Angling in the sunshine across the South-West

A little bit of sunshine this week has seen the anglers hitting their favourite fishing marks and finding some superb fish.
Honiton SAC members have been out in force, firstly with a rescheduled Junior competition fished on Beer beach, which was won by Jack Squance with a 1lb 11oz Ballan Wrasse.
Another junior, Archie Sweetland, fishing another shingle beach, landed a fine Smoothhound of 9lbs 5oz. James Trevett had the largest fish of the week a 46lb 8oz Conger Eel from Lyme Bay.
Wayne Hand hit one of the estuaries and found his target species, Gilthead Bream. Another group from the club fished at Minehead on one of the charter boats where they found plenty of Dogfish, Smoothhounds and Rays.
Elsewhere, Graham Dyer from Brixham Bait and Tackle boat fished Start Bay with Paignton’s Mike Johnson finding Smalleyed Rays. Gordon Richard and fishing pal Paul Millman, also fishing from a private boat, had a great day on the Smoothhounds and Bullhuss, including four double figure Smoothounds.
Saleem Ali fished on Mike Webbers-Griffiths' boat Teddie Boy out of Minehead for a great day on the Smoothhounds and Rays.
I fished the same boat this week with similar success in the company of Jamie Cook, CEO of the Angling Trust, who told me of the work they are doing in trying to get some sea angling participation events going around the country and are working with the government in keeping angling going in the proposed Marine Conservation Areas. Now is the time to support them and their work for all angling, they are our voice.
Stewart Lawley fished Seaton beach, landing several Smoothound on pulley rigs and fresh peeler crab baits. Tony White fished his local river, the Dart, searching out the Thick Lipped Mullet with great success using bread for bait.
At Newbarn Angling Centre, it has been a week for the juniors with 10 year-old lohan Evans out-fishing dad Ben and 11 year-old Jessica Williams fishing with a new rod, landing a Mirror Carp of 17lbs to the envy of everyone else on the lake.
The fish of the month competition for May has been won by Corey Upham of Brixham with his 11lbs 5oz Bullhuss pictured last week. The prize is kindly supplied by Sindwinder Lures. Please get you reports and pictures in for this month’s competition to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com. Newbarn Angling centre also sponsor this competition.
I have been informed that South Hams district Council have closed car parks at Slapton between 10pm and 6am, thus denying anglers the chance to night fish, they are considering a permit to allow fishing, anglers are asked to show their interest by contacting car park services at SHDC. Maidencombe car park is now controlled by the Thatched Tavern and is also closed after 8pm.
Finally, I have been contacted by Douglas Herdson, who is working on a report on the observation of fish and Turtles in the South-West and would like to hear from anyone who has seen anything unusual. He can be contacted on Douglas.Herdson@btinternet.com
Tight lines and have a great week