EVERY ORDER OVER £50
WILL RECEIVE A FREE GIFT
YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING, JUST ADD TO YOUR ORDER WHEN PLACED
1. ALDERNEY ANGLING CAP 
(Black out of stock)
2. BAG OF SEVEN 6" TWINTAILS
3. BAG OF 5 LEADED LIGHTNING
TWINTAILS here
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TO ENLARGE PICTURES CLICK MOUSE
ON PICTURE
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SPECIAL SHIMANO EXAGE MINI TELESCOPIC
210m and CATANA 1000 REEL
OFFER
ONLY A FEW LEFT NOW!!!
REDUCED!! I HAD THEM WRONGLY PRICED!!!
Buy an Exage MTS 210M and a Shimano Catana
1000 Reel with a retail price of
£107.98. In Alderney you can get this for as little as
£48.99. Delivered to UK including VAT and delivery just
£63.79. Choose from a rear or front drag reel.
Remember limited stocks though!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alderney Angling is
now on Facebook
22nd January
Just had the pleasure of photographing this fantastic 9lb 12oz Thick Lipped
Mullet caught by Chris Eastwood. Chris puts hours of effort locating and fishing
for this species so thoroughly deserved, couldn't happen to a better guy. Also
makes a change for him to outshine his boy Zac ;-)
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Also have heard of a 31lb Tope caught plus several Red Mullet, can't say too
much due to the netting!!
21st January
Windy weather preventing any serious attempts to fish at the moment. However
there have been Thick Lipped Mullet caught to around 5lb. Last night my brother
Darren and fishing buddy Robbo managed to find Red Mullet, Dogs and Pout. Not
setting the world alight but conditions aren't kind.
Looking ahead to warmer weather we continue to extend our range, we now have
a selection of Yo-Zuri plugs in stock at a very tempting price. Proper lures
that catch Bass! You can see what we have
here. Also we have got
the Tazer Sandeels (similar to the famed Sidewinder Sandeels) in to stock, yes
its get ready for wrecking action, they can be found
here on the
Miscellaneous page on the Plugs/Lure/Pirks section plus a small selection of
their plugs.......................PLUS on this same page we have got some
cracking looking Ryobi plugs, again aimed at lure fishing for Bass, which to me
look very similar to other stuff on the market branded differently but these are
at a fantastic price!
18th January
No reporting happening on here as for the best part we were away. Whilst gone
not much fishing took place but despite that pre Christmas Nigel Bowditch
managed a couple of good sessions with the rarely seen Gilthead Bream. So good
were the sessions apparently he came in the shop gagging with information to
help me with my quest for my Species Hunt unaware we had disappeared, real shame
we missed out there. For his good deeds a few days later he was rewarded with a
fine 12lb Bass caught on a Savage lure, cracking fish. Nigel again has also
recently found some Mullet, best fish around 7lb. Very few anglers fishing
and no visitors to compare any results, the rest of us though have been on
Commercial quay having a go for the squid. They were very late this side of the
channel this year, Weymouth seems to be the place to be for these at the moment
but over Christmas and still even now Squid are being caught with a few
Cuttlefish mixed in. Up to 12 in a session with the better ones going 4lb, why
go fishing? Its too easy!! Gary Maurice caught his first ever Cuttlefish last
night, once attached he struggled to hold it, it took one run and then another
before it was landed, Gary agonized over the scrap it gave him before the Cuttle
eventually tired, phenomenal as you can see if you click the picture:
Ok, fibbed, led you in to that, the only truth was that it was Gary's first
one. How on earth he caught that is anyone's guess! Seriously though on the
sizes, Cuttles to around 2lb and Squid to 4lb! Plenty of them but it won't last.
Got some lads over for the next 10 days, we'll have to see how they get on.
They regularly visit so it will be interesting.
A technical issue, we have noticed is that the site is slow loading for some
of you, this seems to be happening on Internet Explorer only so if you are using
this switch to Google Chrome of Mozilla Firefox if you have it. We will make the
necessary corrections if we can but our hope is very soon we will have the new
site loaded and ready to use, this will then eliminate the problem. The new site
comprises of a payment gateway, basket system and other mod cons that we are a
million miles behind on ;-).
16th December
Wow what weather we are in to, its never ending and hammering all attempts to
get any decent fishing done. Good news is the water temperature is dropping so
when this stormy weather does abate at least there should be a variety of
species out there to be had including Red Mullet, Sole, Bass and Black Bream
topping the likely targets.
How flat? Dave Roberts with a nice Mullet from his trip over in November.
We fly out today to spend Christmas in 'snowy' Scotland so watch our Facebook
page to see what fishing we are getting in to up there. Forecast north of the
border looks superb with very light winds so can't wait to arrive which should
be Monday by the time we have done the family thing and travelled up. We're
going to have a day afloat after the Common Skate and play around the sea Lochs
in the dinghies for hire plus no doubt catching some Trout in the self made
ponds for us muppets who can't cast a fly in a stream! Dave is covering any
queries, and of course orders, in the shop still and I'll be on email all the
time so its not all play!
I've put my last update on my Species Challenge for 2011
here, was it 49 or did I make the 50. You
decide ;-).
These pictures were sent to me for a giggle by Roger Bayzand. Roger is down
in Australia doing very well and enjoying some terrific sport fishing.
Australian humour is great and it is all about having a beer, relaxing and
having fun which includes boating, read on:
How to Load a Boat onto a MPV:
1
. Load up beer, 2-3 ice chests full
2. Relax, have beer.
3. Hook boat trailer up to MPV
4. Drink lots of beer
5. Drive real fast
6. Hit light pole (needs to be a solid one)
7. Boat will load it self onto MPV.
8. Relax, have another beer.
It seems a bit early but (unlike the Facebook page) because I can't update my
site when away Fieona, Dave and myself want to thank you all for your custom
throughout the year. Also a massive thanks to those of you that go the extra
yard telling us your stories, giving us your reports and pictures, and to a good
many of you a big thank you for all your moral support throughout the year.
Whatever part you play, even if you just read this blog we wish you all a Merry
Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!
Click here for your card.
Don't forget to go back on my Species page
here. ;-)
3rd December
Thwarted yesterday in my Species Challenge quest, shore fished all day and in
to the evening until the winds increased to such a point my only venue I could
fish was Commercial Quay, gave it till 8pm and given the fact there were no
likely species there which would be required I did pack up. So the day was spent
looking for White Bream, armed with good information as to where there location
may be I did give it a good bash, got through loads of rigs trying to place a
bait blindly between the edge of rocky ledges and sand but to no avail. Good
fishing though on light gear with Black Bream, Ballan Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse
and in to the darkness with Scad and Pout caught mainly on pop up rigs to keep
the bait buoyant for any potential 'swarms' of White Bream. Sadly due to the
forecast this week the boat has had to come out of the water, unlikely to go
back in before we leave the island for our holiday on the 16th so the Species
Challenge has come down to one fish, shore only with just 12 days to go!!
Keep an eye on our Mail Order pages, updating stock all the time as it
arrives. Currently updating the Shimano equipment, fixed spool reels updated
this week and this weekend their rods and multipliers.
I have some second hand rods and reels for sell. All in good or excellent
condition, one or two bits hardly used:
Reels:
Shimano Calcutta 150 £85
ABU 6500 C3 Mag Elite Orange - £60 (in original box)
ABU 6500 CT Rocket Chrome - £70 (in original box)
Rods:
ABU Enticer 12', 3-6oz, - £25
ABU Premium Bass Beach 1078263, 11' 6", 2-4oz - £35
Shimano Beastmaster Carp Spod Marker 12', 23/4lb test curve - £60
Shakespeare Quadra Bass 12', 2-4oz, 1338 346, - £35
Masterline Toothy Critter Boat 11' TC 110M - £40 (as new)
Shakespeare Odessa Bass 1370 346 12', 2-4oz, - £40 (virtually new)
Call us on 01481 824884 or email
mark@alderneyangling.com
29th November
Really windy here with a constant 35mph wind and gusts to 46mph so not much
fishing taking place. New lads staying with us with bags of Alderney experience
finding it tough. A few Bass to 3lb on the baits, plenty of Pollack and some
Black Bream. Very quiet for the month really. Since my last report I managed to
have a trip down the Quay again trying to target the White Bream, very similar
to the previous session I had with Ballans, Scad, Pollack, Pout, Tompot Blenny
plus I had a PB with a Golden Grey Mullet. Not weighed but would have been
nudging 2lb if it wasn't. Friday looking good for my next outing, just a
few days left to crack the 50 in my Species Challenge.
Last week if you remember we did have a crack at the Bass on the lures on the
boat. We were some what surprised to get this Garfish on a 6" Rhubarb and
Custard Sidewinder.
25th November
Fishing not fabulous at the moment although there isn't much activity to
gauge fully what could be there. The lads staying with us are concentrating on
their lures but not having the best of time of it, resisting the temptation to
fish at night with bait and they are keeping it pure! They have had a few Mullet
and Bream out on the float though. My own fishing this week has involved
two days, turning in to night sessions, afloat desperately trying to find my
50th Alderney species for the calendar year. I have enjoyed some really good
angling, looking for an Undulate Ray I have found plenty of Blonde Rays with the
best topping out around 25lb. No Undulates though. On some parts of the session
there have been times my baits were getting mullered by marauding LSD's and
Black Bream, which was fine when they were 3lb a piece, but when the small ones
were on it was a bit of a pain to say the least. On the lighter scratching gear
yes of course the Dogs and Bream were there but lots of Red Gurnards, all the
right side of 1lb which was nice. Then yesterday afternoon off the quay in the
harbour I was trying for a White Bream (trying to catch what had already been
caught, local lad had one two days ago), I set myself up with two rigs on two
rods. One with floating beads on the snoods and a bubble float positioned at the
top of the rig to make the baits come off the bottom, the other down the side of
the quay next to the ground bait bag. A hectic 3 hours with Pollack, Black
Bream, Scads, Pout, Ballan Wrasse and a Golden Grey Mullet but none of the
sought after Bream I needed. I did see a Saury Pike skip along the surface after
dark in the lights of the quay. Really funny as I am sure he was teasing me!
More importantly, looking to next year a party of lads are looking for four
bodies to join them on an Alderney trip from Langstone. Alderney has fished its
socks off for Turbot and Brill the last two years so this maybe an opportunity
that shouldn't be missed. Dates are June 12th to 15th aboard Trio III. May and
June are very busy but the B&B's are booked so no problem there. For more
details call David Lubran on
07766 730 989
20th November
Some Bass on the plugs today to a couple of the local lads. We have some
visiting anglers staying with us and they have had Bream and Mullet on the
floats, well the Dad and Uncle have, the young lad Mark Roberts has a way to go
to catch up but that's another story!
I've been updating the site on the Mail Order side of things getting your
Christmas presents listed so have a scout around by going in to the Mail Order
section of the site. We have new gear from Daiwa in the rods and reels, plus
clothing. Some cracking stuff there with their Soft Shell range. In the luggage
section there are some Daiwa Lure boxes too. Also we have a Snowbee account and
we have taken on, amongst others, their famed Accurate reels, their Blue Boat
rods, Saltwater fly rods and reels, plus lure boxes and a slingbag which can be
found in the Lure Accessories page, and most important their thermals in the
Clothing section!!
14th November
Oooohha..........................there's some news on my species hunt right
here.
11th November
Another forecast that was too tempting to resist.............a day afloat was
in order. This time though I wasn't going to let my Species Challenge take the
full focus of the day. One of my favourite aspects of fishing here in Alderney
is the plugging for Bass, in and out of the shallows and today was an
opportunity to use the full ebb in one of my favourite locations. Normally it
fishes well from August till December and I'd yet to sample the delights this
year. However before I got there I did have a go for a Topknot inn amongst the
boulders close to the shoreline. I anchored right in close around the low water
mark and dropped worm and mackerels strips on a size 1 paternoster rig with a
rotten bottom. Not a touch. As soon as I saw a trickle off ebb tide I was off.
Out came the bag of plugs, adrenalin just running as I looked in my box of
tricks. I laid out the lures in order as I would try them. First hit was a
Pollack, only a small one but a start. Fifteen minutes later and I had one
around 3lb. I searched all my favourite pieces, seeking out the back eddies
behind the larger pieces of reef where a Bass would be holding up out the tide
but after 90 minutes of fruitless searching I was starting to think of anchoring
up and returning to my Species Challenge. I then decided to come off the hard
plugs I'd been using and threw on a 150g Savage Gear Sandeel, set the drift of
the boat in the slacker part of the tide to avoid the overfalls and cast the
lure in the run to retrieve across the back of three boulders that are the size
of minis' fixed on the bottom. Bang, I was in, not a big fish although far
better than the Pollack I'd been catching but it was a Bass. A great sign as it
convinced me that they were there. This one threw the hook at the side of the
boat but the next one didn't. Small at 2lb he was easily beat and returned. I
drifted through the area (with pinnacles starting to show on the dropping tide
as I drifted.........be careful!! I could hear Fieona's cry 'You told me you
weren't going to take the new boat in there!!' Whoops!) and as it got shallower
I switched to a lighter Savage Gear Sandeel, a 42g and changed the colour to a
Blue Silver. This was it, I was now on virtually a hit or fish a chuck, all I
had to do was that when I was in the deeper water switch between the weights as
the drift shallowed up..........easy. I finished the tide on 11 with the best
knocking 6lb if it wasn't, great fun and I was very pleased with the lures, new
to me but I know many anglers have used them with great success. What baffled me
was did the fish come on as I used the lures or were the fish there and I was
using the wrong lures? I think the latter.
With only a couple of daylight hours left I returned to the Topknot spot but
had zero confidence. The tide was right to try for a Ray so a quick move and I
anchored up behind the breakwater. It wasn't ideal conditions, despite very
little wind there was an uncomfortable chop caused by the tide rip plus the tide
I was sat in met a tidal run on the outside of me, PLUS I had a double bounce
off the Breakwater. Please give me an Undulate Ray so I can get out of hear.
Baits down and within minutes I get ratchet run on the uptide. I didn't
rush it and watched the rod tip for movement which there was plenty in these
conditions!! I held the rod and could feel fish, confident it had taken the bait
I leant in to it and after a few minutes I had boated a nice 18lb Blonde. The
picture below is poor but you can see the conditions behind me and this was at
its best! A few little Bream on the downtide rod followed, then darkness fell,
the tide swung and it went mad for the nest two hours. Have you ever fished for
Black Bream using 5/0's and managed to hook most of them? I now have! It was
unbelievable. I couldn't keep two rods in the water at anyone time and most fish
were 3lb plus! I was getting thrown around by the worsening conditions which
just added to my experience, swell had got up too and when I took a wave in the
back of the boat it was time to go. I got battered for those two hours, awesome
fun even if it was near the knuckle, but I was never going to catch my Ray as
there were far too many Bream so home was a good option. I wished conditions had
been better so I could have scaled down the tackle and had some real fun but
maybe that'll happen another day. I've still got two species to go in my Species
Challenge to complete it but what a great days fishing!
9th November
A forecast I couldn't resist yesterday so I dusted the cobwebs off the boat,
(actually it was the jungle weed on the bottom that needed to go really!!), and
spent the day afloat. There was only one thing on my mind and that was to
increase my species count to complete my Species Challenge for the year and get
to that 50 total I set myself as a target at the beginning of the year and with
2 to go I was in high spirits. I invited my mate John along too, new to angling
his skills need honing and today was going to be an ideal day for that as well.
I opted to anchor on a mark where I know Undulate Ray turn up regularly, or as
regularly as Undulates can. By 8.00am we were settled down with baits on the
bottom. Terribly slow to start with and the temptation to move was hard to
resist but I was there for an Undulate and this initial lack of action could
actually play a part in my success. After two hours that first part of the tide
eased and we then managed a few tentative bites. First we had a procession of
LSD's and some small Black Bream. As the tide started to turn us I winkled out a
couple of Red Gurnard for tea (well supper as it turned out!), once we swung
round we had some better Black Bream with John getting a corker of over 3lb.
Then it happened.............Ray on. With chest pumping did I have species
number 49 of the year on? I warned John on the consequences of failure with the
net.............now his chest was pumping too!! As the Ray broke surface some
way back it was hard to ID it but as it got closer I could see it was a Blonde
around 10 or 11lb. Never mind we're on the right ground. After photographing it
I re-baited and dropped down, I checked the bait on my other rod and before you
know it John was in. Unfortunately though the fish had picked up his spinning
rod with Bream baits on, clearly this was another Ray but it beat him, the
leader knot parted. Disappointed we were but the action was still thick and
fast. Before I completed re baiting, the rod that had just gone back was doing
that familiar nodding of a Ray. I picked it up and set the hook. A bigger fish
this time, knowing what it was likely to be I couldn't help myself thinking the
impossible but sure enough it was another Blonde. The tide eased again (the
tides back and forth in tidal eddies here so every hour or so you swing one way
or the other) and we were back in to the Gurnards and some Bream. John then
connected to a better fish, he saw it coming through the water and shouts 'Nice
Sole', I leaned over the side not knowing what I was going to see,
previous to looking I did see a nice bend in his 20/30 Kenzaki and thought 'Wow
this is going to be a NICE Sole if it is!' Instead it was nearly as good, a
cracking Brill around 7lb. Well done John! Our swing on anchor continues and our
baits for an hour and half got smacked to bits with little Bream. Absolute shame
because we were onto some fish. In between all this I did pick up a nice Hound.
The tide eased again and started to swing us back once more, fishing eased off
and darkness started to fall. I had decided to give it an hour of darkness
before I was going to call it a day. Then it went mad again, well it did for me,
John couldn't buy a bite now for some reason! I did 6 Huss in 6 drops, 5 were
doubles if not very close and one of 6lb, they all spat the bait at the side of
the boat too which mad the catch and release side of things a piece of cake. Now
though we were running out of bait so last drop down for me and I am into
another Ray, it wasn't to be the Undulate I craved for but another Blonde. Any
other time if I was out in the dark looking for a Blonde
............................. it would never happen would it?
Out again tomorrow, Topknot is the target and I will have a session with the
plugs looking for some Bass, I've not managed to do any in the boat this year so
will have a right crack at that. Maybe stay out in the dark again for an
Undulate too!
7th November
A while back I posted that we'd recieved a
delivery of Daiwa's top end Bass range, well I
have just managed to get the pictures at the
weekend and I have now listed them on the site,
not before time! Imported from Japan and used
extensively in France Daiwa somehow have managed
only now to extend it to the UK..........we've
been missing out big time!! However it is in
time to add them to your Christmas list!!!
The
lures are called Shoreliners and you'll find
half a dozen types here http://www.alderneyangling.com/daiwa_lures.htm
The reels are the top three on this page
http://www.alderneyangling.com/daiwa2.htm
The rods are in the bottom section in the
Spinning part, Morethans, Tournaments and Airity
http://www.alderneyangling.com/daiwa.htm
Not cheap but they compare to anything I have
seen on the current market.
4th November
Here is some good news for the Bailiwick of Guernsey (includes the waters of
Alderney and Sark) which is the reinstatement of the protection of their 12 mile
limit which was taken away by the Privy Council in 2009. Now new legislation can
be drafted to protect the waters from vessels outside of the Bailiwick. Very
good news!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-15573809
3rd November
Wonderfully quiet on the island after last weeks bonanza........wonderful?
You know I am only kidding!! Below is the picture everyone is waiting for, Rick
Ball's 15lb 6oz Bass!!
Come on Rick.........go fishing more than once a year!
1st November
Back to reality now, painful. What an exciting week of fish, fishing, laughs
and no sleep! Its such a craic, like nothing else. Thanks to all of you that
come and make it so enjoyable. We had 107 enter which was a couple more than
last year, great to see some new faces too and hope you will be back. Below is a
picture of the final board:
Below is a picture of a Pout which looks as if it was picked up by a
Porbeagle Shark of all things, you can see the crescent shaped bite which has
even gone right through the bones. The ratchet was set to run if picked up and
despite the rods being watched no bite was detected! This was on the back of the
wall where Porbeagles are known to pass through.
Some pictures from wildlife expert Chris Tozer. Chris leaves us next week
which is a real shame but we hope he will be back for the festival. He has a
last night presentation to catch up on as he slept through this one! He caught
one of the best looking fishes of the festival in the way of this Undulate Ray
which was returned alive. Chris kept it alive in a rock pool for a couple fog
hours in order so he could return it. He is also pictured with a beautifully
marked Ballan Wrasse.
Danny Le Merrer was sorely missed this year. Danny was unable to travel this
year due to an injured foot that needed some continued TLC. However the Jersey
boys made sure Alderney did not miss him, here Danny is in spectacular fashion
with a cracking Pollack caught at Cachlierre!!
I always like to choose my fish of the festival, it could well have been the
15lb Bass caught by Rick Ball which was a phenomenal fish but I am going to go
for Derek Spears 41lb Tope. It was ballsy to say the least, a fine angling
achievement. One was to go for it, he did and nailed it. To land it was
something else, the conditions he was fishing in were below favorable but land
it he did, a cracking bit of angling all round, well done Derek.
And so too the final winners, firstly though a big thank you to Dicky Smith
for running the show. Dick took the festival organising on his own shoulders
this year which was thoroughly unfair, I'm too blame for that too, but he
managed to pull the rabbit out the hat so too speak, cracking job Dick and
thanks a lot. Thanks too to all the anglers coming in the shop and
spending their hard earned cash, much appreciated and many thanks to those of
you acknowledging to Fieona the work she does as well. Hope you all feel well
looked after.
Thanks too our sponsors and prize donators as well, without whom it would be
extremely difficult to run the festival:
States of Alderney
Aurigny
Quayside, St. Sampsons.
Le Cocqs of Alderney
Channel Seaways
Nellie Grays
ABU/Pure Fishing
Huelin Renoeuf
Swift Tackle/Sakuma
Daiwa
Boat Exchange, Guernsey
Tackle Direct 2U, Guernsey
Shimano
Micks Fishing, Guernsey
Leeda
ALDERNEY SHORE FISHING FESTIVAL WINNERS
2011
Sid Bohan Black Bream Trophy
1. Stephen Blondin 2-15-10
2. Chris Tozer 2-14-12
3. Steve Harder 2-14-6
4. Mike Winter 2-14-4
5. Mark Harding 2-14-2
Le Cocqs Ladies Trophy - Naomi Hall
Bert Messam Plaice Trophy - Mark Ashton
Barbie Cosheril Memorial Trophy - Rick Ball
Richard McCarthy Memorial Trophy - Heaviest Fish Returned Alive -
Dan Slimm
Andy James Trophy Cartiliginous Fish - Derek Spears
Three Bearded Rockling Pool - Adrian Coquelin 1-8-6
The Vermin Trophy - Best Pair Tim Froome and Dan
Slimm 5 fish total 338%
Gannets Trophy - Best Team of 4 Whip Crack Away Tim Froome,
Dan Slimm, Mark Bourgaize and Adrian Coquelin 9 fish 532%
Veteran Trophy - Over 55's Paul Bisson
Best Channel Island Angler - Dan Slimm 4 species 216%
Best UK Angler - Steve Harder 3 species 186%
And there you have it. Dates for next year are the 13th October till 20th
October, get the flights booked up early to get the best prices and book your
accommodation now so not to be disappointed. Well done to the winners,
tremendous effort and see everyone next year if we don't see you before.
28th October
Bizarre? I thought the fishing was tailing off but look at the board, it is
filling up!! An impressive 40lb plus Tope was caught by Derek Spears. Think I am
right in saying that two Guernsey lads, Stevie G and Dan Slimm, are both on four
fish and on for the Best CI Angler. Also think that Steve Harder has 4 too and
on for the Best UK Angler. I also think I am not catching enough!! I've got two
on the board, had LSD's tonight that went close but I bet a dozen more anglers
in the same boat. Good to see Dave Young get two Conger (27lb and 26lb) in
successive casts, thought he had a pod of them in front of him!! Strange on the
Breakwater tonight, one of those rare occasions you can fish it this time of
year when the swell wasn't going to be a problem, getting right in to it with a
following wind when it dropped out to nothing, then peed with rain. No problem,
till the wind came at us from the north as we got to the right bit of the tide
thus cutting your distance right back to where the snags are. Real shame.
ALDERNEY SHORE FISHING FESTIVAL 2011 BOARD
CONGER - 1. 39-9-0 64.33%; 2. 39-0-0 58.33%; 3. 32-0-0
52.03%; 4. 31-8-0 51.22%; 5. 26 ? ?
COUCHES SEA BREAM - 1. 1-15-06 67.11%; 2. 1-9-10 54.81%;
3. 1-08-12 52.94%
BALLAN WRASSE -
1. 6-10-00 77.66%; 2. 5-15-08 69.98%; 3. 5-15-04 69.78%
BLACK BREAM - 1. 2-15-10 49.77%; 2. 2-14-12 48.86%;
3. 2-14-06 48.47%; 4.2-14-2 48.20%; 5. 2-12-14 46.90%.
PLAICE/ SOLE - 1. PLAICE 3-12-04 49.59%; 2. SOLE 3-4-08
48.27%; 3. SOLE 2-10-14 40.98%; 4. SOLE 2-10-08 40.62%; 4. SOLE
2-06-02 36.44%; 5. SOLE 2-02-00 32.5%
BASS - 1. 15-6-10 93.33%
THICK LIPPED MULLET - 1. 6-03-08 52.27%; 2. 6-01-10
51.28%; 3. 5-06-06
45.24%; 4. 5-02-10 43.40%; 5. 5-00-00 42.02%.
MACKEREL/ GARFISH/ SCAD - 1. SCAD 1-02-06 79.03%; 2. SCAD
1-02-06 77.42%; 3. GARFISH 1-05-02 67.06%;
4.
GARFISH 1-04-04 64.29%; 5. GARFISH 1-02-08 58.73%
BEST OVER 5LB - 1. TOPE 41-08-12 81.58%; 2. BULL HUSS 10-07-10 75.93%;
3. BULL HUSS 9-02-10 66.42%;
4. POLLACK 9-06-02 58.33%; 5. POLLACK 9-02-02 55%.
BEST UNDER 5LB - 1. GOLDEN GREY MULLET 2-07-12 82.38%;
2. GOLDEN GREY MULLET 2-06-06 79.53%; 3. LSD 1-15-06 79.43%; 4. GOLDEN GREY MULLET 1-15-00 64.25%; 5.
CUCKOO WRASSE 1-02-00
THREE BEARDED ROCKLING -
1-08-06
26th October
Fishing is hit and miss but still some cracking fish coming out. Several
Congers on the board now with 39lb Eel caught by Dan Slim returned alive. Not
sure if Les Jones' 39lb 9oz Eel got returned alive, every chance it did as it
was nicely gaffed to land. I did that myself so that's another fish caught
alongside me that has made the board, that is 4 now plus my two! I must be some
sort of lucky charm! Quite a few Sole being caught but only 2 have made the
qualifying weight in addition to the other previously caught. Thick Lippeds
section starting to look good now. A lovely Undulate Ray, which again was
returned alive, has made the board but the talk centre's around Rick Balls 15lb
6oz Bass, what a fish! Several lads with three fish on the board, Stevie G, Tim
Froome and Dan Slim all Guernsey lads. Best team so far is 7 or 8 fish and the
best pair I think is 6. We are half way through now, I can tell that without
looking at the calendar as there are so many walking zombies through lack of
sleep. One lad has only had 7 hours kip since Friday night and he is not on the
board yet, how do they do it?!!
Updated board as it was midnight Tuesday and Les Jones' 39lb 9oz Eel
24th October
As promised some pictures, Liams 8lb Pollack, Robbo's 2lb 11oz Black Bream
and I managed a 7lb Pollack too.
A LSD and another Bream have been added to the board, shall update later.
23rd October
The first day and a half complete and what contrasts it has been. Saturday
afternoon and evening got off to a flyer, it's the best I have seen in eight
years I have been living here. No less than 13 fish hit the board early and it
wasn't so much the number, which was incredible given no night time fishing
had yet taken place, but the variety of species caught. Local lad Mark Ashton
pulled out a cracking 3lb 12oz Plaice, Tim (how can I forget his surname!!
Jersey lad, second furniture and stuff!!) winkled out a cracking Sole of 3lb
4oz, Liam Harrison landed a cracking Pollack of 8lb next to me which was an
absolute pleasure to drop net for him, no drama's I hasten to add!!), 2 Couches
came out as well, Stevie G managed two fish on the board in the first afternoon
and so it went on!! Unbelievable start. The Mullet section is already better
than last year. And then it goes all Alderney on you! Sunday was harder, fish
disappeared, some couldn't buy a bite. Alderney has a habit of building you up
and then dropping you, as good as the fishing is it is by no means reliable all
the time BUT put the time in and you will have some wonderful fishing as
Saturday/Sunday has just proved. Without doubt good, hard working anglers do
well here, well at least better than others. It will still fish well this week,
get Mondays awful weather out of the way and with the rest of the week
forecasted nice we will see some terrific fishing taking place. Just realised I
have left the camera in the car which is a decent walk a way so will do pictures
tomorrow. Here is the current board as of midnight weigh in Sunday night:
20th October
Less than two days before the start of the Alderney Fishing Festival. Normal
weather is forecasted for the annual event, wind and rain haha, wouldn't have it
any different would you? Nothing to report really fish wise as very little
angling has happened, Everyone is saving themselves for the big occasion. Today
4 lads from Bristol left us after spending a week here. They spent most of the
time day time fishing on the float finding Mullet to 4lb 8oz and Black Bream to
3lb 5oz, had a great time. At least I know where the hot spots are now, just
need some help with the night fishing!
Boat fishing has all but finished, Ben Barnes done well on his last few trips
with Brill and Turbot, picture below is of a CIF bottle, sorry I meant a 6lb
12oz Brill. The CIF bottle was too much too handle, put it in a locked draw Ben!
Ben has found some good numbers of fish which is good this late on, it has been
another cracking year for the Turbot and Brill with excellent numbers almost
throughout.
I spent last week in the UK attending tradeshows which was good fun. Some
cracking new product about especially in the lure market, look out for a range
of lures by Sebile, they look awesome. Loads of new rods and reels on the market
too. One thing to watch though is the price increases, if you are holding back
for any pre Christmas deals its not going to happen, I strongly suggest if you
see it buy it before the price goes up. Anyway besides the tradeshows I sneaked
some fishing in, although its not part of my Alderney Species Challenge for 2011
I couldn't resist targeting fish I've not yet caught this calendar year. I
managed to catch another four that I've not yet got, Dab (Folkestone Pier), Red
Band Fish (Tiger Lily, Weymouth), Flounder (Poole Harbour) and Triggerfish (Chesil
Beach). I had a cracking day afloat with Chris Caines on Tiger Lily, as well as
the Red Band Fish we had lots of Black Bream and Bass, we would have had more
fish if it weren't for the amount of LSD's caught, and then we went mini species
hunting around the harbour walls where we had Cuckoo's, Ballans, Rock Cooks,
Goldsinnys, Blennies and Pout. At Chesil besides the Trigger between myself and
my brother we had a couple of Codling and Red Mullet too.
From Saturday I will try my best to update daily the Festival board on here
and on our Facebook page so if you want to keep up to date keep logging on or
click the 'like' button above for the Facebook page so you get automatic updates
as they happen.
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10th October
The annual Alderney Shore Fishing Festival is just around the corner, starts
on the 22nd and finishes 29th, much anticipation awaits the start of the event.
Most important is the beer and the food with the pre-Festival get together at
the Campania on the Friday at 8pm. Last year was a bit of a damp squib so Dicky
has organised enough food for this year to make up for it. I suggest start
starving yourself from the Wednesday! Secondary is the
fishing.................have to be honest I've not got my finger on the pulse at
the moment, I've been in Norway for 10 days which you can follow reports
here and look at some photos
here. Last set of spring tides produced some excellent Bream fishing on the
float with bags of up to 20 fish for Mark Roberts and his uncle Mike. No big
fish with the best of it at 2lb 8oz. (No I'm not trying to put you of the
scent!). There were some Mullet in there too, Mark said it was kind of 10 Bream
and one Mullet. They did enjoy some good Bass fishing on the plugs, can't
remember how many fish per session he said but they did get to double figures
from time to time with the best fish at 7lb. Reports of Couches around as well,
some good Huss too. Some Sole, Plaice and other bits around.
I've not added to my Species Challenge for 2011, simply there has not been
the time to do anything so still stuck on 48, from the Festival onwards though
time is something in abundance so hopefully I'll get the opportunities to crack
the 50 before the end of the year.
I have some second hand rods and reels for sell. All in good or excellent
condition, one or two bits hardly used:
Reels:
Shimano Calcutta 150 £85
ABU 6500 C3 Mag Elite Orange - £60 (in original box)
ABU 6500 CT Rocket Chrome - £70 (in original box)
Rods:
2 x Zziplex Dymic HST (built my UK Hooks with Fuji all stainless steel rings,
awesome rod with awesome fittings! You won't buy better!! Supplied with 2
genuine Zziplex rod bags) - £475 for the pair
ABU Suveran Uptide 1097753 10', 6-10oz - £70 (doesn't look as if its seen
daylight out of the rod bag)
Fladen Maxximus Solid Carbon 8', 10/20lb - £25
ABU Enticer 12', 3-6oz, - £25
ABU Premium Bass Beach 1078263, 11' 6", 2-4oz - £35
Shimano Beastmaster Carp Spod Marker 12', 23/4lb test curve - £60
Shakespeare Quadra Bass 12', 2-4oz, 1338 346, - £35
Masterline Toothy Critter Boat 11' TC 110M - £40 (as new)
Shakespeare Odessa Bass 1370 346 12', 2-4oz, - £40 (virtually new)
Call us on 01481 824884 or email
mark@alderneyangling.com
25th September
Boat fishing hasn't been the best around the reefy ground close to the
island. Not sure why, almost strange. Still there are Eels to 30lb, Huss to
double figures and there is plenty of Black Bream to 3lb, plus some Couches. One
of the reasons could be the lack of bait, Mackerel scarce and it seems Launce
have done a disappearing act, all very strange. There is some Bass down the
Race, hopefully these spring tides coming will fish well for them but be warned,
you have got to work at your bait collection, lazy anglers catch nothing!! One
surprise though is there appear to be plenty of Turbot on the banks, good news!
Shore sport not too bad, we have a couple of pairs of anglers. One pair keen
on bait on the bottom, the other pair keen on their lure fishing. The latter
pair have had a dozen Bass, a bagful of Wrasse and a few Pollack in two sessions
they have done. They are of Breaming now which has been good with bags of up to
15 fish on the float. The other lads are interested in counting up their species
so their fishing hasn't been spectacular but amongst the normal fish Clive has
managed a Rock Cooks Wrasse. I also took him and his brother Kim afloat for a
few hours late on their arrival day. Kim caught a lovely 3lb Plaice and Clive
had a personal best and first Couches of the year at 1lb 8oz. This came in
amongst a session of Mackerel, Pollack, Ballans, Bass, Pout, Black Bream and
more. Yesterday I attempted to go sharking to increase my own species count. I
opted to anchor as there had been three reports last week of Porbeagles being
hooked up on Tope and Turbot gear. All three were lost, the best story though
was aboard True Blue from Poole. Fishing the Casquets one lad was just about to
have a double figure Turbot netted when out from the blue loomed a dark shape.
Aghast everything went in slow motion except the shark as he grabbed the Turbot
and swam. Massive the shark was, estimated at 400 to 500 pound, and as it swam
away the anglers aboard were looking down the back of it and could see the white
underside of the Turbot either side of the sharks head. Amazing stuff.
Anyway no such luck for us, one Tope and a host of Black Bream to 3lb.
Struggling now on 48, my biggest issue is commitment.................hmmmmmm!!
I'm of to Norway tomorrow so watch my Facebook pages for updates. Waterproofs
are packed as it seems we will have a first week of rain but who cares. I am
going there with top Bristol angler Steve Ace who works at Veals4Carp, a regular
visitor to Alderney in the past so I am looking forward to some terrific fun
with him and the lads. If you don't watch our Facebook page simply tap into the
Facebook search bar Alderney Angling. Press the like and then you'll get the
regular updates.
18th September
Now in stock are these top Bass lures which the French have been using for
ages. Imported from Japan via France by top lure angler Mick Ward (Mr Fish,
Jersey) these are the ultimate weapon in your Bass armoury. Top, top stuff!! For
more look here.
10th September
Alderney States have issued a White Paper regards the future management of
our inshore fisheries. This paper is the likely outcome for any legislation that
is to be applied to Alderney's 3 mile limit. Follow the link and go to the White
Paper (not Green) on the right hand side.
http://www.alderney.gov.gg/static/181514280128751399
I had a super session in the boat yesterday at anchor. Leaving mid-afternoon
I quickly managed to find half a dozen chunky Mackerel for bait. I chose a mark
I'd never fished before based on hunches on fishing ground around it. Having
got the 'pick' to hold I was straight in to Ballans, Pollack and Black Bream to
3lb on the down tide rod. Meanwhile my uptide rod was nodding away, first fish
on that was a small Blonde Ray, followed by a 9lb Small Eyed. Then whilst
trying to photograph the Ray my down tide rod was stripping line off on the ratchet so
I threw the Ray back to tend to it. I only had Kamasans size 1's on so I gently,
well as gently as I could, played the fish allowing it as much line as it needed. Realising
too I only had 20lb snoods on I thought I was going to lose this
fish which was giving me a merry dance. You know what it is like, you always want
to see it even if not landed, nothing worse than losing a fish and your head
playing tricks as to what you have lost. Ten minutes later and I could see it was
a Conger on the top hook of a 3 hook flapper which was spread over 5' foot of rig body.
Nicely hooked in the upper jaw I managed to T-Bar him off which was sweet. Back
to the fishing and once the uptide rod was set it continued to catch fish every
cast, it went 2lb Mackerel, 3lb Bream and then another Small Eyed and whilst
this was going on the down tide was still finding Black Bream, Pollack but no
Wrasse as darkness had now fallen. The evening progressed spectacularly well
with 3 Couches Bream to 2lb, 2 small Sole, a solitary Plaice which were caught
within the mix of Poor Cod, Pout and more Pollack and Black Bream. 12 species in
all, none added to my species total for the year but what a great session!!
8th September
I have reduced some Shimano items with 10% off and free postage to UK and CI,
overstocked and need to clear. Items concerned are highlighted in
pink, fixed spool reels you'll find
here, multiplier reels
are here and rods are
here.
Blowing a gale in Alderney still, wind looks like it should fall back
on Friday so I'm going to poke my nose out then.
Alderney's Fishery Consultation is drawing to a close so very soon
announcements will be made regards legislation for Alderney's 3 mile limit
to help manage fish stocks.
6th September
What's this weather all about eh? Gusts to 55 mph here today, steady wind of
35mph for best part of it and torrential rain. Fishing hasn't been great since
the last update, prior to this weather tantrum we did have a few days of
easterlies which took the fish of the feed but once that cleared it was ok,
actually for a couple of shore anglers it went mad. Selfish 'gits' kept it to
themselves for two nights whilst it was hot but there was fantastic Bass action
on the lures with one rod taking 24 fish to 8lb 15oz, 40 between the pair of
them. Much of the same the following night, the third night nothing! Then I
found out!!! Meanwhile I'd been Carp fishing and managed a 2lb fish and dropped
four. This scene is a one off (the fishing that is, the not sharing is common
place :-) .......) so leaving that aside there are still a good number of Bass
to flick a lure at. One visitor to the island commented in the shop that he had
a Bass around 4lb after 15 minutes, was that normal for here? You've got to
chuckle eh? Plenty of Pollack if you don't find the Bass. Meanwhile bottom baits
are finding Sole and Red Mullet to worm, Small Eyeds to 8lb and Congers reported
on the bigger bottom baits.
Boat fishing is a real mix bag this time of year. Turbot, Brill, Bass in good
numbers if you can fish for them, a local boat out fished the charter anglers
last week. On the rough ground Tope, Huss and lots of Black Bream. Valkyrie
always manages to find obscure species, last week was the Angler Fish, this time
it was a Saury Pike!! Glen also managed to find Couches for his crew too plus
saving the best for his boy Buddy, the 10 year old managed a cracking 12lb 4oz
Bass. Buddy just flicked a mackerel strip uptide of the lads, 3 casts it went
Pollack, Bream and then the fabulous Bass on a one hook rig with a size 1!!
Rose-Ann from Exmouth has had many regular trips here this year. The latest trip
yielded some good flattie fishing with the best pictured below, Black Bream was
excellent and a John Dory showed too. A few Cod found on the way home too.
With no wind on Friday and Saturday I managed to get afloat for two afternoon
and evening sessions. Plenty of fish over the two sessions and I opted to anchor
real close to the shore. Plenty of Black Bream to 4lb, Mackerel, Pollack to 5lb,
Conger Eels to 30lb, Small Eyed Ray around 8lb, Pout, Poor Cod, Ballan Wrasse,
Cuckoo Wrasse, Scad..................you get the theme? I was trying to scratch
around for something to add to my species list? Well I did........read a bit
more
here.
28th August
Can't believe we have got to the end of the month already and barely a
fishing update. I don't know how your fishing has been but I have only managed
two trips all month!! Busy, busy month work wise but your not interested in that
eh? Fishing wise its been good. Black Bream have showed up on the shores and are
appearing on the float to bread of all things. Plenty to 3lb. Red Mullet and
Sole have been caught this week which is excellent news. Bass to 8lb have been
caught on the lures, well nearly! The angler concerned was a wee bit stranded on
the rocks with an incoming tide when he hooked the silver bar, he did manage to
beach it and then proceeded to get caught up with the lure, not nice a treble
hook in your leg with a thrashing Bass ...........ooooh! Anyway the fish
shook off and swam away; as James walked forward he then got the other leg in
one of the other trebles too.........hilarious! Both legs hooked in to the same
lure!! Anyway, plenty of Bass. Some Mullet caught too. Huss in to double figures
as well.
In the boat there have been a few flatties caught, plenty of Bass to 9lb plus
on the bigger tides. Couches Bream have been caught today as well, a rake of
Black Bream around to 4lb too. Tope playing hard to get but there are fish to
60lb, great fun that is. Today aboard Valkyrie at anchor an angler lost a rather
expensive rod, it went shooting over the side, pulled in by a rather energetic
fish. They were fishing on clean ground so all the lads aboard got pirks on
their rods and started to jig around the bottom so that hopefully one of them
would catch the line so the rod would be retrieved. After a few minutes one of
the rods arched over but not to a heavy weight indicating a rod had been caught
but this thing was moving. Anyway after a bit of tug of war a 10lb Angler Fish
was landed, how lucky was that!
A few things to look out for product wise. I have reduced most of the ABU
6500's here, we have Omni
X braid in dark green on 220 yard spools at just £7.99
here and we have
reduced our Penn Fathoms here.
Fantastic reel that looks like it will stand the test of time.
11th August
Good fishing continues here in Alderney so don't think the lack of reports
here means there is a lack of fish. I've not managed to get afloat myself but my
good friend Ben Barnes had a session yesterday, first time he managed to get out
for a while and it was only a snap shot before the wind increased yet again
later in the day. He had plenty of Bass which included a PB for him of 8lb 12oz.
I have had several reports of 8lb fish landed in the boats so there is a good
head of steam building, this good fishing will remain for the next few months.
Rose Ann from Exmouth is here battling the elements, the guys had some good
fishing all round, dropped a double figure Bass at the net. Differing stories on
this, the customers says Mike's arms weren't long enough but the real truth lay
in the rig maker as a 'pig tail' on the trace was quickly identified as to why
the fish was dropped. Mike also managed to put the boys on some decent Black
Bream fishing too with a smattering of fish around and over the magical 4lb
mark. Dave Budden organised a trip aboard Wild Frontier from Weymouth for his
buddies and they had a terrific time with Cod, Pollack, Tope, Turbot and Brill
last week, a cracking week as you can see by the photo's below in fine weather
too. Stu Owen, Bob Mace and Dave himself all pictured.
Shore sport all good too. Plenty of Mackerel, Gars and Pollack. Some good
Huss fishing at night as Nigel Bowditch managed ten or more, some of which were
in to double figures. Lads aboard Becca-Marie fished last night on the end of
the Breakwater. Unconventionally they fished on the very end and legered in to
the rocks, lost 6 out of 8 sets of gear but on the other two they managed a 7lb
Bass and dropped a bigger one at the surface which was likely to be double
figures as well. I never make mention of any inshore activities on here regards
the netting but there must be plenty of Sole around as well, nets are on all the
popular Sole marks. Hopefully we'll get an opportunity to target them as well.
Black bream within target of shore anglers, fish to 3lb providing great sport on
the float but often over casting anglers do miss them when they are right at
your feet! Best way to get them this time of year, shirvy your swim and use
bread!
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30th July
Its all go here, loads of different species being caught but everyone's favourite (Turbot and Brill) still around in fair numbers. One boat had mid
twenties today so that was good. Bass increasing in numbers all the time as are
Black Bream and a whole host of other species including Eels, Huss, and Rays.
Tony Way landed a cracking 20lb plus Undulate Ray aboard Poole boat True Blue
and also pictured below is Lawrence Walsh with a lovely 13lb 8oz Turbot caught
on the same trip. My niece and nephews are over this week so as soon as they
were off the plane I had them down the harbour and off to get some Mackerel.
That was hard work so with the few we had I took them Tope fishing instead, aged
between 5 and 13 they thought it was awesome, so did I! Pictured below is Rhys
with the best of what we had with a fish of somewhere around 45lb or 50lb. He
done incredibly well with some assistance of course. Earlier this week I had a
quick dabble with some friends on the South Banks, we managed a quick fire
couple of Turbot and a Brill before Chips and Cheese beckoned us back to the
Divers. Jacko is pictured with a nice Brill, Simon never got as far as getting
his picture taken! Previous to that I added to my Species Hunt Challenge which
is
here.
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25th July
A new addition to the service we offer is that we have installed an ice
machine. To make arrangements for collection call us on 01481 824884 or drop an
email to mark@alderneyangling.com
16th July
Shore sport continues to fish well, Dave Young who works here in Alderney
Angling had a red letter 'evening' on Wednesday when he could do no wrong. Using
the Savage Gear Sandeels he managed 18 Bass from the shore, great sport he
certainly did enjoy. Other nights have produced fish but not to that degree,
right place right time. Mullet continue to be caught. Plenty of Mackerel,
Pollack and Gars about too. Unconfirmed reports of a 50lb Eel caught from the
Breakwater, not sure on that though, could be the beer talking! One thing for
sure the harbour had a pack of Tope running around, they were even in the
shallows leading up to Blacksmiths, very exciting. No need to leave the mooring
now!!
Further out though plenty of good sport to be had, its a matter of choosing
what you want to do. Still enough Turbot and Brill on the banks to target. Tope
to 45lb reported this week, plus Bass appear to increasing in numbers with fish
to 6lb down the Race. Black Bream to 3lb 8oz gathering around the reef marks
where Conger, Huss, Cuckoo Wrasse all encountered. We had fine weather last
weekend so I had the luxury of a couple of days afloat. Anchoring produced
Blondes, Black Bream and other bits. The sandbanks produced some nice Turbot and
Brill although we had two tales of two banks, one appeared to be totally barren,
the other full of fish. Then the following day we were off wrecking, not
spectacular fishing but we managed some good fish with Ling to 24lb, Conger, Cod
to 23lb and Pollack all coming to the gunnels. A chance encounter with a shark
on the wreck provided some heart stopping moments, a Pollack was picked up
briefly which was discovered once the fish was in the boat. The shark gear came
out on the assumption it was a Porbeagle but on our return we showed people
wiser than ourselves and the suggestion was it was something bigger. The Pollack
appeared to be simply 'pressed' when it was picked up, no curve in the bite
showing the shape of the mouth, just puncture wounds that you could put your
fingers in which were about an inch apart. Who knows but its still out
there..................and probably would be even if I hooked it!
My species hunt has been updated
here too
8th July
The weather is hampering all attempts to boat fish currently. This weeks
charter visits went home back to the UK with tails between their legs, too much
wind put paid to the efforts made although on Tuesday produced 20 odd flatfish
for Wild Frontier. They also managed to find the Cod on the way over, plenty
around if you can find them on the right wrecks. They don't seem to remain in
the same place for very long.
Shore sport has taken a surprising turn for the better. Reports of a lot of
Mullet being caught with fish to 6lb landed. On the south side rafts of Mullet
have appeared in the 3lb to 6lb size. Bass have been falling to lures and fly in
reasonable numbers too, live Eels accounting for fish as well. Not terribly
large fish but up to 3lb. Last year there were reports of a few Plaice being
caught, a species that used to be abundant around the island but latter years
have seen very few if any. Now it looks like last years success is to be at the
very least repeated as earlier this week Nigel Bowditch landed two fish of 3lb
and 4lb respectively. One or two smaller ones caught as well. Further still, a
night session for Nigel saw him catch Sole to 2lb 8oz as well, commercial lads
are reporting both species in abundance around the island so plenty for the
anglers too target. A Couches Sea Bream was caught by a guy I only know as Dan,
nice fish to which was around 2lb 8oz. typically he thought he had caught a Red
Bream, it took a Savage Gear Sandeel of all things!
Over in the quarry reports of Brown Trout to 3lb 8oz on the fly.
I got afloat last night for a bit. We managed Plaice, Red Gurnard, Conger Eel
to 20lb, Pollack, Ballan Wrasse, Mackerel in a short space of time. All on
anchor not too far out.
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5th July
It all happened the weekend, great weather, great fishing, my best mate and
the MONG all arrived together and we had a blast. Lee and MONG were straight off
the plane, down to the harbour and we had bait in the water within 40 minutes of
touchdown. First blood was to Lee whom had a very welcome Bass. MONG followed
this with two nice Turbot which he was chuffed to bits
with.......................I'll stop the MONG thing now, its a private thing,
you know? Ryan is a nice lad if a little 'office clad' but lead him along and he
does ok. Anyway Ryan had a wish list of Turbot, Brill, double figure Cod and a
double figure Pollack, none of which he had caught before and we had a day and a
half to do it. Anyone else we'd have been ok with but bless him he needs to be
nurtured. With the Turbot nailed he was chuffed to bits, so were Lee and I
because he asked fewer questions! With the tide steaming through we were
drifting to quick for the flats so we went and collected bait, with the view of
making our way down to the Schole. On arrival the tide was starting to ease off
and we were straight on to the flatfish. A smattering of Brill and Turbot
between us over the slack made for a good starter to the weekend. The tide had
turned so we opted for an earlier than planned finish but a very early 4.00am
rise.
Saturday dawned and it was glorious. Our plan was first slack at the Casquets
and then out to the wrecks for a go at the Cod and Ling. With our bait collected
we headed for these western banks. Great timing on our arrival as we watched a
Porbeagle rolling around on the top of the bank. A quick look at our 12/20 set
ups and it was a no go to wake this bunny up. We stuck to the flattie plan and
it paid off. We were on fairly big Springs so time was limited, we managed a
quick half a dozen flats to 8lb and the bonus was Ryan got his Brill! This was
good news because he was MONGING again! With the tide boring through we now
headed out to the wrecks. No rush to get there due to the tide. On arrival we
got the speed and direction of the tide, set up our hopper rigs with 6" Fat
Tails and lowered them down. Despite my first four drifts producing four Cod in
excess of 20lb a piece Ryan was cladding the wreck with my lead. Not sure why
because it already stood 50' high. Anyway over the next two hours, what appeared
to be boxes, my fishing tackle found there way down to the seabed ..............
unbelievable! Slack tide approached which was a godsend so we opted to drift the
wreck for Ling, I needed one for my species hunt challenge for the year. I
positioned the boat some 500 yards off the wreck and told Ryan to lower down on
the sand, whilst the boat skimmed the side of the wreck Lee and I lowered ours,
all three of us spooling out as the boat drifted in the minimal tide. All three
of us leant in to fish, excellent news. Unfortunately Lee dropped his, I managed
to boat mine which was the intended Ling which went just short of 20lb and Ryan
boated his LSD off the sand. That was a shame but I did get my tackle back! We
continued the same thing and allowed Ryan a couple of hundred yards closer to
the wreck. This time things were quieter and the boat drifted in a different
direction due to the easing tide pushing us further away from the wreck. A bite
registered on my rod, I fed line out to it expecting another Ling. When I
thought it had chewed the bait long enough I leant in to it but this time it
leant back! Whoops, its big. 15 minutes later I had a whopping 70lb Eel
alongside, a personal best for me. With the tide turning we went back to the
lures for the Cod. Ryan now felt he had learnt a bit and did find a double
figure Cod, fair play to him, well done. We picked up a few more Cod between us
before the tide increased too much and it was time to go. Ryan was chuffed to
bits with his Cod but I think it was more with his ability to beautifully
decorate a wreck he couldn't see, so much so I had to turn the glare down on my
sounder and I think we will rename this wreck Tinseltown!! The boat travelled
quick due to empty tackle boxes and a virtually empty weight bucket! We did try
one wreck on the way back which I had some double figure Pollack several weeks
ago but with 5 knots of tide on it didn't look possible. We gave it a right go
in 300' of water and managed to find fish to 7lb but alas the final piece for
Ryans jigsaw didn't happen...........it never mattered we had a cracking
weekends fishing, laughter and great weather.
If
you are traveling to the islands, or indeed from the islands to the UK you need
to be aware of the following as regards healthcare. From today the reciprocal
health agreement between the
UK
and the
Channel Islands
will be dissolved, please see the following link - here
This means that all visitors from the 1st April 09 will need to be
covered by travel insurance.
Alderney
Angling.com 
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