Rays of sunshine in the Bristol Channel

I am often asked what species of Ray are to be found in British waters and are they easy to catch.

On Sunday, I was aboard a boat out of Minehead in the Bristol Channel and we were lucky enough to catch the four main species that inhabit those murky waters: the Thornback, Blonde, Small Eyed and the smaller and prettier Spotted Ray.

As you will see from the pictures, they do vary in their markings. Tactics in catching them are the same for all four, as they are bottom feeders and eat Prawns, Crabs, Squid and fish. Very occasionally, a Blue Skate or Cuckoo Ray will also be caught.

From southern waters, Undulate Rays and Stingrays can be added to the list but if you want the king of the Skate family then you need to head to the East of Scotland for the mighty Common Skate, which are regularly caught weighing in excess of 150lbs.

Elsewhere, the fishing has been patchy to say the least, with Smoothhound still the main target. Mackerel are showing on some days and then not been seen the next. Bass are around and Totnes lure angler Tony White has been finding a few to around 60cm in length from the open beaches.

James Trevett fished East Devon for Thin Lipped Mullet with quite a degree of success, along with a bonus Golden Grey Mullet.

Spot on charters from Brixham has still been fishing the distant wrecks, with plenty of Pollack now showing, along with Bass, Black Bream and the occasional Cod.

A few dates for your diaries are July 16, August 6 and August 27, when Brixham SAC are holding Wednesday evening competitions on Brixham Breakwater. Entry is just £2 for seniors and £1 for juniors. No feathering is allowed, fish to be weighed in must be above minimum size and the winner will be the best fish as a percentage of specimen.

NAFA waters continue to fish well with Tench this week of 6lbs 4oz and 6lbs for Richard Murch. The latest round of the Tackle Trader Wednesday evening league was won by Sam Powell with a weight of 56lbs, Jamie Coxall took second with 43lbs 2oz and Tom Ravenscroft third with 42lbs 6oz.

Billy Grant fished Newbarn Farm Angling centre and landed two stunning double figure Ghost Carp on his return to the venue.

Unsurprisingly the winner in our Fish of the Month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Angling Centre and Newbarn Farm Angling Centre is Charlie Gray for his 56lb Tope. A prize pack will be on its way to him shortly.

Entries are now being taken for our July competition, please email your catch reports and pictures to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com or send via Messenger.