Father’s memory takes South Devon angler to the Isle of Purbeck

Every year I travel to Swanage on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck to meet up with family and friends for a day’s fishing in memory of my father, who was my inspiration in our great sport. A sport I have now been doing for around 67 years and will continue to do as long as I can.

We fished aboard San Gina 3 of Swanage Sea Angling skippered by owner Tom Greasty. We headed west on a hot sunny day with a flat, calm day. We were lucky enough to catch a plentiful supply of fresh Mackerel for bait before heading out to our first proper mark where Tope were the target species.

A frantic couple of hours followed with plenty coming aboard and the best weighing just above 30lbs falling to the rod of Scott Harris.

A move to another mark brought a steady catch of Black Bream with the day ending with Richard Sherlock landing his first Undulate Ray and Mike Spiller boating a magnificent 18 1/2lb Blonde Ray.

If anyone fancies a trip somewhere just out of the area, then look them up online and give it a go.

Read about Rays of sunshine in the Bristol Channel

Brixham SAC held a Gilthead Match in the South Hams with plenty being found at various marks, Dan Patrick and Michael found nice fish but the winner on the day was Daryll Farley with a fish of 4lbs 12oz. Ethan Hammond landed a bonus Bass which put up a great fight on light gear.

Tope were also the target for Mike Johnson who fished aboard his own boat and also had fish to around 30lbs. Chris Wagstaff headed to the north coast, where his target was Small Eyed Rays, and his reward was three fish up to around double figures.

Exmouth SAC fished a Smoothhound competition on the north coast with plenty of fish being found from many different marks. Totnes lure angler Tony White reports plenty of bass around at the moment from both estuaries and the open sea with his go to lure being a white Senko, which he fishes on a very slow retrieve.

Read more about angling in South Devon

Kennick Flyfishers latest round of the Snowbee top rod competition was fished on Wmbleball Reservoir high on Exmoor near Brompton Regis.

Twelve anglers made the trip and anglers aboard six boats made there way to various parts of the 375-acre water. The dam area proved to be the only place where fish were to be found and they were deep in the water, I imagine that the heat played a big part in this.

Alex Venn took the honours with a bag limit and weight of 18lbs 12oz including the biggest fish of the day, a Rainbow Trout weighing 9lbs 1oz.

Please continue to email your pictures and catch reports to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com to be in with a chance of winning our fish of the month competition kindly sponsored by sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Farm Angling Centre.