Autumn angling is the best of times for South Devon fish fans

I have said many times that Autumn is the best season of the year for sea anglers and this year it is certainly proving to be the case.

The summer species of Bream, Mackerel, Garfish, Mullet and Smoothhounds are still being landed in good numbers, whilst Cod are showing and reports have come in of the first of the Whiting landed on the mighty Chesil beach and even one caught on the float at Dawlish by an angler fishing for Mackerel.

The winner of the Fish of the Month Prize kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Farm Angling Centre this month shows the diversity of our fishing with his superb open beach Bull Huss of 9lbs 6oz, a decent Bass from one of our estuaries and one of our rarer fish the Trigger fish weighing in at 2lbs 1oz. He is Chris Hawkes and what a month he had.

Congratulations go to Honiton SAC who this past weekend won the Westward Festival, an inter club competition fished from Bat and Shore.

This was held on the beaches of Beer and Seaton and a boat out of Lyme Regis. Well done to Peter Riggs and Ross Stewart for winning their shore zone and Mike Spiller for winning on the boat.

Whilst on the subject of Honiton SAC, a few of the members took a trip to Norway in search of something a bit memorable and it came in the form of a Halibut, which weighed an amazing 348lbs, a real beast. Other notable fish were Coalfish to 30lbs, Cod to 38lbs and Plaice to 6lbs. These fish were all released.

Closer to home this week, Dave Campbell landed a fantastic Black Bream from the waters of South Devon weighing in at 4lbs 6oz. Visiting the north coast, Matt Taylor landed a Sole of 2lbs 6 oz and “whoopsie” of the week goes to Tristan Rowe, who was fishing with Lugworm baited on a small hook for sole when a hungry Thornback Ray of 6lbs took his bait.

A good Mullet fell to the rod of Mark Shobrook, whilst Sonny Butterworth landed his first Bull Huss. Another first this week was for Mitch Floyd- Reeby who landed a Red Mullet. Well Known and respected Plymouth Angler Martin Larkin found a nice Couches Bream of 1lbs 10oz amongst many beautiful Tub Gurnards.

Another unusual catch this week came in the form of a rare Short Beak Garfish, falling to the rod of Ben Male. Not much is known of this species, so any information would be most welcome.

Please email any entries for the October Fish of the Month Competition to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com