Happy Christmas from South Devon anglers

As another Christmas draws near and a New Year is about to start, I will reflect on the past Angling year.

We started with a great result with the netting proposals in the Salcombe Estuary being rejected due mainly to a great response from anglers showing their solidarity in giving many excellent reasons why this should not be allowed, thus preserving a great angling venue for many years to come.

Whilst on the subject of Salcombe, some fantastic gilthead Bream were recorded with specimens reaching up to 9lbs. Other memorable fish landed have been Spurdogs to 16lbs, Smoothhhounds have been plentiful with many double figure fish landed from the shore.

Gurnards seem to be getting bigger and the South coast is producing some cracking Small Eyed Rays. Flounder numbers seem to be improving slowly and anglers are having a great time at the moment fishing our estuaries for them.

Unfortunately, the fun summer fish, mackerel and Garfish, have not been around in the numbers we would expect, although due to conservation measures taken over many years, Bass seem to be caught all year round and now to a good average size, making them a go-to species when wanting to target something specific. They can, of course, be caught on a variety of methods.

I must also mention the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna fishery we now have in the South West with local charter boats Silver Halo, Spot On and Our Joe catching them in good numbers. Everything is looking good for 2025.

I must thank all readers of this column who regularly send me pictures and catch reports, without whose efforts this would not exist.

The fish of the month competition will continue next year with continued sponsorship from sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre to whom I give thanks.

Entries will be taken over the festive period so please email me on johnsherlockfish@gmail.com and I will announce the result in early January.

On the current fishing front, Flounders seem to be the current target species, perhaps mainly due to the month-long open competition that is being run by Kingsbridge and District AC with other clubs holding flounder competitions in December.

Brixham SAC members Dan Patrick had a good session with Ethan Hammond, with them both catching fish, as did Ricky Keeling and Michael Head. Teignmouth angler Dan Hale has been fishing hard and has caught plenty although not the big one he is after. Scott Harris continues to catch them and I have even manged to get one.

Newton Abbot FA continue to hold matches with the latest Wednesday Rover Sweepstake match being held at Wapperwell pond, where Nigel Jeffery was triumphant with a bag weight of 63lbs 8oz, second was Ben Hames with 59lbs 1oz and third Shane Harper with 54lbs 9oz.

Finally, I would like to wish all readers Tight Lines, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.