Blog
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March 06, 2023
A day out fishing for Spurdog on 'REEL DEAL' from Ilfracombe.
We met at 7am for bacon rolls and a coffee and headed down to Ilfracombe harbour where we met Dan Hawkins, Owner of Reel Deal Charters and Archie, who would be our crew for the day. There were 8 anglers aboard today but there is plenty of room on Reel deal which is very stable being a catamaran hulled boat. It also has 2 x 325hp motors which means you spend more time fishing and less time getting to the mark.
Weather was set to be sunny but in fact it turned out to be overcast with an OAT. of around 3-4 degrees. I had plenty of layers on but regretted not taking my Penn immersion suit as the wind was bitter at times. Nick was more sensible and donned his Penn boat fishing coat.
We headed out and within 25 minutes or so Dan had put us on the fish. Tackle was braided mainline with a 2-3ft 180lb - 200lb leader using 6/0 circle hooks. small mackerel or squid baits were used but the key to catching
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February 27, 2023
Bonus Chubb Makes River Session Worthwhile.
With the coarse river season soon coming to its end, I thought I would get out for one last trip, with my cousin Mark.
We parked up, got our stuff ready and walked along the river, it was running a little bit low and clear, due to the lack of rain. after finding a spot we liked the look of, we started fishing. The choice of tackle today was 13 foot float rods, perfect for trotting a stick float down a river. Our bait of choice was maggots and bread.
It was a cloudy day, but with a cold wind. we started trotting, and tricking in maggots. The water had a nice flow and was a good depth, but the fishing was very slow. After fishing for a while, Mark finally managed to find a grayling, but our success was short lived, as we could not find any more fish.
With the cold wild and lack of fish, we decided to head down steam, and fish in the more overgrown and wooded area. It’s was nice to be out of the wind. The second part of the -
February 27, 2023
7 Year old Ted and his dad Tony where fishing Horwood lakes last September when Ted hooked into this super 20lb common carp. It was caught using a 15mm tiger nut wafter. Tony adds 'it took me over 20 years to catch my first 20lb common and Ted does it on his 3rd ever carp trip!' I'm sure we will see Ted with a 40lber in the near future!
Well done Ted!
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February 22, 2023
Having started a new winter syndicate at local fishery Hacche Moor this year, shop manager Chris certainly started in style landing a new lake record of 44lb 12oz with a fish known as 'The Bullet'. here's what Chris had to say about his time so far on Hacche Moor fishery and the capture of the Bullet and a new PB.
With a stock of 60 fish all of which are incredible i was eager to get a rod and line in. After 5 quick freezing overnighters since November and no fish on the bank i was starting to question my approach. On my 5th blank i decided to reel in early (as no-one else was on the lake) to have a lead around and try to get something going. I found some lovely spots up the shallower end of the lake where i had seen a few shows on previous sessions. Knowing there was a warmer front coming a few days later and finally being able to put a few nights together i decided to put some boilie on the spots ready to return (also taking some lake water to pre soak my bait ready for
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February 21, 2023
Mark and Nick decided to head out on Marks boat out of Ilfracombe. A great days fishing full of Sea Bass, Mackeral, Pollock and some surprise visitors. All caught using the Hunter Pro Pred Rod.
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February 21, 2023
Friday afternoon was spent deciding whether to go fishing or not, but after a quick chat with Tom to find that no-one was booked on Saturday I knew I had to go.
Arriving at Bulldog to windy, rainy chilly conditions and with a thought of 'I could be at home in the warm' I grabbed my coat and had a walk of the lake. Tom came and joined me for a chat and just like that 3 carp decided to let me know exactly where they were, I needed no more encouragement grabbed my gear and put a bait on both of the spots, one with Remix Cellnapple and one with 15mm cell both spots had about 30-40 freebies scattered around them.
Rods set, bivvy up, kettle on and the left hand rod rips off short battle and I slip the net under a 21lb mirror. Weighed, photographed(all be it badly) treated and released cast back on the spot and 5 mins later right hand rod is off and the left hand as well...double take! Resulting in a 17lb and a koi known as paintball which in all the commotion I forgot
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February 21, 2023
Shop Manager Chris Connaughton had a lake exclusive booked for April 2021 on Island at Furzebray Carp Lakes in Devon. Having fished the venue for some time Chris was after a fish known as Clover so decided to fish a swim that was unfavored at this time of year knowing this is where she usually resides. After making some 'Secret' hookbaits for the lads and them absolutely having it off, Chris was not so lucky until the last night when the whole game plan came together and she was sulking in the bottom of his net! A 43lb carp and a long standing target landed on Remix Baits Secret wafters!
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February 21, 2023
It’s mid February and there’s been several frosty mornings in the last week and little to no rainfall for a while so I knew the chalk stream wouldn’t be dirty and the water levels down .
There wasn’t a morning frost but clear overcast conditions for the day and gentle wind to give my first grayling attempt on the fly a go .
Using the Fishpass app for directions I arrived at beat 1 Weston’s ( Bampton ) at the farm . Parking as instructed in front of the barn using the description on the beat of the requirements of what’s allowed and which kit it recommends to use on this beat .
The app has all the info you need in where to go , what to use and even shows the recent catches on the many beats . The app uses tokens to fish the various locations and spots for different species ,which come out as £15 for 5 tokens on the app . These stay on here forever til you use them which is only accessible after putting your fishing
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October 12, 2022
Trenchford Reservoir
Friday 7th October 2022
It was an early 4.45am start for Mark and I as the travelling time to Trenchford is around 1 hour 20 minutes for us. We got there and set up in darkness and were just ready when first light broke.
The weather was good with a brisk wind but Trenchford is reasonably sheltered so this did not affect us much. The early morning view was stunning as the sun came up. With the trees showing the wonderful shades of reds and browns of autumn.
Mark kicked off with a couple of jacks around the 5lb mark early on in the morning and I missed 2 runs. One was a jack messing with the bait, the other is because of my vanity trying to catch the run and messing about with the camera!
I got another chance around midday and managed to land a fish of around 8-9lb. Both mackerel and sardines were producing result.
It was dead for most of the afternoon then Mark managed another jack around 4pm.
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October 03, 2022
October 1st 2022
Lower Slade Reservoir. Ilfracombe, North Devon.
It's that time of year again!
I look forward to pike fishing at this time of year and couldn't wait to get out. I arrived at lower Slade reservoir around 6:30am and it was still dark. By the time I had parked and set up first light was breaking.
It was still warm with the air temperature around 10 degrees. I picked the middle road swim as there was less weed and it was between two overhanging trees which looked good for the ambushing predator.
I was using half mackerel baits and circle hooks on a running ledger rig. I did run around every supermarket the night before trying to find sardines but had no luck so settled with the mackerel.
30 Minutes in I saw a large surface swell right under my feet so brought a bait to that spot. 5 Minutes later I had a take from what felt like a decent fish. Unfortunately it came off after just a few seconds.