Angling: Spring Ponds kicks off freshwater match season with impressive catches

By John Sherlock

The freshwater match season is well under way with Spring Ponds holding their usual Saturday match as well the first of their evening matches.

The Fay brothers took the top two places in the three-hour evening match with honours going to Elliot with a bag weight of 52lbs 6oz and Jason with 21lbs. Both anglers were using the pole and pellets.

Third spot went to Mick Rice with 18lbs 4oz caught on the method feeder.

The Saturday match saw top spot going to Gary Dennis with a bag weight of46lbs 4oz on the pole and pellet, Paul Skinner took second with 43lbs 8 oz and Chris Packer third with 34lbs, they were using method feeder and pellet waggler respectively.

Newton Abbot FA’s latest Tackle Trader evening rover saw Shane Harper take top spot with 39lbs 8oz. Shane Harper and JJ took the next two places with 26lbs 8oz and 25lbs 2oz.

This week sees changes at Newbarn Angling with a change of ownership. Departing owners Graham and family would like to thank all anglers who have supported the fishery in his time there and also those who have helped with a bit of maintenance along the way.

I am told that the fishery will continue to operate with the new owners for the foreseeable future, I will however try to make contact to find out any plans.

Smoothhounds continue to dominate beach fishing at the moment with plenty of fish around the 10lbs mark, although none of the very big ones that we have seen in recent weeks.

James Trevett of Honiton SAC fished the south coast and found a small-eyed ray of 10lbs 4oz among his smoothhounds, while fellow club angler Peter Riggs travelled to the north coast and landed two small-eyed rays of 9lbs 8oz and 10lbs 4oz.

Saleem Ali also found rays, landing a nice spotted. The estuaries are producing gilthead bream with Bry Auger getting among them while Totnes lure specialist Tony White has been finding bass from the beaches on a white Senko using a slow retrieve.

The Brixham SAC open matches on the Breakwater have started again for the summer and run until August 16. Sign on is at the Breakwater at 6.30pm and fishing is from 7pm to 9pm. Entry is just £2 for adults and £1 for juniors with prizes to fifth place and a guaranteed junior prize. This competition is sponsored by St Austell Brewery and Brixham Bait and Tackle.

Entries are being taken for the Torbay Weekly June Fish of the Month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Carp a Diem Baits. Email your pictures and catch reports to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com