Local anglers embark on the annual species hunt

Many Sea Angling Clubs have started their new year with a competition that is fast gaining in popularity, the annual species hunt.

Some include mini species, such as Blennies and gobies, and others don’t. This competition means that an angler can test his skills in many different ways, including knowing the time of year to fish for them and the different methods and tackle needed to target them.

There are well in excess of 60 species that can be targeted throughout the course of the year, with a few surprises thrown in along the way.

A good fish to start off 2025 is the humble Flounder, a fish found this time of the year in estuaries. Many anglers have been out and about this weekend trying to find them, including myself, who, as usual, didn’t even manage to get a bite.

Scott Harris from Dawlish landed two, with the biggest weighing 1lb 15oz but the best of the weekend went to Dan Patrick of Brixham SAC, who landed a fish weighing in at 2lbs 4oz.

Aaron Colhoun ventured to the shingle beaches to the East and was rewarded with his first Blonde Ray of the year. Young Archie Sweeetland features again this week, also fishing a shingle beach where his best fish of a cold evening session was a Conger Eel of low double figures.

Two anglers who have not featured in this column before are Aiden Lawrence and Leeroy Streebor. The duo fished at Dartmouth and they both landed Bull Huss of 6lbs 7oz and 4lbs 2oz respectively. Mitch Floyd Reeby tried his hand at flounder fishing and landed an 8lbs Conger on light tackle, sounds like fun!

Exmouth SAC members have been busy with most fishing locally and have recorded plenty of Bass and Flounders.

A reminder for those club anglers who have prizes to collect from the Angling trust Wyvern division, the presentation night is on Saturday, January 25 at the Royal British legion in Alphington, starting at 7.30. This is always a good night with everyone welcome, a buffet is served after the presentations.

Another reminder for Bass anglers is that from February 1 until March 31, all Bass caught must be returned. After this date, only two fish over 42cm may be kept.

Newton Abbot FA members have also been braving the conditions with many of its waters dangerously high. Such was the case for the first junior match of the year, where the venue was changed to the harder to fish Bradley Pond.

Elle Pedrick was victorious in this one with a weight of 4lbs 12oz. The Carp are proving to be difficult to catch in the colder conditions, although the Pike anglers are now coming into their own and finding fish up to around 20lbs.

Entries are still being taken for our Fish of the Month Competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn angling entre. Please email your pictures to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com