Wall to wall sunshine and gentle breezes have made it a pleasant week to be afloat catching fish with anglers across the region finding fish everywhere.
I fished the boats at Minehead, finding plenty of Blonde Rays and Smoothhounds eager to take the baits, and later in the week fished an evening species league event at Lyme Regis aboard Pegasus, which is always fun, although can be a challenge with the bait pack provided.
Sunday saw me fishing with Honiton SAC aboard Sambe and Orcas out of Beer, where a good day was had catching Congers, Cuckoo Wrasse, Pollack, Plaice, Blonde and Spotted Rays.
Notable catches being Kingsteignton’s Neil Newman Blonde Ray of 18lbs 4oz from an inshore mark, Tom Travers Pollack, Paul Munday’s Spotted Ray and Mike Spillers Smoothhound.
Another great fish this week was Gordon Richards’ 17lb Smoothhound caught from a private boat on the Skerries banks. The wrecks are producing some good size Pollock for Torquay’s Silver Halo, Exmouth’s Shande and Pegasus from Lyme Regis. With the summer fishing late this year, the Black Bream are now showing to the east of the region.
From the shore anglers are reporting that large groups of anglers targeting Mackerel are leaving litter and giving abuse, taking away the pleasure to be gained from angling and giving the sport a good name. Please report any issues to Torbay Council, the Police and IFCA where this can be handled within the law.
Saleem Ali managed to find Bull Huss from a local rock mark. The Totnes angler and lure specialist has started to find the Bass and I’m sure we will see some really good fish from him this year. Daniel Patrick has visited the estuaries again, being successful in finding the Gilthead Bream.
Damion Fryer, whose passion is fly and lure angling for Trout, visited the River Otter this week and landed some beautiful wild Brown Trout. Although small, they are superbly marked and will give a good fight on light balanced tackle.
Newton Abbot Fishing Association held a junior match at the club’s Bradley Pond with 10 juniors fishing, plenty of Roach, Rudd, Perch and Skimmer Bream were caught with top weight to Archie Johnson with a mixed bag for 6kg 400g. Ethan Gilpin took second spot.
The latest competition at Spring Ponds saw Dan Griffiths take top spot with Steve Barrell second and Faham Fay third. Dan’s winning weight was 25lb 6oz. Jake Cornish and Wayne Davies fished the specimen lake at Upham Farm and landed five Carp to 22lbs during an overnight session.
Sunday saw the latest round of the Snowbee Top Rod Competition, this was fished at Kennick which looks absolutely stunning this time of the year when the Rhododendrons are in flower. Top rod was Alec Hoare of Abbotskerswell with 5 fish for8lbs 12oz, Alan Riddell and Andy Gooding took the next two places.
Please keep the reports coming in to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com for our fish of the month competition, which is kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre.

Exmouth Journal: Night time fishingNight time fishing (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Paul Munday, Spotted RayPaul Munday, Spotted Ray (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Neil Newman 8lbs 4oz Blonde RayNeil Newman 8lbs 4oz Blonde Ray (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Tom Tavers, PollackTom Tavers, Pollack (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: John Sherlock Cuckoo wrasseJohn Sherlock Cuckoo wrasse (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Gordon Richard, 17lbs SmoothhoundGordon Richard, 17lbs Smoothhound (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Dan Griffiths winner Spring Ponds matchDan Griffiths winner Spring Ponds match (Image: John Sherlock)

Exmouth Journal: Archie Johnson winner NAFA junior matchArchie Johnson winner NAFA junior match (Image: John Sherlock)