By Tom

I think this should read tales from a very wet Tamar as we have seen a lot of rain running into our rivers and estuaries. The Mackerel which were very prolific in their numbers bubbling the river all the way up past Ernesettle have all but disappeared out into the sound at least. Apart from some very small school Bass, not a lot has came out of the river, mind you I do not think much fishing has been done for the last couple of weeks. On the front of the Hoe we have seen some nice Bass with the best so far has been on the right hand side of West Hoe Pier by Terry Cunningham, a cracking 12lb.

Terry had three big runs until he finally hooked this fish on ledgered calamari squid. Elphinstone car park has also turned up a few surprise Bass around the 5-6lb mark. In the river there have been some nice mullet knocking around, The bridge area has been a popular mark with some big fish spotted close inshore all the way up to seventeen arches.

Heat three of the Plymouth and District shore league saw some good scores this month with 15 specimens covering 10 different species returned. The tackle and bait shop seniors managed to get some points on the board but were also knocked out of the Evening Herald cup by the juniors. Brixham managed to climb back to top spot in division 1 with 29 points over Roving Rods A who scored 28 points. The Div 1 table is still close with Brixham and Roving Rods A in joint first place on 80 points followed by Stonehouse on 72 and Rodbenders on 70 points. Division 2 leaders Plymouth are sitting on 47 points with Roving Rodders second on 41 points, The Tackle and Bait Shop Juniors are continuing to impress with 39 points. The Tackle and Bait Shop Seniors are still bringing up the rear but are now only 4 points behind Roving Rods Juniors who have 12 points. The top ten specimens this month came from: 1. R Carter Roving Rods A-Pollack 4-13-0 / 2. G Andrews Roving Rods A-Trigger 3-7-0 / 3. A Copping Brixham-Blonde Ray 14-10 / 4. A Cockram Brixham-Wrasse 6-8-0 / 5. A Nicholls The Tackle and Bait Shop-Bull Huss 13-0-0 / 6. C Sloman Naval Stores-Mullet 4-15-0 / 7. G Holbrook Stonehouse- Mullet 4-11-0 / 7. A Copping Brixham-Small Eyed 9-13-0 / 8. R Carr Kingsbridge-Pollack 3-8-8 / 9. R Avery Roving Rodders-Mullet 4-0-0 / 10. A Copping Brixham-Spotted 4-12-0. Heat 4 is on August 16-17.

 The re-arranged Castaways SAC Breakwater competition organised on 26 July went ahead in glorious weather conditions, this was mainly due to the hard work and determination of its organiser Graham Tippet.Three categories went up for grabs, Senior, Junior and Lady. Sponsored by some of the tackle shops in Plymouth and other tackle dealers ensured that an attractive prize table was in place.ResultsJunior 1st Lewis Brownlow  Ballan Wrasse  4lb 4oz / 2nd Ashley Bullard LSD 2lb 7oz Ladies1st J.Fellows Ballan Wrasse 5llb 7oz

Senior1st L.Smith Ballan Wrasse 5lb 15oz / 2nd A.Kelly Grey Mullet 3lb 15oz / 3rd S.Clarke Grey Mullet 3lb 10oz / 4th C.Whalley Grey Mullet 3lb 8oz / 5th S.Rochford Mackerel 1lb 4oz / 6th J.Brownlow Ballan Wrasse 3lb 8oz / 7th S.Pinnock 3 Bearded Rockling 1lb 2oz An all night match is being arranged by Graham in late August on the Plymouth Breakwater, unfortunately this is not open to juniors. Graham can be contacted on 01752 768423 for further information. 

For all the latest reports or dates for competitions or general information on the Plymouth angling scene, go to www.thetackleandbaitshop.co.uk