The perfect summer hobby for mental health and fresh air

Spring has officially arrived and we have some lovely sunshine, lighter winds and dry weather for South Devon anglers.

If, like me, you are getting older and prefer to fish in the warmer months, then all the preparation for the upcoming year should be done. Rods and their fittings checked, reels serviced and filled with new line and rigs all tied.

Alternatively, you may be someone who has never fished before and think this might be the year to try a new hobby, one that is great for mental health and gets you outside in the fresh air.

If it is sea fishing that you fancy trying, there is no better place to start than one of the many fishing tackle shops or angling clubs around Torbay and East Devon. Both will give advice on the tackle to buy, where to go and the baits to try.

At an angling club, you will find they often have sessions where you can go and meet people who will offer advice and they also may take you with them to make the whole learning experience more complete. They will have matches and boat trips and may also hold teach in for juniors.

Sea angling, in general, is free to fish, although you need to bear in mind the cost of the bait for each trip and in many places, the cost of a day’s parking is in excess of £15. Clubs to look at around the bay are Brixham, Paignton and Torbay and Babbacombe with clubs also at Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Plymouth, Exmouth, Beer, Sidmouth Lyme Regis and Honiton.

Freshwater fishing tends to be a little easier to start as there are a couple of clubs in our area, especially Newton Abbot Fishing Association, where there is a sizeable fishing complex at Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot. Bream and Tench to be 10lbs + and Carp in excess of 30lbs.

Newbarn Farm Angling Centre have several pools stocked with a variety of fish and also have Carp in excess of 30lbs and can be fished on a day ticket of £12. They also have a well-stocked tackle shop where advice can be given on the tackle and bait to be used.

Only one fish has been reported this week, although sport should be hotting with summer species arriving and freshwater fish waking up from their winter slumbers. Aiden Lawrence landed a fine Bull Huss from a boat in the mouth of the Dart weighing a magnificent 14lbs7oz.

Please remember to send your pictures for our fish of the month competition kindly sponsored by Sidewinder Lures and Newbarn Farm Angling Centre to johnsherlockfish@gmail.com giving a brief description of the method and tackle used if possible.