Taylor’s first fish is a cracking Carp

Newbarn Angling centre welcomed junior angler Taylor Lawson on his first ever fishing trip alongside his dad Terry, and what a start to his fishing journey he had, landing s Common Carp known as Two Tone weighing in at 21lbs, well done young man. With the weather showery on the day, they made use of the recently re-built hut to get some shelter.

Spring ponds, usually known for its match fishing, can produce some excellent Perch, sometimes by accident and sometimes by design. On this occasion, Somerset angler Steve Kingston was targeting them and landed the biggest to date from the ponds, a magnificent specimen weighing 4lbs12oz.

How long, I wonder, before a fish of 5lbs plus is landed from there.

Despite the weather, it appears that spring has sprung for anglers. There have been a few Smoothounds showing but it now seems that they have arrived properly.

A group from Honiton SAC fished aboard Teddie Boy out of Minehead in the Bristol Channel and amongst the usual Rays, Dogfish and Conger Eels, had a great day on the Smoothounds with fish up to 14lbs 7oz for Tom Travers.

The shore is also producing some good fish with England junior Archie Sweetland fishing the Bristol channel and landing a fish of 10lbs 5oz. They are not only on the north coast but can be found all along the south coast with Chris Wagstaff and Phil Mingo finding decent fish.

Will booth and Saleem Ali travelled to the Somerset coast and were rewarded with six Thornback Rays in their session, weighing up to just over 8lbs. Another fish worth mentioning is a Lesser Spotted Dogfish falling to the rod of junior angler Jade Wadge-Knight weighing 1lbs 10oz, caught from a South Hams beach.

The Bass fishing regulations now mean that anglers are allowed to keep two fish per day over 42cm in length, whether fishing from boat or shore. These hard fighting fish are known for their aggressive feeding and can be fished using any method. They are widely available from estuaries, rock marks and open coast and can be targeted by most anglers.

Tench are still showing well from Newton Abbot FA waters at the Rackerhayes complex, whilst a pleasure angler had a good net of Silver and Tench from Bradley Pond.

The latest match in the Saturday Sweepstsake competition, this time s feeder only match, also fished at Bradley Pond, saw Tony Potter taking top honours with 10lbs 2oz, Shane Harper second with 5lbs 12oz and Mike Hadley third with 5lbs.

Entries are being taken for our Fish of the Month competition kindly sponsored by sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre. Please email catch reports and pictures to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com