Christmas is rewarding for anglers who brave gale force wind and rain

Despite the temptation of a warm house, more food than you can eat and copious amounts of alcohol, many anglers braved gale force winds and driving rain to catch some really good fish over the festive period.
The average size of Flounders in our estuaries seems to be getting bigger at last. Joanne Harding found one of 1lb 13oz, whilst Lee Cruse found them at 2lbs 4oz and 2lbs 6oz.
However, the persistent Daniel Patrick of Brixham SAC fished one of his favourite marks and found fish of 2lbs 7oz and 3lbs.
It has been a while since fish of that size have been recorded, let’s hope there are more to come.
A couple of good Whiting have been landed, with the best being a 2lbs 6oz specimen to the rod of Ian Bryce, who fished with Mackerel strip at a Plymouth mark. The other fell to Phil Mingo and weighed in at 1lb 12oz.
Paul Lane managed a Boxing Day trip in the sunshine and was rewarded with two Bull huss over the magical 10lbs. The South coast produced a cod of 9lbs 11oz for Daniel Johnson, whilst Exmouth SAC member Chris Harford landed an 11lbs Bass from his local beach. Justin Townsen fished a North Cornwall beach and Small Eyed Rays in a feeding mood.
Lure angler Tont White has been out and about on local beaches, catching plenty of Bass on his favourite lures. Another lure angler who has been having plenty of success recently is Ben Foster, who has been catching them up to around 8lbs.
Newbarn Angling Centre is still fishing exceptionally well in the current mild weather, with Ian (Rich) Park catching three fish in a short session with the weights going to just over 20lbs. It is worth fishing Newbarn at the moment as some of the huts have been put back into place, giving shelter on a wet day.
Newton Abbot FA continue to hold plenty of matches, with a rover fished at Wapperwell pond won by Ethan Gilpin with a bag weight of 22lbs 12oz, Sam Powell took second with 7lbs 11oz and Shane Harper third with 4lbs 12oz.
The following match was held at Bradley Pond, top spot going to Gary Webber with a weight of 12lbs, Darryl Pattie and Sam Powell taking the next two spots with 11lbs 14oz and 10lbs 9oz respectively.
Entries are now being taken for our January Fish of the Month competition, kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre. Please email your catch reports and pictures to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com The result for December will be announced next week.
I would like to wish all my readers a Happy New Year and may 2024 be even more fishy.