By Tom

My wife has a saying that March comes in like a lion and leaves like a Lamb. Well, this year’s Lion is still here and has dumped all over the garden and has eaten the Lamb. The rain was so bad coming down Victoria Road on one particular day; I was considering doing some spinning from the front step of the shop. As usual it is not all doom and gloom as there has been some nice fish caught over the last month, including a new possible British record Thornback Ray over 22lb at East Portlemouth.

Into the river Tamar then, the Pollock are now being caught in considerable numbers from all marks along the river to 4lb. Ballan Wrasse are still being targeted at Devil's Point , Mashfords and the Rame Peninsula, no reports of anything over 5lb this month. The Bass are still prolific again at most marks including the along the Plym where a fish of over 5lb was caught at Oreston. A lot of anglers are targeting the bigger Bass up the river at Alton Quay. The kids are catching a mixed bag of fish at marks such as the Tamar Ferry, North Corner and under the Tamar Bridge. Dennis Trapp of Ford Hotel SAC is putting a lot of hours in to catch a big Conger from along The Hoe; his latest mark is the hole at Fishermans Nose car park on the Barbican. He has only had straps so far from under the diving board and at Rusty Anchor . Shankey’s yard under the bridge is showing a lot of thornback to 8lb from the left hand side.

On to the Beaches and Estuaries, as I said earlier, a possible record Thornback of over 22lb has come up at east Portlemouth by a Brixham angler. I am sure Mike will have the full report in his Dartmouth column of the SAN. Plymouth anglers that have fished there recently have also been bringing in thornies at double figures.

Slapton and Beesands are still showing the usual mass of dogfish, pouting and the occasional whiting; small Bass and Plaice are also showing. Blackpool Sands has had Bull Huss to the left of the beach over 15lb.

On the competition scene, local anglers who ventured north for the British open at Bridlington did not fare well, Julian Shambrook from Anyfish Anywhere got tenth place in his first attempt and Brian Roach from Plymouth Command SAC won a cracking ABU Garcia reel in the raffle. Our Tackle and Bait Shop Comp for March was held at Seaton Beach and 18 anglers competed. Fish caught were LSD, Bass, Pouting, Whiting, and Rockling.  The next match will be at Blackpool Sands on 25th April, followed by East Portlemouth on the 23rd May.

The Plymouth and District Shore League will shortly be upon us with the first fixture commencing in May. New teams are welcome to the league and further information is available by following the link or ringing 01752 348455.
 
Finally, there will be a boat jumble at CFE Devonport on the 20th April.

Tight Lines, Tom.