N/A

29/12/04	Minehead	Chris Burke	Click Here	Click Here
29/12/04	Minehead	Mark Waldron	Click Here	Click Here
27/12/04	Lynmouth	Andy Wilks	Click Here	Click Here
16/12/04	Clevedon	James Thomas	Click Here	N/A
13/12/04	Burnham	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
13/12/04	Portishead	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
13/12/04	Portishead	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
10/12/04	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
01/12/04	Clevedon	Chris Wudowski	Click Here	N/A
29/11/04	Portishead	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
29/11/04	Brean Down	Ray Thornback ?	Click Here	N/A
29/11/04	Portishead	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
25/11/04	Severn Beach	Robert Lee	Click Here	N/A
21/11/04	Burnham	Adrian Ball	Click Here	N/A
21/11/04	Sand Point	Mike Reynolds	Click Here	N/A
20/11/04	Brean Down	Rob & Andy	Click Here	N/A
20/11/04	Watchet	'Meachams'	Click Here	N/A
14-15/11/04	Clevedon	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
14/11/04	Dunster Beach	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
09/11/04	Clevedon	Jeff Fry	Click Here	N/A
08/11/04	Clevedon Pier	Geoff Clark	Click Here	N/A
04/11/04	Berrow Beach	" Killer"	Click Here	N/A
03/11/04	Hinkley Point	Luke Tillen	Click Here	N/A
27/10/04	Portishead Marina	Chris Robinson	Click Here	N/A
24/10/04	Sand Point	Mike Reynolds	Click Here	N/A
23/10/04	W-S-M	Joe	Click Here	N/A
20/10/04	Clevedon	Pete Yarrow	Click Here	N/A
10/10/04	Burnham	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
03/10/04	Portishead Marina	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
02/10/04	Severn Beach	Sean Wozencroft	Click Here	N/A
29/09/04	Burnham	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
28/09/04	Minehead	"Beach Telegraph"	Click Here	Click Here
26/09/04	Minehead	Albert Hartgen	Click Here	N/A
25/09/04	Hinkley Point	Richard Chapman	Click Here	N/A
20/09/04	Minehead	"Beach Telegraph"	Click Here	N/A
20/09/04	Minehead	Brian Short	Click Here	Click Here
15/09/04	Aust	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
12/09/04	Portishead	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
11/09/04	Portishead	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
28/08/04	Porlock Weir	Chris Taylor	Click Here	N/A
18-20/08/04	Kingston Seymour	Pete Yarrow	Click Here	N/A
15/08/04	Minehead	Geoff Clark	Click Here	Click Here
26/07/04	Portishead	Jo Dean	Click Here	N/A
18/07/04	Brean Down	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
16/07/04	Minehead	Geoff Clark	Click Here	Click Here
10/07/04	Brean Down	Lee J	Click Here	N/A
03/07/04	Brean Down	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
27/06/04	Ladye Bay	Carlo	Click Here	N/A
05/06/04	Severn Beach	Stuart Pentland	Click Here	N/A
18/05/04	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
14/05/04	Ladye Bay	Carlo	Click Here	N/A
09/05/04	Blue Anchor	Andy Mustoe	Click Here	N/A
02/05/04	Watchet	David Chayter	Click Here	Click Here
02/05/04	Sand Point	Pogie	Click Here	N/A
26/04/04	Minehead	Brian Short	Click Here	Click Here
24/04/04	Avonmouth	Carlo	Click Here	N/A
14/04/04	Lilstock	Rich Cox	Click Here	N/A
14/04/04	Portishead	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
14/04/04	Lilstock	Dave Stevens	Click Here	N/A
14/04/04	Minehead	"Beach Telegraph"	Click Here	N/A
10/04/04	Minehead	Sam Flay	Click Here	N/A
09/04/04	Severn Bridge	Stuart Pentland	Click Here	N/A
31/03/04	Clevedon	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
28/03/04	Minehead	Beach Telegraph	Click Here	N/A
24/03/04	Ladye Bay	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
24/03/04	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	T/F
29/02/04	Blue Anchor	Alan Browne	Click Here	N/A
20/02/04	Sully Island	Christopher James	Click Here	N/A
14/02/04	Porlock	Darren	Click Here	N/A
08/02/04	Minehead	Richard Overall	Click Here	N/A
07/02/04	Portishead	Dicky	Click Here	N/A
04/02/04	Wales?	Christopher James	Click Here	N/A
01/02/04	Ladye Bay	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
01/02/04	Sand Point	Pogie	Click Here	N/A
01/02/04	Watchet	Paul Banfield	Click Here	N/A

25/01/04	Weston Super Mare	Pogie	Click Here	N/A
20/01/04	Stolford	Mark Horne	Click Here	N/A
18/01/04	Watchet	Jon Short	Click Here	N/A
09/01/04	Watchet	Brian Smy	Click Here	Click Here
07/01/04	Minehead	Glenn Lindley	Click Here	Click Here
07/01/04	Ladye Bay	Gavin Draycott	Click Here	N/A
07/01/04	Blue Anchor	Lesley Rosser	Click Here	N/A
04/01/04	Battery Point	Mark Southam	Click Here	N/A
03/01/04	Berrow Beach	Paul Stoppitt	Click Here	N/A

23/12/03	Ladye Bay	Glen	Click Here	N/A
12/12/03	Porthcawl	Chris	Click Here	N/A
12/12/03	Ladye Bay	Tony Jones	Click Here	N/A
12/12/03	Ladye Bay	Sam Flay	Click Here	N/A
10/12/03	Watchet	Pete Lumber	Click Here	Click Here
07/12/03	Aberthew	Phil Morgan	Click Here	N/A
07/12/03	Blue Anchor	Andy Dade	Click Here	N/A
04/12/03	Berrow Beach	Andy Dade	Click Here	N/A
25/11/03	Minehead	Grant Dennis	Click Here	Click Here
25/11/03	Minehead	Keith Wigglesworth	Click Here	Click Here
23/11/03	Severn Bridge	Richard Hedges	Click Here	N/A
22/11/03	Minehead	Pete Lumber	Click Here	Click Here
16/11/03	Portishead	Chris Robinson	Click Here	N/A
07/11/03	Minehead	Aaron Brooks	Click Here	Click Here
07/11/03	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
06/11/03	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
24/10/03	Blue Anchor	Clinton Carter	Click Here	N/A
20/10/03	Watchet	Jon Short	Click Here	N/A
09/10/03	Blue Anchor	Mike Clay	Click Here	N/A

30/09/03	Minehead	Gavin Dredge	Click Here	N/A
25/09/03	Watchet	Grover?	Click Here	N/A
19/09/03	Weston	Vic Brooks	Click Here	N/A
10/08/03	Lilstock	Adrian Jones	Click Here	N/A
27/07/03	Minehead	Pete Lumber	Click Here	Click Here
21/07/03	Clevedon	Stuart Crabb	Click Here	Click Here
16/07/03	Minehead	A&S SAC	Click Here	N/A
28/06/03	Minehead	Mark Bastin	Click Here	Click Here
21/06/03	Brean Down	Nicky Hadjithoma	Click Here	N/A
16/06/03	Minehead	Gavin	Click Here	Click Here
15/06/03	Minehead	John Salter	Click Here	N/A
14/06/03	Clevedon	Jon Short	Click Here	N/A
07/06/03	Minehead	Pete Lumber	Click Here	Click Here
07/05/03	Blue Anchor	Chris Watkins	Click Here	N/A
11/04/03	Minehead	John Burrows	Click Here	N/A
05/04/03	Blue Anchor	Darren Martin	Click Here	N/A
30/03/03	Sand Point	Alan ?	Click Here	N/A
29/03/03	Watchet	Chris Bamfield	Click Here	N/A
29/03/03	Watchet	Frank Williams	Click Here	N/A
28/03/03	Doniford	Glenn Lindley	Click Here	N/A
27/03/03	Minehead	John Burrows	Click Here	N/A
16/03/03	Sand Point	Mike Reynolds	Click Here	N/A
23/03/03	Lilstock	Mike Patten	Click Here	Click Here
19/02/03	Burnham-on-Sea	Chris Barker	Click Here	Click Here
14/02/03	Burnham-on-Sea	Dave Stevens	Click Here	Click Here
05/02/03	N. Somerset	Rod Worrall	Click Here	Click Here
25/01/03	Watchet	Trish Allen	Click Here	Click Here
21/01/03	Minehead	Chris Peacy	Click Here	Click Here
21/01/03	Minehead	Clive Dunster	Click Here	Click Here
18/01/03	Minehead	Trish Allen	Click Here	Click Here
18/01/03	Watchet	Mark Mossman	Click Here	Click Here
18/01/03	Minehead	Dave Harris	Click Here	N/A
10/01/03	Severn Beach	Andrew Walters	Click Here	Click Here
04/01/03	Blue Anchor	Luke Speers	Click Here	Click Here
04/01/03	Blue Anchor	Dave Webb	Click Here	N/A
4-5/01/03	Bossington	Steve Fisher	Click Here	N/A
04/01/03	Blue Anchor	Adrian Jones	Click Here	N/A
01/01/03	Berrow	Tom Hocking	Click Here	N/A

30/12/02	Minehead	Terry England	Click Here	N/A
29/12/02	Minehead	Pete Allen	Click Here	Excellent photo
29/12/02	Minehead	Trish Allen	Click Here	Click Here
24/12/02	Blue Anchor	Darren	Click Here	N/A
20/12/02	Minehead	Lee	Click Here	N/A
13/12/02	Burnham	Lee	Click Here	N/A
03/12/02	Minehead	Glenn Lindley	Click Here	N/A
01/12/02	Minehead	Martyn	Click Here	N/A
30/11/02	Portishead	Kev	Click Here	N/A
28/11/02	Blue Anchor	Mark Ramsey	Click Here	N/A
23+24/11/02	Berrow/Brean	Kev the fish	Click Here	N/A
21/11/02	Minehead	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
10+11/11/02	Burnham-on-Sea	David Lees	Click Here	N/A
09/11/02	New Passage	Sam Flay	Click Here	N/A
05/11//02	Kingston Seymour	Darran	Click Here	N/A
13/10/02	Lilsock	Richard Chapman	Click Here	N/A
13/10/02	Minehead	Gavin Dredge	Click Here	N/A
12/10/02	Watchet	Jon Short	Click Here	N/A
11/10/02	Portishead	Roger Bradbury	Click Here	N/A
05/10/02	Severn Beach	Nigel hall	Click Here	N/A
08/10/02	Minehead	A&SC SAC	Click Here	N/A
04/10/02	Ladye Bay	Adrian Bryant	Click Here	N/A
28/09/02	St Audries	Jon Short	Click Here	N/A

28/09/02	Watchet	Shane Foster	Click Here	Click Here
21/09/02	Kilve	Paul Jefferies	Click Here	N/A
15/09/02	Ladye Bay	Jason Cook	Click Here	N/A
09/09/02	Lilstock	Grey Atkinson	Click Here	N/A
05/09/02	Minehead	Chris Peacy	Click Here	N/A
03/09/02	Minehead	Jenny Lockie	Click Here	Click Here
15/08/02	Blue Anchor	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	Click Here
01/08/02	Porlock Weir	Steve Marley	Click Here	N/A
21/07/02	Minehead	Glenn	Click Here	N/A
16/07/02	Blue Anchor	Adrian Jones	Click here	N/A
05/07/02	Porlock Weir	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	Click Here
19/05/02	Blue Anchor	Trish Allen	Click Here	Click Here
09/05/02	Blue Anchor	Pete Allen	Click Here	Click Here
09/05/02	Blue Anchor	Trish Allen	Click Here	Click Here
02/05/02	Minehead	Adam Jefferies	Click Here	Click Here
25/04/02	Minehead	A&SC SAC	Click Here	Click Here
26/03/02	Blue Anchor	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
23/03/02	Blue Anchor	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
22/03/02	Blue Anchor	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	N/A
21/03/02	Lilstock	Bruce Strachan	Click Here	Click Here
19/03/02	Clevedon	Andy Madsen	Click Here	N/A
02/03/02	Blue Anchor	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	Click Here
17/02/02	Minehead	Pete Moseley	Click Here	N/A
13/02/02	Ladye Bay	Gareth Jolliff	Click Here	N/A
12/02/02	Blue Anchor	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
03/02/02	Clevedon	Tony Bridges	Click Here	Click Here
26/01/02	Portishead	Andrew ?	Click Here	N/A
17/01/02	Porthcawl	Ian Johnson	Click Here	N/A
15/01/02	Barry Island	Ian Johnson	Click Here	N/A
06/01/02	Brean Down	J. Blammon	Click Here	N/A
03/01/02	Dunster Beach	Jon Finlayson	Click Here	N/A
24/12/01	Burnham on Sea	Bridgwater SAC	Click Here	N/A
23/09/01	Minehead	A&SC SAC	Click Here	N/A
25-30/07/01	Porlock	Steve Marley	Click Here	N/A
23/07/01	Minehead	Paul Jefferies	Click Here	Excellent Photo
24/06/01	Weston Super Mare	Steve Seal	Click Here	N/A
16/06/01	Minehead	Jim Cole	Click Here	N/A
11/04/01	Burnham on Sea	James Morris	Click Here	N/A
12/05/01	Minehead	Gray Atkinson	Click Here	N/A
10/05/01	Minehead	Paul Green	Click Here	N/A
05/05/01	Watchet	Steve Seal	Click Here	N/A
25/04/01	Minehead	Grant Dennis	Click Here	Click Here
22/04/01	Weston Super Mare	Steve Seal	Click Here	N/A
26/01/01	Minehead	A&SC SAC	Click Here	N/A
19/01/01	Lilstock	Gray Atkinson	Click Here	N/A
20/12/00	Minehead	Grant Dennis	Click Here	Click Here
20/12/00	Minehead	Clive Dunster	Click Here	Click Here
19/11/00	Burnham on Sea	Dave Stevens	Click Here	N/A

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
 

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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.blogspot.com

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From Adam on 04/10/09

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.

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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.

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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

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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

The Stolen Seadoo RXT

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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
 

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From Martin King on 22/09/09

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.

Martin and his mates.

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From Wayne Beale on 18/09/09

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.
 

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From Paul Ashton on 16/09/09

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.
 

Paul's excellent Sole

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From Martin King on 13/09/09

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.

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From Wayne Beale on 06/09/09

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.

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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

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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/Sandeel/ fished  there from 7am till 9.30pm and had 1 small codling about 4"long
between 5 rods.
Still it was a lovely day.

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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 .

 

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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.


 

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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

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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.
 

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From Martin King on 08/08/09

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
 

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From Paul Badger on 09/08/09

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.

Paul's Burnham Bass

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From Adam Cousins on 05/08/09

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

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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

Wayne's Catch

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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!

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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.

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From Martin King on 25/06/09

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.

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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

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"Martin's had a good day out"

"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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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From Dave Stevens on 15/05/09

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

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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.

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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.

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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

 

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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.

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From Tony Gussin on 16/04/09

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...

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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

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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.

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From Matt Barnes on 03/04/09

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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.

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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.

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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

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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