Anglers warned to check their weights

News has reached me this week that Sussex IFCA enforcement officers visited Worthing Pier and were checking anglers catches and reminding them of minimum sizes for keeping fish. This was just an advisory session but I’m sure at some point prosecutions will happen.

The Devon and Severn IFA are based at Brixham and if they start checking, we are right on their doorstep. I would advise that all anglers make themselves aware of the minimum sizes. These can be found on the relevant IFCA websites but here are a few that most anglers catch at some point.

Most know that Bass is 42cm and only from April 1 until January 31, but the surprising one is Mackerel, which is 20cm, while Plaice is 27cm, Whiting is 27cm and Cod is 35cm.

Whiting continue to dominate beach anglers catches, with the largest reported this week landed by Brixham SAC member Martin Lobbe, weighing 1lb 12oz, this gives him a new personal best.

30 members of Honiton SAC fished Slapton Sands, and with clear seas and a gentle south-easterly breeze, they found fish hard to come by until darkness fell, when Whiting and Dogfish started to be caught. Nothing huge was landed and top rod was Tom Travers, who also had the best fish, a Whiting of 1lb 3oz.

Chris Wagstaff visited the North coast, targeting Spurdogs, which unfortunately did not show but he was rewarded with a decent Bass for his efforts.

If there was a prize for the prettiest fish, it would surely go to the Ballan Wrasse caught by Brixham SAC’s John Huteson, a fine winter fish weighing 4lbs 1oz.

The only boat fish I can report this week were some decent Pollack and Bass caught by John Bovey and his fishing partner Mark Walker, who fished aboard their own boat over some distant wrecks.

The presentation night for the Kingsbridge and District SAC South West Flounder championship fished throughout December was won by Scott Smy with a 3lbs 5oz flounder, John Moore and Ricky Keeling took second and third respectively. Tommy Bacon took the Junior prize. Look out for details of next year’s competition, which will once again be running throughout December.

Many anglers enjoy the Wyvern small boat competition fished annually out of Salcombe. The dates have been agreed for 2025 and are September 13 and 14, further details will follow nearer the time. Aquacat Boats are once again a major sponsor.

Carp are still being Caught at Newbarn angling, despite the cold conditions. This week, an angler only known as Gary landed a fine Mirror Carp of just over 20lbds.

There is still time to enter our Fish of the Month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Angling Centre. Please email details of your catch to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com