Absolutely central to pike conservation is the early detection of a ‘run’ or a ‘take’ and the more precise the rig you choose, therefore, the better the chances of detecting a ‘run’ before the pike swallows your bait. This always assumes, of course, that the angler is sitting close enough to the rod(s) to see…

The pit is about 35 acres and contains Well, no one really knew, that was the beauty of it. But from observations and conversations with the other 2 or 3 anglers that fished it, a figure of no more than 20-30 fish seemed to be present. Rumours were rife, fish of huge proportions had been…

Earlier this year, our project manager Laurie phoned me to ask me to write a review. I could not believe my luck and booked a week holiday for the week starting on the 28th April.Holiday detailsAddress: White Acres, White Cross, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4LWPhone: 0845 458 0065Directions: From Exeter follow the A30 into Cornwall passing…

Clawford Vineyard at Clawton near Holsworthy in Devon has always been one of my favourite venues. The accommodation is first class in large rooms with TV, coffee making facilities and en-suite. The views from all the rooms that I have stayed in have breathtaking views of the lakes, vineyard and the beautiful Devon countryside.Downstairs there…

Common skate grow big. They regularly weigh over 150lbs and 200lbers are caught every year. Commercially caught common skate have exceeded 400lbs. There are rumours of post WW2 skate to 600lbs from Icelandic waters, though these giants are mostly associated with the 1930’s -before stocks were reduced through commercial exploitation as technology improved catch rates…

There is a wide selection of suitable boats available and plenty of magazines giving good honest boat test reports. Buying the boat is the easy bit. Where the problems start is in kitting the boat out and deciding where items are best stowed for ease of accessibility, but with the constant problem of maximising space…

Equally, a landed conger can be as placid as the householdcat, but the next one goes ape and can be a real handful, especiallyin a tight place. But they grow big, fight hard and are a realchallenge, plus have always been a cult fish attracting specialistconger anglers.Pick most cliff type rock marks in England’s Southwest,…

The bulk of fish are well offshore thinking only of recreating their species and, apart for some wreck fishing sport for pollack, ling, cod and coalfish, if you travel down to the West Country, then it can be pretty inconsistent in most areas. But there literally is a ray of sunshine. Thornback rays! The thornbacks…

Fact is they’re missing out on a species that is just peaking in both numbers and size during that period. The ever obliging dab keeps you out and about enjoying yourself and eases that “wishing I was fishing” feeling that grips us during the darkest time of year.Providing you’re casting on to sand, it doesn’t…

A ling’s jaws have “state of the art” dentures. Needle shaped teeth designed for grabbing and not letting go, helped along by a wide powerful mouth. Their eyes are large, for good vision at depth and they are powerful swimmers. They grow big too, easily over 40lbs. The British record makes 59lbs, and commercially caught…