Lee's small-eyed ray lands him fish of the month title

Over the last week or so we have had a flurry of entries for our fish of the month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Carp a Diem baits. Sadly no freshwater fish, so come on you carp anglers let’s see some of your catches.

Rays of various species have been dominating the sea entries so it is no surprise that one of these is this month's winner. Congratulation go to Torquay angler Lee Hemmings with his South Coast caught small eyed ray of 11lbs 8 oz. A prize pack will soon be on its way to him.

A first for Lizzie Francis fishing aboard a private boat in Cawsand Bay. A pretty spotted ray caught on a running ledger rig baited with cuttlefish. Wayne Hand, a well-known angling coach who fishes regularly on the south coast took a trip to the Minehead area where he had a couple of great sessions landing plenty of rays including spotted and small eyed.

A little further up the Bristol Channel on the rockier ground saw Newton Abbot’s Tristan Rowe searching for Thornback rays with some success, landing several including as new personal best of 10lbs 1oz. Phil Mingo from the South Hams, a regular in this column last year, enjoys mullet fishing and has caught a nice early fish of 3lbs 6 oz from a local mark. I’m sure this is the first of many we will see this year.

After a long cold and wet winter Kennick Flyfishers were pleased to be fishing the first round of their Snowbee Top Rod competition. The competition was fished at Kennick, although they fish other venues throughout the season. They were lucky with the weather as the previous day was wet and windy and the Sunday was dry with a light Northerly wind albeit a bit chilly.

Thirteen anglers fished and enjoyed bacon rolls upon arrival thanks to Tom Hendy and his culinary skills. Most fish came from the west bank on floating or intermediate lines with hot Head damsels and various black lures doing the damage.

Forty-six Trout were caught for a total weight of 77lbs 9oz. There were seven full bags and one angler failed to catch. No huge fish on this occasion with the best being a Rainbow of 2lbs to the rod of Peter Brown. First overall was Darren Penfold from Liverton with James Friendship and Alex Venn taking the next two places.

The next event is to be held at Hawkridge  on April 16. If you wish to fish with them please contact John Hern on johnhern@virginmedia.com.

Entries are now being taken fro out April fish of the month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Carp a Diem Baits. Please email me your pictures and catch details on johnsherlockfish@gmail.com